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17,600 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1A lost baby dragon searches through a castle for someone to love him. However, everyone he meetsa witch, a knight, a princess, a king and queen, and a fairyruns away in fear. The exuberant illustrations show the rosy-pink, polka-dotted creature frowning as he is rejected again and again. Finally, his mother appears to "cuddle him, and kiss him, and help him sleep tight." The rhyming text is soothingly predictable and the repeated refrain of "Who wants a dragon?" will help young listeners focus on the story. Large illustrations in soft, almost luminescent pastels match the fairy-tale tone of the narrative. Especially charming is the wide toothy smile of the huge mother dragon as she nestles her tiny son close to her, against the background of an azure sky lit with twinkling stars.James K. Irwin, Nichols Library, Naperville, IL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Who Wants a Dragon? | [
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17,601 | 2 | LAUREN BROOKE lives outside London in an old English farmhouse. She divides her time between writing and mucking out the stalls of her two horses. In addition to writing the twenty-four Heartland books, Lauren is the author of the Chestnut Hill series.; Title: Heartland #20: Always There | [
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17,602 | 2 | PreSThis is a sweet book, good for a lap-time cuddle. It reads as an affirmation that the child will be loved, from top to bottom, when happy or sad. The text also introduces opposites as in "I love you.../silent/and talking." There's no real story here, simply comfort in the rhythm and rhyme of the words as they build to the satisfying conclusion: "I love you/through and through/yesterday, today,/and tomorrow, too." The book is printed on stiff pages, good for toddlers to flip through or to withstand a baby's drool. Dynamic illustrations feature the child and his sidekick teddy bear. As a team they act out the text in ways that are informative, inventive, and humorous. The colored pages are subtly patterned, providing a decorative yet unobtrusive backdrop to the simple and focused drawings. Basic, low-key, eye-catching, and smooth.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: I Love You Through And Through | [
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17,603 | 0 | TONY ABBOTT is the author of more than fifty novels for young readers, including more than thirty books in The Secrets of Droon series and two hardcover novels, Kringle and Firegirl. He was born in Ohio and now lives in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.; Title: The Secrets of Droon #26: The Moon Dragon | [
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17,604 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3—Prunella knows a lot about bugs, but no one has time to listen—not her parents, the bus driver, or her teacher. She waits patiently for her turn at show-and-tell only to have a swarm of bees invade her classroom. When everyone else runs away, the quick-thinking child covers herself with a white sheet and leads the swarm to a new hive, all the while explaining the behavior of the insects. With peace restored, she wins the undivided attention of her classmates with her dung beetle, one of "nature's pooper-scoopers." Gran uses watercolors, dark outlines, and a cartoon style to bring Prunella's story to life. While her teacher and classmates sometimes fade into a monochromatic background, the girl stands out, resembling the bugs she loves. Her wispy hair, tied with red ribbons on either side of her large head, resembles spider legs. Her sleeves might be dragonfly wings, her skirt could be a ladybug, and her stockings are the black and yellow stripes of bee bodies. Reminiscent of Megan McDonald's Insects Are My Life (Scholastic, 1995), this book enlightens and informs with tidbits of information and a fact sheet. It's a clever introduction to entomology.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Big Bug Surprise | [
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17,605 | 17 | Scholastic Chapter Book, Biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon and what he was like as a young boy; Title: Take a Giant Leap, Neil Armstrong! (Before I Made History) | [] | Train |
17,606 | 1 | Meet the Dumb Bunnies!Momma Bunny is really dumb. Poppa Bunny is even dumber. And Baby Bunny is the dumbest bunny of all. Join these silly rabbits for an adventure that's full of loopy laughs. The Dumb Bunnies may go bowling inside the library and have picnics at the car wash, but they always have lots of fun!The critics are dumbfounded by the Dumb Bunnies:"Truly juvenile." -- USA Today"Dumbness supreme and a real treat." -- Booklist"Let's not elevate this by calling it wit." -- Kirkus ReviewsAs a child, Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Dav was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hall every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books.In the second grade, Dav Pilkey created a comic book about a superhero named Captain Underpants. His teacher ripped it up and told him he couldnt spend the rest of his life making silly books. Fortunately, Dav was not a very good listener.Dav has gone on to create award-winning and bestselling books for children. His Captain Underpants series has more than 80 million copies in print worldwide and has been translated into more than 28 languages. In 2017, DreamWorks Animation brought the character to the silver screen in the feature film adaptation Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, and Netflix is now streaming The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV show.Davs latest creation, Dog Man, continues to be a #1 New York Times bestselling series with more than 13 million copies in print worldwide and translations available in more than 21 languages. Dav is also the creator of the Dragon series, the Dumb Bunnies series, Dog Breath, and The Paperboy, which is a Caldecott Honor Book.Dav lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife.; Title: The Dumb Bunnies (Scholastic Bookshelf) | [
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17,607 | 12 | Grade 2-5–Schwartz, whose How Much Is a Million? (HarperCollins, 1985) explained REALLY big numbers to young readers, now tackles proportion and relative size. The concept is complicated and the book doesn't succeed in simplifying it, even with an appendix that explains the logic behind each example. The problems seem randomly selected and the explanations, while kid-friendly, are far from concrete: If Ralphie were as tall as a redwood…his big sister could land a hook shot on top of the Washington Monument or If a chocolate bar covered the mall…each almond would be the size of a blimp. Warhola's pen-and-watercolor drawings humorously interpret each statement, but the book is only moderately effective. Children interested in the sizes of things are better served by the wonderful collages in Steve Jenkins's Actual Size (Houghton, 2004).–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: If Dogs Were Dinosaurs | [
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17,608 | 7 | Praise for the Children of the Lamp series: "Kerr puts an ingenious spin on the enchanted-lamp theme in his first novel for children. . . ." --BOOKLIST "A breakneck-paced, Indiana Jones-style adventure. . . . Kerr keeps the emphasis on fun...." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "[T]he humor is just right, the captivating world of the djinn is faultlessly depicted and expanded, and Kerr balances the resolution with enough uncertainties to draw readers back for the next installment. This work is likely to win new fans as well as please those who enjoyed the previous book." --VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES "Kerr brings a wealth of invention and a solid grounding of research into djinn legends to his creation, giving the story and its deftly varied episodes a rich texture. . . . Capable writing and a well-shaped plot will reward fans returning to this series." --THE HORN BOOK; Title: Blue Djinn of Babylon (Children of the Lamp (Paperback)) | [
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17,609 | 2 | *Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. Horowitz, fresh off his success with his Alex Rider series, ratchets things up a notch with the first in the Gatekeepers series about five young people who must save the world from evil. A master of edge-of-your-seat writing, Horowitz gives himself lots of opportunity to push the envelope here. He focuses on 14-year-old Matt, a troubled orphan who is in with the wrong crowd. As punishment for being present during an assault, Matt must choose between life with off-putting Mrs. Deverill in a remote Yorkshire village, or jail. As Matt soon learns, Lesser Malling is much worse than jail, because strange and dangerous things are occurring there. Raven's Gate, an ancient portal to the world of evil, is about to be opened, and Matt is to be the blood sacrifice. Novels about boys (and girls) facing dark forces are nothing new, and this one certainly contains elements of familiar stories (Hello, Harry Potter). But the real-world setting gives this an extra frisson of horror, and Horowitz's vivid descriptions are not for the fainthearted. It's what's inside all the thrills, however, that makes the book so strong: characters that readers will care about and root for. There will be an eager audience for the next in the series, to be titled Evil Star. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Raven's Gate Book one of the Gatekeepers | [
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17,610 | 2 | Reviewed with Barry Deneberg's Atticus of Rome, 30 B.C.Gr. 4-8. These entries in the Life and Times series feature young adults facing difficulties in ancient times. In the first book, Atticus is captured by Roman soldiers and sold into slavery to an influential political figure in need of a spy. Atticus' skills help him to uncover a plot to murder the emperor and to reconnect with his father, a gladiator. In the second novel, Pandora, who chafes at the social restrictions placed on young women, meets Socrates, and, during his imprisonment, comes to appreciate his wisdom. Both novels are rich in setting details and dutifully describe a wide range of ancient customs--from clothing to personal hygiene. Occasionally, the details overwhelm the action, especially in Pandora, in which the protagonist must observe rather than participate in her own story because she is female. With short chapters and intriguing covers, however, these will be popular among students assigned historical novels or in classes in which history is taught through fiction. Caroline Lawrence's The Thieves of Ostia (2002) and its sequels provide an equally informative look at the period. Kay WeismanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Pandora of Athens, 399 B.C (Life and times) | [
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17,611 | 20 | Gr. 1-3. Author of the historical-fantasy trilogy that began with The Seeing Stone (2001), Crossley-Holland offers here a presentation of the Christmas story. Each page or double-page spread introduces a new voice: "I am Mary. Tight as a drum." Or "I am the brightest star. Night-sky's many-colored flower, opening over Bethlehem," and "We are angels. We are your secret voices." The text varies from colloquial to poetic, but the effect is that of a pageant in which characters one after another step up to introduce themselves and tell their part, rather than a play in which the drama is played out. Malone's large, tableau illustrations hint of some greater meaning than what is seen on the surface of events. Elements of Renaissance art are evident, but the style is unique. Most of the compositions are formal and even static until, near the end, a painting depicts a shining, wheeling swirl of colors as angels wing their way across the starlit sky in a circle of flight. A mysterious, sophisticated interpretation of the Christmas story. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: How Many Miles To Bethlehem? | [
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17,612 | 2 | James Preller is the author of many books for young children, including the popular JIGSAW JONES series and his middle-grade novels, ALONG CAME SPIDER and JUSTIN FISHER DECLARES WAR! He lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife, Lisa; three children — Nicholas, Maggie, and Gavin; two cats; and a goldendoodle named Daisy.; Title: The Case of the Food Fight (Jigsaw Jones Mystery, No. 28) | [
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17,613 | 2 | Kevin Brooks (Kissing the Rain, Martyn Pig, Lucas) excels at portraying the gritty details of English underclass life, and here, in a story of a boy desperately in love, he has written an irresistibly suspenseful and compelling YA novel.When Joe Beck, a fifteen-year-old suburban kid, gets lost in a disreputable neighborhood on his way to an appointment in London, he is struck dumb by his first sight of beautiful and seemingly innocent Candy. She talks with him, teases him, but reveals nothing about herself except her phone number. Later they have a perfect day at the London Zoo, and soon Joe is as addicted to Candy as she is to heroin, in spite of the threats of her menacing pimp Iggy. Almost nothing matters except his desire to free her from her terrible life -- not his bands chance for a recording contract, not the song he has written for her that has become a hit without him. But there is something that still matters to him, and when he rescues the young prostitute from her sordid rooming house and takes her into hiding to sweat out her addiction, Iggy finds and uses that one thing that is stronger than Joes passion for Candy, in a heart-thumping, breathless conclusion. (Age 14 and up) -- Patty CampbellGrade 9 UpJoe is boring. He lives in a comfortable London suburb. He does alright in school, but shows no real promise. He plays in a band, but is less than passionate about music. Then he meets Candy. She is 16, beautiful, addicted to heroin, and a prostitute. She's also the only girl ever to look at him twice. He convinces himself that he loves her, and tries to get her off smack and the streets. Her enormous, terrifying pimp is very unhappy with Joe, and tries to murder him and everyone he loves. Brooks's plotting is masterful, and the action twists and builds to a frenzied and violent climax. Unfortunately, much of the book leading to this climax is filled with Joe's simpering, prosaic inner monologues. The author embellishes the teen's narration with stanzas of fragment or one-word sentences, which are more pretentious than dramatic or pointed. For all the fuss made over her, Candy's character is underdeveloped. If readers assume the book isn't about her, but how she changes Joe, her lack of nuance makes some sense. The shame is that he is the same humorless robot before and after risking his life for her. The minor charactersJoe's sassy sister and her tough, good-guy boyfriendare so smartly and lightly drawn that they elicit more emotion than Joe and Candy.Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library; Title: Candy | [] | Train |
17,614 | 14 | PreSchool-KAn array of characters from Western fairy tales and nursery rhymes comes together to produce and deliver an enormous cake. Each colorful spread is packed with action as a king and queen, sheep, a big bad wolf, etc., journey across the magical countryside. In the end, they arrive at the birthday child's house. So close your eyes, and make a wish! Happy, Happy Birthday! The simple, rhyming text rolls across the pages. We make a cake,/we bake a cake,/a very, very special cake,/and send it on its way. Children will enjoy looking at the pictures and picking out familiar faces in the busy, humorous drawings. In one spread, the vehicle carrying the cake escapes the queen's control and races down the road while the Knave of Hearts ducks out of the way, the Gingerbread Man hangs onto a candle, and Little Bo Peep and her flock look on. In the background, Rapunzel, Old King Cole, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Three Little Pigs watch the excitement. A worthy consideration for picture-book collections.Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-K. The King and Queen of Hearts bake an enormous birthday cake and wheel it over a hill, across a bridge, through fields, past houses, and into the home of a little boy, where they wish him "Happy, Happy Birthday!" With only a few words on each double-page spread, is this a fast read for young children at bedtime? Probably not, because the artwork adds to the brief text in a playful manner that invites participation. The pleasant ink drawings, bright with colorful washes, show an ever-expanding cast of interested bystanders joining the royal procession along the way. Preschoolers who know their nursery tales and Mother Goose rhymes will want to linger on each page and identify every member of the crowd. Some characters, such as the Knave of Hearts and the Gingerbread Man, can be found in each picture, while others just make cameo appearances. Fun for reading aloud to one child or many--the more, the merrier. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Fairytale Cake | [
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17,615 | 0 | Grade 7 Up Twenty years have gone by since former prisoner Montmorency re-created himself as a respectable gentleman in Montmorency (Scholastic, 2004). He has almost completely abandoned his thieving alter ego, Scarper, during recent years spent traveling throughout Europe with fellow secret agent Lord George Fox-Selwyn on missions for the British government. In this third adventure, a private commission for Baron Astleman, who has discovered several rare specimens missing from his natural-history collection, takes the duo to Italy. There, due to the activities of Fox-Selwyn's nephew Frank, the two uncover the plots of some Italian anarchists and embark on a series of dangerous adventures that include undercover work in London and a trip to America. In addition to the Fox-Selwyns, other familiar characters from the previous two volumes reappear in this episode. Frank's importance as a character relegates Montmorency to a background position throughout much of this well-plotted, action-packed adventure. The characters' desire for revenge at the book's end will assure eager readers that further episodes are likely to appear. Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 7-10. For those who like elaborately plotted, atmospheric mysteries, Updale's Victorian spy thrillers fit the bill. In this tense installment, thief-turned-aristocrat Montmorency and Lord George Selwyn-Fox, both showing their "forty-odd" years, find themselves once again "dabbling in the underbelly of international politics," this time alongside younger proteges. Bomb-planting anarchists have become a problem in the 12 years since the team's last major case. Lord George's teenage nephew helps infiltrate the agitators, while allies both old and new (most intriguingly, former prostitute Vi's adolescent son, whose paternity is tantalizingly in question) pursue leads in London, Florence, and Paterson, New Jersey, encountering several historical figures and facing real danger. One favorite character meets an end so gruesome that it leaves Montmorency "vomiting violently into the bushes." The leisurely subplots demand close attention, and despite the participation of the younger generation, the series continues its tradition of featuring predominantly adult perspectives. But Updale's readers have proven willingness to embrace older protagonists, and are unlikely to stop doing it. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Montmorency #3: Montmorency and the Assassins: Book 3 | [
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17,616 | 2 | Suburban Connecticut transplant Elijah Jumper Breeze (Safe at Home, 2006) returns here in a story featuring a sport more to his liking than baseballbasketball. Friend Nia and her brother Marcus, Jumper's nemesis from summer camp, are on hand again, as Jumper begins sixth grade in his new Harlem school. This time, however, it's Nia who gets in Jumper's face. Nia's all-girls basketball team beats Jumper's boys team in an embarrassing exhibition match, and she decides to oppose Jumper in a bid for class student-council rep. The question then becomes, Can Jumper and Nia be both friends and competitors? The dialogue feels a little strained ("It's slammin'," "Word!"), and the basketball scenes are perhaps too few for real sport fans. While serious issues broached in the earlier book (Marcus' anger and Jumper's grieving for his father) are given renewed attention, this is really an amiable story about friends who stay that way, a theme that translates well in any community. Zvirin, Stephanie; Title: Slam Dunk! | [
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17,617 | 1 | All animals and animal lovers are welcome at the Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic. At Animal Ark, Mandy Hope helps her parents treat animals of all shapes and sizes. Even outside the clinic, Mandy can't resist helping any animal in need. Mandy and James have gone to Jersey with Mandy's mom and dad to look after a local veterinary clinic. They spot a Siamese cat made of china in the window of the antiques shop - but they soon discover that Sud Su Ming is a real cat! Mandy thinks the beautiful purebred could be entered into a prestigious island cat show but how can she - and Ming - persuade her reluctant owner?; Title: Siamese in the Sun (Animal Ark) | [
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17,618 | 1 | In this tender sequel to the New York Times bestseller and children's classic The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn provides parents with another tale of love and reassurance to share with their children. Chester Raccoon has a baby brotherand the baby brother is taking over his territory. When Chester sees his mother give his baby brother a Kissing Handhis Kissing Handhe is overcome with sadness, but Mrs. Raccoon soothes his fears with her own special brand of wisdom, finding just the right way to let Chester know he is deeply loved. Brought to life by Barbara Leonard Gibson's warm illustrations, this story is perfect for families who are adjusting to all the changes new members can bring.; Title: A Pocket Full of Kisses | [
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17,619 | 2 | Joanna Cole has been creating books about the Magic School Bus for more than twenty years. A recipient of many awards, most recently the National Endowment for the Arts Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, Ms. Cole is dedicated to making learning fun. She lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband.; Title: The Magic School Bus Takes a Moonwalk (Scholastic Reader, Level 2) | [
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17,620 | 0 | GERONIMO STILTON is the publisher of The Rodent's Gazette, Mouse Island's most famouse newspaper. In his spare time, Mr. Stilton enjoys collecting antique cheese rinds, playing golf, and telling stories to his nephew Benjamin. He lives in New Mouse City, Mouse Island. Visit Geronimo online at www.scholastic.com/geronimostilton.; Title: Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands (Geronimo Stilton, No. 18) | [
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17,621 | 14 | A marvel of paper engineering, this paper-over-board alphabet book transcends the usual connotations of "pop-up." Four large flaps per spread-each representing a letter of the alphabet-open to reveal sophisticated 3-D images, some with parts that move in uncommonly inventive ways. Many of the pop-ups are obvious Christmas symbols: the Manger, a Nutcracker and a Poinsettia (the last-mentioned blooms majestically when the flap is lifted). Others have ambiguous-but resourceful-ties to the holiday: a Kiss is portrayed by two reindeer, face-to-face; and two frolicking snowmen are Friends. Representing the final letter is an obviously tuckered-out Santa ("Zzzzzzz"), asleep on his pillow. A yuletide gem. All ages. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Christmas Alphabet, Deluxe Anniversary Edition Pop-up Book | [
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17,622 | 15 | PreSchool-Grade 3As the day begins, the beach is empty, waiting to be filled. Cooper opens with a gorgeous stretch of sand in sun-flecked, amber-white watercolors, bounded by a sea so darkly blue that it seems still half-asleep. In the following pages, he tells the story, mainly in detailed splashes of paint, of the people and things that transform the quiet area into a lively spot. Readers will enjoy the affectionate portraits of swimmers, kite-flyers, sunbathers, seagulls, and barking dogs. A struggle with an inner tube or a beach umbrella, the people who go into the water but forget that they are still wearing their glasses, the clouds that look like spilled popcorn: here, as in life, it's the little things that snag readers' attention. Cooper's portrayal of a day at the shore is generous with such minutiae; his fondness for his subject is evident and infectious. As the beach once again empties at the end of the story, it's tempting to return to the first page, to a hundred possible activities at the shorenone of which is more earthshaking than a toppled sandcastle.Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. Cooper creates a paean to the pleasures of a day spent near, on, and in the water. Generous double-page spreads, which extend a full 20 inches across, convey an expansive sense of the sand and sky, and show the beach as it fills with bathers engaged in a variety of activities. Even the sky becomes crowded as clouds roll in. The pleasantly fluid watercolors, given definition by thin brush lines, work better on the panoramic double-page spreads than on pages with multiple vignettes, which, despite brief descriptive captions, lack enriching details. Even so, the book successfully evokes the fun and feeling of a day at the beach and the myriad things that can and do happen at the shore. Use this with John Burningham's humorous Time to Come Away from the Water, Shirley (1977). John Warren StewigCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Beach | [
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17,623 | 2 | David Shannon is the author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children - such as Too Many Toys, Alice the Fairy, No, David!, and David Goes to School. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art centre College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has appeared on numerous book jackets. Shannon is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He and his wife now live in Los Angeles.; Title: The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza (Scholastic Bookshelf) | [
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17,624 | 7 | R.L. Stine is the author of the series' Fear Street, Nightmare Room, Give Yourself Goosebumps, and the phenomenally successful Goosebumps. His thrilling teen titles have sold more than 250 million copies internationally, enough to earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Mr. Stine lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, and his son, Matt.; Title: The Headless Ghost (Goosebumps) | [
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17,625 | 12 | In this amazing kit, writing expert Ruth Culham gives you grade-perfect picture books with in-depth lessons to help you teach the traits of writing-ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The fourth-grade version includes 6 picture books: A Bad Case of Stripes; The Mud Pony; Wolf!; My Mama Had a Dancing Heart; Come On, Rain!; When Comma Came to Town; Title: Scholastic Classroom Resources The Trait Crate, Grade 4 (SC968734) | [
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17,626 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1Down on the farm, a gaggle of shiny, white geese teases a dirty, little goose. However, when the moon is full, he is the one the fox does not chase because his muddy feathers blend in with the shadows. Soon all the geese begin to bathe in the muddy pond. When winter comes, the dirty goose cleans himself up until he gleams and shines, and the fox doesn't notice him against the snow, enabling the little hero to kick the predator down a hill. The other geese praise his smarts, making him feel part of the gaggle at last. The simple, playful text is full of fun sound effects and repeated phrases. Church also conveys much emotion and feeling through the fluid, bold lines of her cartoon illustrations. Various textured papers as backgrounds help give the images depth. Young children will applaud this endearing tale with its clever and resourceful protagonist. Pair it with Richard Waring's Hungry Hen (HarperCollins, 2001), also illustrated by Church, for a storytime featuring barnyard underdogs.Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. The smart (but dirty) goose of the title has perfected the art of camouflage. The other bright-white geese fear the fox on moonlit nights, but the dirty goose walks unafraid. When the others learn the secret, they leap into a muddy pond. As time goes by, the weather grows cold. The little goose finds a clean pond and scrubs its feathers, but it can't convince the others to do the same. Then snow falls, the moon rises, and the fox chases the dirty geese--until the clean goose outfoxes him once and for all. The clever story will hold the attention of young children, but the illustrations are the book's most striking feature. Bold black lines define the forms of the geese, the fox, and the setting, while textured papers, bits of smudgy print, and collage elements enrich the simple compositions. Visually appealing, this provides an excellent early introduction to the concept of camouflage in nature as well as a narrative worth repeat readings. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: One Smart Goose | [
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17,627 | 1 | There are plenty of books about pet care and some about the evolution of cats and dogs. This very attractive offering covers both of these subjects and so much more. As the subtitle indicates, Keenan provides an overview of pets and their people. Beginning with statistics about pet ownership, the text goes on to describe how animals and humans came together (nicely delineated through the ages) and discusses how this relationship has changed and deepened. There are solid sections on cats and dogs, but Keenan doesn't forget about birds, rodents, lizards, and fish, among others. Eye-catchingly designed, the format uses Photoshop to best advantage, providing interesting graphics, popping borders, and plenty of pictures featuring adorable animals. An extensive source list, including periodicals and Web sites, will lead children to more. A terrific choice for animal lovers. Cooper, Ilene; Title: Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People | [
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17,628 | 0 | THE CRITICS ARE CRAZY ABOUT CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS! "Combines empowerment and empathy with age-appropriate humor and action" - BOOKLIST "Celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted." - THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK & MEDIA ASSOCIATION "(One of the) 5 Books That All Children Should Read" - HEALTHY FAMILY MATTERS "They'll (parents) appreciate children laughing as they dive in and page through this old-fashioned thing called a book." - THE NEW YORK TIMES "For every downtrodden fun-seeking kid who never wanted to read a book." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted." -The Educational Book & Media AssociationDav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning creator of more than 40 books for children.; Title: The Second Captain Underpants Collection (Books 5-7 & The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby) | [
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17,629 | 18 | Gr 5 Up-Murphy investigates a clever and successful scheme during the 1800s, sharing with readers how several men in upstate New York were able to fool the public and make thousands of dollars. When William Newell decided to have a well dug on his farm, the men hired to do the digging became quite excited when a 10-foot giant was uncovered in the field. Experts called in to determine the origins-whether a statue or petrified giant-couldn't agree. There were those who believed it was possibly a giant from the local Onondaga Indian tribe or a giant like Goliath from the Bible. Crowds gathered, and, in a matter of days, thousands came to see for themselves the amazing giant upon hearing about it by word of mouth and newspaper reports. Readers will question the origins of the giant until about halfway through the book, when hints of the truth slowly expose the actual origin of the Cardiff giant, keeping them enthralled with the strange turn of events. As this was also the time in history of other questionable events, doubters and naysayers did exist. So did other men wanting to cash in on the opportunity, creating an even greater exhibition. Photos, a cast of characters, additional information on other famous hoaxes, research on the topic, and extensive source notes complete this fun, exciting, and lively account.-Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.; Title: The Giant and How He Humbugged America | [
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17,630 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2This plot-free bedtime story follows an otter and its mother on a journey in the Sea of Sleep. They see the moon, myriad examples of marine life, and the personified sea herself, Old. And wise. And kind. Hanson's musician roots show in the text, which reads very much like lyrics, including a repeating chorus. While young audiences may not grasp all of the abstract concepts, they will appreciate the lilting, poetic language. The illustrations are done in restful blues and purples befitting a bedtime story. They serve to ground the text as LaMarche aptly portrays the sea cradling the otters and the moon sharing the waters with them, along with more concrete concepts. Sweet dreams.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.; Title: The Sea Of Sleep | [
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17,631 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 4-After admonishing youngsters for ignoring the volume's title, a peevish pig explains that the book is not yet written, indicating a blank page and a hodgepodge of words printed on rectangle banners. Using numerous exclamation points, the author repeatedly-and rudely-tells everyone to get lost so that he can get to work. Eventually realizing that the spectators won't budge, the pig demands silence, climbs a ladder, and carefully glues and nails words to the wall, forming the beginning of a story. Unfortunately, the next page-turn blows the words around and when they settle down, they now describe a ferocious mouse that appears on the scene. And so it goes, until the exasperated porker pens an insulting tale about a giant pest, telling readers to say their names whenever there's a blank in the narrative. Then the pig declares the book completed, heads to bed, and dreams about literary accolades. The loose-lined, messy-looking cartoons in glossy, bold colors suit the text's truculent tone. Comical details include boxes of words (labeled verbs, animals, etc.) and a spider and fly that assist and poke fun at their friend. Although the story is a bit monotone and the humor stretches thin, this offering might make a lighthearted starting point for discussions of creativity and the writing process.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 3. In this playful send-up of the writing process, the illusion of trespassing boundaries is a big part of the fun. Recriminations ("Are you always so rude?") begin on the endpapers and continue as children penetrate deeper into what a pig character identifies as his own, in-progress book. Turning the pages appears to wreak havoc on the narrative within, as words shake loose; form new, unintended sentences; and enrage the frustrated auteur--until he discovers that the unwanted intrusions have, in the circular fashion so beloved of postmodernism, created the very story he had struggled to produce. Along with hand lettering Muntean's text, LeMaitre contributes bright, comics-style pictures that clarify the occasionally dizzying concepts (the words of the story-within-the-story, for instance, are represented on individual placards, making the constant reconfigurations easy to follow). Similarities to titles such as James Stevenson's Don't Make Me Laugh (2003) are obvious, but children will be no less enraptured by the irreverent, interactive premise and will emerge with a fresh understanding of the powerful qualities of words. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Do Not Open This Book | [
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17,632 | 7 | Grade 4-6–In this final volume in the series, the nasty overlord, Grindall, and his band of ogres have kidnapped Alexa's miniature friend, Yipes. Now Alexa is traveling over the seas with her motley crew of animal, giant, and human companions to save him. She makes some daring escapes, placates some wild creatures, and must defeat Grindall and his supernatural master, the fallen Abaddon. At the end, she and her companion get a glimpse of the heavenly Tenth City wherein lies the good creator, Elyon. The book draws more heavily on Christian imagery and religion than the previous titles and has some distinct similarities to C. S. Lewis's Narnia tales, especially at the end. Unlike the first two books, this one does not stand alone. Purchase where the series has proven popular.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Patrick Carman is the bestselling author of numerous series for young readers, including The Land of Elyon, Elliot’s Park, Skeleton Creek, Atherton, Trackers, Dark Eden, and 3:15. He got his start as a storyteller weaving bedtime tales for his two daughters. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington, with his family.; Title: The Tenth City (Land of Elyon) | [
17646
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17,633 | 16 | PreSchool-KThis visually stunning concept book is set in a lush, blossom-filled flower bed. Hidden among the blooms are creaturesto count, all pulsating on a crisp white background. The lively text embraces descriptive words and phrases like "three dogs frolicking in the posies" and "six ladybugs tiptoeing along a stem." Sometimes it is difficult to see the objects to count on a page because of all the busy patterns in the watercolor art, but children seem to take this as a challenge rather than as a distraction. A lovely addition to preschool storytimes about gardens, animals, and spring.Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. Parker teases a counting exercise out of a riot of entwining watercolor blooms and patterned creatures. Beginning with one cat "purring in the garden," she presents paisley turtles, floral puppies, and more animals, playing in the garden in increasing groups, up to 10. Some of the wild compositions are so busy that children may have trouble initially discerning between flowers and the animals they are asked to count. Still, kids will certainly be attracted by the brilliant colors and garden scenes. Not a necessary purchase but a lovely offering. Pair it with Anita Lobel's One Lighthouse, One Moon (2000), another beautiful beginning concept book. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Counting In The Garden | [
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17,634 | 1 | PreS-K-With the zookeeper on his trail, an escaped walrus hides out in the city: in a fountain, a soda counter, a department-store display window, a brick wall under construction, a line of firemen spraying a burning building, and a group of artists painting in the park. His trick is to blend in to each particular scene. However, he can't help but stand out in a diving competition where he wins a gold medal. The walrus then returns to the zoo and entertains the crowds with his dives. The collagelike illustrations in this wordless book were created in Adobe Illustrator. They are large, clear, and simple; the colors are bright, although flat. Young children will take delight in their ability to spot the wandering walrus; older kids might see this book as a humorous Where's Waldo spoof.-Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.; Title: Where's Walrus? | [
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17,635 | 1 | As they did in Polar Bear Night (2004), Thompson and Savage tell the story of an adventurous cub leaving the safety of her mothers den to explore the Arctic. This time the cub meets another, and the pair jaunt about, tumbling and racing among the gulls and seals and walruses who share their home. Thompsons poetic language, crisp and tender all at once (High above, the seagulls whirl on the wind, calling), paints a picture of icy, innocent tranquility, unveiling the cubs friendship in sweet, simple gestures. Savage restrains his graphic, textural linocut illustrations with subdued palettes of blues and grays, with never more than a few colors per spread, reservedly introducing a contrasting pink or orange to emphasize the warmth of the new friendship. A variety of perspectives, with long, low horizons and birds-eye vistas, suggests the space and the quiet. While this harmonious, winsome outing will work well for storytimes, it will also find its way to repeated at-home readings. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Polar Bear Night was a New York Times best-seller and a New York Times Best Illustrated Childrens Book. This one will be on everyones radar. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Thom Barthelmess"Thompson and Savage follow up Polar Bear Night (2004) by giving the polar bear cub from the first book another chance to explore her surroundings, as well as make a new friend. Savages linocuts, with their round shapes and creamy sunrise palette of pinks and blues, are once again showstoppers (a spread in which the bear and her new friend enjoy a perfect quiet moment under the sea is especially nice), while Thompsons restrained prose conveys plenty about the pleasures of companionship." - Publishers Weekly starred review; Title: Polar Bear Morning | [
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17,636 | 2 | Grade 69In the newly formed Third Reich, Hitler's initial political doctrine is filled with hopeful solutions for a country plagued with unemployment, poverty, and a post-World War I feeling of defeat. Propaganda and promises quickly turn to oppressive new laws including the required participation in the Hitler Youth. Helmuth Hbener enters the program and is at once impressed with the bravado, shiny uniforms, boots, and patriotic fever sweeping the country. But his Mormon-based teachings trigger questions in his mind about the reality behind the regime's invasions of neighboring countries, mistreatment of Jewish citizens, and closely controlled media. He creates an underground newsletter with information gathered from BBC reports using an illegal shortwave radio. As he secretly distributes the flyers throughout the town, his boldness encourages him to gather several accomplices resulting in his arrest, trial, and execution. The novel opens as he is on death row, and the story is told as a series of flashbacks. Helmuth is portrayed as a brave, outspoken voice amid a family of acquiescing brothers, mother, and new SS stepfather. Based on a real person, the novel includes black-and-white photos of Hbener and his family. Bartoletti offers another perspective on the Holocaust, demonstrating that even if the effort proves unsuccessful, the courage and convictions of a minority should be motivation to speak the truth rather than remain silent. It's a message that must be continually emphasized as a lasting legacy of the Holocaust.Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* In Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitlers Shadow, Booklists 2005 Top of the List for youth nonfiction, 2005, Bartoletti included a portrait of Helmuth Hbener, a German teenager executed for his resistance to the Nazis. In this fictionalized biography, she imagines his story as he sits in prison awaiting execution in 1942 and remembers his childhood in Hamburg during Hitlers rise to power. Beaten and tortured to name his friends, he remembers how he started off an ardent Nazi follower and then began to question his patriotism, secretly listened to BBC radio broadcasts, and finally dared to write and distribute pamphlets calling for resistance. The teens perspective makes this a particularly gripping way to personalize the history, and even those unfamiliar with the background Bartoletti weaves inthe German bitterness after World War I, the burning of the books, the raging anti-Semitismwill be enthralled by the story of one boys heroic resistance in the worst of times. A lengthy authors note distinguishes fact from fiction, and Bartoletti provides a detailed chronology, a bibliography, and many black-and-white photos of Helmuth with friends, family, and members of his Mormon church. This is an important title for the Holocaust curriculum. See the Booklist interview with Bartoletti, in which she discusses how this teens story moved her. Grades 6-12. --Hazel Rochman; Title: The Boy Who Dared | [
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17,637 | 7 | Grade 4 Up–The strange-looking Bone cousins visit Barrelhaven with their friends Thorn and Granma Ben. Phoney Bone, who usually causes trouble, does so again in these six chapters. He tries to swindle the villagers by fixing the annual Great Cow Race. While the race is underway, Fone Bone, who has wandered off to the woods, is chased by two giant rat creatures that have been after the Bones since their arrival in the valley, but they dont know why. Granma Ben knows something, though, and makes ominous references to a past war with the rat creatures and a treaty that is being tested. In addition to the comic elements, there are the usual fantasy elements of the fight between good and evil. Exciting and fun, the full-color art moves the story along at a rapid pace. The vocabulary is not difficult and the illustrations are clear. On one level, the book will appeal to fourth or fifth graders. However, it has a darker side that will appeal to teens. The writing flows gracefully, especially for a graphic novel. This book will be well received in both public and school libraries.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.SLJGr 4 Up–The strange-looking Bone cousins visit Barrelhaven with their friends Thorn and Gran'ma Ben. Phoney Bone, who usually causes trouble, does so again in these six chapters. He tries to swindle the villagers by fixing the annual Great Cow Race. While the race is underway, Fone Bone, who has wandered off to the woods, is chased by two giant rat creatures that have been after the Bones since their arrival in the valley, but they don't know why. Gran'ma Ben knows something, though, and makes ominous references to a past war with the rat creatures and a treaty that is being tested. In addition to the comic elements, there are the usual fantasy elements of the fight between good and evil. Exciting and fun, the full-color art moves the story along at a rapid pace. The vocabulary is not difficult and the illustrations are clear. On one level, the book will appeal to fourth or fifth graders. However, it has a darker side that will appeal to teens. The writing flows gracefully, especially for a graphic novel. This book will be well received in both public and school libraries.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY; Title: Great Cow Race (BONE #2) | [
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17,638 | 7 | Praise for the Bone seriesNamed one of the top ten graphic novels of all time by Time"Spectacular." -Spin magazine"One of the best kids' comics ever." -VIBE magazine"Jeff Smith's Bone series . . . is a true accomplishment. Not only is it a terrific graphic-novel series, but it's a superb example of storytelling." -School Library Journal"Bone is storytelling at its best, full of endearing, flawed characters whose adventures run the gamut from hilarious whimsy to thrilling drama." -Entertainment Weekly; Title: Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border (BONE #5) | [
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17,639 | 7 | Praise for the Bone seriesNamed one of the top ten graphic novels of all time by Time"Spectacular." -Spin magazine"One of the best kids' comics ever." -VIBE magazine"Jeff Smith's Bone series . . . is a true accomplishment. Not only is it a terrific graphic-novel series, but it's a superb example of storytelling." -School Library Journal"Bone is storytelling at its best, full of endearing, flawed characters whose adventures run the gamut from hilarious whimsy to thrilling drama." -Entertainment Weekly; Title: Dragonslayer (BONE #4) | [
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17,640 | 22 | Starred Review. In this ninth and final volume of Smith's award-winning Bone series, Thorn and her loyal friends must defeat not only the evil Briar Rose but also free the land and its inhabitants from the Locust spirit. Beaten by tyrant Tarsil's soldiers, Thorn and faithful Fone Bone are locked in the dungeon, as Briar Rose and her army storm the castle. Spurred on by a recurring dream, Thorn is determined to break free and find the Crown of Horns, which will destroy the nightmare spirit known as the Locust but may also kill Thorn herself. The Locust was imprisoned within the legendary dragon queen Mim, whose body was encased in stone but who now threatens to break free. With the help of Gran'ma Ben and Fone Bone's cousins, Smiley and Phoney, Thorn is able to escape and make her way to Tanen Gard, the dragon burial ground, where she hopes to find the Crown of Horns. Smith expertly combines all the best elements of fantasy epics like Lord of the Ringsa plucky hero(ine), all manner of creatures and a kingdom rich in mythological historywith enough humor to appeal to readers young and old. (Feb.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The colorization effort of Smiths epic comicBone reaches its culmination with this final volume in the nine-book series. There really arent any superlatives left to lay at Smiths feet for his timeless achievement, but now that the entire work is available in gorgeously rendered color, it isan even more attractive offering. The story concludes Fone Bones saga in the Valley with a full-scale battle and a touching farewell to his friends Thorn and Granma Ben. There may be a few purists who will liken this to Ted Turner colorizingclassic filmsor George Lucas digital fiddling with the Star Wars franchise, but theyll be a tiny minority. Even though the black-and-white artwork of the originals was spectacular in its own right, the color versions offer so much more to look at in every panel, bringing many of the details that might have gone unnoticed to the forefront without losing any of the subtlety of Smiths impeccable line work and juxtapositions of humor and drama. A masterful rendering now fully ready for a whole new generation of readers. Grades 6-12. --Ian Chipman; Title: Crown of Horns (Bone #9) | [
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17,641 | 7 | Praise for the Bone seriesNamed one of the top ten graphic novels of all time by Time"Spectacular." -Spin magazine"One of the best kids' comics ever." -VIBE magazine"Jeff Smith's Bone series . . . is a true accomplishment. Not only is it a terrific graphic-novel series, but it's a superb example of storytelling." -School Library Journal"Bone is storytelling at its best, full of endearing, flawed characters whose adventures run the gamut from hilarious whimsy to thrilling drama." -Entertainment Weekly; Title: Ghost Circles (Bone #7) | [
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17,642 | 7 | Praise for the Bone seriesNamed one of the top ten graphic novels of all time by Time"Spectacular." -Spin magazine"One of the best kids' comics ever." -VIBE magazine"Jeff Smith's Bone series . . . is a true accomplishment. Not only is it a terrific graphic-novel series, but it's a superb example of storytelling." -School Library Journal"Bone is storytelling at its best, full of endearing, flawed characters whose adventures run the gamut from hilarious whimsy to thrilling drama." -Entertainment Weekly; Title: Treasure Hunters (BONE #8) | [
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17,643 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 2Let's go for a walk, along the block, and see what we can see. With this opening line Cooper invites readers on a virtual evening stroll down an ordinary suburban street. On each spread, a new house or two come into view, full of interesting homey details. As the walk progresses, the sky darkens and, finally, it is time to turn back. The artist then shows each house in reverse and points out the small changes that have occurred as night has come on. The text is spare but delightfully descriptive. Cooper's watercolor illustrations are likewise simple, but with very few lines he is able to suggest considerable detail. Children will enjoy pausing to look carefully at each page especially as the sky grows dark and night animals can be seen hiding in shadows. The muted colors and horizontal format of the illustrations give the book a restful feeling and make it a good bedtime story, and the text is easy enough for beginning readers. A lovely choice.Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* PreS. The author and illustrator of Dance (2001) and Ice Cream (2002) offers a gentle picture-book celebration of day's end. "Let's go for a walk, along the block, and see what we can see, before it's time for bed" begins the text, and short, simple phrases describe neighborhood activity: a gardener rests against her wheelbarrow, boys mow a lawn, a postman delivers "the last mail of the day." At the end of the block, near an open view of a bay dotted with boats, the narrator (never pictured but presumably a parent taking a child on an evening stroll) turns back toward home, noticing small details signaling that evening has deepened: "The mail has been opened. . . . The screen door is silent, the apple pie eaten." The clear, unfussy compositions echo the poetic words' soothing, elemental sounds--reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon--which beautifully capture the soft, slow-down rhythms of dusk. Children will find much that's cozy, reassuring, and familiar in the scenes of the residential neighborhood, depicted in luminous watercolors and firmly penciled shapes, and they'll want to talk about what they see. They will also recognize hints of quiet mystery in mundane events, especially the everyday magic of the rising moon and the dreamtime that follows. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: A Good Night Walk | [
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17,644 | 0 | Grade 8 Up-This is a novelized version of Shakespeare's grim tale of the depths to which the lust for power can plunge the human soul. Fourteen-year-old Lady Mary, a ward of Lord and Lady Macbeth, tells of the interweaving of events that cause her master's downfall and thrust her world into turmoil. She is a court favorite, being groomed to be mistress of her own castle when she weds. However, when her father betrays King Duncan and is hanged as a traitor, she is suddenly an outcastdemoted to the position of a mere scullery maidwhose very life is in constant danger. How she grows from being a pampered child to a young woman of strength and courage who must face her fate and try to prevent more lives from being crushed by her power-hungry guardians is the crux of this engaging tale. Both the chapters and their parts are introduced with pertinent lines from the play, and the text uses some of the actual dialogue as well. While it may be difficult at first, the language is so interesting and appropriate that readers will soon become comfortable with the elevated tone. Mary's fully developed character is plagued with doubts and fears, yet driven to do what is right and just. As part of the ever-growing genre of prose adaptations of the Bard's works, Cooney's novel can take its place at the top with Lisa Klein's Ophelia (Bloomsbury, 2006), providing its readers with an engaging, realistic tale that will catapult them toward wanting to experience Shakespeare's original play.Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth, this novel follows the events of the play through the eyes of Lady Mary, the 14-year-old ward of Lord and Lady Macbeth. Quiet Mary is in a position to engage with various characters--from the kitchen staff to the witches to the Scottish royalty--and observe what goes on around her. After her father is killed as a traitor, Mary becomes vulnerable to the maelstrom of ambition and violence that sweeps through the Scottish court. Cooney writes an involving story that is laced with quotes from the play, but she isn't slavishly bound to the drama. Readers who know Macbeth will find this a fascinating, humanizing sidelight on the characters, while those new to the story will find Lady Mary's adventures reason enough to enjoy this unusual historical novel. In the appended author's note, Cooney comments on both the historical Macbeth and Shakespeare's play and instructs her audience "Now read Shakespeare's Macbeth." Given this reader-friendly introduction to the story, they might actually do so. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Enter Three Witches | [
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17,645 | 7 | The nine-volume Bone graphic novel series was the toast of the comics world when it was published by Smith's own Cartoon Books beginning in the early 1990s; in this first volume of Scholastic's new edition, the original b&w art has been beautifully converted into color. Smith's epic concerns three blobby creatures who have stumbled into a valley full of monsters, magic, farmers, an exiled princess and a huge, cynical dragon. The story is something like a Chuck Jones version of The Lord of the Rings: hilarious and action-packed, but rarely losing track of its darker subtext about power and evil. This volume is the most lighthearted of the bunch, though, featuring some of the wittiest writing of any children's literature in recent memory--a few of Smith's gags are so delicious that he repeated them for the rest of the series. It also introduces the Bone cast's unforgettable supporting characters: the leathery, tough-as-nails, racing-cow-breeding Gran'ma Ben; the carnivorous but quiche-loving "rat creatures"; a spunky trio of baby opossums; and Ted the Bug, whose minimalist appearance (a tiny semicircle) exemplifies Smith's gift for less-is-more cartooning. The way his clear-lined, exaggerated characters contrast with their subtle, detailed backgrounds is a product of his background in animation, and so is his mastery of camera angles and choreography. This is first-class kid lit: exciting, funny, scary and resonant enough that it will stick with readers for a long time. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Grade 5 Up–A whimsical journey, cunningly told. It combines fable with American legend in a tale of greed, friendship, and struggle. The story follows three cousins who have been thrown out of their town for cheating the citizens. Shortly thereafter, they are separated. Each Bone stumbles into a mysterious valley full of odd creatures that reveal strange happenings. The story is well paced with smooth transitions. It is dark, witty, mysterious, and exciting. The full-color art reflects that of classic comic books; one glance at the comic cels and one is reminded of old Disney and "Peanuts" cartoons. However, the animation and fresh story line put Smith in a league of his own.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Out from Boneville (BONE #1) | [
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17,646 | 1 | Elyon is a land of dark hills, enchanted forests, and great walls that connect and encircle the cities of Lathbury, Turlock, Lunenburg, and Bridewell like spokes in a wagon wheel. On her annual summer trips to Bridewell with her father, the mayor of Lathbury, Alexa Daley spends much of her time dreaming of escape. Having lived within the walls all of her 12 years, she wants nothing more than to explore the uncharted wilderness beyond. But, the walls are heavily guarded, and frightening legends suggest that forests and hills are no place for a child--especially a young girl. When a mysterious conversation and an unfortunate accident put Alexa within reach of a way outside the wall, she must decide--heed the warnings of her elders, or satisfy her curiosity and unravel the mysteries of Elyon.Told from the perspective of its smart, brave, and adventurous heroine, The Dark Hills Divide invites readers on a spectacular and mysterious quest that will appeal to boys, girls, and fans of both fiction and fantasy. Patrick Carman is a natural storyteller, and his delightful debut is full of mysterious plots, hidden passageways, and all manner of dastardly, hilarious, and noble characters. Perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and Cornelia Funke, The Dark Hills Divide is so compulsively readable that kids (and their parents) will be clamoring for the second book in the proposed trilogy, Beyond the Valley of Thorns, due in 2005. --Daphne DurhamGrade 4-6This entertaining, accessible fantasy is the first in a planned trilogy. Alexa, 12, longs to venture outside the high stone walls surrounding the towns and roads of her kingdom. When the elderly founder dies unexpectedly, she uses his secret key to unlock a hidden passage leading outside the barriers. There, the local animals tell her of the devastation wreaked by the walls, dividing some of them from their food supplies, homes, and families. They offer to help her prevent an impending invasion that would turn the barriers into permanent military strongholds, in return for her help in bringing them down. There's nothing very original about the novel's preindustrial setting or appealing characters, and Alexa's voice varies occasionally from precocious fantasy heroine ("Iwas immediately captivated by the audacious subject matter") to anachronistically modern preteen ("a wimpy meow"). However, the story moves along at a fine clip, with plenty of suspense and action to hold readers' interest. Double identities, mysterious codes, and Alexa's magical gift of speaking with animals all enliven the plot, and the highly cinematic writing style will allow readers to visualize her adventures clearly.Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: The Dark Hills Divide: The Land of Elyon, Book 1 | [
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17,647 | 2 | Kristin Earhart grew up in Worthington, Ohio, where she spent countless waking and sleeping hours dreaming about horses and ponies. She started riding lessons at eight. Kristin’s pony, Moochie, and her horse, Wendy, were two of the best friends a girl could have. She now lives and writes in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their son.; Title: Starlight (Breyer Stablemates) | [
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17,648 | 2 | Grade 2–5—Kellerman's name might not be familiar, but this rule-breaking, high-diving, early fashionista will inspire students. Her difficulties walking as a child, which are only hinted at in the book's illustrations, drove her father to try to strengthen her legs through swimming lessons. In the early 1900s, before women were allowed to compete in the Olympics, her hard-earned athleticism drew more criticism than compliments. Swimming? Unladylike! Record setting? For the boys! Eager to do something more artistic with her abilities, Annette invented water ballet, and her acrobatic feats drew crowds. Each event described is interesting, but what really shines is Kellerman's persistent refusal to rest on her laurels. After her attempt to be the first woman to swim the English Channel, and performing for kings and queens, she went on to pioneer the modern woman's bathing suit, which led to her arrest in the U.S. Fotheringham's glorious artwork is filled with period details and dress, high-dives and stunts, and priceless expressions on the faces of amazed audiences. The extensive back matter details Kellerman's further accomplishments and includes citations. This well-written and brightly illustrated account is a perfect pearl.—Sarah Provence, Churchill Road Elementary School, McLean, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Shana Corey has the unique ability to make history accessible and fun, a talent that has been praised in all of her celebrated picture books, including MERMAID QUEEN, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham and YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER!, illustrated by Chesley McLaren, which was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and an Orbis Pictus Recommended Title. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.Edwin Fotheringham has illustrated several notable picture books, including Barbara Kerley's WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?, a Sibert Honor Book and a Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, and THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY), a New York Public Library Best Children's Book. Edwin lives in Seattle, Washington. You can visit him online at www.edfotheringham.com.; Title: Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story Of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way To Fame, Fortune & Swimsuit History! | [
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17,649 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Molly is sailing off to visit her grandmother when she is captured by ferocious Captain Firebeard and his cutthroat crew. Their intention is to hold her for ransom, but the stalwart girl refuses to divulge her parents' names and address despite endless chores and threats of being fed to the sharks. Instead, she waits until the pirates fall asleep and tosses messages tucked into bottles out to sea. Caught in the act, she is about to be thrown overboard when rescue arrives in the person of her mother, the pirate Barbarous Bertha. Firebeard and his crew must now take over Molly's chores, and she sails happily off to Grandma's house. While the plot is mildly amusing, it is also thin and predictable. If the intention was to make a feminist statement, the story falls short of the mark, unless the message is that girls, too, can be nasty bullies. Meyer's cartoon sketches resemble Quentin Blake's work, but some of the details are lost in the odd choice of a murky gray for skin tones. Funke's The Princess Knight (Scholastic, 2004) is a better choice for feminist fare, and David McPhail's Edward and the Pirates (Little, Brown, 1997) is a superior pirate story.Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. With this tale of a bonny lass kidnapped by pirates who live to regret their choice of victim, Funke and Meyer deliver a booster shot of the girl power they celebrated in The Princess Knight (2004). Afloat in a dinghy with a flowered sail and clad in sensible shorts and a T-shirt, redheaded Molly is snatched and held for ransom by Captain Firebeard, an infamous buccaneer who causes "the knees of honest seafaring folk [to] shake like jelly." But Molly remains unfazed, for she knows something Firebeard does not: her mom is Barbarous Bertha, queen of a crew of fierce maidens and matrons. The tale comes to an oddly abrupt conclusion, and the premise of a little girl alone on a ship of rum-guzzling male delinquents may cause some children and parents to wince. But Meyer's whimsical, color-soaked line-and-watercolor illustrations ensure that the captors appear more as burly dimwits than genuine threats, and the premise of a defiant kid duping a nasty adult through personal cleverness and parental heroism has universal appeal. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Pirate Girl | [
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17,650 | 7 | R.L. Stine's books have sold more than 300 million copies, making him one of the most popular children's authors in history. Besides Goosebumps, R.L. Stine has written series including: Fear Street, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room, and Dangerous Girls. R.L. Stine lives in New York with his wife, Jane, and his King Charles spaniel, Minnie. www.RLStine.com.; Title: Goosebumps #48: Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns | [
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17,651 | 12 | PreSchool-Grade 2According to the front cover, this book includes more than 800 words and pictures by 16 illustrators. Topics include bodies, houses, schools, cities, shopping, and nature. Each page is bordered along its outside vertical edge. Periodic questions, or riddles, encourage viewers to think about what they are seeing by looking for specific things on the pages. Some pictures are confusing, mainly because they are not drawn to scale. On one page, a pebble is as big as the rock above it. Items supposedly located in a broom closet include a floor mat that looks like a kitchen towel, rubber gloves that are flesh toned and look like hands, and a sewing machine, among other things. Each chapter opens with a transparent overlay that changes the look of the pages on the spread as they are flipped from side to side. Some of these pages are too busy, with such small and undefined illustrations that it is difficult to see them clearly. Stick with what you have.Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Scholastic First Picture Dictionary | [
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17,652 | 2 | Debbie Dadey is the author and co-author of more than 125 books, including The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids and SwampMonster in Third Grade series. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three children, and two dogs.; Title: Worst Name In Third Grade | [
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17,653 | 7 | Grade 4-8In this final installment in the series, Felix, 14, is back in his own dimension and ready for life to return to normal. However, when Rhino, the class bully, discovers the brandee's lamp that Felix brought back from the Divide and the brandee within, trouble begins. Rhino is taken hostage by the djinn and later set loose in the magical dimension linked to our own by the Divide. It isn't long before he hooks up with the japegrins in an explosive way. Fans of the first two books will find this episode another action-packed ride across dimensions. Once again, Kay introduces a wide range of characters and subplots that will challenge readers to remain focused. And, as with the previous books, the characters all seem slightly underdeveloped. Still, if action is what they seek, Jinx will keep their eyes glued to the pages.Lisa Marie Williams, Fairfax County Public Library System, Reston, VA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Jinx On The Divide (Divide Trilogy) | [] | Test |
17,654 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 3This humorous picture book requires a total suspension of disbelief. The premise that a man wearing Western clothing and sitting in a saloon does not know what to do with a saddle he receives for his birthday is delightfully silly. The instructions that accompany the gift advise him to "1. Find a horse 2. Enjoy the ride." However, the man does not know what a horse is so he asks a red wagon, "Are you a horse?" "'Nope, I'm an old wagon,' said the wagon. 'A horse is a living thing.'" He asks a cactus the same question, and it replies, "I bristle at the thought! I'm a cactus. A horse is an animal." Then he queries various animals absurdly found in the same habitat: a snake, a crab, a lion, and a zebra. The crab declares, "I'll pinch you good! A horse is friendly. I'm a crab! NOW GO AWAY!" The conclusion delivers a big chuckle. The gouache and India ink illustrations are comical and colorful, and the cartoon expressions capture the burlesque nature of the story. There are some clever visual interpretations. One series of six panels conveys the lengthy passage of time that it takes for a sloth to give his answer. A goofy giggle-inducing read-aloud.Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.When cowboy Roy is given a saddle for his birthday, he cant wait to try it out. Right after he figures out what its for. Luckily, it comes with instructions (1. Find a horse.2. Enjoy the ride), but unluckily, Roy doesnt know what a horse is. So he saunters about askingeach creaturehe meets if its a horse.They all tell him why theyre not: horses have legs, explains the snake; a horse is friendly, explains the many-legged crab; a horse cant change colors, says the friendly chameleon. Roy is just about out ofquestions when he finally finds something that fits all the requirements, and a horse it turns out to be. The western-styled gouache art is packed with colors and peppered with lighthearted jokes. Much of the visual fun comes from the way each animal has the characteristic Roy has just learned about from the previous encounter, whilethe text effectively uses negation to keep himlooking. Kids will enjoy knowing more than the hapless Roy with the final page showing an extremely unexpected horsy ride. Preschool-Grade 2. --Ian Chipman; Title: Are You A Horse? | [
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17,655 | 2 | Jane Gerver is the author of many picture books and readers, including Stablemates: Penny and The Big Red Sled. She lives in New York City.Jane Gerver is the author of many picture books and readers, including Stablemates: Penny and The Big Red Sled. She lives in New York City.; Title: Stablemates: Lucky | [
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17,656 | 2 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma. For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford's Pals;Read with Clifford (Clifford the Big Red Dog) | [
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17,657 | 13 | Gr. 4-7. From the promising new Portraits series, this historical novel takes place in the 1870s in Paris, where Sylvie is a "little rat," or young pupil of the Paris Opera Ballet. She strives to dance well and to grow three-quarters of an inch so that she can join the ballet, while her widowed mother takes in laundry to make ends meet. When war comes to Paris, it brings hardship, hunger, death, and occasionally the closing of the opera house. To Sylvie, this period of upheaval brings challenges and loss but also growth in understanding and independence, as well as in inches. The artist Degas makes cameo appearances, and one of his paintings is used on the cover. Though readers may be unfamiliar with this historical period, they will be swept along by the strong story line. Young dancers will particularly enjoy the evocative passages when Sylvie is on stage or in class. Link this to Carolyn Meyer's Marie, Dancing (2005). Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Dancing Through Fire (Portraits #1) | [
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17,658 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 1The tale of "The Three Little Pigs" gets an underwater makeover in this snappy yarn. Three little fish swim out into the deep blue sea to build their homes. Jim builds a "weedy little house," Tim builds a "sandy little house," and Kim takes up residence in a sunken ship. It isn't long before the big bad shark shows up at each successive residence, calling "Little fish, little fish, let me come in!" Children will quickly join in the answering refrain, "Not by the skin of my finny fin fin!" Gorton's whimsical, computer-drawn scenery and electric color palette set just the right tone for Geist's tongue-in-cheek retelling. The bold font is humorously integrated with the art, appearing inside the shark's mouth for emphasis, or swirling along the current with an escaping fish. This spunky tale is a welcome addition to storytime and picture-book collections.Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.KEN GEIST lives in New York City with his two children and their dog.; Title: The Three Little Fish And The Big Bad Shark | [
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17,659 | 7 | R.L. Stine's books have sold more than 300 million copies, making him one of the most popular children's authors in history. Besides Goosebumps, R.L. Stine has written series including: Fear Street, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room, and Dangerous Girls. R.L. Stine lives in New York with his wife, Jane, and his King Charles spaniel, Minnie. www.RLStine.com.; Title: Goosebumps #43: The Beast from the East | [
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17,660 | 14 | Summary: Three children getting ready for Christmas count down from ten to one in anticipation of Christmas morning.; Title: Counting Christmas | [
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17,661 | 0 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford The Small Red Puppy (Read with Clifford) | [
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17,662 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Nib lives with his family beneath a busy subway station. He loves to listen to stories, especially those about a special but dangerous place called Tunnel's End. A true pack rat, he collects all sorts of objects and lovingly arranges them into a cozy nest. When he returns to find that his cousins have ransacked his home, he decides to leave and go in search of Tunnel's End. Along the way he meets Lola, a female mouse who joins him. When they finally crawl out of the tunnel and into a starlit night, they discover a world that is more dangerous than they expected, but also more beautiful, and make a home together. Although the story is somewhat flat and predictable, Reid's artwork is outstanding. The pictures were made with plasticine that is shaped and pressed onto illustration board; decorated with acrylic paint, found objects, and other materials; and then photographed. The objects (Popsicle sticks, lollipops, candy wrappers, etc.) are used with great creativity. The images are both realistic and clever and have an inviting, three-dimensional appearance. Young children will pore over the details and older children will get ideas to create their own pictures.Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. Subway mouse Nib has grown up listening to bedtime stories about Tunnels End, a "dangerous, roofless world," where the air is sublime, the food tasty, and the nests soft and green. Nib's fascination with the fabled land grows as he gets older, and he feels increasingly more crowded and restless in his underground community. At last, he sets off on a perilous journey, traveling the tunnel to its finish. Along the way, he meets Lola, a lovely mouse who joins him on his quest, and together they reach open air and start a family. Reid creates a charming, lively adventure in short, smoothly paced sentences, but it's her marvelous collage illustrations that really bring the characters and richly imagined world to life. Working in found materials and expertly molded, brightly colored plasticine, she sculpts remarkably expressive characters and a vivid, subterranean world filled with "thundering trains" and messy people, whose scattered refuse (created from bright scraps of feathers, beads, and food wrappers) ingeniously lines the homes of the mice below the tracks. Children will enjoy poring over the detailed images of the world from a mouse's viewpoint, and many will see themselves in intrepid Nib, who feels at odds with his cacophonous family and dreams of a sweet, cozy nest of his own. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Subway Mouse | [
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17,663 | 2 | Grade 5-8This collection of stories by well-known authors spans a broad definition of the term friend, and also approaches the topic from a wide variety of viewpoints. There are pieces about real-life friends, imaginary companions, animal friends, and those who fit the old saying, with friends like that, who needs enemies. Some of the selections are written as if the events are happening in the present, some from the viewpoint of an adult looking back at childhood. The selections by Ann M. Martin, Pam Muoz Ryan, Rachel Cohn, David Levithan, and Patricia McCormick are among the more outstanding entries. It is unlikely that any one reader will like all of them, but it is also likely that every reader will find at least one that hits home. The trick will be to get youngsters to keep reading to find that one.Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 4-6. Middle-school friends (including some imaginary friends) and enemies feature in many of these short stories by 11 well-known authors, including Virginia Euwer Wolff, Meg Cabot, and Brian Selznick. A few stories are messagey, but some raise questions without presenting a lesson. Adults play important roles in some of the tales. In one story a teacher proves a good friend. In another, elderly pals are drawn without sentimentality. Readers will easily recognize the elemental conflicts about loyalty and betrayal, making this a great title for group discussion. The writers and editors have donated their royalties to the nonprofit Lisa Libraries, which contributes new children's books to organizations serving needy children. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Friends: Stories About New Friends, Old Friends, And Unexpectedly True Friends | [
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17,664 | 2 | Booklist Best Books for Young Adults; Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth; Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth; YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009; Cybil Award, 2008 Finalist Graphic Novels; Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee"Wood's vividly colored artwork brings the perils the siblings face into startling focus. Keenly observed depictions of the Hawaiian landscape and geological processes lend an impressive veracity to this exciting and unusual offering. It is a rare example of a graphic novel for young people that is neither manga nor mainstream."--SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review"The action moves along at break-neck speed"--BOOKLIST, starred review"a non-stop thrill ride through one of Earth’s most exotic and terrifying natural wonders."--CHILDREN'S LITERATURE"will appeal to those boys who wouldn’t be caught dead reading a book, because from cover-to-cover they will find nothing but fast-paced action and excitement."--LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION"Wood’s graphic-novel debut is visually exciting, with eerily delineated characters of questionable loyalty, a pair of Everykid brothers who are wondrously expressive on this emotional rollercoaster ride, and an active volcano whose pyrotechnics are real scene-stealers."--THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKSDon Wood is the internationally beloved illustrator of numerous classics such as IT'S DUFFY TIME!; THE NAPPING HOUSE; KING BIDGOOD'S IN THE BATHTUB; and JUBAL'S WISH. He recently wrote and illustrated his brilliant graphic novel, INTO THE VOLCANO (now in paperback, 2012). He and his wife, Audrey, live in an off-grid, untamed area of Hawaii with their three dogs, two goats, and a flock of chickens.; Title: Into the Volcano | [
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17,665 | 0 | Kristin Earhart grew up in Worthington, Ohio, where she spent countless waking and sleeping hours dreaming about horses and ponies. She started riding lessons at eight. Kristin’s pony, Moochie, and her horse, Wendy, were two of the best friends a girl could have. She now lives and writes in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their son.; Title: Stablemates: Patch (Scholastic Reader, Level 3) | [
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17,666 | 5 | Kindergarten-Grade 3When the world's top fairy godmother loses her magical powers, her tooth-fairy friend attempts to help her find a new gig: sugarplum fairy, snow fairybut nothing works for the plump pixie. Then her pal hatches a plan to find a job that is totally necessary for the good of family sleep and harmonytucking children into bed as a "Goodnight, Sleeptight, Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Fairy Godmother!" The overlong story, told in the tooth fairy's ditzy and slightly sassy voice, features the usual Palatini puns and wanders lazily along to the conclusion. Ajhar has created distinctive characters, and the full-color spreads are dominated by magenta and blue hues. Older children familiar with fairy godmothers from classic tales may appreciate this fairy's dilemma more than young children do, but it's hard to say if they will care.Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Gone With The Wand | [
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17,667 | 7 | Praise for the Bone seriesNamed one of the top ten graphic novels of all time by Time"Spectacular." -Spin magazine"One of the best kids' comics ever." -VIBE magazine"Jeff Smith's Bone series . . . is a true accomplishment. Not only is it a terrific graphic-novel series, but it's a superb example of storytelling." -School Library Journal"Bone is storytelling at its best, full of endearing, flawed characters whose adventures run the gamut from hilarious whimsy to thrilling drama." -Entertainment Weekly; Title: Old Man's Cave (BONE #6) | [
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17,668 | 13 | Emily Rodda is the author of the hugely successful Deltora Quest series, with over two million copies in print. Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year (Younger Readers) Award a record five times, she seems to know instinctively what children want to read. She currently lives in Sydney, Australia.; Title: How To Draw Deltora Monsters | [
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17,669 | 2 | K-Gr. 1. For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations. Alligator Mommy is baking cookies. Alfie loves cookies, but when he tries to grab one, Mommy tells him to "think of a better way to get a cookie." He comes up with three funny tricks to get his treat, but it isn't until he asks politely that Mommy gives him what he wants--along with a big hug. Kids will like the cozy story and the endearing alligator characters. They'll also enjoy the "Fluency Fun" page at the back, with a list of rhyming words to read aloud and a list of words to look for in the text. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: May I Please Have a Cookie? (Scholastic Readers, Level 1) | [
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17,670 | 5 | With action-packed artwork and goofy humor, Karas imagines Zeus as a young boy and then an awkward teen, all before he reigned over Mount Olympus. Raised on isolated Crete by a magical she-goat, Zeus longs for playmates. Then he learns the truth about his family: his father, Cronus, ate his siblings; only Zeus was spared by living in secret exile. Determined to rescue his family, he leaves his safe island, finds his father, and delivers a magic potion, which induces a mighty belch that expels his long-lost brothers and sisters (looking surprisingly good) from Cronus belly. Together, the siblings fling their father into the sea, but their troubles are far from over. Karas continues Zeus danger-defying journey, from the underworld to Earth and finally to Mount Olympus, where he takes the throne. The irreverent words (Lets go get em!), occasional songs, vibrant mixed-media art, and constant action make this a great choice for group sharing, and kids will see their own family members among the cast of Karas humanlike gods, especially the bickering siblings and furious, lonely young Zeus. Grades 1-4. --Gillian Engberg; Title: Young Zeus | [
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17,671 | 2 | AMY E. SKLANSKY is the author of four picture books, including Skeleton Bones and Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween, a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and two young children.ARD HOYT has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including Some Dog! by Mary Casanova and the New York Times bestselling I'm a Manatee by John Lithgow. He lives in Bentonville, Arkansas.; Title: My Daddy And Me | [
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17,672 | 2 | Nervous about starting kindergarten, a boy decides he needs to take all kinds of things with him just in case: his bear, books, paints and an easel, cookies for himself and for all his new friends, and a change of clothes. And what about his sandbox and his swing set? I think I'd better get a truck / to haul my stuff to school. Accompanied by clear, energetic illustrations, the simple, playful rhyme expresses every kid's fear and excitement about leaving home. Young listeners will enjoy the wild exaggeration and feeling superior as the boy packs up more and more, and they'll recognize his big step forward when he leaves his stuff at home and boards the school bus all by himself. Rochman, Hazel; Title: Off To Kindergarten | [
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17,673 | 0 | PreSchool-KIn this newly illustrated version of the classic song, the ducklings become distracted by creatures in their environs and wander away from their mother. When fewer and fewer of her offspring return, she looks increasingly forlorn and anxious. When the sad mother duck goes out for her final Quack, quack, quack, all of the youngsters return, each one bearing her a gift from their adventures. Batess muted watercolors bring a lively energy, reminiscent of Robert McCloskeys ducklings, to this beloved song. The artists sweet and nostalgic adaptation is unique for its gentle and warm tone. Some young children may confuse the brown markings on the ducklings for mud, but this bit of realism will also help them tell one yellow duck from another.Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. There are two familiar ditties known by the title "Five Little Ducks"; presented here, along with its musical notation, is the counting song about a mother who loses track of her distractible ducklings. British illustrator Bates, whose watercolors resemble those of Sam Williams (Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck, 2000), clearly represents the subtractive concepts as each of five ducklings wanders off one by one, although some young readers may be baffled by Mother's merry continuation despite her diminishing brood. All is swiftly set to rights, though, when Mother's final, plaintive "Quack, quack, quack" brings the prodigal ducklings "waddling back"--each bearing gifts for Mother. Although more literal and visually staid than Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey's version (1989) in the Raffi Songs to Read series, this one's pastel hues will plug especially well into springtime themes, and new perspectives on favorite songs can always find a place in the storytime circuit. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Five Little Ducks | [
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17,674 | 13 | PreSchool-Grade 1When playground jungle-gym animals come to life, new twists are offered to a favorite song. While their mother reads a book on a nearby park bench, a brother and sister go on a fanciful safari and "give a roar" along with a lion, "laugh out loud" with a hyena, and "flap...wings" like a parrot. Warhola's lush watercolor spreads extend the fun. Comical scenes show a pileup on the slide (with the elephant stuck at the top) and a raucous game of leapfrog. Background details provide clues as to which animal will offer the next verse. The jungle stops stirring when the mother announces, "Time to go, kids!" The complete 10 stanzas are included at the end. This exuberant title will liven up any storytime with exotic sights and sounds.Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Warhola adds raucous illustrations to a familiar chant that's perfect for helping preschoolers get the wiggles out. A little boy, his older sister, and their mother arrive at Big Jungle Playground, but it's only after Mom gets lost in the book she has brought that the fun begins. The elephant statue springs to life, tapping its foot to the catchy title refrain. After a moment of surprise, the kids leap into action, as do other animal statues scattered around the playground. Soon everyone (except preoccupied Mom) is part of a joyous chorus--roaring like the lion, jumping like the frog, laughing like the hyena--while the spacious sandlot playground slowly turns into a tropical forest. With a double dose of color and energy, Warhola's gleeful pictures turn the song into a great visual joke. Won't Mom be surprised? Expect plenty of leaping, giggling, and stomping during storytime. Stephanie ZvirinCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: If You're Happy And You Know It | [
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17,675 | 5 | Kindergarten-Grade 2–A pompous knight who sets out to impress a princess by fighting a dragon is foiled by the fact that he can't find one. As the comical fellow searches fruitlessly, Mayhew's descriptive, watercolor cartoons show readers what the clueless knight has missed. This fun and interactive technique is used successfully throughout the story. The search ends when a dragon arrives on the scene and endangers the village and the castle. The happy knight orders his beleaguered squire to get the proper equipment and accessories to help him look the part of the vanquishing hero, including his shiniest armor, a long flowing cloak, and a peacock plume in his visor. When he is finally ready to do battle, the princess has already tamed the beast and there is no danger. This is no surprise to readers who have seen her getting ready all along. In a final twist, she marries the squire and they fly off on its back and lived happily ever after. The major characters are given their own font within the text and large type with boldface is used for important words. This entertaining take on an old premise provides a good but not overbearing lesson, while still being a good read, especially aloud. Other books of this ilk include Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess (Annick, 1986) and Katherine Paterson's The King's Equal (HarperCollins, 1992).–Catherine Callegari, San Antonio Public Library, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: The Knight Who Took All Day | [
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17,676 | 2 | Daisy Meadows has written over one hundred books for children. Her RAINBOW MAGIC series is a New York Times bestseller!; Title: Amber: The Orange Fairy (Rainbow Magic: The Rainbow Fairies, No. 2) | [
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17,677 | 1 | PreSchool-KPippin, a young mouse, cant find one of his yellow socks with the clocks on it anywhere, so Tog, a cat, steps in to help. They turn up socks stuffed in shoes, left in washing machines, and lost behind furniture. They pair them all up but the misplaced yellow one is still not to be found. Finally the friends agree to wear mismatched socks. When Pippin helps Tog take off his boots, they discover that Tog was wearing the missing sock all along. Dunbar tells this story in dialogue and in simple, fluid prose. However, while Resceks watercolors have a sweet and tender tone, the page spreads are overly colorful and busy. The characters, like the socks, are colored in blue, pink, or yellow patterns, and often get lost on the page. Still, hunting for the missing sock is an experience all children can relate to and they might enjoy the mystery with its surprising twist.Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. This rollicking tale of upended laundry baskets and ransacked dresser drawers has, at its center, a familiar household object--a missing sock. Pippin, a chubby blue-and-pink striped creature that appears to be a mouse, can't find his yellow sock with clocks on it. He enlists the aid of his friend Tog, an equally colorful creature (a cat?) to find it, and the pair embarks on a joyful sock hunt, messing up the whole house. In one wacky double-page spread, the animals ponder lost socks as the art shows stretched-out, shrunk, and stinky socks "that nobody wants to know." Once the sock hunt has produced a wealth of mismatched socks, Pippin and Tog set about matching them, with their successful efforts pictured on a four-page foldout that provides a great opportunity for kids to see how colors and patterns match. Rescek's marker-bright illustrations, with socks spilling out in every direction, are delightfully chaotic. Pair this with Lizette's Green Sock (2005), by Catharina Valckx. Connie FletcherCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Where's My Sock? | [
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17,678 | 10 | PreSchool-Grade 2 Expanding on the popular song, Johnson spins the tale of Yodeler Jones, a hound dog who serves nothing but meatballs and spaghetti at his dining establishment. When business begins to slow, Yodeler concocts a brand-new meatball, but before he can taste it, someone sneezes, setting the song into action with the pooch and his animal pals in pursuit of the flyaway meatball. With original text printed in black and the lyrics sprinkled throughout in color, this story successfully marries the two. The loony illustrations, full of color and movement, effectively capture the zaniness. Pair this book with Judi Barrett's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (S & S, 1998) and Ryan SanAngelo's Spaghetti Eddie (Boyds Mills, 2002) for a yummy storytime treat. Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. In this picture-book invitation to a noisy storytime, seasoned author-illustrator Johnson extends songwriter Tom Glazer's classic anthem to spaghetti with an original frame story. When a gimmicky snack shop steals customers from a spaghetti cafe run by a beagle and mouse, the proprietors set out to concoct "the most dee-licious meatball this side of Sicily." Johnson's thickly outlined, ebullient acrylics show the delectable creation launched forth by a giant sneeze, ultimately sprouting into a meatball tree that puts the pasta joint back in the black. Lines from the song appear sandwiched between paragraphs of text, and the discontinuous presentation of the familiar lyrics may initially confuse children. But the slapstick, folksy tone of Johnson's contributions--especially the recurring exclamation, "Pardon my meatball!" as the foodstuff ricochets pinball-style around the community--will help to refocus children's attention from singing to listening. This jaunty offering will undoubtedly enter the sing-along rotation, and will have particular savor on days when spaghetti is on the lunch menu. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: On Top Of Spaghetti | [
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17,679 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1Valentino and Valenteeny, two timid bunnies, admire one another from afar, but their shyness keeps them from speaking. Then each one decides to write the other a letter and mails it in the local hollow log. Later, rain forces a mouse family to take refuge in that very log. To make the spot more comfortable, they shred everything they find, including the two letters. It is only when the bunnies are reduced to tears because they have received no replies to their correspondences that the mice realize what they have done. The sweet resolution to the problem results in a happily-ever-after ending. This is a charming story, perfect for Valentine's Day, though the holiday is never mentioned. The rabbits and mice are endearing characters, drawn in an appealing manner. The double-page picture of the sleeping mice surrounded by paper fragments of Love and Warmth and Exceptional Tenderness is especially enchanting. The large, colorful illustrations and delightful story make this a wonderful storytime selection.Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. Professing one's love and admiration is never easy--even using the old letter-in-a-hollow-log approach. In this sentimental "bunny love story," Valentino (Tino) shyly admires Valenteeny (Teeny) from afar, and she him. They both write flowery letters to each other and hide them in the same hollow log, only to have them shredded as nesting material by a family of mice: "They were snug and safe and surrounded by Love and Warmth and Exceptional Tenderness." The mice, witnessing the eventual sobbing of the forlorn, letterless bunnies, are horrified to discover what they've done and quickly cobble together a new letter for the rabbits, using all the best, warmest words from both notes. Tino and Teeny see that their love is requited after all in an unapologetically happily-ever-after ending. Simply drawn, appealing bunnies and mice gambol through the oversize format. The background of each spread has the look of torn, textured handmade paper scattered with a pressed potpourri of flowers, clovers, and petals, an effect that echoes the flowery nature of this just-in-time-for-Valentine's-Day story. Karin SnelsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Dear Bunny | [
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17,680 | 11 | Grade 3-7Employing his large, trademark cross-section or cut-away style illustrations that are full of detail and bustling small figures, Biesty, supported by Ross, uses the fictional construct of family members traveling to a wedding as a way of exploring various aspects of daily life in Egypt around the year 1230 B.C.E. The main narrative consists of not more than 1000 words, providing the broad outline of the journey and information about the sights along the way. The longer supplementary text includes labels identifying characters and objects in the illustrations; short paragraphs explaining what readers are looking at; and additional paragraphs providing more general information. Of course, the book's raison d'tre is the artwork. Laid out in panoramic spreads, it demonstrates such important subjects as how the Egyptians farmed their land after the annual Nile flood, how their houses were constructed and utilized, and what went on at a busy harbor. Most of the information is available in other books, although such topics as hippo hunts and restrooms are less common. But the amount of detail included in Biesty's illustrations and the attention required to ferret all of it out make the book as visually stimulating as Martin Handford's Where's Waldo titles and almost as useful as the longer, more architectural books by David Macaulay. Librarians might be reduced to using magnifying glasses, but students with sharp eyes and an interest in ancient Egypt will have no trouble extracting what they want to know.Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 2-4. It isn't always easy to parse the intricate, sliced-and-diced diagrams of illustrator Biesty's cross-section books, which have covered a variety of subjects. But even newcomers to the books will quickly see the advantages of the versatile premise, which not only allows readers to see cross-sections of structures and landscapes but also demonstrates how a single layer, such as the uppermost contour of a limestone quarry, might change over time. In this title, which takes readers back to Ramses II-era Egypt, a slight story about a young boy's first trip down the Nile with his merchant father links 10 featured sites, each of which is minutely rendered and elaborately annotated with facts, commentary, and labeled pointers that locate recurring characters within the busy tableau. Particularly appealing to children will be the tiny, visual vignettes that contribute amusing levity to the epic goings-on; on almost every spread, there's at least one person (or animal) relieving itself. This isn't as scholarly as David Macaulay's Pyramid (1975), but many young readers will prefer this book's lavish colors and entertaining seek-and-find elements. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Egypt: In Spectacular Cross-section | [
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17,681 | 11 | I want people to open the books and say, “WOW! Look at this!”Caldecott-Award winner, David Diaz was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. He has been an illustrator and graphic designer for more than 20 years, and is recognized for his dynamic work in national publications, popular products, and literary works for children and adults alike. He lives with his wife, Cecelia, in Carlsbad, California.; Title: Rin, Rin, Rin/do, Re, Mi (Lee y Seras) | [
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17,682 | 18 | Grade 5-8Readers can imagine 1219 stories of individual hardship when they read about the events of 1871 when an entire fleet of whaling ships was lost to Arctic ice. Beyond the challenges of whaling itself, the amazing part of this story is that all of the passengers and crew of this expedition survived. Why did 32 of the 39 captains ignore the Inuit's warnings of an early winter? Could they have saved the ships and their valuable harvest if they had waited out the weather? Was abandoning everything to save their lives the only option? What were their thoughts as they endured an 80-mile journey in sub-zero temperatures to reach rescue ships? Sandler uses strings of questions to emphasize the uncertainty of the circumstances and build suspense. Reproduced in frigid blue, primary documents including maps, photos, and period paintings represent the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Nine informational insets provide details about such subjects as whales, harpoons, and whaleboats. Although they tend to be terse, quotes from captains and crew contextualize the events. Like the ships that hunted whales, there are few embellishments. Still, the circumstances of this adventure, the history of whaling, and the specifics of the rescue are sensational. While mixing the terms Eskimo and Inuit is culturally insensitive, and the financial loss would be more profound if the author had converted 1871 dollars into contemporary values, this is a gripping combination of survival story and history.Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 5-8. In the 1800s, whaling was an important, profitable enterprise: sperm oil was used for fuel, and whalebone was turned into a number of useful products. Whaling was also dangerous. In 1871, people aboard 32 whaling ships discovered just how dangerous Arctic waters could be after they ignored warnings of an early winter. As conditions worsened, the ships were trapped by ice, forcing the 1,219 people to abandon the vessels or die. Sandler's account of this true story is both informative and absorbing, describing key players and their difficult journey as well as whaling history and technique. Well-chosen illustrations and side notes on such topics as life aboard ship and women at sea extend readers' understanding. While Sandler's use of accounts from journals and ships' logs is exemplary, adding immediacy and color to his narrative, his failure to cite his own sources is an unfortunate oversight. Appended are a further reading list and a glossary. For more real-life sea adventures in wintry, watery climes, suggest Jennifer Armstrong's Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World (2000). Krista HutleyCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Trapped In Ice!: An Amazing True Whaling Adventure | [
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17,683 | 2 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Christmas Angel (Clifford's Puppy Days) | [
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17,684 | 2 | Gr. 5-8. On first glance, this story of how Kris Kringle came to live at the North Pole, surrounded by toy-making elves, sounds like the premise for a lighthearted cartoon. It is anything but. The boy Kringle lives in a dark wood in a dark age with Merwen, the old woman who has taken care of him since his mother died in childbirth. On the longest day of the year, the goblins come to enslave children. Kringle barely escapes, but Merwen is captured. So begins Kringle's long journey to find her, during which he learns his true purpose, after being rescued by elves, who aid him in the inevitable battle against evil. Framed in a world of cold and with religious overtones, the fantasy recalls C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In the end, Kringle triumphs and vows to make the year's longest day, which marks the birth of the Child, a happy one for children. Told in a come-nearer voice, this epic could have used some tightening, but the enticing premise, appealing young hero, and nonstop action will appeal to many fantasy lovers. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reservedSLJ 10/1/05ABBOTT, Tony. Kringle. illus. by Greg Call. 338p. Scholastic. Oct. 2005. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-439-74942-5. LC number unavailable.Gr 4-6–In northern Britain in the early fifth century, a boy named Kringle and an old woman named Merwen live in an isolated cottage. When they are attacked by goblins, Kringle runs away, meets friendly shoe-repairing elves and pirates, and above all makes it his mission to rescue Merwen and hundreds of children. This fantasy combines magic (elven runes and flying reindeer), history (the end of the Roman occupation figures prominently, as does a certain Brother Alban), theology (Kringle is fascinated to learn about baby Jesus and his family), and a good dose of imagination to come up with a delightful explanation of the origins of our present-day Santa Claus. Fantasy readers will enjoy this tale year-round, despite the reindeer and holly on the cover.–E. M.10/1/05BooklistAbbott, Tony. Kringle. Oct. 2005. 352p. Scholastic, $14.99 (0-439-74942-5).Gr. 5–8. On first glance, this story of how Kris Kringle came to live at the North Pole, surrounded by toy-making elves, sounds like the premise for a lighthearted cartoon. It is anything but. The boy Kringle lives in a dark wood in a dark age with Merwen, the old woman who has taken care of him since his mother died in childbirth. On the longest day of the year, the goblins come to enslave children. Kringle barely escapes, but Merwen is captured. So begins Kringle's long journey to find her, during which he learns his true purpose, after being rescued by elves, who aid him in the inevitable battle against evil. Framed in a world of cold and with religious overtones, the fantasy recalls C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In the end, Kringle triumphs and vows to make the year's longest day, which marks the birth of the Child, a happy one for children. Told in a come-nearer voice, this epic could have used some tightening, but the enticing premise, appealing young hero, and nonstop action will appeal to many fantasy lovers. ––Ilene CooperVOYADarkness lurks outside twelve-year-old Kringle's forest hut, the darkness of winter and of the goblins who pursue him. As the Romans withdraw from Britain and Norse invaders approach, the goblins kidnap children to power the mysterious Grunding, a war machine with which they plan to take over the world. Thrust into the role of rescuer, Kringle enlists the help of elves, pirates (Norsemen), and even reindeer as he travels north to confront the evil menace. Readers are hearing about Santa Claus, of course, but a Santa far removed from the commercial clichE. Abbott, author of the popular series Secrets of Droon, reimagines the old elf in a fresh and invigorating way. Like the archetypal hero, Kringle begins as a naOve boy and grows into his role. Familiar elements of the Christmas story-the elves, the sleigh, the North Pole home-fit convincingly into the book's internal logic. There are battles and blood, but the gentle narration of old Brother Alban balances these with incidents of goodness and compassion. Alban teaches Kringle about the Christ Child, so that, without a hint of preachiness, the religious significance of the season is integrated into the story. The plot could use some tightening, but that is a minor quibble. The book will have wide appeal for fantasy lovers and Narnia fans as well as seasonal browsers attracted by a beautiful cover and classy, gold-edged pages. Public libraries especially will want multiple copies of what should become a holiday family classic. -Kathleen Beck...HBGHorn Book Guide(January 1, 2006; 0-439-74942-5; 978-0-439-74942-8)In an elaborate, saccharine fantasy, Abbott explains how a boy named Kringle joins the elves, frees humanity from terror by defeating evil kidnapping goblins, and grows up to be the famous Christmas gift-give; Title: Kringle | [
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17,685 | 13 | Grade 3-5Nine-year-old Tess believes in Santatruly believes. And on Christmas Eve, she gets to see the magic: the animals talk and Santa, the real Santa, arrives. But will he save Tess's best friend's father from dying of cancer? Tess learns about magic, miracles, and the power of hope in a satisfying story that mostly avoids sentimentality and an excess of Christmas sparkle. A full-page, decorative black-and-white watercolor painting opens each chapter.Susan Patron, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Even though Tess is eight, she still believes in Santa, and she's particularly anxious to see him this year because she has a special request. Her friend Sarah's father is ill with cancer, and Tess thinks Santa will work his magic to save him. Set in 1958, this story harkens back to a simpler time and captures the magic of belief. It is at its best when Tess (who sounds older than eight) describes her small-town life, punctuated by the activity of the holidays. The sadness Sarah is feeling is effectively portrayed, as are the musings about the mystical. But when Santa actually appears, the mix of the everyday and the supernatural seems strained. The story also moves in fits and starts: the first two-thirds of the book are expansive, but the rest seems cramped with a whole year's events. Yet despite problems with plotting and pacing, Martin's writing can be enticing, reaching out to readers. There are difficult as well as lovely things to think about here. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: On Christmas Eve | [
17368
] | Train |
17,686 | 2 | Lauren Brooke is the author of the hit Heartland series.Working Partners has developed several bestselling series, including Heartland, Rainbow Magic, and Warriors.; Title: Playing for Keeps (Chestnut Hill #4) | [
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17,687 | 14 | Cecily Kaiser has written many books for children, including If You're Angry and You Know It. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.; Title: On The First Night Of Chanukah | [
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] | Train |
17,688 | 9 | Jeremy Brown is the author of the CRIME FILES: FOUR-MINUTE FORENSIC MYSTERIES series and the crime thriller SUCKERPUNCH.; Title: Crime Files: Four-minute Forensic Mysteries: Body of Evidence | [
17708
] | Train |
17,689 | 2 | Jane Yolen is the beloved author of more than 350 books for children and adults, including award-winning picture books, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The books in her bestselling How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? series have sold more than 14 million copies. She lives in Western Massachusetts.Mark Teague is the award-winning children's book author and illustrator of his own bestselling Dear Mrs. LaRue series, as well as The Sky Is Falling, The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf, The Tree House That Jack Built by Bonnie Verburg, and many other humorous picture books. His illustrated novel, The Doom Machine, received excellent reviews. Mark lives in the Hudson River Valley with his wife and their two daughters.; Title: Como comen los dinosaurios? (How Do Dinosaurs…) (Spanish Edition) | [
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17,690 | 0 | Barbara McClintock's distinguished books have four times been honored as NEW YORK TIMES Best Illustrated Children's Books.; Title: When Mindy Saved Hanukkah (Scholastic Bookshelf) | [
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17,691 | 2 | KAORI WATANABE has illustrated My First Taggies Book: Sweet Dreams and My First Taggies Book: I Love You. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.; Title: My First Taggies Book: Princess | [
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] | Train |
17,692 | 12 | "Terban explains the meanings and origins (if known) of more than 600 idioms and proverbs in this intriguing book." (Booklist, March 15,1996)"Reference tools may be a dime a dozen in this dog-eat-dog world, but here's a soup-to-nuts dictionary of colloquialisms that doesn't beat around the bush...an appealing browse as well as useful (and perhaps unique) resource for kids baffled by the intricacies of the English language." (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July/August 1996)"From 'ace up your sleeve' to 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' this introduction to idiomatic phrases, sayings, and expressions is clear and easy to use." (School Library Journal, May 1996)Marvin Terban is a bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books for children, most of them about the English language. Called a "master of wordplay" by the American Library Association's Booklist and "Mr. English for Kids" by the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club, Marvin is truly an expert on teaching the art of language. For over 40 years, Marvin has taught English, Latin, Public Speaking, Theater, and other subjects at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City.; Title: Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms | [
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17,693 | 0 | IT'S DO OR DIE FOR THE THIRD-GRADE DETECTIVES!Todd and Noelle are volunteering at the blood drive when they get shocking new: Both banks in town have been robbed! This may be the Third-Grade Detectives' most important case yet. The new police chief doesn't think he needs help from a bunch of third graders to solve crimes, and if the kids can't prove him wrong, their detective careers may be over.The trouble is, the thief hasn't left any clues, except for a discarded sweaty handkerchief. Yuck! Can something so disgusting provide the lead the Detectives need?; Title: The Case of the Sweaty Bank Robber (Third-Grade Detectives, #9) | [
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17,694 | 2 | Grade 4-6The 11-year-old Covenant twins approach their family's move to the ancient Argo Manor on the British coast differently. Julia sees their new home as remote, and without the comforts of a nearby mall. Jason, on the other hand, feels an immediate sense of danger and mystery lurking behind the manor's stony walls. After befriending local kid Rick Banner, the three stumble on a mystery. The building's previous occupant, eccentric Ulysses Moore, left behind clues and codes to unlock a hidden ancient wooden door. Using their unique talents, the children must discover the secrets hidden deep beneath the house and find the truth behind the disappearance of the enigmatic Moore. The book ends with an unfair cliffhanger that brings the story to a halt just as the supernatural elements of the tale come into play. Filled with black-and-white photographs and mysterious illustrations drawn on top of documents and letters, this Italian import is bound to appeal to those kids who like tangible clues mixed into their fantasy novels. Children desperate for stories similar to Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's The Spiderwick Chronicles (S & S) will find much to love in this overly familiar but likable series.Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 4-6. After moving with their parents from London to Argo Manor, an enormous old house on the southwest coast of England, 11-year-old twins Jason and Julia befriend Rick, a local boy. Together, the three children explore the house under the watchful eye of its caretaker, Nestor, who knows its secrets but leaves the kids to make their own discoveries. When they follow the clues into hidden rooms and secret passageways, they realize that dangerous paths can lead to wondrous discoveries. On a couple of pages before the title page, the publishers engage in some fictional folderol about Michael Merryweather, a Scholastic editor traveling in England who has found and translated an encoded manuscript and now urges his colleagues to "get this out to the children of America." According to the copyright page, the text was actually translated from a 2004 Italian edition written by Pierdomenico Baccalario, making Ulysses Moore a pseudonym. Possibly appealing to children who have graduated from the Magic Tree House series, the book offers a well-paced adventure story, attractive line drawings, and the promise of many time-travel fantasies to come in the series. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Ulysses Moore #1: The Door to Time | [
17697
] | Validation |
17,695 | 1 | Praise for Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey"[An] entirely satisfying story. [The artist] has a wonderful knack for making Miguel's multicultural urban neighborhood friendly and cheery." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; Title: Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey (Scholastic Bookshelf: Holiday) | [
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17,696 | 2 | DEBBIE DADEY and MARCIA THORNTON JONES came up with the idea for The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids when they both worked at a school in Lexington, Kentucky. Today Debbie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Marcia and her husband still live in Kentucky.; Title: Mrs. Jeepers' Scariest Halloween Ever (The Bailey School Kids Super Special #7) | [
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17,697 | 2 | Grade 4-7Eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia and their friend Rick are caught up in an adventure in space and time in this second volume in the series. Back home at Argo Manor, Julia and the aged butler, Nestor, confront a thug in the employ of the nefarious Oblivia Newton while the boys, stuck in ancient Egypt, try to follow the clues to a long-lost map in order to return home. With the help of Maruk, the daughter of Egypt's high priest, and Mammon (also known as Lucifer), who runs the Shop of Long-Lost Maps, the boys race against time to find the Room That Isn't There, unaware that Ms. Newton is also on the hunt. The story seesaws between past and present, weaving together the adventures of Julia, the boys, and Ms. Newton. Baccalario's pages are so full of action and his pace is so breathless that readers may not realize, until the boys themselves do at book's end, that the map's importance is still unexplained. Clever street urchins, a pet crocodile, an ancient ballad, and the allegedly dead Ulysses Moore, the manor's previous occupant, all figure into the excitement. Paced like a Hollywood thrillerIndiana Jones from a kid's-eye viewThe Long-Lost Map sacrifices character development and literary verve for nonstop excitement, which it provides in spades. Recommend this one to those students who have worn out their copies of Lemony Snicket's books and Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles (S & S).Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 4-6. The follow-up to the time-travel story Door to Time (2005), in the Ulysses Moore series, starts out with a bang: Jason and Rick find themselves in ancient Egypt, while Julia, magically locked out of their adventure, is back home at Argo Manor in Cornwall. Soon allied with an Egyptian girl, Jason and Rick follow clues and try to elude the nefarious Oblivia Newton. Meanwhile, back at the manor, Julia and Argo Manor's caretaker, Nestor, fend off Oblivia's loathsome henchman. The story ping-pongs between settings until the characters are reunited near the book's end. The last chapter points toward the next volume in the series. The characters are clearly delineated, but adventure is prime here. The illustrations (including handsome pencil drawings) at the beginnings of chapters have a three-dimensional quality in keeping with the book's pretense that readers are looking at the recovered manuscripts of the mysterious Ulysses Moore. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Ulysses Moore #2: The Long-Lost Map | [
17694
] | Train |
17,698 | 2 | Grade 2-5Santa tours the world every year, but Mrs. Claus never goes anywhere. Fed up, she hitches a reindeer to the sleigh, promises to be back by Christmas Eve, and heads off on her own world tour. Santa is filled with anxiety (Mrs. Claus isn't used to warm weather. She'll get sunburned!). Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus and a reindeer are having a splendid time. But she begins to miss her husband, and when she starts seeing signs of Christmas everywhere, decides to head home. After a lovely reunion, it's time for Santa to start out on his yearly rounds, and this time he invites her to come along for the ride. From the postcard-inspired cover to the sweetly romantic finale, Alsenas's acrylic illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the tender tale. Mrs. Claus is plump and jolly, and her adventures exuberantly fill entire spreads. Santa, whose pictures are framed with holiday symbols, is a little smaller and sadder. All of the characters have wonderfully expressive faces, and there are plenty of fun details. A great addition to any seasonal storytime.Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Mrs. Claus Takes A Vacation | [
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17,699 | 14 | Kindergarten-Grade 4This intimate look at Santa's preparations for the big day starts with a tingling in his whiskers, which means that Christmas magic will soon arrive. Readers see the white-haired gent taking care of all the mundane chores: grooming the reindeer, darning his warm socks, shining the sleigh, and selecting and packing the gifts. When all is ready, the magic comes and Santa flies off to share it with the world. Muth's haunting watercolor and pastel illustrations bring the simple story to magical life. Santa's bunny slippers are a particularly charming touch. Best for one-on-one or small-group sharing, this gentle and lovely book is sheer enchantment.Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library ENDChildren get a different Santa than they are used to in a book that focuses on the quiet preparation that leads to Christmas. Far, far north, this Santa Claus is not a jolly old elf, but rather a thin, subdued fellow in a blue suit. Theres no Mrs. Clauswell, Santa darns his own socksnor are there busy elves. Just reindeer called home from a snowy wilderness who are fed parsnips and berries before their long journey. Alone, Santa readies his sleigh and visits a room with toys, where he picks one for each boy and girl in his book. Finally the night thrums with magic, and Santa embarks on his vast journey. Its the air of magic and mystery, which prevails in both text and art, that will capture childrens interest and allow them to accept a Santa who is not the norm. This is primarily true in the majestic outdoor spreads that are all stars and snow and sing of unknown possibilities. But even the cozy indoor scenes have a slightly unsettling feel that will intrigue readers. A new take on an iconic figure. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper; Title: The Christmas Magic | [
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