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16,500 | 7 | Michael Rex is the author and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including the New York Times #1 bestseller Goodnight Goon. Michael has a master's degree in visual arts education (K-12), and worked as a NYC art teacher for four years. He visits schools across the country, and has appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice as a guest illustrator. Mike lives in New Jersey with his wife and their two boys.; Title: Fangbone! Third-grade Barbarian 3: The Birthday Party of Dread | [
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16,501 | 14 | With over thirty four million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."With over thirty four million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."; Title: Home for Christmas | [
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16,502 | 1 | This dramatized version of a true story involves a little brown dog that was spotted in 2010 floating on a chunk of iceberg down Polands Vistula River toward the Baltic Sea. Children summon firefighters, and a human chain is made to try to save the animal, but the current pulls too quickly. Night comes but yet the mutt survives: Dogs thick fur keeps him warm. But Dog is wet and tired and hungry. And he is scared. Dont be scared, Dog! Finally a research vessel spots the dog and, despite a tense moment when Dog slips into the water, succeeds in bringing him aboard, where, to this day, he remains a happy crew member. Though delivered simply, this tale is intrinsically powerfulkids know how slippery ice can be, and Dogs loneliness and helplessness is similarly relatable. Carnesis soft, comforting watercolors make great use of wide tableaux of tiny Dog almost lost among the huge sea of blue water and white icebergs. A short but informative authors note closes out this inspirational, heart-tugging offering. Grades K-2. --Daniel Kraus"The story is told simply and charmingly. The author's use of the present tense gives the narrative immediacy, and with very brief sentences, some dialogue and questions posed to readers, Carnesi imbues the tale with a strong sense of drama that will captivate young listeners." -- Kirkus Reviews"The artwork's perspective continually shifts, giving the tale a cinematic frame-by-frame quality...The book's small trim size complements the cozy, feel-good conclusion." -- Publishers Weekly"An edge-of-your-seat adventure story, based on a true story, for the very young -- with a text that also works beautifully as a beginning reader for older children." -- Horn Book (starred)"In this debut, Carnesi conveys the immensity of the scenery as well as the intimacy of the dog's tale." -- The New York Times"With its gripping plot and simple text, this has natural early reader possibilities as well as readaloud merits."-- BCCB (starred)"The book presents a clear problem and gratifying solution in simple, engaging language coupled with appealing watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations; it is an excellent choice for read-alouds." -- School Library Journal; Title: Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic | [
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16,503 | 0 | K-Gr 3-When his father leaves for World War I, Mikey wants to do something big to help. His teacher tells the class about a Knitting Bee in Central Park where volunteers will make hats, scarves, and socks to send to soldiers. At first Mikey dismisses the idea as too girly and too insignificant, but then pours his enthusiasm into the project when the effort becomes a competition between the girls and the boys. He becomes frustrated when he has trouble learning the stitches, but realizes that no contribution is too small when he meets a soldier who has lost a leg and gives him the one sock he has managed to finish. The story is a wonderful expression of emotions. Mikey's face is determined and funny at the same time, and his perseverance and the positive attitudes shown by all the children are timely reminders about the satisfaction to be had in reaching beyond oneself. The old-fashioned look of the pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations is well suited to the narrative. The warmth and humor found in the pictures lighten the tone and keep the story from becoming too serious. Combine this book, Mac Barnett's Extra Yarn (HarperCollins, 2012), and a fiber art project to make a thoughtful and cozy winter storytime session.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.*Starred Review* With WWI raging, everyone at home is expected to do their bit. Mikey and his sister Ellie want to help; Mikey is hoping to do something big. That most certainly does not include knitting (Boys dont knit!). Even after Ellie shows him a picture of firemen knitting, Mikey refuses. But a knit-in with prizes in Central Park draws the boys of Miss Robins class into a contest against the Purl Girls. Let the knitting commence. The day of the contest finds Mikey in the park, trying to finish a pair of socksbut a hole in the second sock means ripping it down and losing the contest. However, a chance encounter with a one-legged soldier gives the single sock a home and offers Mikey a more rounded vision of what it means to help. Hopkinson reached back into history to come up with this golden nugget: during WWI, women, childrenand mentook up knitting when it was discovered soldiers didnt have enough hats, scarves, and socks. The bright telling is right at a kids level and captures both the specificity of the time and universality of human interactions. The authors note (bolstered by an image of a contemporaneous poster) puts the fiction in solid historical context. Guarnaccia has chosen to illustrate in a style reminiscent of old-time Sunday funnies, which is perfect for the story. Oversize and set on white backgrounds, the pictures keep the focus on the amiable characters. The story ends by reminding readers they can still knit for todays soldiers. A terrific yarn. Grades K-3. --Ilene Cooper; Title: Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story | [
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16,504 | 2 | **JUMPSTART'S 2013 READ FOR THE RECORD SELECTION!**Loren Long grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. He pursued graduate-level studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago after graduating with a BA in Graphic Design/Art Studio from the University of Kentucky. After graduation Long worked as an illustrator for a greeting card company in Cincinnati before beginning his career as a freelance illustrator.Since then, Long has received numerous accolades for his fluid WPA painting style. He has been awarded two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York, and has been frequently selected for their annual exhibition and book. His work has also appeared in many other major annual exhibitions such as American Illustration, Communication Arts, Step By Step Graphics and Print.Long’s clients include Time Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly, Boy’s Life, Land’s End, Sports Illustrated and HBO. He has also illustrated book covers for numerous publishers and has recently concentrated on illustrating books for young readers where his work has garnered much recognition and praise.Recent awards/accolades:2002The United Nations chose to hang in their lobby Long’s painting of a firefighter in action, along with 21 other selections from the Prevailing Human Spirit Show at the Society of Illustrators.2003Recipient of the Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration, presented by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for I Dream of Trains. The book was also selected as one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2003.2004Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award.Illustrates New York Times #1 best-seller, Mr. Peabody’s ApplesTo learn more about Loren Long and his books, go to www.lorenlong.com; Title: Otis | [
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16,505 | 2 | Peter Abrahams (www.peterabrahams.com) has written many books for kids, adults, and teens. Down the Rabbit Hole, the first book in his New York Times bestselling Echo Falls series, won an Agatha Award and was an Edgar Award nominee, and his novel Reality Check won the 2010 Edgar Award for best young adult mystery novel. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Chet & Bernie mysteries under the pen name Spencer Quinn. Peter lives in Falmouth, Massachusetts.; Title: Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood Street | [] | Train |
16,506 | 13 | Doris Burn was born in 1923 and spent most of her life in the San Juan islands, Washington. She passed away in March of 2011, right after she signed the contract that allows us to republish Andrew Henry's Meadow.; Title: Andrew Henry's Meadow | [
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16,507 | 1 | Eric Hill lives in California.; Title: Spot's Halloween Party | [
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16,508 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1Ollie and Claire were a tightly knit pair,/like hot buttered biscuits and jam. So begins this heartwarming, rhyming story about two adorable pooches whose friendship is tested when one develops a longing for adventure. Ollie and Claire have a routine that includes a lot of interesting activities such as yodeling, yoga, and running hurdles, but even so, Claire can't resist when she sees an advertisement for a travel companion. Do you love hula dancing and/sledding through snow?/Do you feel like you need/to explore?/Adventure is calling,/let's go go go go!/Meet me here Monday at 4. Resolved to follow her heart, Claire packs her bags but then has a moment of pause when she thinks about leaving Ollie behind. In the meantime, visual clues will lead observant readers to the happy conclusion, which is reminiscent of a well-known romantic comedy. The charm of this book resides less in its familiar plot than in the well-constructed text and amusing pen and watercolor illustrations. With their fresh palette and energetic characters, these pictures are a vital partner in the telling of this sweet and satisfying tale.Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Ollie, a dapper Dalmatian, and Claire, a pretty poodle, were a tightly knit pair, / like hot buttered biscuits and jam. They have the same daily routine: yoga, swimming, racing around a track (yes, theyre wearing sweatbands), and bologna on white at 7:15 p.m. on the nose. That is, until Claire grows tired of the humdrum of it all. After fantasizing about traveling to where lollipops grow and zooming to the moon and meeting a mermaid, she hurries home, packs her bag, and heads off in a rowboat. But guilt about Ollie sets in, and she heads back to shore. As it turns out, Ollie is also lusting for adventure, and together the friends rise up in a hot-air balloon to see the world. Habers jaunty text is well matched by Cordells lively pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, which depict an expressive and charming duo and are chock-full of fun details, like Claires swimming cap. This sweet picture book illustrates something kids know well: the best adventures are the ones you share. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ann Kelley; Title: Ollie and Claire | [
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16,509 | 13 | K-Gr 2In this modernized version of the fairy tale, the bears are a jammin' rock-and-roll group, but they can't seem to draw a crowd. They really need a singer who can hit the high notes. While they're out auditioning new talent, Goldi walks into their house/studio. But this blond youngster bypasses the porridge in favor of the musical gear. Naturally, the bears are outraged when they come home to find a sleeping girl, but once they find out she has pipes of gold, they write a new song, "Too Hot, Too Cold, or Just Right?" and their new band is a hit. This retelling stays committed to the rock-and-roll concept. The text is short, and the pacing is quick, but quite a few of the slang terms could make the book inaccessible for some children. The illustrations, pencil and painted textures combined with Photoshop, are grounded in a golden-brown palette and are reminiscent of concept art created for animated films. Although the pictures are lively and fun, there are a few continuity issues. Most notably, on one page Goldi is wearing Baby Bear's headphones, but after that page they disappear without explanation. The story attempts to appeal to the hipness of rock and roll, but mostly the plot is trite and predictable. Good for kids with an interest in music, but less engaging for others.Amy Seto Musser, Denver Public LibraryCorey Rosen Schwartz lives in Warren, New Jersey. Her family often holds "X Factor" events in their living room.Beth Coulton lives in Soulebury, Pennsylvania. Her house full of musical instruments and recording equipment, just like the Three Bears'. Nate Wragg is an animator and art director in the animation industry. He lives in Los Angeles, California. ; Title: Goldi Rocks & the Three Bears | [
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16,510 | 16 | Eric Hill left school when he was 15, and took up cartooning while working as a messenger at an art studio. He created Where's Spot? as a bedtime story for his two-year old son. It was published four years later, and the rest is history. Eric Hill now lives in France.; Title: Spot's First Shapes | [] | Test |
16,511 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1An adorable elephant, a sweet-faced rabbit, and a pudgy little owl play hide-and-seek in the forest. A problem arises when Lulu declares that trees are the best hiding places to hide, but Oliver, an elephant, is too big to join in the play. Saddened, he walks away from his friends, finds a large tree stump, and takes a nap. While he is asleep, his friends decorate the stump around Oliver, using branches, flowers, leaves, and grass to make a tree house that is big enough to accommodate them all. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are muted and soft, and the text is spare and sweet. A quiet testament to friendship and creative problem solving.Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VAIn her debut offering, Chase effectively captures how friendship warms the heart. Three cuddly animal friendsLulu, Oliver, and Charlielove to play hide-and-seek outside. But what fun is playing if they cant all play together? Oliver (an elephant) cannot reach his friends hiding spots up in the trees, and the trio grows determined to find a tree he can play in, too. They quickly learn that most trees arent quite right for elephants, and Oliver leaves the search feeling very sad, and naps on a tree stump alone. When he awakens, he discovers a surprise thats just right for all of them. Lulu and Charlies displays of creativity, collaboration, and compromise as they help their friend clearly model what it means to be a good pal, and the artwork, which utilizes gentle brushstrokes and stenciling, further highlights friendships simple pleasures. An excellent story for little ones at bedtime and for sharing anytime with beginning readers. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Annie Miller; Title: Oliver's Tree | [
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16,512 | 1 | K-Gr 2Every cat lover relishes the sweet torture of owning a catfeline beauty combined with feline disdain. Bowman has created a plump, cape-wearing kitty with oversize dreams of being a circus maestro or an Oscar-winning actor. Instead, Hamweenie is trapped in a "prison," using a kitty litter box for "Husky Cats" and being smothered by love from a little girl with pigtails. Hamweenie finally makes a break for freedom, plummeting down the laundry chute and leaping through the basement window in order to become a star at the Darnum & Dailey Circus. Far from stealing the show, Hamweenie has his hat and cape stolen by monkeys; is chased by a grumpy, tutu-wearing bear; and is forced to take a nap in the concession stand. His ignominious adventure ends when his doting owner rescues him and brings him home, tucked snugly in her backpack. Back in their apartment, Hamweenie is once again master of his domain, basking in the adulation of the local mice. This is a follow-up to The Amazing Hamweenie (Philomel, 2012), and Bowman again captures perfectly the superior attitude and maddening actions displayed by so many cats. Children will chuckle at the disconnect between Hamweenie's words and the action depicted in the illustrations, which suggest a lighter, more colorful version of Edward Gorey's finely detailed drawings. VERDICT For fans of Hamweenie's first adventure, and perfect for children who appreciate Garfield the cat.Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CAPraise forThe Amazing Hamweenie Escapes"This is a follow-up toThe Amazing Hamweenie, and Bowman again captures perfectly the superior attitude and maddening actions displayed by so many cats. Children will chuckle at the disconnect between Hamweenies words and the action depicted in the illustrations, which suggest a lighter, more colorful version of Edward Goreys finely detailed drawings. For fans of Hamweenies first adventure, andperfect for children who appreciate Garfield the cat."School Library Journal; Title: The Amazing Hamweenie Escapes! | [
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16,513 | 6 | PreS-Gr 1The little train chugs into Central Station and picks up five passengers. Duck wants to go to the pond, Sheep to the field, Monkey to the forest, and Bear to the mountain. Little Kangaroo does not say a word. Off goes the train through the tunnel (a wooden chair), to the pond (a fish bowl), to the field (a painting of a poppy field), to the forest (a large potted plant), and to the mountain (the back of a sofa). With four passengers gone, Little Kangaroo says, Bravo, Train. Loving adventure, he has come along for the ride. The little train goes across the mountain (the sofa pillows) until it comes to a cliff (the edge of the sofa) and falls. Out hops Little Kangaroo, putting one car after another upright, and back they go to Central Station and the safety of his mama's pocket. The simple, rhythmic text sounds like a train on the tracks, huffing, puffing, and chugging its way around a comfortable living room strewn with toys and books. The realistic watercolor illustrations are done in soft hues and make good use of the white space in each spread. This gentle adventure with its reassuring ending is reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's Two Little Trains (HarperCollins, 2001). Young listeners will ask for it over and over again.Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.The inside of a young childs house is transformed into the wider world as a toy train drops off its stuffed-animal passengers at the pond (a duck into a fishbowl), the jungle (a monkey into a potted plant), the mountaintop (a bear onto cushions on the couch), and more. The imaginative story is presumably told from a childs point of view, although no child is pictured, allowing young readers and listeners to fancy themselves directing the action. Charming watercolor illustrations show the series of animals and stops, expanding the repetitive, engaging text, which also includes the sounds each animal makes. The old-fashioned look (no electronic toys; blocky typeface on the cover) is reminiscent of Watty Pipers The Little Engine That Could (1930), and a clean internal design features lots of white space for clear, large black type. Trains and animals are both high-interest topics and are incorporated seamlessly and enjoyably here. Preschool-Grade 1. --Diane Foote; Title: My Little Train | [
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16,514 | 2 | When not struggling with the petulance of other kids, Mala cross between Charlie Brown and a mad scientistinvents a dream-entering machine so that he can help his dog, Chad, with recurring nightmares of a giant cat. When the monstrous beast escapes the dreamworld, McCranie depicts a sense of menace that will thrill and chill his readers. He also exemplifies details of the human figure to bring out the huggability of his charming characters. As with the first book, The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever! (2011), this graphic novel delivers fast-paced fun that still captures the emotional trials of childhood with empathy and respect. Grades 2-5. --Jesse KarpStephen McCranie (www.malandchad.com) lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.; Title: Mal and Chad: Food Fight! | [
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16,515 | 1 | Eric Hill (www.funwithspot.com) left school when he was fifteen, and took up cartooning while working as a messenger at an art studio. He created Where's Spot? as a bedtime story for his two-year-old son. It was published four years later, and the rest is history. Eric Hill now lives in France.; Title: Spot Goes to the Library | [
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16,516 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1Told mostly in basal reader style but with a more complex vocabulary, this story introduces Baby. See Baby. See Baby smile for the first time. See Mommy and Daddy tell everyone the exciting news! Simple yet exaggerated cartoon art with speech-bubble dialogue belies this deadpan text to create the story's comedy. Baby goes on to crawl, talk, walk, make friends, and finally depart for his first day of school. (See Mommy and Daddy cry like two babies.) The sunny pictures and comic details help to mask the occasional spots where the text flows less easily. While children, especially those getting ready to start school, will enjoy Baby's antics and milestones, the real audience for this story is parents.Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.David Milgrim is theauthor and illustrator ofnumerous picture books,including Young MacDonaldand Cows Cant Fly. He livesin Wakefield, Rhode Island.David Milgrim is theauthor and illustrator ofnumerous picture books,including Young MacDonaldand Cows Cant Fly. He livesin Wakefield, Rhode Island.; Title: Best Baby Ever | [
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16,517 | 2 | PreS-Gr 4The author of Little Dog Lost (Penguin, 2012) has another winner here. When Bear sits on Beatrice's carrots while beehive watching, he doesn't make a very good first impression. However, despite a rocky beginning, the bear and the bunny become great friends sharing adventures all through the spring, summer, and fall. Then one day Beatrice can't find her pal, and Squirrel informs her that he's hibernatinga long winter sleep. Beatrice loves the idea and soon joins Bear. "Really? Bunnies hibernate too?" "Definitely!" said Beatrice. "Bunnies are GREAT hibernators." But as Bear drops off to sleep, poor Beatrice can only toss and turn. Finally giving up, she leaves the den declaring, "Winter is ruined!" But with the help of Squirrel, Beatrice puts her friendless time to good use, and when Bear awakens, she greets him with a scrapbook of the season. This wonderful book is filled with pictures, drawings, and notes that they can read together again and again. Carnesi's sweet illustrations perfectly capture the joys of friendship, the frustration at being left behind, and the satisfaction in making something for a friend. The spare text is an excellent complement to the lively illustrations, and the addition of speech balloons for Beatrice's big emotions really lets her perky personality shine. Sure to be a hit in every library.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH"Appealing ink, watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations draw readers in with their energy and emotion, while plenty of white space and a variety of page layouts and perspectives provide strong pacing. The succinct text and illustrations work seamlessly together to tell the story with humor and feeling, using page turns to heighten drama." (Horn Book); Title: Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear | [
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16,518 | 1 | Gr 1-4-Hamweenie is a cat that daydreams of being adored by children and revered by the world. In his tiny red cape and teeny black top hat, he fantasizes about walking the red carpet as a star and entertaining enraptured audiences. Instead of being worshipped by the masses, he is lovingly cared for by his young girl. She bathes, fans, feeds, and otherwise fusses over her cosseted cat to his (supposed) utter dismay. As she pampers her spoiled pet, he resignedly accepts her ministrations with stalwart acquiescence of his fate in life. Though readers understand that Hamweenie would be lost on his own in the big city in which he lives and, in reality, wouldn't really want to "escape," a cat can dream, can't he? Spare narration in a tongue-in-cheek, matter-of-fact style is accompanied by Edward Goreyesque illustrations done in pen-and-ink and watercolor. This quietly humorous peek into the life of a coddled feline will resonate with those readers who have ever been owned by a cat.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Those whove owned a cat, especially in an apartment, may recognize Hamweenie. Well, the outer Hamweenie. Inside, he is a star. He is a magician performing in front of a vast audience; a celebrity walking the red carpet. But fate has been cruel to Hamweenie. He must live with a girl who practically starves himcut to the top-hatted cat turning away from a table groaning with chicken, cake, pizza, and clams. He stands bravely against the torture that she inflicts (grooming) by knocking things over and throwing up. And though Hamweenies attempts to escape are in vain, he waits (curled up with his mistress) with the slightest of smiles on his face. A main character named Hamweenie almost guarantees strange and delightful detail, and Bowman doesnt disappoint. Each pen, ink, and watercolor scene is a little story in itself. Hamweenie (you just cant write that name too much) dreams of being loved the world over and imagines an intricate Macys Hamweenie balloon flying over the real version of himself, as he sits atop a float while crowds cheer. Readers will too. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper; Title: The Amazing Hamweenie | [
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16,519 | 2 | *Starred Review* Caleb has only glimmers of memory of the time before he was adopted by Uncle, who trained him and others his age in a Faginesque manner updated by 200 years. Its 2061, and the young teens are sent on missions to various times to grab specific items that Uncle then sells to collectors: the first Frisbee, from 1871; a twentieth-century umbrella once owned by Winston Churchill; an ancient Chinese vase on display in 1967 Montreal. After Caleb witnesses a small boy being snatched, he becomes determined to rescue and return him to his parents. To do so, he must wage a battle of brains as well as skill and fortitude against Uncle and his warrior philosophy; cope with his not-quite-understood feelings for his girl partner, Abbie; and work out deals with Phoebe, the computer that presents itself as a middle-aged (and often cranky) woman. Each place and periodincluding the future, in which New York has been renamed New Beijing to honor the Great Friendship of the worlds former superpowersare vividly described, while emotions, too, come to life as Caleb works to understand the meanings behind what he feels. Ungars debut novel offers a complex and compelling story that trusts imaginative readers to consider the various roles that wits, brawn, and technology can play in a time-travel adventure. Grades 6-9. --Francisca Goldsmith"A complex and compelling story that trusts imaginative readers to consider the various roles that wits, brawn, and technology can play in a time-travel adventure." Booklist starred review"[An] exciting first novel . . . Ungar keeps his tale moving with frequent jumps into the past. Publishers Weekly"Time Snatchers delivers on the allure of a good era-jumping narrative. In addition to cool gadgets, readers get a glimpse of real historical events, such as the invention of photography and the Frisbee. Quill & Quire; Title: Time Snatchers | [
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16,520 | 2 | Toddler-PreSCharlie, a rabbit, tries to fish with his friends in this latest in the series. Lulu, an owlet, and Oliver, an elephant, are fishing successfully, while Charlie struggles to catch anything but sticks. After collecting a pile of sticks, he opts to make a small raft instead. Charlie's sweet friends join him in this new game and decide to have a boat race. Unfortunately, Charlie's oversize boat comes in last, and he's feeling down about being the worst at everything. But Oliver suddenly has an idea to highlight Charlie's talent and skills. This gentle tale of friendship will help children realize that they don't have to be perfect at everything and how important supportive friends can be. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations convey a softness that matches the text. VERDICT A great addition where the rest of the series is popular or for libraries that are looking to expand their friendship offerings.Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI"Children will be drawn in by the bonhomie of the tale and the support and playfulness of the friends as values of creativity, resilience, patience, helpfulness, and compassion are emphasized without a trace of didacticism."Kirkus Reviews"This gentle tale of friendship will help children realize that they don't have to be perfect at everything and how important supportive friends can be."School Library Journal; Title: Charlie's Boat | [
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16,521 | 2 | Absolutely adorable animals, an ultrasimple text, and a clean design make this offering from Bond (illustrator of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, 1985) a winner for the youngest of children. Sure, its based on a false premisemost animals do not, in fact, hugbut this litany of loving creatures gets the point across that caring is cool. Striking collage art shows all kinds of animals, large (elephants) and small (ants), from all areas of the globe (penguins, pandas), and from settings both domestic (dogs, cats) and wild (bats, hippos). In most cases, the background is pure, fresh white, though occasionally there will be a simple brushstroke to indicate the environment, such as a few bluish streaks behind the penguins to suggest ice. There is more here than meets the eye; worked into all the hugging are key concepts for preschoolers, including relative sizes (Big hugs / Little hugs), positioning (Inside / Outside), locations (Upstairs / Downstairs), and more. Resistance is futile. Preschool. --Diane FooteFelicia Bond is the New York Times bestselling creator of The Day It Rained Hearts, The Halloween Play, Tumble Bumble, Poinsettia and the Firefighters, and Poinsettia and Her Family. She is also the illustrator of the mega-selling If You Give . . . book series, which began with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. She lives in New Mexico.; Title: Big Hugs Little Hugs | [
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16,522 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 2This "primate parody" from the creator of Goodnight Goon (2008) and The Runaway Mummy (2009, both Putnam) reworks Curious George as "a great big ape" who turns furious each time he gets a new job. While Rex's earlier titles drew laughs by adhering closely to the originals, this one takes a broader approach. It starts like the "Curious George" books when "a man in a funny hat" captures the creature in the jungle, but this man tries to get rich, selling the ape to a zoo, a construction foreman, and others. Each time the greedy guy pockets the cash, George gets angry and scares everyone away. When he's finally sold to a scientist for a trip to outer space, he traps his former owner and his money in the rocket ship, then hitches a ride on the outside of the craft and parachutes back home. Visual references to H. A. Rey's books, such as a bike crash and a balloon flight, are too subtle to have much impact, so the humor mostly depends on the repeated refrain of "George was furious!" and the accompanying spreads showing him wreaking havoc. Digitally colored cartoon pencil drawings capture the silliness but don't inject enough personality to raise the title beyond the one-joke concept. The clever title and the popularity of Rex's other books may draw interest, but without a more direct tie-in to the originals, this effort might make George's fans go bananas.Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."Rex's latest parody of a classic will tickle the funny bone with its mix of slapstick and deadpan silliness. " --Kirkus; Title: Furious George Goes Bananas: A Primate Parody | [
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16,523 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 2—In Uncle Andy's (Putnam, 2003), Warhola mentions that his famous uncle lived with his mother and owned 25 cats named Sam. That throwaway detail has been developed into its own book. Cats tells the story of how Andy Warhol and Bubba start with a single feline named Hester, acquire a companion for her named Sam, and end up with 25 kittens that look like their dad. Overrun by cats in a house already filled top to bottom with Warhol's art, the artist and his mother create two books about the Sams, which lead to happy relocations for the kittens. Warhola has masterfully combined a childlike delight at the almost alien world that his celebrated relative lives in, while impressing on the audience the idea that even famous artists have to deal with worldly matters. The natural playfulness of the 25 Sams adds zest to an already eclectic household and provides Warhola ample opportunity for cheerfully chaotic illustrations of cats and Pop Art trying to coexist. Pictures such as a stampede of Sams running between Warhol's legs or the exhausted artist asleep in bed with only his trademark white hair visible among a sea of kitties are delightful. Young readers will be glad for this opportunity to revisit the tall, skinny house in New York.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."...masterfully combined childlike delight...[and] the idea that even famous artists have to deal with wordly matters." --School Library Journal; Title: Uncle Andy's Cats | [
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16,524 | 2 | Rare Book; Title: Ten Things I Love About You | [
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16,525 | 11 | K-Gr 3-The young boy who narrates this story lives in a neighborhood that was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake. His family joins several others to set up makeshift housing in a soccer stadium. Before long, the children start playing soccer with a ball made of rags. Their high spirits in the face of disaster are rewarded when a man offers them a real soccer ball signed by Manno Sanon, a beloved Haitian player. Using concise but rhythmic language, this inspiring tale is told in a simple and straightforward manner. The pictures, acrylic paintings with bold colors and strong lines, are attractive and accessible but not especially distinctive. Edwidge Danticat's Eight Days: A Story of Haiti (Scholastic, 2010) is also about the earthquake, and it is more artistic but darker in tone. Some proceeds from both books are donated to relief efforts. Overall, this is a didactic but worthwhile book.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Set in the aftermath of Haitis catastrophic earthquake, this realistic picture book tells an elemental survival story through the experience of one boy who loses everything and then finds hope to carry on. Simple poetic words and generously sized acrylic paintings portray the sense of loss and desolation the boy feels as he helps his mother build a new home in the soccer stadium (One piece of tin. / Six posts. / Three sheets). He is too small to compete with other refugees when relief workers pass out limited supplies of food, and he witnesses devestating scenes of suffering. He has fun with other kids, though, kicking a soccer ball made of rags. Although a woman scolds them for their laughter, an aid worker gives them a new ball signed by a professional soccer player, and the final pictures show the boy imagining himself as a star on the field, scoring a goal in the future. Watson transcends the storys heavy messages with individual portraits that never deny the boys anguish, as well as his hope. Grades K-3. --Hazel Rochman; Title: Hope for Haiti | [
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16,526 | 2 | Dear Reader,I first drove an old tractor working on a Lexington, Kentucky horse farm for a summer job during my college years.It was ancient and rusty but steady and dependable and still contributed to the farm.I loved driving that old tractor.I had no idea back then that I'd become a children's book author and illustrator someday...let alone write and illustrate my own story about a little tractor named Otis.Those days back on the horse farm served as part of the inspiration for Otis, the little tractor who loves to work hard and play hard with his friends on the farm that he loves.Otis and the Tornado is about friendship and loyalty. I hoped to create a character that children will revere as much as I did the books I loved when I was little. A character and a book that becomes a trusted friend, who loves to have fun and who is fiercely loyal, brave and trustworthy.I had so much fun creating Otis that my publisher and I decided to do another Otis story, Otis and the Tornado. In this new Otis story you'll read how Otis encounters a storm but also how he handles a new character on the farm that is just plain mean.Otis and the Tornado is about empathy and bravery.I hope you'll share Otis with a little one in your life. And together you'll get to know a spunky little tractor who works hard and plays hard and always has time for another friend. I hope that new friend is you.Putt-puff!LorenLoren Long grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. He pursued graduate-level studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago after graduating with a BA in Graphic Design/Art Studio from the University of Kentucky. After graduation Long worked as an illustrator for a greeting card company in Cincinnati before beginning his career as a freelance illustrator.Since then, Long has received numerous accolades for his fluid WPA painting style. He has been awarded two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York, and has been frequently selected for their annual exhibition and book. His work has also appeared in many other major annual exhibitions such as American Illustration, Communication Arts, Step By Step Graphics and Print.Longs clients include Time Magazine, Readers Digest, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly, Boys Life, Lands End, Sports Illustrated and HBO. He has also illustrated book covers for numerous publishers and has recently concentrated on illustrating books for young readers where his work has garnered much recognition and praise.Recent awards/accolades:2002The United Nations chose to hang in their lobby Longs painting of a firefighter in action, along with 21 other selections from the Prevailing Human Spirit Show at the Society of Illustrators.2003Recipient of the Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration, presented by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for I Dream of Trains. The book was also selected as one of the New York Public Librarys 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2003.2004Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award.Illustrates New York Times #1 best-seller, Mr. Peabodys ApplesTo learn more about Loren Long and his books, go to www.lorenlong.com; Title: Otis and the Tornado | [
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16,527 | 11 | The popular folk song And the Green Grass Grew All Around gets a new setting in this lively picture book with bright, clear, colorful collage double-page spreads that show a small boy with his mother in the African savanna, pointing at a hole in the ground, a spreading acacia tree, a branch, and a nest. On each uncluttered spread, Isadora includes an African animal: a giraffe appears by the branch; a lion stands with her cub; a vervet monkey looks at a nest; butterflies fly overhead; and a chick hatches out of its egg. In a final scene, two kids stand under the tree, pointing at a gorgeous glowing sunset. The colorful borders include pieces of bright Kente cloth along with bands of geometric designs. For the cumulative chorus on each spread, Isadora uses rebus icons, which are explained in a final list, and she also includes sheet music and the full text at the back. This lively new version of a story hour standard will appeal to young preschoolers as well as to older kids on the cusp of reading. Preschool-Grade 1. --Hazel RochmanAppealing. . . . Returning to the African setting and textured collage technique she has used so successfully in adaptations of folk tales. . . . A read-aloud, sing-along delight. Kirkus ReviewsBright, clear, colorful. . . . This lively new version of a story hour standard will appeal to young preschoolers as well as to older kids on the cusp of reading. BooklistA fine contribution to illustrated picture books based on childrens songs. The Horn BookCollage pictures that pop off the pages using bright colors and interesting textures. . . . . As she has chosen to make this a rebus story, young children will be able to participate in this fun read-aloud. Library Media Connection; Title: There Was a Tree | [
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16,528 | 13 | K-Gr 2-Millie is an ordinary girl who often feels ignored; she is "too short to be tall, too quiet to be loud, and too plain to be fancy." Tired of the indifference of others, she decides to stop being subdued and polite and start being fierce. Her change in attitude gets plenty of attention, though not the type that she hopes for. Millie crushes her neighbor's flowers, creates messes in the kitchen, and even eats the birthday boy's cake. When her bad behavior causes her to lose friends and be shunned again, Millie learns that doing good deeds can be a better way to get others to notice her. Manning's vivid watercolor illustrations are engaging and will have readers rooting for Millie, even when her antics turn mean-spirited. Millie Fierce is a delightfully naughty mix between Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are and Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry (Blue Sky Press, 1999).-Stephanie Rivera, Naperville Public Library, IL(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Millie feels milquetoast: she is too short to be tall, too quiet to be loud, and too plain to be fancy. Tired of being ignored and treated as a smudge, one day she finally snaps and sharpens her nails, frizzes her hair, and, with a great growl, acts out all over the neighborhood. Cutting in line, painting the dog, ruining the garden next door, and stealing birthday cake are cathartic at first, but soon she rediscovers her true kind nature and makes restitution. The skilled watercolor illustrations in varying layouts well document her experience and its impact both on her and those around her. While her mischief may be more hurtful to others and her story less charming than that of her developmental peer Max from Where the Wild Things Are, the more literally depicted journey from meek to bully is instantly recognizable, and her resolution, as she determines that goodness is (mostly) better than fierceness, is relatable and comforting. Preschool-Grade 1. --Andrew Medlar; Title: Millie Fierce | [
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16,529 | 13 | "The joy of artistic creation and the value of teachers who are willing to look outside the box come through clearly in the first-person narrative and Polacco's fluid illustrations." Publishers Weekly"Full of color and movement. . . . [Polacco's] first-person narration tells her tragedy and triumph in a very down-to-earth way, using the tone of the 11-year-old she was." Kirkus Reviews"The moving memoir will resonate with any student who has struggled with reading and should also spark empathy among their classmates." Booklist"Heartwarming tribute. . . . Detailed representational paintings bring to life scenes that evoke both true sorrow and absolute joy." School Library Journal"In this heartfelt autobiographical picture book, Patricia Polacco pays tribute to her first art teacher, Miss Violet Chew." Library Media Connection"I was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1944. Soon after my birth I lived in Williamston, Michigan and then moved onto my grandparents farm in Union City, Michigan."I lived on the farm with my mom and Grandparents until 1949. That is when my Babushka (my grandmother) died and we prepared to move away from Michigan. I must say that living on that little farm with them was the most magical time of my life...and that my Babushka and other grandparents were some of the most inspirational people in my life."My parents were divorced when I was 3, and both my father and mother moved back into the homes of their parents. I spent the school year with my mother, and the summers with my dad. In both households I was the apple of my grandparents' eyes! I would say that these relationships with my grandparents have most definitely influenced my life and my work. You probably have noticed that in almost every book that I write there is a very young person who is interacting with an elderly person. Personally, I feel that this is the most valuable experience of my life....having the wonder of knowing both children and elderly people."The respect that I learned as a very young person certainly carried over into my life in later years. I have always like hearing stories from these folks. My genuine curiosity for the wonder of living a very long life prepared me to accept the declining years of my own parents."To get back to the farm in Union City...this place was so magical to me that I have never forgotten it! This was the place where I heard such wonderful stories told...this was the place that a real meteor fell into our font yard...that very meteorite is now our family headstone in the graveyard here in Union City."Did I tell you that I now live in Union City? This is after living in Oakland, California for almost 37 years. But, you see, every year I'd come back to Michigan to see my Dad and family."Anyway..."In 1949 we left the farm to move, first to Coral Gables, Florida. I lived there with my Mom and my brother, Richard, for almost 3 years. Then we moved to Oakland, California. I remained there for most of my young life on into my adulthood. We lived on Ocean View Drive in the Rockridge District. What I loved the most about this neighborhood is that all of my neighbors came in as many colors, ideas and religions as there are people on the planet. How lucky I was to know so many people that were so different and yet so much alike."It is on Ocean View that I met my best friend, Stewart Grinnell Washington. We are best friends to this day! He has a younger brother, Winston and three sisters; Jackie, Terry and Robin. When I was a student in elementary school I wasn't a very good student. I had a terrible time with reading and math. As a matter of fact, I did not learn how to read until I was almost 14 years old. Can you imagine what it was like to see all my friends do so well in school and I wasn't! I thought I was dumb. I didn't like school because there was this boy that always teased me and made me feel even dumber. When I was fourteen, it was learned that I have a learning disability. It is called dyslexia. I felt trapped in a body that wouldn't do what everybody else could do. That was when one of my hero's, my teacher, found what was wrong with me and got me the help I needed to succeed in school. Of course, now that I am an adult, I realize that being learning disabled does not mean DUMB AT ALL! As a matter of fact, I have learned that being learning disabled only means that I cannot learn the way most of you do. As a matter of fact, most learning disabled children are actually GENIUSES! Once I learned how to read and caught up with the rest of my fellow students, I did very well."I went on to University, majored in Fine Art, then went on to do a graduate degree and even ended up with a Ph.D. in Art History. For a time I restored ancient pieces of art for museums. I eventually became the mother of two children, Steven and Traci, and devoted much of my days to their education and upbringing."I did not start writing children's books until I was 41 years old. Mind you the "art" has always been there for me most of my life. Apparently one of the symptoms of my disability in academics is the ability of draw very, very well. So drawing, painting and sculpture has always been a part of my life even before I started illustrating my books. The books were quite a surprise, really. Mind you, I came from a family of incredible storytellers. My mother's people were from the Ukraine and Russia...my father's people were from Ireland. My extended family,(Stewart's family) were from the bayous of Louisiana...also great story tellers. When you are raised on HEARING stories.....NOT SEEING THEM, you become very good at telling stories yourself. So at the age of 41 I started putting stories that I told down on paper and did drawings to help illustrate them...I guess the rest is history."I have enjoyed a wonderful career of writing books for children . Who could have guessed that little girl that was having such a tough time in school would end up an illustrator and author. Children and adults alike ask me where I get my ideas...I get them from the same place that you do....MY IMAGINATION... I would guess the reason my imagination is so fertile is because I came from storytelling and, WE DID NOT OWN A T.V.!!!!!!!!! You see, when one is a writer, actor, dancer, musician; a creator of any kind, he or she does these things because they listen to that "voice" inside of them. All of us have that "voice". It is where all inspired thoughts come from....but when you have electronic screens in front, of you, speaking that voice for you... it DROWNS OUT THE VOICE! When I talk to children and aspiring writers, I always ask them to listen to the voice, turn off the T.V. and"LISTEN...LISTEN...LISTEN."Now that I have moved back to Union City I am intending to open my house and community and invite people to come there to take part in writing seminars, story telling festivals, literature conferences and various events that celebrate children's literature."Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.copyright 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.; Title: The Art of Miss Chew | [
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16,530 | 2 | Gr 3-5-Penelope again embarks on adventures that are both troublesome and outlandish. Since her father passed away, she has had a fascination with what she calls Graveyard Dead. On the school field trip to the town museum, where the other kids are more interested in the gift shop than in the artifacts, Penelope becomes enraged and vows to never let the important people in her life be forgotten. She also becomes jealous when her best friend, Patsy Cline, shares in the tradition of wearing best-friends-forever necklaces with Vera Bogg. Later, Patsy loses her necklace and Penelope finds it and adds it to the museum she has created in her closet so she will never forget. Penelope then goes about collecting things that are very important to the living people in her life. Now she is in trouble and relies on her older friend Littie to help her out of this predicament. While the writing and character development are very good, Penelope Crumb is just a little too quirky. With an unresolved ending between Penelope and Patsy and the fact that this fourth grader goes all over town alone, the book is less than satisfying. The occasional line drawings add little, and children unfamiliar with Penelope Crumb (Philomel, 2012) will have trouble connecting all the dots in this one. Purchase only if the first book is popular.-Nancy Jo Lambert, Ruth Borchardt Elementary, Plano, TX(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.This time out, the preoccupation with Penelopes large nosea big deal in Penelope Crumb (2012)gives way to the preoccupation with the possible loss of her best friend, who is becoming annoyingly attached to another fourth-grade girl. With Penelopes dad Graveyard Dead, as she puts it, another loss would be difficult to bear. Trying to figure out how to honor people and to fix the best-friend situation, Penelope takes action, not always wisely but always divertingly. Stout again provides Penelope with a lack of social savvy but at least gives her enough sympathetic adults to balance out the few, including her teacher, who dont appreciate Penelopes eccentricities. Grades 2-4. --Abby Nolan; Title: Penelope Crumb Never Forgets: Book 2 | [
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16,531 | 2 | K-Gr 2A young aspiring magician reflects upon lessons learned from his grandfather. Henry puts on a red checked suit, grabs a vintage brown leather suitcase, and heads to the backyard to assemble an audience of stuffed animals and curious squirrels. As the tousled-haired, freckle-faced boy prepares for his magic show, he reminisces about time spent with his beloved mentor. Henry fondly remembers his grandpa's outstanding coin tricks, the smell of his "magic-scented water" aftershave, and his tasty, gravity-defying "leaning tower of pancakes." When his own attempt at magic flops, he finds solace and creative inspiration in Grandpa's sage advice: "To be a magician, you have to notice that magic is everywhere." In Hocking's watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil illustrations, Henry's recollections appear in sepia tones, capturing the warm, loving intergenerational relationship. In a particularly moving scene, the little boy and his mother, holding hands, stand in Grandpa's empty house. VERDICT Probably best shared one-one-one, but Henry's resilience could spark a discussion about loss and keeping memories alive.Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.Praise for The Great Henry Hopendower: Even more enchanting than Henrys magic is Roberts gentle way of addressing how Henry handles the loss of his grandfather.BCCB [A] sensitive, sweet story about a little boy and his grandfather.Booklist; Title: The Great Henry Hopendower | [
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16,532 | 2 | K-Gr 2A delightfully age-appropriate way to give young children the facts about conception and birth. A baby is coming, and the soon-to-be big brother has many questions, his most persistent one being "Where do babies come from?" After gathering partial answers from his babysitter, his teacher, and his grandpa, he is more confused than ever. The boy has heard that babies come from a baby tree, the hospital, and special delivery by stork. Feeling dissatisfied with these answers, he finally asks Mom and Dad, who lovingly sit down and explain exactly where babies come from. In one page, they relate the truth, explaining that an egg comes from the mother, a seed from the father, resulting in the growth of a babyan explanation that satisfies the protagonist's curiosity and makes him realize that there is a bit of truth in every story. Well, except for Grandpa's. He just may have to explain to him where babies really come from. The story smoothly sails from tale to tale as the main character searches for answers. The back matter goes into more detail for children who would like more information. The Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations are beautifully crafted and designed in a manner that shows movement. Each page is adorned with soft colors and crisp, clear pictures that enhance the story. Another wonderful contribution from Blackall.Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DEHow does one go about getting a baby? A young brother-to-be ponders that question after learning an infant will be joining his family. He asks a number of people and receives a wide variety of responses, leaving him more confused than enlightened. He finally questions his parents, who tell him what he wants to know, simply and without fanfare. Engaging illustrations in Chinese ink and watercolor vary in size from large double-page spreads to several small vignettes on a page. Each response to the question stimulates the boys imagination as revealed in the pictures: a stork making a delivery, a baby tree bursting with buds and babies, and infants hatching from eggs in a nest. The characters appear to be vigorously healthy with their florid cheeks and ever-present smiles, and the antics of the familys black cat are entertaining. Answering the Question Where Do Babies Come From? concludes the book and contains age-appropriate responses. An appealing book for children preparing to welcome a new baby or who are simply curious. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Maryann Owen; Title: The Baby Tree | [
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16,533 | 18 | Bildner narrates the tale with breathless enthusiasm, capturing the excitement that swept the nation, while cleverly incorporating facts.Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewWith authentic period details Bildner and Schindler effectively evoke the baseball fever ignited by these two performances.Publishers Weekly, starred reviewThis winning picture book should be welcomed by baseball enthusiasts everywhere.School Library Journal, starred reviewPhil Bildner (www.philbildner.com) lives in Brooklyn, New York.S.D. Schindler lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.; Title: The Unforgettable Season: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and the Record-Setting Summer of1941 | [
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16,534 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1Jeffers's minimalist, oval-shaped Hueys are back, and this time they're talking about opposites. A white Huey starts the conversation by asking a pink one, "What's the opposite of the beginning?" When no good answer is forthcoming ("Is it yes?"), the helpful Huey proceeds to introduce more opposites to his friend, such as "up" and "down" and "high" and "low." A cat who runs up a tree (but has difficulty getting back down) becomes a running motif throughout the illustrations. Blue, purple, and orange Hueys soon join the game as well, introducing such pairs as "light" and "heavy" and "happy" and "sad." Some humor is fairly sophisticated, like a Huey who can't tell the difference between a "half full" and "half empty" glass, and another who finds that the "lucky" fan that's washed ashore on his desert island "unluckily" requires an electrical outlet. Throughout, Jeffers uses his characteristic simple shapes and colors, placed amid abundant white space, to evoke humor, frustration, and surprise. As in many of his other picture books, the main text appears in a large serif font, while characters' commentary appears in smaller, cursive-style handwriting. Predictably, the opening question is revisited at the close of the book, when it's finally answered with "The end." VERDICT An amusing twist on the traditional concept book by a beloved master of shape and line.Jill Ratzan, I. L. Peretz Community Jewish School, Somerset, NJ* "Even readers who know the basics of opposites will get their minds blown here, as a glass is considered half full on one page but also half empty on the next. Its not easy to be so very simple and so very clever, but Jeffers manages in this laugh-aloud offering that will get groups giggling."Booklist, starred review* "An amusing twist on the traditional concept book by a beloved master of shape and line."School Library Journal, starred review"A clever concept book from beginning to end."Kirkus Reviews; Title: The Hueys in What's The Opposite? | [
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16,535 | 2 | FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS:"Simple rhyming text describes owlets initial reluctance to fly, his mamas firm encouragement and the resulting nocturnal adventure. . .Modarressis talent with watercolors elevates this sweet bedtime tale above the many titles of this ilk. Owlets eyes convey his every emotionworry, fear, surprise, relief and joy. Skillful layering of color conveys the birds swooping movements, while sharply drawn details of the creatures contrast nicely with the softer natural backgrounds, including the sky that ranges from inky blue to purplish pink.Preschoolers are sure to enjoy this cozy story and cheer for Owlet"FROM BOOKLIST:"The rhyming text tells Little Owlets story simply, while the watercolor paintings depict his world in simplified forms and muted colors. . . the double-page paintings portray Owlets neighborhood at night as an intriguing and, somehow, comforting landscape. An encouraging bedtimebook for the many young children who fear the dark and dream of independence."FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:"Modarressis soft-focus watercolors capture the excitement of Owlets success and the beauty of a late summers night."Mitra Modarressi (www.mitramodarressi.com) has written and illustrated several picture books for children. She lives in San Francisco, California.; Title: Owlet's First Flight | [
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16,536 | 14 | PreS-Gr 2The woodland denizens of a northern Canadian forest can't wait for Christmas, because that's when their Santa secretly leaves gifts (heart-shaped stones, bells, acorns, and the like) for everyone. Big Snowshoe the rabbit is absolutely convinced of Santa's existence; Little Snow, his younger brother, is a bit more skeptical, and nothing Big Snowshoe or the other animals say as they decorate a Christmas tree make him feel any differently. Side panels on each page show lemming elves creating the various gifts. A minor accident on the frozen stream gives Big Snowshoe the idea to hang ice crystals on twigs, and the sound they make alerts everyone to the appearance of Santa, who is a snowy owl. As usual, Brett's illustrations are the highlightlush and magical, filled with whimsical details that will reward repeated viewings. The story itself is adequate (though the twist in which the predator delivers gifts to his normal prey is ingenious) and could play a part in a nonreligious holiday program.Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public LibraryJan Brett (www.janbrett.com) is the beloved New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of many books for children. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.; Title: The Animals' Santa | [
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16,537 | 0 | PreS-Gr 2Old Mikamba had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. But there are no cows or ducks here, because Old Mikamba lives in Africa on a game farm. Here, readers are introduced to a baboon, cheetah, zebra, and elephant as well as a dassie and a springbok. Meant to be shared aloud, the text provides a variety of fun sounds to re-create with a partner. The trill-trill of the dassie and the bleat-bleat of the giraffe are sure to delight. Isadora's stunning collage brings the colors and textures of the African plain to life. Newsprint and printed paper provide rich textures and vivid color for both the animals and the fabric of Mikamba's clothing. The animals are parent/child pairs and this augments the shared feel of the song. Concluding pages provide background on the featured species, including habitat, communication systems, and endangered status. Lovely to look at as well as pure joy to read aloud, this title will demand an encore again and again.Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.A familiar childhood song gets an African twist in Isadoras latest picture book. She takes readers on safari to the plains of Africa to meet elephants, cheetahs, and dassies (E-I-E-I-O). Old Mikambas farm is a game park, so while there is some interaction between the two small children in the book and the animals, most of them are presented against a backdrop wilder and freer than any space Old MacDonald could offer his domestic stock. Rhinos BELLOW-BELLOW through the grass; a springbok AH-AH-AHs across a sun-baked terrain; and an elephant BARAAA-BARAAAs with a baby following behind. While the animal sounds are fun and lend themselves perfectly to a storytime rendition, the artwork is a particular treat. Isadora incorporates oil, ink, pencil, and printed paper to create collages that give a distinct sense of place, set against plentiful white space that allows the animals to pop on each double-page spread. An extensive concluding note provides interesting facts about all of the animals included, as well as a mention of the role game farms and parks play in protecting Africas endangered species. Preschool-Grade 1. --Kara Dean; Title: Old Mikamba Had a Farm | [
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16,538 | 1 | Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 25 languages and sold over twelve million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than sixty books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old; he was educated there, and graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Kunste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. So, in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket, he arrived in New York. Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. Later, he was the art director of an advertising agency for many years.One day, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask Carle to illustrate a story he had written. Martin's eye had been caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children everywhere. This was the beginning of Eric Carle's true career. Soon Carle was writing his own stories, too. His first wholly original book was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.Eric Carle's art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His art work is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many of his books have an added dimension - die-cut pages, twinkling lights as in The Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a cricket's song as in The Very Quiet Cricket - giving them a playful quality: a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched. Children also enjoy working in collage and many send him pictures they have made themselves, inspired by his illustrations. He receives hundreds of letters each week from his young admirers. The secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions.The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive knowledge and love of nature - an interest shared by most small children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books always offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world around them. It is his concern for children, for their feelings and their inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their intellectual growth that, in addition to his beautiful artwork, makes the reading of his books such a stimulating and lasting experience.Carle says: "With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates - will they be friendly? I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. With his wife Barbara, he lives in Northampton, Massachusetts. The Carles spend their summers in the nearby Berkshire hills.copyright © 2000 by Penguin Group (USA) Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 25 languages and sold over twelve million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than sixty books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old; he was educated there, and graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Kunste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. So, in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket, he arrived in New York. Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. Later, he was the art director of an advertising agency for many years.One day, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask Carle to illustrate a story he had written. Martin's eye had been caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children everywhere. This was the beginning of Eric Carle's true career. Soon Carle was writing his own stories, too. His first wholly original book was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.Eric Carle's art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His art work is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many of his books have an added dimension - die-cut pages, twinkling lights as in The Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a cricket's song as in The Very Quiet Cricket - giving them a playful quality: a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched. Children also enjoy working in collage and many send him pictures they have made themselves, inspired by his illustrations. He receives hundreds of letters each week from his young admirers. The secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions.The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive knowledge and love of nature - an interest shared by most small children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books always offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world around them. It is his concern for children, for their feelings and their inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their intellectual growth that, in addition to his beautiful artwork, makes the reading of his books such a stimulating and lasting experience.Carle says: "With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates - will they be friendly? I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. With his wife Barbara, he lives in Northampton, Massachusetts. The Carles spend their summers in the nearby Berkshire hills.copyright © 2000 by Penguin Group (USA) Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.; Title: La oruga muy hambrienta/The Very Hungry Caterpillar: bilingual board book (Spanish Edition) | [
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16,539 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2The inimitable Strega Nona is back, this time dealing with an unwelcome guest: her cousin's spoiled daughter. Beautiful Angelina, whose distinctive long, curly red hair was inspired by Bernadette Peters (according to the dedication), expects Big Anthony and Bambolona to wait on her hand and foot, creating chaos in Strega Nona's neatly ordered household. However, the good witch eventually has a solution and all ends well. dePaola's wonderful, unique illustrations in bright pastel colors humorously depict the goings-on and make the book one to savor. It is perhaps best used as a lap book so that all the funny details can be closely examined but could be read to a small group as well. It will certainly delight and amuse young children.Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA* Strega Nonas quick thinking and wisdom call to mind another storied problem-solver from the world of childrens literatureMrs. Piggle-Wiggle. . . . A wryly funny story of love and entitlement, with all the homey charm that dePaolas fans expect and love. Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEWThe inimitable Strega Nona is back. . . . DePaolas wonderful, unique illustrations in bright pastel colors humorously depict the goings-on and make the book one to savor. . . . Will certainly delight and amuse young children. School Library Journal; Title: Strega Nona Does It Again | [
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16,540 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1-In this follow-up to The Gingerbread Man Loose in School (Putnam, 2011), the same cute cookie, now a classroom staple, is sneaked into a backpack so that he can go on the class field trip to the fire station. When the station's Dalmatian threatens to eat the little Gingerbread Man, he begins a mad scramble for safety: into the kitchen, onto the truck, and down the pole. While he eventually evades Spot, he is soon hanging onto the truck's ladder for dear life as the crew heads to a fire. Full of ridiculous bravado, the little fellow even manages to wrestle a bucking hose and put out the fire, saving the day and earning himself a tiny fire helmet from Company 4. Stylistically reminiscent of Mo Willems's work, Lowery's images vary between panels and full-page art. This silly tale, written in rhyming couplets, will make a fantastic read-aloud.-Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted."This rapid-fire reboot of a traditional favorite will be a requested read-aloud for high-energy listeners...this sequel doesn't disappoint..." - Kirkus"The indefatigable star of The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School (rev. 9/11) here joins his class on a field trip to the fire station. While the kids are meeting the firefighters and testing out their gear, the Gingerbread Man is busy evading Spot the Dalmatian. After a chase through the station, the ambulatory cookie leaps onto a departing fire truck, off to battle a blaze: 'I'll ride to the rescue, as fast as I can. / I want to help, too! I'm the Gingerbread Man!' And help he does..." - The Horn Book "...The cookie's self-guided tour allows readers to see the ins and outs of a fire station, including the firefighters' bunks, their shiny sliding pole, and their kitchen, with "five-alarm chili" bubbling away on the stove. One useful page shows a firefighter in uniform with all the gear labeled--boots, gloves, goggles, oxygen tank, etc. Lowery's cartoony illustrations... help set the story's pace and establish a not-scary tone: it's clear that no cookies were burnt in the making of this book." - The Horn Book"In this follow-up to The Gingerbread Man Loose in School (Putnam, 2011), the same cute cookie, now a classroom staple, is sneaked into a backpack so that he can go on the class field trip to the fire station. Stylistically reminiscent of Mo Willems's work, Lowery's images vary between panels and full-page art... written in rhyming couplets, will make a fantastic read-aloud." - School Library Journal; Title: The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck | [
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16,541 | 15 | PreSLulu's rainy day tea party with her stuffed animal friends doesn't satisfy her party ambitions, so the owlet invites her friends Charlie (a bunny) and Oliver (a young elephant) to her tree house in the hopes of a more festive occasion. She busies herself preparing decorations and hot chocolate but fails to notice when a box of salt falls over into the open teapot containing the freshly prepared treat. When her friends arrive, Lulu excitedly serves the cocoa only to discover it tastes terrible. She and her friends try adding honey, cream, and more chocolate, but to her dismay, it is still undrinkable. Unfortunately, prereaders may be as clueless as Lulu when it comes to understanding the reason for the disappointing drink. The spread that contains the pivotal moment is wordless. Without assistance, Chase's intended audience might not understand the problem with the hot chocolate, either. Of course, all ends well when Oliver and Charlie whip up some chocolate milk shakes, the sun comes out, and a backyard circus ensues. The watercolor, pen-and-ink illustrations are the highlight in this second "Playtime with Friends" book. As in Oliver's Tree (Putnam, 2014), the characters are portrayed with such earnestness and innocence that young readers will likely enjoy an invitation to Lulu's party. VERDICT This adorable story falls just short of perfection but offers plenty of charm nonetheless.Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MAKit Chase (www.trafalgarssquare.com) is the author/illustrator ofOlivers Tree, and established her shop, Trafalgars Square, on Etsy in 2008, where she sells prints of her adorable animal artwork, and since then has gained over 19,000 followers and fans. She has also recently illustrated a line of pacifiers for Evenflo and has several cards coming out with Papyrus.Follow her on Twitter @kitchase; Title: Lulu's Party | [
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16,542 | 2 | Grade 3-5 Based on true events, this inspiring story celebrates the extraordinary influence a teacher can have on her students. As Trisha enters a new school in Michigan, she hopes she won't be relegated to a special class. At her old school, she had trouble learning to read. On the first day, she is disappointed to learn that Room 206 is known as the junkyard. Fortunately, their teacher, Mrs. Peterson, doesn't allow her students to feel like misfits. She divides her Junkyard Wonders into tribes, creating a sense of unity among them. One day, the children visit a local junkyard where they discover a place full of wondrous possibilities and collect objects for a class project. Trisha and her tribe retrieve an old model plane, which they refurbish. The whole class looks forward to the science fair when they will fly the plane from the roof of the school in remembrance of a classmate who has died. The school bully tries to foil their plans, but in the end the Junkyard Wonders launch the plane and watch it soar up into the stratosphere. The touching story is accompanied by Polacco's trademark illustrations in which a motherly Mrs. Peterson presides over her busy classroom. The children's expressive faces convey their devotion to her and to each other. Pair this title with Lester L. Laminack's Saturdays and Teacakes (Peachtree, 2004), another nod to a fondly remembered past. Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Looking forward to a fresh start at a new school, Trisha is crestfallen when she is assigned to a special class with children who are different. Their teacher, Mrs. Peterson, proudly calls them the junkyard and takes them to an actual junkyard, which she describes as a place of wondrous possibilities . . . amazing things waiting to be made into something new. Its clear that she sees her class the same way as she divides them into tribes and urges their creativity. Reclaiming and rebuilding an old model plane they intend to send to the moon, Trishas tribe manages a triumphant launch. Illustrations, rendered in pencil and marker, portray children in saddle oxfords and poodle skirts brimming with energy and excitement, guided by a model teacher. Based on her own childhood, Polaccos inspiring story will touch children and teachers alike. In an appended note, Polacco updates the subsequent successful lives of her former tribe members and reveals how they did make it to the moon after all. Grades 2-5. --Linda Perkins; Title: Junkyard Wonders | [
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16,543 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 2 Henry is looking for the perfect pet. The ad he places in the classifieds reads, must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue. Duck lives alone on a cold, windy hill where no one calls, writes, or emails. After reading Henry's ad, he makes a clever doggy disguise and journeys off to meet the boy. Henry is delighted with his new dog until its nose, tail, and ears fall off in a game of chase. Then Henry does some research in his Enormous Book of Incredibly Interesting Things and is delighted with his new pet, especially after he makes a list of the duck's skills, including underwater swimming, flying, nest building, excellent at disguises, and can talk...rare, but not unheard of. Declaring the bird the perfect pet, Henry names the now-happy duck Spot. Roberton's line drawings have a palette of mostly of black and white, gray, and touches of green and yellow. They are very effective in conveying mood, action, and humor. The amusing text is placed in and among the illustrations for a seamless partnership between the two. An excellent tale about not getting what you thought you wanted but loving it anyway. Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Roberton brings a delightful sophistication and a unique twist to the kid-wanting-a-pet theme. Henry wants a dog more than chips, more than a cowboy costume, more than an all-expenses-paid trip to the moon, more, even than world peace itself. He advertises for his perfect pet and waits. Enter a lonely, nameless duck that reads and responds to the ad. Donning a doggy disguisecomplete with the waggy tail and floppy earsthe duck pleads his case to be Henrys perfect pet and wins the boys heart. Very simple black-and-white cartoon-like drawings with just hints of color will win childrens hearts. The boy and the duck make for a winsome duopictures of the duck taking a bath and the boy blow-drying the ducks feathers are irresistible. This wholly satisfying story with understated humor conveys the theme of friendship and is a perfect choice for storytime. It can also ignite discussions about problem solving and being open to the unexpected. Preschool-Grade 3. --Patricia Austin; Title: Wanted: the Perfect Pet | [
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16,544 | 0 | "A humorous, original tale about one plucky clucker ... hilarity on every page." -- Kirkus Review"With his characteristically broad humor and adult-savvy jokes, Horowitz offers a folksy tale about a yellow chick named Chico who learns to tame his fears." --Publishers Weekly"Dave Horowitz specializes in comical stories that operate on two levels, leaving parents tittering along with their children's giggles." -- the New York TimesYears ago on a climbing trip in the Peruvian Andes I found a beautiful white feather. As I usually do when I find feathers along my way, I put it in my cap. Some locals we met, pointed at my feather and laughed, "Condor Blanca! Condor Blanca!" Condor Blanca, of course means White Condor. My feather, of course was from a chicken. Condor Blanca was the inspiration for this story.; Title: Chico the Brave | [
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16,545 | 1 | Selected for the Pennsylvania Book Award--The Baker's Dozen "One of the very best picture books of 2012""Suitable for beginning readers, the humorous antics of Frog and Fly will be enjoyed by preschoolers as well. Bright, cartoonlike illustrations fill the pages, some of which have two panels clearly delineated by white frames, adding to the cartoon feel. This would be a fun reader's theater for storytime or classroom use."--"School Library Journal""Young readers will enjoy watching the jokes play out in Mack's crisp comic-book panels, which are peppered with clearly lettered dialogue and thought bubbles. This expressive and personable duo provides a spot-on brand of joke-book style humor that children will find plenty entertaining."--"Publishers Weekly""Adults might want to get more than one copy of this, as it's sure to fly right off the shelves."-"BCCB"Capitol Choices' "Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens" list!Jeff Mack (www.JeffMack.com) lives in Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he writes, paints, and is a frequent visitor to schools.; Title: Frog and Fly | [
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16,546 | 11 | PreS-Gr 2Brett's sumptuous retelling of The Three Little Pigs is set in southern Africa and stars three small guinea-pig-like creatures that live in rock crevices in the Namib desert. The three dassies, garbed in traditional African dresses and turbans, are harassed by an eagle, who, like the wolf in the traditional tale, wants them for supper. He flies to the dassies' houses made of grass and sticks and screeches, I'll flap and I'll clap and I'll blow your house in! then captures them and plops them into his nest. On the side panels another story develops with a brightly dressed lizard, the Agama Man, who is intent on rescuing the little creatures. Children will enjoy following both stories and will linger on each page following the exacting detail of the setting: the desert, the characters, the decorative borders, and all the small touches in between. This tale will captivate children and introduce a setting and animals unfamiliar to most of them.Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.First things first: dassies, or rock hydraxes, are small mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa. In this Three Little Pigs adaptation, three dassies strike out to make new homes. While Timbi takes the time to construct a solid stone dwelling, hasty siblings Mimbi and Pimbi use grass and sticks, respectively. After being pursued by an eagle, the dassies natural predator (playing the wolfs traditional role here), Mimbi and Pimbi find shelter at Timbis, where a blast from the chimney sends the villainous bird home for a nap, wrapping up the tale with a nonviolent end. The familiar plotline is extended in the intricate watercolor-and-gouache artwork in Bretts signature triptych layout: each central panel reflects the action described in the text, while wordless panels on either side show equally involving scenes, all handsomely framed by depictions of cloth, beadwork, and vegetation. Brett invokes the African setting with details of the desert landscape and the animals colorful, patterned clothing. The last page turns the story into an inspired pourquoi tale about dassies habitat and the sootlike coloring of native eagles. Preschool-Grade 2. --Andrew Medlar; Title: The 3 Little Dassies | [
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16,547 | 2 | Gr 5 Up-Basketball whiz Jayson, who is white, poverty-stricken, and angry, is placed with a loving, patient, affluent African American couple after his mother dies. Jayson learns to accept his new life as his team approaches the North Carolina middle school championship, an experience that instills valuable lessons about camaraderie, cooperation, and self-confidence. Audio version available from Recorded Books.(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Praise forFast Break"Eager fans will find this a slam-dunk. A must-purchase."Booklist"Lupica's announcer-like delivery will have you breathless, on the edge of your seat, cheering."Florida Times-Union"Fast Breakis the perfect middle-grade read for fans of basketball. With so much attention to detail in each game, readers are practically with the characters on the court. Lupica has done it again."VOYA; Title: Fast Break | [
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16,548 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2-The cunning pig from My Lucky Day (Putnam, 2003) is back, and the hapless victim of his tricks this time is Alligator Al. It's Al's birthday, and he considers himself quite lucky when a little porker knocks on his door looking for his friend, Freddy. It's Piglet's birthday, and there's going to be a party. Strange, thinks Al. "Who's Freddy? And who has the same birthday as me?" That should have been his first clue. However, Al only sees "the [birthday] dinner of his dreams" standing at his front door. In a flash, he has Piglet bagged up and ready to be cooked. Piglet convinces Al that he deserves a big birthday cake. Al takes the bait, and bakes a nice cake for himself. But what's a party without awesome decorations, asks Piglet. So, Al decorates with balloons and ribbons and a banner. Furthermore, Al shouldn't celebrate alone, says Piglet. "Shall I invite my friends?" A houseful of tasty piglets would just about be the "luckiest birthday ever" for Al, so he concedes. Piglet's friends aren't tasty pork chops, however. Rhino, Hippo, Wild Boar, and Gorilla are so big and scary that Al runs off, leaving Piglet to celebrate his luckiest birthday ever. The final page connects this story to Piglet's earlier lucky day, leaving readers to wonder who will become Piglet's next victim. The illustrations are done in gouache, and although they are typical of Kasza's style, they lack the visual charm of the art in A Mother for Choco (Putnam, 1992), for example. Nevertheless, this trickster/comeuppance story is a fine addition to picture-book collections.-Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Alligator Al believes hes received the best birthday gift ever when he opens his door to find a piglet caller, who would make a tasty meal. But the piglet, who shares Als birth date, proves to be a smart little guy. First, he postpones his demise by making various suggestions to Al about other party essentials, including a cake, decorations, and, of course, invitations to more guests. Greedy Al assumes those guests will be more piglets and is stunned to find that a rhino, a hippo, a boar, and a gorilla show up. Instead of Al getting to pig out, the piglet gets to celebrate his own birthday, courtesy of the cake, decorations, and his friends. Kasza (My Lucky Day, 2003; Silly Gooses Big Story, 2012) illustrates her delightful plot with colorful cartoons that feature a vibrant watercolor palette and expressive, anthropomorphic characters. Piglet models clever self-preservation techniques, but he also leads the cleanup after the party and names the toy gator he receives as his gift after his disappointed host. Preschool-Grade 1. --Francisca Goldsmith; Title: My Lucky Birthday | [
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16,549 | 16 | PreS-Gr 1-Despite appealingly piratical illustrations, this swashbuckling title is thin on story and unsuccessful as an alphabet book. Each letter is represented by a boy's name, followed by a rhyming statement about him. It begins, "Pirate Arty. First to the party" and ends with, "Pirate Zach. The final attack." While the concept is clever enough, the names are written in a medieval-style type, preventing easy recognition by youngsters learning their letters. Additionally, the name choices are not always effective at presenting the appropriate sounds. The most problematic is the letter "J," Pirate Juan, which does not make the English "j" sound. The humorous collage illustrations are grotesquely cartoonish, slightly reminiscent of the work of David Shannon or Victoria Chess. The multicultural boys have huge, blocklike teeth, oversize heads, semicircle noses, and googly eyes. Busily doing everything from eating, to swimming, to walking the plank, they are joined on every page by bug-eyed frogs that add to the humor and tie the story together. The art will likely be a big hit with pirate fans everywhere, and a few sophisticated asides will appeal to parents, but those hoping for a plot or in search of books for an alphabet bin will need to look elsewhere.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.The inside of the dust jacket informs the reader that Captain Frogbeard requires a crew for an alphabetical journey, no rules, good rhymes, big adventure, bigger squids, safe return not guaranteed. Twenty-six boys, named from A to Z, join the incumbent crew of frogs for swashbuckling high jinks (although it should be noted that we do not actually see Pirate Nat, who lost his hatjust the fly-away lid). The fun of the book is in the illustrations and the rhymes created around each boys name: Pirate Chuck. Pushing his luck; Pirate Owen. Wheres he going?; Pirate Ulysses. Swims with the fishies. The cut-paper illustrations are silly and appealing, with the expressions of the bug-eyed frogs providing a sort of visual Greek chorus to the escapades of the boys. The lack of girl pirates is unfortunate but understandable if this is viewed as a bookend to Twenty-Six Princesses (2008)though some girls will undoubtedly prefer pirates to princesses. Sure to be a hit with buccaneers and landlubbers alike. Preschool-Grade 1. --Kara Dean; Title: Twenty-six Pirates: An Alphabet Book | [
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16,550 | 2 | Like Toney Allmans nonfiction title Mean behind the Screen (2008), Polaccos powerful picture book dramatizes how online abuse has intensified the cruelty of bullying. New to her school, Lyla links up with Jamie, another new kid in her sixth-grade class, and they become close friends. Dramatic line-and-watercolor artwork shows the two outsiders in the lunchroom, excluded by the geeks, the nerds, the toughs, the sports kids, and especially by the celebrity table of the most popular girls. After Jamie gives Lyla good advice about getting a cell phone and a laptop and helps her create a Facebook page, she feels more connected. Then, though, Lyla becomes so cool that the popular crowd invites her to sit with thembut only if she breaks from Jamie. And she does, until they show her what fun they are having humiliating her friend on Facebook with cruel images and insults. After Lyla stands up to the celebrities, they take ugly revenge. Kids will recognize the charged scenarios of anger and hurt and the seething contemporary middle-school social scene. Great for group discussion. Grades 3-7. --Hazel RochmanPowerful . . . dramatizes how online abuse has intensified the cruelty of bullying. . . . Dramatic line-and-watercolor artwork. . . . Kids will recognize the charged scenarios of anger and hurt and the seething contemporary middle-school social scene. Great for group discussion. Booklist"The artwork realistically portraysthrough their body language and wonderfully expressive handswhat these youngsters are feeling. Polacco captures the insidiousness of cyberbullying. . . . Will spark intense and much-needed discussions." School Library Journal; Title: Bully | [
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16,551 | 15 | Jim Arnosky is a self-taught writer, artist and naturalist who has written and illustrated over 90 nature books for children. Jim divides his time between South Ryegate, Vermont, and Islamorada, Florida.; Title: Crinkleroot's Guide to Giving Back to Nature | [
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16,552 | 2 | K-Gr 2-The spindly legged, pale Insomniac family-Mother, Father and little Mika-lead a regular diurnal life until Mrs. Insomniac gets a new job "twelve time zones away." Once they arrive at their new home, the family members live up to their name and goth visages-despite their efforts, they cannot fall asleep at night but snooze at work and school. Unable to rectify this dire situation by themselves, they venture out to observe animal sleeping habits for ideas. When they see bats "dipp[ing], div[ing] and squeal[ing] with delight," the Insomniacs decide that they, too, can lead a happy and fulfilling nocturnal existence, exchanging "the sun [for]...stars and fireflies and northern lights." Father develops his photos in a darkroom. Mother studies the stars through her telescope, and Mika goes to night school remotely. Reminiscent of the work of Edward Gorey, Charles Addams, and a certain Tim Burton-esque aesthetic, the art for this book forges its own style without feeling derivative. Full-page mixed-media (charcoal, pencil, and computer) illustrations are cleverly designed and depict the sepia Insomniacs against the backgrounds of saturated yellow for daylight, red for interiors, and deep dark blue for nighttime scenes. An offbeat (but satisfying) bedtime story for fans of quirky tales and nighttime adventures.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, Starred Review:"Reminiscent of the work of Edward Gorey, Charles Addams, and a certain Tim Burton-esque aesthetic, the art for this book forges its own style without feeling derivative. Full-page mixed-media (charcoal, pencil, and computer) illustrations are cleverly designed. . . . An offbeat (but satisfying) bedtime story for fans of quirky tales and nighttime adventures."From KIRKUS REVIEWS, Starred Review:"A quietly magnificent paean to the wonder of nighttime and the solidity of a family unit. . . .What first seems an eerie, baby-goth vibe is held steady by the stable, close-knit family and lack of crisis in this atmospheric, calmly splendid piece."From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:"Future fans of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean will thrill to this after-dark debut from Wolf, with shadowy illustrations by Ben and Sean Hilts. . . .Where most picture books say goodnight, this unusual entry gives the go-ahead to stay up late."From BOOKLIST:"The grainy, deeply shaded blue-and-black palette is beautifully illuminated by lanterns, the moon, creatures eyes, and other things that glow. . . .The characters, with their dark-rimmed eyes and spindly limbs, resemble nonscary Tim Burton creations and will speak to those who prefer their bedtime stories on the magical dark side." various; Title: The Insomniacs | [
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16,553 | 2 | Gr 3-6-After moving with her parents and grandmother from the mountains of North Carolina to upstate New York, 10-year-old Prairie Evers is adjusting to life on the farm her mother inherited. When her grandmother decides to move back home, Prairie is heartbroken. Not only has Grammy been her teacher all her young life, but she is also her best friend. Things get even worse when her mother takes a job and Prairie must go to school for the first time in her life. She dislikes being in a classroom from the very beginning. She doesn't like the bus, the noise, and the chaos of being surrounded by so many other children. Prairie would much rather be spending her days with the chickens she is raising on the farm. Then she meets Ivy Blake, her first true friend. When she learns that Ivy has been harboring a dark secret and has a terrible home life, Prairie is determined to help. The Evers invite the quiet girl into their home, and Prairie discovers that sharing her family isn't as easy as she thought it would be. With Prairie, Airgood has created a bright, spunky, independent thinker who traverses the ups and downs of friendship with optimism and loyalty. The text is smart, with plenty of challenging vocabulary and accurate information about types of chickens and the procedures involved in raising them. This is a great book to recommend to readers who like a lively heroine and an intelligent, refreshing, and unpretentious plot.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, OH(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted."Easy-going, earnest story of friendship and family. . . . Spirited narration. . . . Thoughtful readers will no doubt sympathize with Prairie's feelings of loneliness and celebrate the new friendship she finds, evenor perhaps especiallywhen it gets complicated." Kirkus Reviews"[Airgood] introduces irrepressible Prairie Evers, a 10-year-old country girl whose skill at turning bad situations into good ones is as impressive as the size of her heart. . . . Radiates warmth and wisdom." Publishers Weekly"Issues of individuality, peer pressure, family support, and considering the feelings of others are all cogently addressed here. Those who miss Eva Ibbotson will find comfort in Airgoods world." BooklistAirgood has created a bright, spunky, independent thinker who traverses the ups and downs of friendship with optimism and loyalty. . . . A great book to recommend to readers who like a lively heroine and an intelligent, refreshing, and unpretentious plot. School Library JournalThe situation will intrigue kids, who will understand the specter of outsiderdom; the book also compellingly explores Prairies navigation of the ins and outs of a first best-friendship. . . . Ivys tough family life may also strike a chord with kids in similarly bleak positions . . . both compassionate and authentically complex. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksHeartwarming. . . . Uplifting story with strength in characters, setting, and, especially, Prairies voice. Readers will love Prairies independent spirit and care about her relationships. Library Media Connection; Title: Prairie Evers | [
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16,554 | 3 | Gr 3-5-PJ McGee, would-be ninja and private eye, solves another mystery. Through letters written to his absent father (complete with clever cartoons), PJ tells a strange and humorous tale about a theft. His nemesis is Sara Bellum, who has won every school award and wants her lucky streak to continue by winning the science fair. When the first-place trophy goes missing, PJ is sure Sara has taken it. The inept detective covets the prize, so he sets out with the other two members of the Tae Kwon Do Club (aka the "Ninja Club") to solve the case. Before the trophy is found, there are many bizarre and fantastical skirmishes among the returning cast of characters, including the beleaguered principal, Mr. Prince. The high jinks are over-the-top; the hero has to deal with helium-filled pants, a magnetic pickle, and karate-chopping gloves made from his mother's oven mitts. This is a lighthearted, silly story that will have readers both smiling and rolling their eyes. Though the joke is always on poor PJ, he learns in the end who his real friends and supporters are-and that there are many of them. This title will be well-received by graduates of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic) and those who love Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams) and Lincoln Peirce's "Big Nate" books (HarperCollins). It will also entice reluctant readers.-Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Fifth-grader PJ McGee writes more letters to his absent father, following Clueless McGee (2012). In the opening epistle, PJ reports that not much has changed here since my last letter, and that also applies to the books rambunctious characters and heavily illustrated first-person style. The latest mystery is a missing science fair trophy, and with plenty of suspects, it takes many mishaps (and some huge pants) for any semblance of serenity to return to PJs principal, friends, and motherand when at last it does, there is the added treat of a minicomic book featuring a familiar-looking ninja. Mack will once again turn post-Pilkey reluctant boys into readers. Grades 4-6. --Andrew Medlar; Title: Clueless McGee and the Inflatable Pants: Book 2 | [
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16,555 | 2 | Fiona Roberton was born in Oxford and studied art and design in London. She has kept the wolf from the door for a number of years by working as a designer, but has since befriended the wolf, and has it to tea on Tuesdays. She won the IRA Children's Book Award last year for her first picture book, Wanted: The Perfect Pet. She lives in London, England.; Title: The Perfect Present | [
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16,556 | 1 | Gr 3-7-Once again, Mal is trying his hardest to impress Megan, and hilarity ensues. Invited to her birthday party by her dad, he does his best to stand out, but only gets teased. So, when the school talent show is announced, he uses that opportunity to try once again. Unfortunately, they get trapped in a freak snowstorm created by Mal's weather machine. Realizing that Chad may be in danger from the storm, Mal sneaks out to save his best friend. Megan, overhearing the situation, decides to follow and help. But when giant hail comes crashing down, the danger increases. Interestingly creative, yet simple to follow, the plot twists make this a great read for new and seasoned graphic-novel fans. The situations are funny and the adventures are fast paced. Mal may be a genius, but he is still a kid with insecurities and problems. Chad is the best friend that everyone wants; a dog that loves him unconditionally. Simple, clean, black-and-white drawings have action and expression. Kids will love this one.-Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Mal is a child prodigy who routinely invents physics-defying inventions like mind-reading hats, molecule reorganizers, and weather-control machines, all of which usually send him and his erstwhile canine companion, Chad, on whirlwind adventures. This adventure clocks in with a cracking pace that still has room for a deeper sense of Mals childhood yearning and tribulations, some smart gender-role-defying characterizations, and an emotionally satisfying end. McCranie, always adept at the soft-edged visual charm that makes his characters so engaging, this time ratchets things up with several dramatic splash pages and some truly striking visual ideas. Grades 2-5. --Jesse Karp; Title: Mal and Chad: Belly Flop! | [
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16,557 | 2 | Gr 10 UpLunchtime will never be the same. What sounded like cherry bombs, were actually gunshots exploding throughout the halls of Plainewood High School where Alys Aronson and her brother, Luke, were students. A violinist in the making, Alys was trying to master a piece by Brahms, Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, while her classmate Miranda studied for a history test nearby, when Luke entered with a rifle in hand. After witnessing her brother kill Miranda, Alys tries to come terms with the terrible event in this gripping narrative. In between the unbearable grief and feelings of being ostracized by her friends and the community, the teen learns to accept herself as someone more than the sister of a murderer. Readers will dive into each page as the author unfolds just what drove Luke to make such a horrible decision, even after being accepted to one of the top schools in the country. A captivating portrait of a family torn apart by jealousy and neglect.Keisha Miller, South Orange Public Library, NJPraise for SILENT ALARM:Wow, what a book. One has to admire Jennifer Banash for attempting a task as difficult and wrenching as telling the story of a school shooting from the point of view of the shooters sister. Grim and gripping from the very first sentence, Banash leads the reader through a valiant effort to find the answer to the horribly unanswerable, and yet convincingly manages to end with a note of hope.Todd Strasser, author of Give a Boy a GunA lyrical portrait Readers seeking empathy behind the headlines will find it here.BCCB A moving, insightful treatment of a difficult and timely topic.Kirkus Reviews A captivating portrait of a family torn apart by jealousy and neglect.School Library JournalA comprehensive, truthful, and uncompromising book, an important addition to any library serving teens.VOYA, perfect scoreThis wrenching novel gets all of the emotional beats right.BooklistReaders will connect to Alys struggles. The story addresses many of the questions and emotions teens may have when learning about real-life tragedies.SLC ; Title: Silent Alarm | [] | Train |
16,558 | 2 | Praise for The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade:This effective rhyming book by kiddie-rock star Roberts takes on the subjects of bullying, teasing, and excluding others This is a serious topic given serious treatment, and it should be ideal for initiating discussions.BooklistGrammy-nominated Justin Roberts is an all-star of the family music scene. Hailed by the New York Times as the Judy Blume of kiddie rock, he logs thousands of miles on the road each year, dishing out unexpectedly intelligent and fun rocking music for kids and their parents. Justin lives in Illinois. Visit Justin at www.justinrobertsmusic.com.Christian Robinson is an illustrator of picture books living and working in San Francisco. He studied at the California Institute of the Arts. He has worked with Pixar Animation Studios, The Sesame Street Workshop, and Jib Jab. Visit Christian at www.theartoffun.com.; Title: The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade | [
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16,559 | 1 | Eric Hill left school when he was fifteen, and took up cartooning while working as a messenger at an art studio. He created Where's Spot as a bedtime story for his two-year old son. It was published four years later, and the rest is history. Eric Hill now lives in France.; Title: Spot Loves Sports | [
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16,560 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1Little tadpole worships his impressive frog father and wants to be a great swimmer, jumper, singer, and voracious bug consumer just like him. Unwilling to be apart from his dad, Tad follows him everywhere, including his lily pad bed. The wriggly, noisy youngster keeps his poor parent up each night until sleep-deprived Dad kicks him out, only to find out that perhaps cuddly company was better all along. Stein's cartoonish illustrations are comically expressive, deftly conveying the energy of the wee frog and the exasperation of his dad with thick black strokes filled with swampy watercolor washes in mixed layouts ranging from spreads to cleverly focused vignettes. Children will laugh at Tad's antics while parents will sympathize with father frog's disturbed sleep. VERDICT A wonderful bedtime or froggy-themed storytime read.Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NYComically expressive, deftly conveying the energy of the wee frog and the exasperation of his dad with thick black strokes filled with swampy watercolor washes in mixed layouts ranging from spreads to cleverly focused vignettes. Children will laugh at Tads antics while parents will sympathize with father frogs disturbed sleep. A wonderful bedtime or froggy-themed storytime read.School Library Journal Parents everywhere, especially those with night-wandering, bed-sharing toddlers, will laugh with grim identification. . . . Little ones will chuckle at Tads enthusiasm and Dads growing exhaustion. . . . Stein uses color to great effect to show the lap-listener that this little gem is both a celebration of the father-child relationship and a good-night book. . . . Like every good go-to-sleep book, this one will hold up to many repeat readings.The Horn Book A humorous treatment of a common bedtime problem. Brilliant watercolors accented with Crayola zing with energy in splashy two page spreads. The green amphibians round pink mouth humorously BUURRPPs with noise. Dads comical face expresses gloom, dismay, and pride over Tads antics. Parents will recognize the bleary-eyed adults eyes when he says, Is it morning already?BooklistParents faced with a child who has trouble staying in his or her own bed will relate to Dads exasperation and chuckle at Tads persistence. Kids will enjoy Tads enthusiasm and obvious adoration of his father. Caldecott honoree Stein makes another splash with this charming duo.Kirkus Reviews; Title: Tad and Dad | [
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16,561 | 1 | K-Gr 2As Tasha feeds oats to her chickens in the old tower, a blizzard rages outside. As usual, her beloved Cinders is pushed and bossed around by the old biddy, Largessa, and her daughters, Pecky and Bossy. The blizzard piles snow against the door and Tasha must curl up in front of the warm stove to wait out the night. As she sleeps, another world unfolds in the tower, beginning the familiar tale of a ball, a prince, a fairy godmother, and a slipper. While the tale is well known, the players most certainly are not. In this wintery, St. Petersburg-inspired venue, wet feathers and frayed wing tips replace a ragged dress and an ash-covered face, a beautiful silkie hen stands in for a dear fairy godmother, and the prize of the ball is Prince Cockerel. All ends well for Cinders, of course, and readers get the happy ending that is expected, but Brett's fans know that it's the illustrations that bring magic to the story. A stunning starry sky bathed in moonlight is the backdrop for each panel, from the warm, cozy coop to the dazzling landscape surrounding the prince's ice palace. Inside, readers will find a dramatic gatefold rendering of the dance floor, with hens and cockerels bedecked in their finest attire. What could be mistaken for a comical interpretation of the classic tale is instead a charming transformation with Brett's majestic stylings and a bit of whimsy.Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OHJan Brett (www.janbrett.com) is the beloved New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of many books for children. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts, where she raises show chickens and has more than seventy chickens living at her home.; Title: Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella | [
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16,562 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2-Soft sunset colors and unusual imagery welcome readers into a child's dream world. Melody finds more happiness in this imaginary place than she does in her new neighborhood, where she feels shy and lonely. In her dreams she has a special friend, a large, flying doglike creature that brings magic, adventure, and companionship into her life. The succinct text allows the swirly, expressive spot and full-bleed art, created with paintbrushes and ink and manipulated digitally, to develop the emotional arc of the story. As Melody tries to lure her dream friend into reality, she manages to unleash its joyous energy into the playground. Though her dream friend doesn't materialize in the way she hopes, Melody finds the magic within herself that ultimately leads to a real friend. This gentle story celebrates imagination and bravery in new circumstances.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Melody has a dream friend: he looks like an oversize white dog wearing a red bow tie. Whatever he is, hes cute. In her dreams, Melody and her special friend do amazing things, like play hide-and-seek in a magical wood and watch fireworks that burst into the shapes of candy and cupcakes. But Melodys real-life world is lonely, and no matter how hard she tries, she cant seem to bring her dream friend into reality. Then one day, a girl on the playground sees Melody dancing and asks to join inand soon others follow (theres a little dog in the scene, a brown version of you know who). In a nice twist, Melody and her new friend have a sleepover and travel to dream world together. While the theme here is common and the text straightforward, the illustrations are anything but. The unusual color palette, swirling peach and gold and violet and turquoise during the fantasy scenes, sets this book apart, as do debut author Byuns textured, retro-style illustrations. A visual wonderland from an artist to watch. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Ann Kelley; Title: Dream Friends | [
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16,563 | 2 | * "Readers will fall for the sociable Carmelita as they proudly learn a range of salutations, and the artists rich environment, packed with hidden details and charming animals, will delight readers with each return visit. Simply enchanting."--Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewRachel Isadora began dancing at the age of eight. She trained at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet and has danced professionally. Rachel lives in New York City with her family.Rachel Isadora has illustrated many books set in the world of dance and theater, including Opening Night, My Ballet Class, Swan Lake, The Little Match Girl, and Ben's Trumpet, which received the Caldecott Honor Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.Rachel Isadora began dancing at the age of eight. She trained at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet and has danced professionally. Rachel lives in New York City with her family.Rachel Isadora has illustrated many books set in the world of dance and theater, including Opening Night, My Ballet Class, Swan Lake, The Little Match Girl, and Ben's Trumpet, which received the Caldecott Honor Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.; Title: Say Hello! | [
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16,564 | 2 | JEFFERS, Oliver. The Hueys in None the Number: A Counting Adventure. illus. by Oliver Jeffers. 32p. (The Hueys: Bk. 3). Philomel. Jul. 2014.K-Gr 3 The Hueys are back to teach readers the value of an often-ignored number. Delightfully droll and enlightening, the unconventional Jeffers reveals the importance of the number zero. To make this point, one of the pill-shaped Hueys counts up to ten, giving examples along the way: SIX fishermen waiting for the bus./SEVEN oranges I balanced on some things yesterday. And, he makes it clear, when you take away all those items, what do you have left? None. And, none is the same as zero. The illustrations, made with pencils and a bit of color on large white pages, are deceptively simple and ridiculously funny. This counting book becomes a seek and find when all the not-so-obvious objects that have been enumerated are scattered across two pages. An afterword by the author about none appears on the back cover--though it will be unreadable if the dust jacket is left on. Jefferss persuasive lesson will have readers counting up to 10 using 11 numbers.--School Library JournalOliver Jeffers(www.oliverjeffersworld.com) makes art and tells stories. His books include the #1 bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit;How to Catch a Star; Lost and Found, which was the recipient of the prestigious Nestle Childrens Book Prize Gold Award in the U.K. and was later adapted into an award-winning animated film;The Way Back Home; The Incredible Book Eating Boy; The Great Paper Caper; The Heart and the Bottle, which was made into a highly acclaimed iPad application narrated by Helena Bonham Carter;Up and Down, the New York Times bestselling Stuck; The Hueys in the New Sweater, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year;and This Moose Belongs to Me,aNew York Timesbestseller. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oliver now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.; Title: The Hueys in None The Number | [
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16,565 | 2 | Gr 4-7-Mouse skin eyebrows? Spiders in your ears? Humans with tails? And, by the way, what is the only human organ that can regenerate itself? In this abridged edition of the adult book Why Is Yawning Contagious? (Penguin, 2008), solid scientific information related through unforgettable yet somewhat absurd facts will imprint systematic truths on young minds and provide them with fodder for interesting input to almost any conversation. Used as a preamble and supplement to human-biology studies, this fun book doesn't shy away from any aspect of bodily functions. Kids will likely remember what they read here.-Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Recast in simpler language from a 2007 edition aimed at adult audiences (and with some deletions, such as the chapter originally dubbed Amatory Arcana), this Q&A crowd-pleaser is oozing with need-to-know factsfrom a tally of creatures that live on or under our skin to what people used to wipe in the days before toilet paper and why some boogers are green. Cooverts occasional silly cartoon illustrations create a misleading impression, because however titillating the questions (not to mention the title), the answers are more or less serious, accurate, and specific in biological detail. General browsers will be eager to pick out and share juicy passages and cant help but come away with globs of random and sometimes even useful information on topics as diverse as the medical uses of insects to the functions of yawns, goose bumps, hiccups, and ear wax. Curious about the titular caution? It has more to do with what would be going into ones nose on a finger than what would be coming out. Grades 3-5. --John Peters; Title: Why You Shouldn't Eat Your Boogers: Gross but True Things You Don't Want to Know About Your Body | [
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16,566 | 16 | Eric Hill left school when he was fifteen, and took up cartooning while working as a messenger at an art studio. He created Where's Spot as a bedtime story for his two-year old son. It was published four years later, and the rest is history. Eric Hill now lives in France.; Title: What Do You See, Spot? | [
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16,567 | 16 | K-Gr 3-A bird's-eye view of the Nativity. Early one winter morning in Bethlehem, some colorful birds gather for breakfast and recount the unusual and spectacular sights they have seen over recent days-people streaming into town, a full inn, a man and his wife led to a stable, an angel bringing tidings of joy, and heavenly hosts singing "Glory to God" in the night sky. Avian observers agree to follow the shepherds where they behold the most miraculous sight of all. dePaola does not disappoint with his charmingly simple illustrations and spare text. An ideal read-aloud. -Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.While pecking for grain in the fields, Bethlehems birds discuss what they saw the previous night. A green bird noticed many people walking over the hills. A yellow bird observed something unusual: the inn was full. A blue bird saw something strange: a couple housed in the inns stable. A red bird witnessed something extraordinary: an angel appearing to shepherds, announcing tidings of great joy, and telling them to visit a baby in a manger. Together, the birds fly to the stable to see the miracle. While stories about animals visiting baby Jesus are not uncommon, it is unusual to find one with a short text that traces the Nativity story reverently and without sentimentality. On the handsome dust jacket, the titles silver letters have an iridescent sheen that shifts colors as the angle of light changes. Its a playful, slightly mysterious element welcoming children to the story within. Painted in acrylics, the illustrations are notable for their simplified forms, pleasing compositions, and subtle combinations of colors. An inviting read-aloud choice for Christmas. Preschool-Grade 1. --Carolyn Phelan; Title: The Birds of Bethlehem | [
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16,568 | 2 | Eric Hill (www.funwithspot.com) left school when he was fifteen and took up cartooning while working as a messenger at an art studio. He created Where's Spot? as a bedtime story for his two-year-old son. It was published four years later, and the rest is history. Eric Hill now lives in France.; Title: Spot's Fun First Words: A Slide & See Book | [
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16,569 | 0 | Grade 46Blind in one eye and shouldering a fair share of work as part of a family of sharecroppers, 10-year-old Ludelphia Bennett is no stranger to hardship or determination. Though her small town of Gee's Bend is geographically isolated by the Alabama River, she sets off on her own to Camden, 40 miles away, to find a doctor for her sick mother. Constant throughout her arduous journey is a stitched-together fabric, and she both physically and mentally chronicles her experiences as she pieces a quilt together. This is the way Ludelphia tells her story, of seeing white people for the first time, of encountering kindness and hate, and it is also the way Latham pays homage to the community spirit that historically fostered a heritage of artisan quilt-makers. While there is a bit of a reliance on coincidence, what shines through is the characterization and sense of place. Rural Alabama of 1932 is brought to life, complete with characters' prejudices and superstitions that are eventually overcome thanks to Ludelphia's indomitable strength. Here is a story that is comforting and warm, just like the quilts that make Gee's Bend famous.Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.In Gees Bend, Alabama in 1932, 10-year-old Ludelphias mother nearly dies giving birth. Ludelphia takes off downriver to find a doctor in the town of Camden, 40 miles away, and in her first journey away from her tiny village, she encounters white people for the first time. The hardship of African American sharecropper families is always present in this stirring historical debut, and so is the rich sense of community in rough times, although that community does include sometimes malicious local gossip. Inspired by her mama, Ludelphia stitches together a quilt that tells her story, and that intricate process of quilt making sometimes becomes a too-heavy metaphor. Still, Ludelphias voice is authentic and memorable, and Latham captures the tension of her dangerous journey and the racism she encounters when a white, mentally disturbed landowners widow takes everything from the sharecroppers as repayment for their debt. In a final note, Latham talks about the history of Gees Bend and its rich quilting traditions. Grades 5-8. --Hazel Rochman; Title: Leaving Gee's Bend | [
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16,570 | 2 | Gr 46Violet Diamond's father died in a car accident two months before her birth, and the 11-year-old has always felt that a piece of her was missing. As the daughter of an African American father and Caucasian mother, she is frustrated with narrow racial assumptions directed at her by those living in her predominantly white neighborhood in Seattle. After eavesdropping on an eye-opening family conversation, Violet digs around and finds out that Roxanne Diamond, the estranged paternal grandmother she's never met, is having an art exhibition in Seattle, and the resourceful tween vows to meet her. Complex family history renders their first meeting awkward and tense, but Roxanne genuinely wants to be involved in her granddaughter's life. Violet travels with her grandmother to Los Angeles to meet her father's relatives and better understand her African American heritage. Violet's charming quirks, which include nighttime wishing rituals and keeping a mental catalogue of sophisticated vocabulary words, prove endearing. In this quiet story, Woods's admirably touches upon profound issues related to identity and race and tenderly conveys intergenerational bonds.Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CAEleven-year-old Violet Diamond feels as though she doesnt belongshes a brown leaf on a pile of white snow. A biracial child, she never knew her father, who died before she was born. Violet is tired of the strange looks from people who dont understand her background, so she researches her family on her fathers side and learns that her artist grandmother will be visiting Seattle. Violet jumps at the chance to meet her and soon feels belonging and acceptance as she gains answers about the dad she never knew, thereby giving her a far more confident sense of self. Woods novel has a lot of heart, and Violet is someone many readers will relate to. Side characters, too, are well developed, and while Violets reconciliation with her long-lost grandmother comes a bit too easily, Violets warm journey of self-discovery is realistic. A sweet, heartfelt tale. Grades 4-7. --Sarah Bean Thompson; Title: The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond | [
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16,571 | 2 | Gr 68A sequel to the excellent Time Snatchers (Putnam, 2012). After spending five months in peaceful ignorance of his past, Caleb, a time-traveling thief, is forced to return to Timeless Treasures, where he is back under the thumb of Uncle, the Faginesque leader of a band of thieves. Things have changed while Caleb was gone. Uncle is more erratic and strange, and cruel Frank is running most of the day-to-day operations. As Frank exercises more and more harsh control, it puts Caleb and his new recruits in danger; something will have to be done before all their futures are snatched away from them. With his memories and time-snatching ability restored, Caleb feels the loss of his adopted family as well as the fear of being back with Uncle and Frank. These emotions propel much of the action in the book as Caleb tries to find a way to protect the recruits and get home. Ungar cleverly includes real historical occurrences in his characters' time-travel episodes, so the book serves as an enlightening glimpse into different eras and events. Characters are well established and most take interesting and honest turns. However, the action is uneven at times, and the resolution of the main conflict comes off as rushed and slightly anticlimactic. Nonetheless, this is well-done science fiction that is built around a very intriguing concept.Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TXUngars follow-up to Time Snatchers (2012) offers more exceptionally good world building and character developmentalong with heaps of suspenseas Caleb finds himself yanked back to Uncles 2061 theft business from his new home in 1968 Boston. Uncle himself is under threat, as his most trusted protg crafts a plan to depose him and take the new treasure-hunting recruits into even worse business, both in the past and present. Caleb, along with his girlfriend, Abbie, and new recruits Dmitri and Razor, eventually escapes, but many difficult tech and ethical questions need resolution along the way. Grades 6-9. --Francisca Goldsmith; Title: Time Trapped (Time Snatchers) | [
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16,572 | 2 | When her favorite uncle, Bobby, announces that he is getting married to his boyfriend, Jamie, Chloe worries that he wont have time for her anymore. The characters are all guinea pigs in human dress, and the sweet, double-page spreads in watercolor and graphite show the idyllic bond between the child and her uncle, as they walk together in the woods, row on the river, and more. In contrast are the scenes of her sadness and jealousy until she learns to have fun with both Bobby and Jamie togethereven as they talk about their plans to raise their own kids. The climax is the joyful, exciting weddingthe couple in tuxedos, Chloe as the flower girl, and the big, extended family all together, smiling and teary. A celebration of same-sex marriage, this is about family happiness. Pair with Justin Richardsons And Tango Makes Three (2005). Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman"...story and pictures are gentle and serene rather than controversial." -- Jane Langton, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Fledgling"I love it. It's a beautiful book that needs no explaining." -- Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Show Way"This is SUCH a lovely, charming book. It's about time." -- Tomie de Paola, Newbery Honor-winning author of 26 Fairmont Avenue"Valiant, valid, validating, valuable." -- Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked"...Sarah Brannen's beautiful and moving tale has arrived just in time for the young, twenty-first century reader." -- Robert Sabuda, bestselling pop-up artistThe watercolor-and-graphite illustrations are sweet and tender. -- School Library Journal; Title: Uncle Bobby's Wedding | [
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16,573 | 2 | K-Gr 2-Miss Maple travels all summer looking for orphaned seeds that she can shelter and nurture until the following spring. Each one is treated like a treasured child, "all similar yet none the same." She teaches them what it means to be a seed and takes them on field trips to their natural habitats. At night, they are snuggled into cozy beds. When spring arrives, she releases them back out into the world where they can root and grow into whatever they are bound to be. Her repeated mantra, "Take care, my little ones, for the world is big and you are small," is as comforting and encouraging as Miss Maple herself. Though the text veers a bit toward cloying, the whole is masterfully redeemed by its visual charm. A rich palette of warm greens, burnt oranges, and peacock blues dominates the spacious watercolor and ink illustrations, which are completely enchanting. With her broad straw hat, full skirts, and kind face, Miss Maple is the perfect embodiment of a caregiver, whether sweeping the tree house porch, floating downriver with her charges in a green leaf boat, or flying home atop one of her large blue birds. Each page is filled with broad vistas, warm breezes, woodland creatures, and other whimsical imagery that cannot help but welcome readers into Miss Maple's world. With its positive message about the value of nurturing even the tiniest bit of the natural world, this book is simply wonderful.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Miss Maple, a tiny woman, lives in a snug house high up in a maple tree. During the summer, she flies off on a birds back and gathers orphan seeds. Keeping them safe through the winter snows and spring rains, she nurtures them in her home, takes them on field trips, and reads them stories each night. In May, Miss Maple puts her seeds into little baskets and sends them floating through the air or down the river to take root and grow. The clean, fluid lines and lovely shading of the ink-and-watercolor artwork gives the book a beguiling look that will go a long way toward charming parents as well as children. But for all the graceful fantasy depicted in this cozy woodland setting, kids may well linger longest on the page that realistically depicts and labels 20 seeds, ranging in size from raspberry to apple to pea to pumpkin to acorn. For classroom units, this picture book could add a fanciful counterpoint to more down-to-earth books on seeds. Preschool-Grade 1. --Carolyn Phelan; Title: Miss Maple's Seeds | [
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16,574 | 2 | "Succeeds spectacularly. . . . Uido is a remarkable heroine. . . . Heart-stopping action . . . the larger issues of modernity versus tradition offer much to think about. An intricate yet wholly accessible story." Booklist, starred review"Readers will immediately connect with Uido. The doubt she feels in her own abilities will resonate with teens, as will her conviction to protect the ways of her people. . . . Vividly written and expertly paced . . . a moving story that will stay with readers long after the end." School Library Journal, starred review"Uido's clear, intelligent, present-tense voice consistently engrosses as she pushes through doubt and loss to find the right path. The beach, jungle and cliff settings are palpable. . . . Refreshingly hopeful and beautifully written." Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Offering an enticing blend of mystic traditions and imaginative speculation, Venkatraman beautifully expresses a primitive tribe's connection to nature and their struggle to find safety in the 21st century." Publishers Weekly, starred review"Uido, all fire and passion and easy strength, is a strong, personable element. . . . Fans of survival novels . . . and informed readers curious to know more about how modern society would impact an isolated tribe will both feel theyve found the right book." The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books"The research Venkatraman incorporated into this novel is apparent. . . . A fantastic cultural story with identifiable characters and a plot in which the reader will want to believe." Voice of Youth AdvocatesPadma Venkatraman lives in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. An oceanographer by training, she is the author of twenty books for young readers, published in India, on a variety of subjects. To learn more, about her book Climbing the Stairs, visit the web site, www.climbingthestairsbook.com. You can also read her blog, padmasbooks.blogspot.com.; Title: Island's End | [
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16,575 | 13 | Jack Hamm is one of the best-selling authors of art instruction books. With nearly a million copies sold, his books have helped aspiring artists of every age and level of ability learn to draw and improve their technique.; Title: How to Draw Animals (Perigee) | [
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16,576 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1Raising a baby is always full of surprises, but Kelly and the Brothers Hilts create an extra-amazing arrival story of the little one in this refreshing picture book. The age-old question, "Where do babies come from?" is answered in a bouncing AA/BB rhyme scheme, but this time the stork (gasp!) loses the baby. The illustrations highlight the most unexpected moments of the raucous trip the baby takes to eventually reach the intended destination. At one point, the tiny blue baby lands on an Australian beach, "where a hermit crab found you/(a tiny chap whom you outgrew/who passed you to a kangaroo/who lost you at the Brisbane Zoo)." Readers will delight in finding where the infant has gone on each page, with the poetry of the writing lending itself well to hand clapping and singing. This tale is ripe for felt board activities to support the wild adventures of this little one. VERDICT A delight to read aloud, with stunning images that will add humor and surprise to storytime, this title should be added to most collections.Karen Ginman, BookOps: The New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public LibraryPraise for Sometimes Its Storks: A delight to read aloud, with stunning images that will add humor and surprise to storytime.School Library JournalKelly (Blanket & Bear, a Remarkable Pair) runs with the age-old legend of baby-delivering storks as two parents describe, in doggerel verse, their childs circuitous path to reach them.Publishers Weekly [T]his adventure of a newborn baby, ordered by a mother and father for delivery to them by a stork, drifts by air, sea, desert, and even dogsled across a vividly scattered world of savory enchantments, before arriving safely in New York. Kelly steers a nimble path via rhyming quatrains Meanwhile, the Brothers Hilts zoom with great panache from the epic double-page spread of a delicately soaring stork flock to the magnified detail of dads pink-striped socks.Booklist; Title: Sometimes It's Storks | [
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16,577 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2-An overly protective mother squirrel shelters her babies from all types of intruders, including a niggling cat and a nosy, sniffing dog. She also scolds kites and waves her paws at airplanes flying overhead. Clattering "chook chook chook" in high and low branches, she sends gullible intruders on their way with great dispatch. Then one day a great, growling grizzly bear climbs into their safe haven. Mama Squirrel pelts him with nuts and takes her "chook chook chook" sound alarm to the next level. "Not on my watch!" she howls. Hundreds of mama squirrels come out of the woodwork, scolding the bear and throwing nuts at him. After he flees the scene, the townsfolk honor Ol' Mama Squirrel by constructing a plaque on the spot where she scolded the grizzly. "If you're ever in town, you should go see it...if you can get anywhere near it." Stein's expressive watercolor and ink illustrations fill each spread. Zany, blocklike animals are drawn with animated gestures, drawing readers into the humorous, but caring subject of a mother's love. Storytellers will find themselves animating Mama's frantic gestures and youngsters will enjoy the short, fast-paced passages on each page.-Krista Welz, The North Bergen Public Library, NJ(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Ol Mama Squirrel scolds everyone who comes close to the babies in her tree. Cats, owls, dogs, even the arboristall are met with a formidable chook chook chook! But when a great growling grizzly will not be deterred, Ol Mama Squirrel calls in reinforcements. All the squirrels of the city come to her aid and, in a singular, projectile assault (using nuts, of course), chase the bear away. Order is restored, a plaque is erected, and Ol Mama Squirrel returns to her irascible, protective ways. Stein matches a particularly colloquial telling with loose, chunky watercolors in a restrained green and brown palette, adding hilarity to a folkloric tale with sweetly comedic effect. Genial details, like the Squirrel familys heart-shaped hole in the tree, compound the agreeable fun. Happy children will demand multiple readings of this insouciant, affable outing. Preschool-Grade 2. --Thom Barthelmess; Title: Ol' Mama Squirrel | [
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16,578 | 0 | PreS-Gr 3-Mossy, an eastern box turtle, lives in the deep shade of Lilypad Pond, and the moss growing on her carapace offers fertile ground for a variety of plants. The garden on her back draws the attention of a local naturalist who takes the oddity to her museum as a living display. Mossy, unhappy and missing her home (as well as her special turtle friend), is returned to the wild after her portrait is painted for a happy ending all around. The sweet, simply written story reiterates an important message of respect for the environment. But this is a book by Jan Brett, so the watercolor and gouache illustrations trump the narrative in the storytelling. Here, the artist's familiar borders hold a field guide's worth of expert paintings: butterflies, mosses, fungi, wildflowers, orchids, feathers, crystals, shells, insects, fossils, and seeds. They frame each spread, and detailed illustrations follow the text and include predictive medallions that introduce characters or secondary plot details. Labeling the small drawings would have increased the curricular use of the title, but this omission does not detract from the book's overall value. Mossy is a beauty.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Jan Brett lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.; Title: Mossy | [
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16,579 | 2 | Gr. 7^-12. The authors of The New Teenage Body Book (1992) expand on the discussion of feelings and emotions they inaugurated in their earlier volume. They explore what they call "common crises" and suggest, in an expanded checklist form, ways to get past problems and move on with life. Most of the topics touched on--the death of a family member, teen pregnancy, the end of a romantic relationship, being homosexual, having an alcoholic parent--have been well covered in YA literature. What makes this book valuable is its success in trimming each subject to manageable proportions without undue oversimplification. One of the best chapters concerns everyday stress--living up to parental expectations and balancing schoolwork with fun. There are also helpful, clear-cut sections explaining depression and describing what to expect from a mental health specialist, as well as continued emphasis on the benefits of being open about feelings. Stephanie ZvirinIf you can't seem to get in touch with your emotions - and you feel that there's no one you can turn to - then you need Life Happens. Written by specialists in adolescent psychology and medicine, this reassuring guide offers information to help you understand that the way you're feeling is totally normal, even when it seems that you're depressed for no reason at all. Using the voices and letters of teens seeking help, the authors discuss some of today's most difficult situations - from the pressure to get good grades to questions concerning sexuality to dealing with your parents. You'll learn the steps you can take to help yourself, as well as how and where to get professional help, if you want it.; Title: Life Happens: A Teenager's Guide to Friends, Sexuality, Love, Rejection, Addiction, Peer Press ure, Families, Loss, Depression, Change & Other Challenges of Living | [
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16,580 | 2 | One of the recent trends in Buddhist publishing has been a subtle generation shift: we are now seeing second-generation Buddhists' memoirs as well as introductory books for teenagers and young adults. Into this latter category falls Diana Winston's Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens, a well-written and basic primer for Gen-Ys who are asking Big Questions. Introducing concepts such as meditation, enlightenment, metta (lovingkindness), karma, the four noble truths and the eight worldly conditions, Winston writes accessibly but doesn't try overly hard to sound cool or relevant. Teens will appreciate the way she gives the dharma to them straight, while many adults will also benefit from this lucid manual. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 6-10. Switching between anecdotes of her own journey in Buddhism and advice on how teens can apply the Buddha's teachings to their lives, Winston offers a personal and thoughtful introduction to Buddhist thought and practice. The fundamental tenets of Buddhism are introduced through the lens of adolescence: finding karma at a high-school basketball game or promising that metta (loving-kindness) can free teens from anger toward siblings and parents (a miracle, indeed). Winston frequently quotes from teens she has met in her work at a Buddhist center in California, showing what they have learned from Buddhism on such subjects as skipping school. The writing doesn't rely on slang that will go out of style, but Winston's retellings of Buddhist sutras and stories are delightfully colloquial ("I want to understand life," the Buddha tells his father at one point. "I can't stay cooped up in this castle"), and her celebration of inquisitiveness and doubt will appeal to readers. Give this, along with Franz Metcalf's Buddha in Your Backpack (2002), to spiritual seekers intrigued by Buddhism. John GreenCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens | [
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16,581 | 2 | Mickey Flodin is the author of Signing Everyday Phrases, Signing for Kids, Signing is Fun, Signing Illustrated, and co-author, with Rod R. Butterworth, of The Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing, The Pocket Dictionary of Signing, and Signing Made Easy.; Title: The Kids' Pocket Signing Guide: The Simple Way to Learn to Sign Using Everyday Phrases | [
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16,582 | 2 | David Soman and Jacky Davis are a husband-and-wife creative team. They write the Ladybug Girl books together and Mr. Soman illustrates. The books are inspired by their own children and family experiences.; Title: A Day Full of Ladybug Girl | [
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16,583 | 5 | A New York Public Library Best Book For Kids"McCreery's vibrantly detailed illustrations, from sneezing goats to a bicycle-riding el chupacabras, inject wonderfully outrageous physical humor into Rubin's rip-roaring retelling."Publishers Weekly"An intriguing title that firmly establishes a modern Latin American legend into the cryptid canon. Highly recommended."School Library JournalAdam Rubin is the New York Times best-selling author of a half dozen critically acclaimed picture books including Robo-Sauce and Dragons Love Tacos. He spent ten years working as a creative director in the advertising industry before leaving his day job to write full-time. Adam has a keen interest in improv comedy, camping, and magic tricks. He lives in Spain.Crash McCreery is an Academy Award nominated creature designer, production designer, visual consultant, and illustrator who has created iconic characters for Jurassic Park and its sequels, Pirates of the Caribbean and its sequels, A.I., Rango, and many other blockbuster feature films. He lives in California.; Title: El Chupacabras | [
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16,584 | 6 | Eric Luper is the author of many books for kids and adults.; Title: Scooby-Doo Mad Libs | [
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16,585 | 2 | "Fresh . . . Adorable . . . Funny." Publishers Weekly"Esbaum and Boldt [hit] the serious, the horrific, and the hystericaland tenderly portray the growing bond between the two children." KirkusOne of the cutest new sibling picture books Ive read.Imagination Soup[A] funny and sweet take on bringing a new addition into a family . . . allowing for maximum comic effect.SLJWonderfully succinct. . . A delightfullyfunny, tender book on being a big sibling. Maria Marshalls Making Nature FunHilarious." Inspiration LaboratoriesA big hit . . . and I can see why. . . . I wish it was around when my oldest was getting ready to become a big sister. Picture Books to YAJill Esbuam reads everything--books, magazines, the backs of cereal boxes, you name it. She's a full-time, award-winning writer and the author of I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!; Stanza, Tom's Tweet; and many others. Jill and her husband live on a farm in Dixon, Iowa, where green walls of corn surround their yard each summer, and she gets to drive a huge tractor each fall harvest under a blue, blue sky.Mike Boldt is an author and illustrator living in the countryside of Alberta, Canada. He has been illustrating for children for the past fifteen years, including the picture books I Don't Want to Be a Frog and I Don't Want to Be Big. When he's not drawing, he's building snow forts and LEGO spaceships with his three kids, or sharing laughs and his ice cream with his wife.; Title: How to Grow a Dinosaur | [
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16,586 | 0 | Bonnie Bader has written several Penguin Young Readers. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.; Title: Slow, Slow Sloths (Penguin Young Readers, Level 2) | [
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16,587 | 0 | Natasha Wing (www.natashawing.com) lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her first book with Grosset, The Night Before Easter, was published in 1999, and since then she has created a best-selling series.; Title: The Night Before the Snow Day | [
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16,588 | 7 | Brandon T. Snider has written several licensed books for Penguin Young Readers, including What Would Uncle Grandpa Do?, Game Night: Quips' Book of Questions, Puzzles & Games, and Mordecai and the Rigbys: The Experience. This is his first Star Trek book.; Title: What Would Captain Kirk Do?: Intergalactic Wisdom from the Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise (Star Trek) | [
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16,589 | 2 | PreS-Gr 3This insubstantial collection of 35 poems covers a wide variety of typical school-related topics, including tests, school subjects, friends, holidays, school buses, teachers, snow days, and various milestones throughout the school year. While a handful of poems offer memorable use of figurative language, notably "The Colors of Words" and "Recess," the collection as a whole is largely uninspired. Despite being intended for "those in the youngest grades," the poems lack strong, consistent use of rhythm or rhyme and fail to create fresh, exciting, or striking imagery. Created digitally, Barton's warm and animated illustrations are more noteworthy than the text and cheerfully bring a racially diverse population of students to life. VERDICT Serviceable for collections in need of school-themed poems or poetry for very young students; otherwise, readers are likely better served elsewhere.Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PAMore than 20 years after Did You See What I Saw?, Winters returns with another collection of school-themed poetry: 35 light, energetic poems about catching the bus, being the new kid, lost permission slips, and memorable school-day moments, all accompanied by Barton's airy images of multiracial students. ...Winters covers the gamut of school-year emotions, recognizing that school encompasses much more than what's on the lesson plan. Ages 5-6.Publishers WeeklyWinters follows up her debut poetry book (Did You See What I Saw?, 1996) with another collection of poems about school. The 35 poems run the gamut from the first day of school to the first day of summer and are written from all sorts of perspectives, including those of a school, a bus, the new kid, and an earthworm.... Kids will find lots that is familiar here: a fire drill, the awkward thrill of spotting a teacher outside of school, a friend moving away, permission slips, academic subjects, a snow day, the 100th day of school, tests, and lice, among others... Barton's digital illustrations have a watercolor look, with soft edges and colors. She focuses largely on the people, her vignettes filled with diverse students and teachers engaged with each other. KirkusAdorable! The poems in this book keep up with technology ("When a word is wrong / I don't erase. / I just delete / and leave a space."), but also have a timeless, nostalgic quality ... Kay Winters addresses the absurdity of over-testing our kids. [My favorite] as a school librarian, ... has to be "Books Are the Best!" with the line "Library's my favorite day." Patrice Barton's sweet illustrations are the perfect pairing.Donna Marie Merit, School Librarian.; Title: Did You Hear What I Heard?: Poems About School | [
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16,590 | 2 | Praise for The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole"An original tale of family love, scientific passion, and a truly epic journey of self-discovery." —Kirkus"As much a journey of grief and healing as a literal adventure, Cuevas's story is both touching and funny." —BooklistMichelle Cuevas graduated from Williams College and holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Virginia. She lives in Massachusetts.; Title: The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole | [
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16,591 | 12 | Mickie Matheis is the author of many Mad Libs for kids and adults.; Title: Field Trip Mad Libs | [
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16,592 | 12 | Tracey West is the author of more than 200 books for children, including the three titles in the Smithsonian fact-book series No Way . . . Way! Road Trip; Are You My Dinner?; and Stinky, Sticky, Sneaky Stuff. She lives in Pearl River, New York.; Title: Hail to the Chief!: Fun Facts and Activities About the US Presidents (Smithsonian) | [
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16,593 | 6 | Molly Reisner is the author of many Mad Libs for adults and children.; Title: The Powerpuff Girls Mad Libs | [
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16,594 | 6 | Daniel Roy is a video game narrative writer and copywriter. He has worked as a producer of AAA games for Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Shanghai and EA BioWare. His published games include Tom Clancys Splinter Cell Double Agent and Tom Clancys Ghost Recon 2.; Title: Crafting and Construction Handbook (Terraria) | [
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16,595 | 13 | Gr 47Eleven-year-old Lorenzo "Renzo" Ventura's army veteran and musician father died before he was born. A school assignment forces Renzo to consider what it means to be a hero, which has him think deeply about his dad. Renzo lives with his mom and grandfather, Double Pop, on a financially failing farm. A piglet is left behind instead of taken to auction, and Renzo decides to name it Marty, after his late father. Renzo also dreams of running away to California with his best friend Paloma Lee to play music and visit the site where his father's ashes are scattered. Renzo treats Marty like a pet, including racing him at a festival, where he and Paloma Lee play their music and are invited to perform on an live radio broadcast. Throughout the story, Renzo reads letters written by his father, leading him to wonder about a woman, Hana, who frequently appears in the letters. Griffin's novel explores the experience of losing one's home, uncovering difficult truths, and learning the meaning of heroism. Each character is well-developed, and Griffin does an excellent job depicting the financial struggles of life on a farm. Readers who enjoy music will appreciate the sheet music and lyrics interspersed throughout. Small mysteries also add intrigue and propel the plot. VERDICT This moving story will appeal to readers who love realistic fiction with music, animals, and a dash of humor.Liz Anderson, DC Public Library* "Smart, honest, and heart-achingly real." Kirkus, starred review* "[Paul Griffin's] well-drawn characters leave lasting impressions, and he gracefully delves into themes that include love, sacrifice, friendship, and accountability." Publishers Weekly, starred review"This moving story will appeal to readers who love realistic fiction with music, animals, and a dash of humor." School Library Journal"Griffins novelpacks a powerful punch...[and]captures a slice ofAmericanathe flyover farms of middle Americararely depicted so sensitively in contemporary middlegradefiction. Hand this one to fans of animal-centered stories." Booklist; Title: Saving Marty | [
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16,596 | 17 | Douglas Yacka is the author of Eat, Drink, and Be Mad Libs and co-author of Give My Regards to Mad Libs.Who Was Andrew Jackson? It was still dark on the morning of January 8, 1815. In an army camp just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana, General Andrew Jackson sat alone in his tent. He had a very important decision to make. Andrew either had to surrender his American soldiers to the British army or lead his troops into battle. Andrew left his tent and walked through the camp. He looked at the faces of the men who had fought beside him over the last few weeks. They were cold and hungry and tired. They had been fighting the British for weeks, even through Christmas and New Years Day. To make matters worse, he and his men knew that the British army was twice the size of theirs. In every direction, the bright red coats of the British soldiers surrounded them in the woods. But Andrew had a plan. Even though his troops were outnumbered, they knew these woods better than the British. He knew that the British army wasnt expecting an early-morning attack. And he knew that he wasnt going to return from the war as a failure. Andrew woke his soldiers and told them to prepare for battle. As soon as it was light enough to see, General Jackson sent troops out in all directions, attacking the British from every side. The British army was taken completely by surprise. They were not prepared for this type of battle. Many British officers and their general were killed quickly, leaving the soldiers without leaders to give them orders. Andrew and his men won a major victory in just thirty minutes! The epic fight is called the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson became a national hero, and he was eventually elected the seventh president of the United States. Throughout his life, Andrew would face difficulty and danger with bravery, just as he did on that morning in 1815. His actions helped to shape a young nation as it continued to grow. A self-taught man, he gave many Americans hope that theyd shape a better future for themselves. For this reason, Andrew Jackson became known as the peoples president. Today, however, Andrew Jackson also is remembered for some shameful events, including his terrible treatment of Native Americans and for his terrible attitudes such as his support for slavery. Jackson was a very complicated manstubborn, brave, quick-tempered, loyal, unforgivingand he has left a mixed legacy for the history books. Chapter 1:A Brave Boy Andrew Jackson was born in what was then known as the Carolinas on March 15, 1767. His parents were from Scotland. They had come to America in 1765 in search of a better life. Sailing across the Atlantic was a long and dangerous trip. It took around six weeks to cross the ocean in those days. Even after Andrew Sr., Elizabeth, and their two sons, Hugh and Robert, finally landed at Philadelphia, their journey was not over. They still had to travel five hundred miles by carriage to reach the home of relatives in South Carolina. The area where they lived was called the Waxhaw settlement. There wasnt much there at that time, and most of the settlers were poor. In addition, the land was already home to Native Americans who had lived there for generations. They did not welcome these new intruders. Violence often broke out between the local Cherokee tribe and the settlers. Andrews father built a small log cabin for his growing family. He was a farmer who struggled to keep food on the table, and often worked seven days a week. It was a very hard life. Andrew Jackson Sr. died in the winter of 1766, shortly before Andrew was born. Now Andrews mother had to struggle on by herself, with three boys and a farm to run. She was a very serious woman. She taught her sons about the importance of hard work. As a child, Andrew was smart and curious. He learned to read at an early age. Most adults back then didnt know how. Andrew was also full of energy. He could be wild and defiant. When he played games with his friends, he hated to lose. He often fought with other boys, even those who were bigger and stronger. Once, when he was being teased, he shouted, By God, if one of you laughs, Ill kill him! Until Andrew was nine, South Carolina was one of thirteen colonies belonging to Great Britain. But in 1776, the colonies declared their independence. War startedthe American Revolution. The Jacksons supported the fight for independence. Andrew, still a young boy at the time, was chosen to read the Declaration of Independence out loud when a copy arrived in town. It was a great honor. Andrews oldest brother, Hugh, joined the American army and was killed in battle. Andrew was very upset and angry over Hughs death. He and Robert wanted to be soldiers like Hugh. They wanted to fight the British and make them pay for the death of their brother. But Andrew was only thirteen years old. When he tried to join the army, he was told that he was too young. The army made him a messenger instead. His job was to carry information back and forth between American army camps in South Carolina without the British army finding out. Andrew liked the adventure and danger, and was glad to help fight the enemy. In addition to the British, Andrew had to avoid the Cherokee Indians, who were known as fierce fighters. The Cherokees had made peace treaties and trading deals with the British, and they were not about to lose them to the new American settlers. During one battle with the British in Waxhaw, Andrew and Robert were both captured and taken to a prison in Camden, about forty miles away. The two boys were terrified. One of the British officers ordered Andrew to clean his boots. That made Andrew furious. He wasnt going to obey the enemy. Andrew gathered up all his courage, stood up, and refused! The soldier became so angry, he swung his sword at Andrews head. The wound left a large scar that he had for the rest of his life. Andrew and Robert were thrown into prison with very little food, water, or medicine. Many prisoners caught a serious disease called smallpox, including the two boys. When the boys mother found out that her sons had been captured, she traveled the forty miles to the prison. Elizabeth convinced the British to include her sons in a prisoner exchange, and they were freed. Unfortunately, Robert was much sicker than Andrew. He died soon after arriving home. Andrews mother also became ill and died a few months later. At only fourteen years old, Andrew was left alone. Shortly before her death, Elizabeth told Andrew, In this world you will have to make your own way.; Title: Who Was Andrew Jackson? | [
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16,597 | 15 | James Buckley Jr. has written more than 100 books for children, including the Penguin Smithsonian young readers Home Address ISS: The International Space Station and The Moon. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.; Title: Curious About Pluto (Smithsonian) | [
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16,598 | 6 | Rob Valois is the author of the original Doctor Who Mad Libs and a longtime fan of the series.; Title: Doctor Who Villains and Monsters Mad Libs | [
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16,599 | 11 | Megan Stine has written several books for young readers, including Where Is the White House?, Who Was Marie Curie?, Who Was Ulysses S. Grant?, Who Is Michelle Obama?, and Who Was Sally Ride? She lives in Clinton, Connecticut.With strong skills in art and years of experiences in many genres, Dede Putra has developed a career creating illustrations for books, video game development, filmmaking and fashion.Who Is Sonia Sotomayor? New York City: May 25, 2009 It was a warm spring daythe kind of day to be outside. But Sonia Sotomayor was in her office, sitting beside her phone. She was waiting for the most important call of her life. A call from the White House! She would learn whether President Barack Obama wanted her to be a judge on the Supreme Court. Sonia was already a judge. Her courtroom was in downtown New York City. But being one of the nine judges on the Supreme Court would be very different. The Supreme Court is the most important court in the countryit decides whether laws in the United States are fair or not. Its decisions are final. All day the phone in her office rang again and again. Each time Sonia picked it up, it was her family calling. They wanted to know what was happening. If she got the job, she would be only the third woman to sit on the Supreme Courtand the very first Hispanic person. Her family would be invited to go to the White House with her the next day. Some family members were coming from Puerto Rico! Finally, at seven oclock that evening, Sonia couldnt stand waiting any longer. She picked up the phone and called the White House herself. She spoke to an aide to the president. What should she do? If she was picked, she had to get to Washington by the next morning. The aide told Sonia to go home and packand wait for a call. Then, a little after 8:00 p.m., the call came, the one she so hoped for. It was the president. He told her he would name her to be the next associate justice on the Supreme Court! Sonia choked up and started to cry. Thank you, Mr. President, she said. Then he asked her to promise two things. He wanted her to stay the same person that she wasand to always stay connected to the world she had come from. For Sonia Sotomayora girl who had grown up poor and proud of her Puerto Rican heritagethat was a promise she was very happy to make. Chapter 1: Born in the Bronx Sonia Maria Sotomayor was born on June 25, 1954. Her parents, Juan and Celina, brought her home. They lived in a poor area of the Bronx, which is part of New York City. Like many of their neighbors, Juan and Celina had come to the United States from Puerto Rico. They had each left Puerto Rico in 1944, hoping for a better life. In the Bronx, they met and married. They moved into the building where Juans mother lived. The Sotomayors worked hard to make a life in their new country. Celina worked at a hospital while she studied to become a nurse. Juan worked in a factory. Celina learned some English, but the family spoke only Spanish at home. When Sonia was three years old, her brother, Juan, was born. The family called him Junior. With the family growing, her parents decided to move to a bigger, nicer apartment in the Bronx. Sonia liked her new home but missed living near her grandmother Mercedes. Years later, Sonia wrote a book about her life. She called it My Beloved World, and it was published in 2013. In the book, she wrote about her grandmotherhow full of life she was. She gave parties for the family almost every Saturday night. Everyone danced, played dominoes, and sang. Mercedes read poetry about Puerto Rico and cooked large meals. The apartment would fill with the smell of Puerto Rican food like chicken cooked with onions and garlic. Even as a child, Sonia liked pigs feet and pigs ears! When Sonia was very young, Mercedes began taking her to Puerto Rico for vacations. Sonia loved those trips. She never forgot the clear blue water of the ocean and the white sandy beaches of Puerto Rico. Sonias father was a sweet man. He took Sonia on picnics, to the beach, and to Yankees games. But he drank too much. Her parents fought a lot because of this. When Sonias father lost his job, Celina worked nights and weekends to support the family. She also worked to pay for Sonia and Junior to go to a Catholic school. Celina thought education was the most important thing in the world. But Sonia didnt like her school. It was called Blessed Sacrament. The nuns were very strict. They slapped kids who didnt behave. Sonia had other troubles as well. When she was almost eight years old, she fainted in church. And this was not the first sign of a problem. Sonia often had no energy. She was thirsty all the time. She was losing weight. Celina took Sonia to the doctor right away. The doctor sent Sonia to Prospect Hospital in the Bronx for some tests. Celina worked at Prospect Hospital, so Sonia wasnt afraid at first. But when the tests were done, the doctor had bad news. Sonia had type I diabetes. Sonia had never seen her mother cry until that moment. Sonia was scared. She had to stay in the hospital for a week. When she got home from the hospital, Sonia felt better. But there was another problem. As Sonia explained in her book, her parents were nervous about giving her insulin shots. Celina was a nurse, but she hated the idea of hurting Sonia. Her parents started fighting about it. Sonia was always a girl who wanted to solve problems herself. So she climbed up on a chair near the stove to boil water for sterilizing the needle. (Sterilizing means getting rid of germs.) At first her mother was worried. Should she really let a young girl use the stove and handle a needle? Nearly all parents would say absolutely not. But Celina decided to trust her child. From that day on, Sonia gave herself shots of insulin every day. Now that her disease was under control, she had more energy. But the very next year, her world changed again. Her father died suddenly of a heart attack. He was only forty-two years old. Sonia and Junior were very sad, but their mother seemed overcome by grief. Years later, Sonia wrote that her mother wouldnt come out of her room at night. How was a nine-year-old girl supposed to have a happy childhood with so much misery around her?; Title: Who Is Sonia Sotomayor? (Who Was?) | [
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1... | Test |
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