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27,900 | 0 | PreSchool-Grade 1-Otto is a small robot that rides on Peanut the Elephant's back. The huffing and puffing monkeys, Flip and Flop, join it for the ride. Along the way, other animals climb up, until Spec the bug hops on and Peanut collapses. Otto then bangs together a wagon to pull Peanut and off they go to play in the water. The simple and predictable story is told as much through the bold illustrations as through the very brief and easy text. It follows the stated guidelines of the series with word repetition, simple sentences, and familiar words and phrases. Flowing much like a "Dick and Jane" primer with added humor, this tale will appeal to fledgling readers.Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.David Milgrim thinks robots, for the most part, take themselves much too seriously. He hopes that his Otto series will inspire robots to get out, have some fun, and make some friends. David's other inspirational books include My Friend Lucky; Here in Space; and Cows Can't Fly, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice Winner. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife, Kyra, and their baby son, Wyatt, who has lots of fun tearing out the pages of his daddy's books.; Title: Ride Otto Ride! (ROCKET POWER READY-TO-READ) | [
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27,901 | 15 | "Nickle brushes on five-alarm acrylics to set the stage for Barrett's energetically loony look at superlatives," wrote PW. "The resulting delicious absurdities should inspire both giggles and creativity in readers." Ages 3-7.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc."(An) energetically loony look at superlatives". Publishers Weekly; Title: Things That Are Most in the World | [
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27,902 | 1 | Writing a fun, cute book about dogs (or cats) can be just another lazy swing at a big fat pitch, but Erika Oller and Lesla Newman don't slack off a bit in their (yes, fun and cute) sequel to Cats, Cats, Cats!Newman's lolling, rhyming words follow an urban pack through a day's adventures--from "a pickup game of hoops" to "climbing up and down a row of stoops." But the blue ribbon goes to Oller, for her personality sketches in watercolor that catch scores of varied canines in all their glorious dogness: a hilarious toothy dachshund attempts to gorge himself to proverbial dog heaven on a "big, delicious bone"; a bow-bedecked poodle pants approvingly at a hair stylist as the pack struts through a salon; a lively procession of dog-shaped blurs hurls itself into a lake for laps (before Newman finishes off the rhyme with "dogs taking naps").Sure, kids can practice their counting as the band of dogs grows one by one to 10 (and then back again), but any education here will be incidental at best--or at least secondary to giggling and doggy impersonations. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesThe sequel to Cat, Cats, Cats!, Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! by Leslea Newman, illus. by Erika Oller, chronicles dogs-about-town in translucent watercolors that give the pooches personality and their fur texture. Once the pack numbers 10, they play in the park, then count down, one by one, as each dog heads home. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! | [
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27,903 | 2 | "Kirkus Review" Grabs hold of your heart and never lets goAndrew Clements is the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he has been nominated for a multitude of state awards,including two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He is also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. He lives with his wife in Maine and has four grown children. Visit him at AndrewClements.com.; Title: The Report Card | [
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27,904 | 11 | Grade 48Dramatic paintings and lucid prose highlight this excellent history of skyscrapers. Nearly every spread features a full page of text opposite an impressive acrylic illustration. Thus, a page turn reveals another striking construction as the text proceeds chronologically. Precise lines and deft coloring convey the elegance and grandeur of the buildings. Carefully varied composition reveals full views, key sections, or from-the-ground-up perspectives, helping readers grasp the essence of each construction. Clean, stylized renderings make each skyscraper clearly distinct from others shown, and the main elements of the different architectural styles are easy to identify. Curlee covers a lot of ground, from early multistory buildings in Chicago and New York to the latest ambitious plans for new record-breaking towers. He offers useful historical context and relates how architectural artistry and technology impacted skyscrapers through the decades. Well-chosen quotations, used as section headings and within the text, show diverse opinions, ideas, and reactions related to this sometimes-controversial field. When buildings are described without illustrations, the significant elements are still easy to follow through the words. The powerful effect of the full-color paintings is substantial, though, and works with the text to introduce the magnificence of skyscrapers in a way that readers will understand and remember.Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Curlee, whose Brooklyn Bridge (2001) was selected as a Sibert Honor Book, explores more large structures in this picture-book overview of skyscrapers--a "uniquely American invention." She moves from the first skyscrapers, which rose in the aftermath of the Chicago fire, through the contemporary building scene (9/11 is briefly mentioned), and the soaring towers planned for the future. In each example, Curlee introduces landmark buildings and the engineering advances that made them possible, as well as thoughts about how these buildings affect the ways society lives and works. The format, which features dense, lengthy passages of text, may initially deter some readers. However, the clear, organized narrative, spiced with quotes from famous designers, makes the architectural history thrilling, and children will be enticed by Curlee's stunning acrylic paintings, which showcase the buildings in austere, glowing portraits. Pages summarizing the development of skyscraper technology, and a cleverly rendered chronology of the world's tallest buildings, add further visual appeal. Match this with Susan Goodman's Skyscraper (2004) and the titles listed in "The Art of Construction," a bibliography published in the December 15, 2000, issue of Booklist. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Skyscraper | [
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27,905 | 18 | Launching the Brave Kids chapter book series, this morsel of historical fiction springs from a memoir by Cora Frear, born in 1887 and raised on the Iowa prairie. The tale opens as Cora's father, a doctor, invites her to accompany him on a buggy ride to visit an ailing patient. Cora, who often acts as her father's assistant, eagerly accepts. After spying dark clouds and a red glow in the sky behind them, Cora realizes that a prairie fire is heading their way. Her father decides to set a backfire he will sear a patch of grass that, reduced to ash, will serve as a "blessed island of safety" when the prairie fire approaches. The doctor's single match fails to ignite, but Cora manages to find one last remaining match in her father's cast-off vest pocket. The scene is set for high drama, but Goodman's (Animal Rescue) bland prose doesn't do justice to the duo's peril or anguish: "The fire was burning around them. The temperature was almost unbearable. The heat seemed to last forever." An afterword amplifies the historical setting. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 6-9. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Grade 2-3-This brief story is based on actual events in the life of a girl who grew up in late-19th-century Iowa. When the 10-year-old and her doctor father are caught in a prairie fire on their way to treat a sick baby, their energy and resourcefulness save their lives. An afterword tells about the real Cora Frear Hawkins and provides background regarding women's roles. Goodman's straightforward style calls to mind the work of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and provides the action that beginning chapter-book readers require. The short format perfectly fits this depiction of an episode out of history. Ettlinger's black-and-white full-page pictures illustrate historical detail. The story makes a great stepping stone for readers not quite ready for the "Dear America" or "My Name Is America" series (Scholastic).Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Cora Frear | [
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27,906 | 2 | "Seven with one blow!" Well, that's quite a brave little seamstress, isn't it? To characterize Mary Pope Osborne and Giselle Potter's fairy tale as a mere Grimm Brothers' rehash is to miss the point entirely. Although the pair has repurposed Grimm's The Brave Little Tailor to more feminist ends, they've hung onto the story's most grisly details while seamlessly slipping in a plucky heroine to brilliant effect.As in Grimm, the action begins when our sweet seamster takes down a passel of houseflies with a well-aimed swat. She then commemorates that action in delicate embroidered script on her walking coat. ("Seven with one blow!") Buoyed by confidence and cleverness, the seamstress then almost accidentally makes short work of a giant, then two giants, then a unicorn, and even a wild boar, all just by "following her nose."With this return engagement of the creators behind Kate and the Beanstalk, Osborne and Pope seem to be giving fairytale history a feminist makeover, one character at a time. Unleashing the same sass and spirit that lit up the pages of their first team effort, the collaborators here present a stalwart seamstress who, after slaying seven flies, embroiders "Seven with One Blow!" on the back of her favorite pink coat. She quickly decides that "her little workshop was far too small to contain her valor" and so sets off into the wide world, where her advertisement is repeatedly misinterpreted in a series of amusing encounters. When she's mistaken for a "woman warrior," for instance, her no-nonsense approach prompts two giants to polish each other off. Potter joins in the fun when she portrays the seamstress using her red-toned coat toreador-style to lure a unicorn into captivity. In a clever twist on the denouement, when a greedy king reneges on his promise to the heroine, Osborne sends an admiring knight to warn the seamstress, who then delivers the king's comeuppance and wins both his kingdom and the hand of the knight (she proposes, naturally). Osborne's jaunty retelling ("Her heart wagged with joy like the tail of a lamb") acts as the ideal springboard for Potter's wry illustrations, a comely pastiche of droll, spindly-legged characters and pastoral settings rendered in the same soft earth tones that marked their debut outing. This briskly imaginative romp will sew up fans' allegiance and gear them up for this pair's next Grimm makeover. All ages.; Title: The Brave Little Seamstress | [
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27,907 | 2 | Grade 2 Up-Miracles (big and small) and family stories are celebrated in this charming tale. Owen Block, aged six and a half, has just been named O.C.L.-Official Candle Lighter. Each night, as he performs his duty, he listens to Grandma Karen's cozy stories of family life. One tale is of a soldier from Iowa whose search for a miracle to save his dying wife leads him to call every Jewish name in his hometown phone book (all five of them) to ask the family to pray, with happy results. The holiday acts more as framework for these small vignettes than as the main event, but various traditional activities are explored. A brief retelling of the Hanukkah legend and blessings in Hebrew, English, and transliteration appear at the end of the book. McElmurry's gouache illustrations add a light, humorous touch. Adults will appreciate the lessons gracefully imparted, and children will enjoy the silliness of Grandma's fanciful, zany family stories. Readers will recall this title long after the holiday has passed.-M. A.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.K-Gr. 2. Owen is named the family's official Hanukkah candle lighter, and along with every candle comes a story. Grandma Karen tells about a girl who grows up to be a rabbi; a soldier who persuaded Jewish families to pray for the health of his wife; a young woman who earned enough money to buy her own horse. Spinner drops subtle hints (perhaps too subtle for the audience) that the characters in the stories are members of Owen's family, but by the end of celebration the links become clear--though no one is saying if the alien creature in one story is also part of the family. With seven stories to tell, the text is long, but the inclusion of the alien piece is a nice break from family lore, and familial warmth helps diffuse the sometimes rather earnest tales. Gouache paintings in framed borders further lighten the mood. Such whimsical pictures as a young Grandma riding into the sky on her horse and clever design elements help integrate the bedtime stories with Owen's happy Hanukkah. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: It's a Miracle!: A Hanukkah Storybook | [
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27,908 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 2-In this appealing follow-up to Bear Snores On (S & S, 2002), it is spring, Bear is awake, and he is hungry. Several of his animal friends take him to places where he can get food, "But the bear wants more!" Finally, he heads home, where others have organized a party for him, but he has eaten so much that he gets stuck in his own doorway. After being pried out, he eats more and falls asleep, but now "his friends want more!" The rollicking, rhyming text flows smoothly, and the repeated refrain will have youngsters chiming right in. The acrylic illustrations are brightly colored, and the creatures, although they are sweetly appealing and use tools, look distinctly like wild animals; the details are wonderful. The layout alternates between full-bleed spreads and single-page pictures, some of which are also full bleed, while others are in a circle. This format works well to move the story along, and encourages page turns. This simple, gentle story, with its short text, large graphics, and reference to hibernation, will work well in storytimes for young preschoolers, and will fill teachers' demands for seasonal tales.Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CTCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. What happens after a bear breaks the fast of hibernation? In this rhyming follow-up to Bear Snores On (2002), Bear emerges as a lean, mean, eating machine. His animal friends help him find food, and he munches his way through the forest. As his grub crawl proceeds, both the words of the refrain ("But the bear wants more!") and Bear himself increase in size. Other friends busily plan a party for Bear back at his lair. Later all the friends must work together to pry the overfed, very stuck Bear from the entrance to his den. The story is fun and funny, but it takes a backseat to the illustrations. Chapman's acrylic paintings have a freshly washed look that conveys the newness of spring, and they are layered with delightful comic touches--Bear's increasing girth, his friends' bemused expressions, and the flower crown he wears at his picnic, after which he falls asleep. Now Bear is "full, full, full . . . but . . . his friends want more." An appealing romp about springtime and friendship. Connie FletcherCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Bear Wants More (The Bear Books) | [
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27,909 | 1 | Old Cricket didn't get to be a ripe old age "by being a dumb bug." No, sir. When his wife asks him to ready their roof for the winter, he fakes a knee injury to weasel out of it. When she sends him off to Doc Hopper, he hobbles out of the house "with a creak-creak-creak in case his missus was watching." On his way, he meets up with his cousin Katydid, who needs help with some berry-picking. He fakes yet another ailment--a crick in his neck--and wobbles off "with a creak-creak-creak, and a crick-crick-crick, in case Katydid was watching." All (meaning Old Cricket's nap) would have gone according to plan, surely, if the bug didn't encounter Old Crow, a bird who didn't get to be a ripe old age "by being a birdbrain." Old Crow wants to eat Old Cricket, and by the time our leggy anti-hero escapes the crow's clutches, the conniving cricket has developed some very real ailments. The team behind the wonderful Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea succeeds again in creating a delightfully clever read-aloud with plenty of rhythm, repetition, and winning wordplay. Ponder Goembel's skillful, larger-than-life illustrations (my, what hairy legs the crickets have!) suit the good-natured fable to a T. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonK-Gr. 2. "Old Cricket woke up feeling cranky. And crotchety. And cantankerous." Not wanting to fix the roof, he tells his wife he has a creak in his knee. On his way to the doctor (but really on his way to a nap), he encounters neighbors who ask for his help. Each time Old Cricket comes up with another ailment. When Old Crow awakens him, inquiring, "Have you come to be my lunch?" the trickster cricket makes up another story. But Old Crow doesn't fall for the fibs, and almost succeeds in making Old Cricket his lunch. A wild chase ends with an exhausted, now really ailing cricket on the doctor's doorstep. Doc fixes him up, then sends him home, where his wife charges him with fixing the roof. Wheeler invests her delightful tale with all the characteristics of a good fable, and Goembel's sharp, highly detailed acrylic artwork gives a clever, humorous bug's-eye view of the world. The rich language, well-drawn characters, and strong plot deliver loads of opportunities for tie-ins with the language arts curriculum. Lauren PetersonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Old Cricket | [
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27,910 | 2 | A mouse takes to the dance floor and overcomes her shyness in a "gently paced story that is sweetly inspirational," said PW. All ages.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Petra Mathers, creator of the Lottie's World picture book series, as well as many other picture books, lives in Astoria, Oregon.; Title: Sophie And Lou | [
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27,911 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3Jenny, who first appeared as an energetic big sister in Henry's First-Moon Birthday (S & S, 2001), is back, participating in her uncle's nuptials. The child loves being his special girl and is having difficulty with the idea of sharing him with a new aunt. Look perfectly captures the child's envy and jealousy as the bride becomes the center of attention. As the family gathers to celebrate, readers learn about many of the traditions associated with the ceremony, including bargaining for the bride, wearing red for good luck, and bed-jumping. The busy day has a sweet resolution as Stella chooses Jenny to release a box full of butterflies and thanks her for sharing her uncle. The child responds with a hug and welcomes the bride into the family. Heo's child-inspired illustrations contribute to the story's strong appeal with lively colors, perspectives, and details that accentuate both Jenny's feelings and the wedding traditions. A delightful invitation to learn more about Chinese traditions.Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* K-Gr. 2. Rituals, both solemn and fun, once again form a backdrop for universal emotions about family and change in this companion to Henry's First-Moon Birthday (2001). Jenny's Chinese American family is attending the wedding of favorite cousin Peter, whose focus on the big day makes his possessive niece feel like "an umbrella turned inside out." Her sense of abandonment erupts in a stunt involving ceremonial tea leaves, but eventually it subsides through tender gestures from both bride and groom and the giddy excitement of participating. Among many kid-oriented activities, Jenny accompanies the groom to collect his red-silk-clad bride: "Two hundred years ago, he would carry her on his back. But today he is using his car." Such references to Chinese traditions emerge naturally throughout, as do allusions to what happens after the wedding (though the significance of things such as red-bean-and-tapioca "fertility soup" will puzzle most kids). Jenny's idiosyncratic voice is as distinctive as Heo's faux-naif mixed-media compositions, in which the artist's signature scatterings of patterns and symbols appropriately suggest the shower of rice (or, in this case, birdseed and butterflies) at a wedding's grand finale. For more on nuptial traditions, pull out Ellen Jackson's Here Come the Brides! (1998) and Gary Soto's Snapshots from the Wedding (1997). Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding | [
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27,912 | 0 | David Milgrim once met a robot who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle and return to a simpler life. He is the inspiration for this story. David's other books include My Friend Lucky; Here in Space; and Cows Can't Fly, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice Winner. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife, Kyra, and their infant son, Wyatt, who has already eaten three copies of See Otto.; Title: See Otto (ROCKET POWER READY-TO-READ) | [
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27,913 | 2 | What's a teacher to do when all of the students in her class have the same first name? In this offbeat alphabet book, Mrs. Tuttle has found what she believes is an easy solution. Mrs. T. distinguishes the 25 Matthews in her kindergarten by associating the first letter of each boy's last name with one of his attributes. For example, "Matthew A. is affectionate" and "Matthew G. has trouble with glue." By the penultimate page, readers have met the entire class, save for the new kid: a boy named Matthew (of course) who takes his place in the line-up right after Matthew Y. and is sporting lots of zippers. Following a fairly standard ABC-book template, each page is devoted to a letter that's featured in an upperhand corner. Throughout, Catalanotto (Emily's Art) makes a departure from his customary, portrait-flavored style and employs more playful lines and shapes in buoyantly hued watercolors. The artist's often wacky depictions of what makes each Matthew special (Matthew F. has a cat on his face; Matthew R. has freckles in the shape of a rhinoceros) offer kids plenty of laughs and, perhaps, new ways to look at their own classmates. Ages 4-6.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.reSchool-Grade 1-There are 25 Matthews in Mrs. Tuttle's class. Following the time-honored tradition, the teacher adds the first letter of their last names to identify the boys. Conveniently, each one has a different initial and a unique characteristic that helps her keep track of the right Matthew. Some letters have cozy traits (A. is affectionate); others grasp frantically for a trait (F. has a cat on his face, R. is freckled with a rhinoceros). A few letters have the dumb and dumber appeal-L. leaks (a serious runny nose is illustrated), N. is nearly naked, and X. swallowed the xylophone. When a 26th student arrives, his name is Matthew and his clothes are covered with zippers. Though there is unquestionable kid appeal in this curious concept book, caregivers may wonder about J. who works a night job and poor E. who forgets how to eat and is illustrated mashing a spoonful of food onto his forehead. The watercolor paintings are rendered with a full brush and or many layers of color with some pages appearing a bit muddy. There are touches of wit to amuse the observant-C.'s friendly cowlick spells "hello," "enjoy," "oh my," "sshhh," "lovely," and "welcome"; B. is covered head to toe in Band-Aids. There are many wonderful alphabet books out there, but Catalanotto's fans and those with a soft spot in their hearts for the quirky will want to add Matthew A.B.C.Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Matthew A.B.C. | [
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27,914 | 0 | LEE BENNETT HOPKINS is a distinguished poet, writer, and anthologist whose poetry collections include the highly acclaimed Hand in Hand: An American History Through Poetry, illustrated by Peter Fiore, and My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, and America at War, both illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. Mr. Hopkinss numerous awards include the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for lasting contributions to childrens literature and both the Christopher Award and a Golden Kite Honor for his verse novel Been to Yesterdays: Poems of a Life. He lives in Cape Coral, Florida.; Title: Marvelous Math: A Book of Poems (Aladdin Picture Books) | [
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27,915 | 2 | Kirkus Reviews, starred review A must-read.School Library Journal, starred review A wonderfully written tale.D. Anne Loveis the author of several award-winning novels for young readers, including Defying the Diva, Picture Perfect, Semiprecious, and The Puppeteers Apprentice. Ms. Love lives in Texas hill country with her husband, Ron, and Major and Jake, their book-loving golden retrievers. You can visit her online at dannelove.com.; Title: The Puppeteer's Apprentice | [
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27,916 | 6 | Margaret Miller is the author and photographer of many books for children. My Five Senses was chosen as an "Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children" in 1995, and was a Booklist "Editor's Choice" selection for 1994. Her Look Baby series has been raved about in Publisher's Weekly and Parenting Magazine.; Title: Peekaboo Baby (Look Baby! Books) | [
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27,917 | 0 | Gr. 3-5. In the third and final book in the Prairie Skies series, Charlie and his father are in town when pro-slavery "border ruffians" attack. The men destroy the newspaper, burn the hotel, and threaten Charlie's father. His father must go into hiding, and nine-year-old Charlie returns home alone. Along the way, Charlie's dog sniffs out a runaway slave, Lizzie, whom Charlie takes home with him. The story is exciting, but it comes to a somewhat abrupt conclusion brought about less by what the characters do than by history itself; the border ruffians return to Missouri and then Lizzie can continue toward Canada. An author's note explains that the family's measures to hide Lizzie are based on fact; there's also a recipe for biscuits. This, like other books in the series, is a good example of solidly researched historical fiction for readers new to chapter books. Susan Dove LempkeCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedDeborah Hopkinson is the author of numerous award-winning children's books, including Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, winner of the International Reading Association Award, Girl Wonder, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award, and Apples to Oregon, a Junior Library Guild Selection. She received the 2003 Washington State Book Award for Under the Quilt for the Night. She lives in Oregon. Visit her on the Web at www.deborahhopkinson.com.; Title: Our Kansas Home | [
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27,918 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1A buoyant bunny, drawn in thick ink outline with a fuzzy body and delightfully mismatched ears (one downy and one plain), introduces readers to the senses, numbering them one through five. The rhyming verses and ebullient artwork convey a child's curiosity and enthusiasm for investigating the world in various ways: e.g., hearing is described, Happy ears, pay attention!/Did we mention sounds surround you?/Catch the honking, barking, singing./All that ringing will astound you. After exploring all five means of perception, the youngster encounters mother and father rabbit (one drawn with thick ink outlines and the other with velvety splotches). As the family members interact, the bunny again demonstrates each of the sensessmelling a flower held by one of the adults or listening to the other play the violin. There is no text on these pages, encouraging children to identify each example by looking at the illustration, thus reinforcing the concepts. The book ends on an affectionate note, as the threesome holds hands: Five sensesjust enoughto know the love we have for you. Featuring supple ink lines, tantalizingly textured potato prints, and splashes of cheerful watercolor, the artwork is irresistible. The clean page design and graceful flow of images keep the action moving quickly. A fresh, fun, and fanciful approach to an often-requested topic.Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-K. Though it's hardly clear from the title, Raschka's latest, defiantly offbeat picture book deals with a core topic in early childhood curricula. In spare, stylized scenes paired with impressionistic quatrains, a flop-eared bunny demonstrates each of the five senses: "Lucky tongue, taste and try this berry pie. It's a blessing! Cabbage, spinach, bitter or sweet, a joy to eat with salad dressing." Then the bunny's parents appear, reinforcing the information in a curious, abrupt coda that delivers a tender message ("Five senses--just enough--to know that we love you") but undercuts the empowering aspects of independent exploration presented on the preceding pages. Much of the text reads like oddly translated fortune-cookie aphorisms, and the book's counting dimension ("Smell is 1," "Hearing is 2," and so on) is confusingly integrated. So why bother? Raschka's effervescent bunnies, combining calligraphic simplicity with the cuteness of Japanese cartoons, transcend the book's less well conceived elements, and the unusual presentation may well strike creative educators as a welcome change from drier variations on the same theme. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Five for a Little One (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) | [
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27,919 | 13 | Kindergarten-Grade 3When Duck discovers an ad in the paper announcing a talent show at the county fair (first prize, a slightly used trampoline), Farmer Brown's animals are unstoppable. The cows and sheep concentrate on their singing while the pigs work on interpretive dance. How the suspicious farmer could ever confuse all this noise with routine snoring is a bit of a stretch, but the hilarious late-night practice scenes inside the barn will help readers make the leap. At the talent show, the cows and sheep impress some of the judges, but lack of sleep has the pigs truly snoring when it is time to perform. Fortunately, Duck steps in to save the day with a winning version of Born to Be Wild. After the talent show, Farmer Brown suspects nothing until he hears boings coming from the barn. Comical watercolor illustrations provide the punch lines to many jokes within the well-paced text. Some of the sophisticated humor will go over the heads of most children, especially the witty footnotes that pepper the story. However, like Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002, both S & S), this story makes a great read-aloud, and fans of the series will be ecstatic to see another episode of mischief in the barnyard.Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 3. When Duck reads about an upcoming talent show at the county fair ("1st prize: A TRAMPOLINE"), he organizes the animals on Farmer Brown's farm into nightly rehearsals. On Saturday evening, suspecting that the animals are up to something and reluctant to leave them alone for long, the farmer loads them all into the back of his pickup. They sneak off to the contest and wow the judges with stellar performances such as Duck's "QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUUAAAAAACKK" ("Born to Be Wild"). The clever, deadpan story is fun, but the droll illustrations, strong strokes of black lines washed with watercolors, ratchet the comedy up a notch or two. Like the other books in the series that began with the Caldecott Honor Book Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type (2000), this amusing picture book makes a terrific read-aloud choice. Parents and teachers will find it well suited to sing-along storytimes. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Dooby Dooby Moo (A Click Clack Book) | [
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27,920 | 0 | Daniel Pinkwater is the author of several bestselling children's books as well as a popular commentator on National Public Radio. He writes regular reviews on Contentville.com. Daniel lives in Hyde Park, New York.; Title: The Werewolf Club Meets Oliver Twit | [
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27,921 | 0 | Gr. 2-5. Fletcher, the sleepy-eyed basset hound from Levy's Something Queer series, becomes lead protagonist and detective in this new Ready-for-Chapters book. When eight-year-old Jill adopts Fletcher the stray dog, he and his best flea friend, Jasper, are happy to get a home. Things are looking up until Jill takes Fletcher, with his unique markings, to show-and-tell. Fletcher is initially a hit; but when the class rabbit mysteriously disappears, he's targeted as a potential bunny-eater. However, Fletcher reveals that slow-moving doesn't mean slow-witted, and with Jasper's aid, Fletcher finds and reveals the real culprit. Well paced for a beginning chapter book, this features familiar classroom personalities and activities, as well as plenty of goofy humor, from Jasper's tongue twisters to Fletcher's first-person, descriptive narrative, which includes amusing commentary on human and animal behavior. Readers will enjoy the unlikely but likable dog detective, who discovers the joys of family, has a nose for sleuthing, and enjoys an occasional salami treat. A solid addition to the Ready-for-Chapters series. Illustrations not available for review. Shelle RosenfeldCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedElizabeth Levysays: Fletcher Rules! There are three things I love -- dogs, mysteries, and salami. I also am fascinated and moved by the ways we love our pets and they love us. I first wrote about Fletcher, a salami-eating basset hound, in the Something Queer Mysteries more than thirty years ago. But those books were Gwen and Jill's mysteries. I always wondered what Fletcher thought about things. I love hearing from kids and visiting schools. Children from all over the world sent me wonderful drawings of Fletcher. I decided it was time for Fletcher to tell his own stories and star in his own series. But writing is mysterious. I never knew that a friendly flea named Jasper would join Fletcher. As I began these books, Jasper just started popping up and chatting. Now, Gwen, Jill, Fletcher, Mordicai, and I have a new friend. He's rather tiny, but he's a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to more mysteries with Fletcher and Jasper and their humans, Gwen and Jill.; Title: A Hare-Raising Tale : A Fletcher Mystery | [
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27,922 | 11 | Kindergarten-Grade 4At once carefully intentional and casually random, this is both a fascinating exploration of the etymology and derivation of American city names and a characteristic Raschka farcical flight-of-fancy. Each city is portrayed as a colorfully costumed caricature relating to its name's origins, and each one has a headdress topped by a significant symbol. St. Louis wears its famous arch while New York is crowned by the Chrysler Building. The latter is depicted as a pompously bewigged Duke who plans a party for his friends, the other cities. A guest list at the beginning gives the history of the names of 39 invitees. The party is a success and a reminder of American diversity even in the founding and naming of its cities. (Unfortunately, Pittsburgh is capped anachronistically by pollution-spewing smokestacks.) Raschka's illustrations rendered in ink and watercolor employ his loose, impressionistic, brushy style to perfect effect, giving the book its humor while artfully delivering his message and entertaining information. It's a rousing reminder that, A thousand names,/a hundred languages,/a million, and a million, and a million people/name one nation. Invite Laurie Keller's The Scrambled States of America (Holt, 1998) to the party for an even bigger celebration of Americana.Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 1-3. It's hardly surprising that the creative mind known for eulogizing a sardine would approach our nation's multicultural tapestry in a similarly quirky manner. Following a map locating 39 cities and a spread discussing the origins of their names, personifications of the cities gather at New York's house for a party, where the guests' diverse backgrounds, personalities, and costumes (complete with architectural-landmark headdresses) make for an affair both socially successful and visually resplendent. Unfortunately, Raschka's effort to place curriculum-friendly information in an unusual new frame falls a bit flat, partly because the soiree seems too rooted in an adult's social sphere, and partly because the etymologies emphasized in the narrative (such as the "stinking onions" for which Algonquian Chicago was named) often seem to bear little relation to the wild, vaguely Picasso-like portraits. In the end, Peter Sis' Train of States (2004) is a more user-friendly source for social-studies trivia; the decision to purchase this intriguing but flawed offering may hinge upon whether or not your city is featured within. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: New York Is English: Chattanooga Is Creek | [
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27,923 | 6 | Dora and her friend Boots the monkey are going on a treasure hunt. They need to cross the Icky-Sticky Sand, boat across Crocodile Lake to Treasure Island, and open the treasure chest. Dora's Treasure Hunt teaches problem solving and map reading, and the sticker edition includes 32 reusable stickers to help with the quest. Just be sure to close the book firmly to avoid losing the pieces. (Ages 3 to 5) --David Horiuchi; Title: Dora's Treasure Hunt | [
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27,924 | 2 | PreSRhythmic, somewhat dialectal prose combines with Keeter's warm and expressive oil paintings to convey a sense of song and motion across the pages of this simple book. Heartwarming scenes of an African-American mother and child cuddling, playing, dancing, and napping together are sure to evoke powerful feelings of love, nurturing, and security in both parent and child. Pair this lyrical offering with one of these other stories depicting young children, mostly African American, within the context of a loving family: Trish Cooke's So Much (1994) and Full, Full, Full of Love (2003, both Candlewick); Ann Tyler's Baby Dance (1999); and Vera B. Williams's "More More More," Said the Baby (1990, both HarperCollins).Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OHPreS. This picture book could have been published as a sturdy board book, but it's easy to see why a full-size, hardcover format was ultimately chosen: Keeter's satiny oil portraits of an African American mom and her handsome toddler deserve to be reproduced in large format. Setting off the warm skin tones with bright tropical hues, Keeter enfolds iconic moments of babyhood in a cocoon of burnt-sugar warmth and sweetness. There is something a bit off-putting in the smothering maternal impulses that sometimes surface in Duncan's text (this mom wants to squeeze and kiss her "sweet Puddin' 'n' Pie" until "the sugar's gone"). Still, the poetic narrative will especially appeal to many African American families for language that reflects the sounds and rhythms of their households ("I'm gone always be yo sweet Ma'Dear"), and the reassuring words and joyful images should touch an even broader audience. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Honey Baby Sugar Child | [
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27,925 | 2 | There are so many things teachers can't do. They can't ride skateboards or scooters to school, or be tardy, or buy their own apples. They can't write on the chalkboard without squeaking, or trade desserts at lunch, or feed the salamander or guinea pigs by themselves. And, they can never run out of smiles or smiley faces. What can they do? They can spell Mississippi and encyclopedia and they can do the thing they do best of all--teach! Douglas Wood and illustrator Doug Cushman (creators of What Moms Can't Do and What Dads Can't Do) pay tribute to teachers in their latest feel-good dinosaur picture book, told from a child's perspective. The adorable illustrations expertly capture early classroom life, from eraser-clapping-induced chalk clouds to finger-painting projects gone awry. This sweet and affectionate offering will no doubt take its place next to the pile of apples on teacher's desk. (Ages 3 to 8) --Karin SnelsonDouglas Wood goes back to school in What Teachers Can't Do, illus. by Doug Cushman, the follow-up to the popular What Dads Can't Do and What Moms Can't Do. Among the lessons learned: "Teachers can't buy their own apples. And they can't teach their best without flowers on their desk." Ages 3-8.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: What Teachers Can't Do | [
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27,926 | 2 | Laura Numeroff's What Grandmas Do Best and What Grandpas Do Best, both illus. by Lynn Munsinger, return in miniature gift editions. Unlike the two-titles-in-one original, Grandma and Grandpa get separate treatment in these two distinct books. Still, the text remains the same, describing how grandparents "play hide-and-seek" and "help you build a sandcastle."Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.School Library Journal These warm, cheerful vignettes are sure to resonate with children.; Title: What Grandmas Do Best | [
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27,927 | 16 | Redbook "Behind each paper 'door' of this ABC pop-up book, an animal lies ready to bound up off the page. Children will learn the alphabet and meet some astonishing creatures."; Title: A Is for Animals: 10th Anniversary Edition (Pop Up) | [
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27,928 | 0 | Evelyn Coleman's books include To Be a Drum, White Socks Only, The Riches of Oseola McCarty, a Smithsonian Notable Book and a Carter G. Woodson Honor Book, and Born in Sin. Ms. Coleman lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received the Atlanta Mayor's fellowship for achievement in children's literature. Visit Evelyn online at evelyncoleman.com.; Title: Freedom Train | [
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27,929 | 2 | Elizabeth Levysays: Fletcher Rules! There are three things I love -- dogs, mysteries, and salami. I also am fascinated and moved by the ways we love our pets and they love us. I first wrote about Fletcher, a salami-eating basset hound, in the Something Queer Mysteries more than thirty years ago. But those books were Gwen and Jill's mysteries. I always wondered what Fletcher thought about things. I love hearing from kids and visiting schools. Children from all over the world sent me wonderful drawings of Fletcher. I decided it was time for Fletcher to tell his own stories and star in his own series. But writing is mysterious. I never knew that a friendly flea named Jasper would join Fletcher. As I began these books, Jasper just started popping up and chatting. Now, Gwen, Jill, Fletcher, Mordicai, and I have a new friend. He's rather tiny, but he's a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to more mysteries with Fletcher and Jasper and their humans, Gwen and Jill.; Title: The Principal's on the Roof: A Fletcher Mystery | [
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27,930 | 13 | A young girl's discovery of ballet is combined with the magic of French Impressionist Edgar Degas's paintings to create a story as delicate and lovely as the ballerina herself. Drawn from the 1922 autobiography of prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, this reminiscence tells of her first trip to the ballet to see Sleeping Beauty with her mother. Her youthful words reflect the sweet wonder of the experience, as well as the gentle love between mother and child. The moment the breathless Pavlova voices her desire to dance on the stage one day, followed by her mother's response that she is "her silly little dear," is made all the more poignant by the reader's knowledge that this particular little girl's dream did come true.Filled with the enchanting details of the ballet, and perfectly accompanied by the famous ballerina paintings of Degas, this is a book to be treasured by dancers, art lovers, and devotees of ballet alike. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterThe magic of royalty and ballet combine against an Edgar Degas backdrop for Anna Pavlova's I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina. Using simple language, the Russian dancer vividly describes the pleasure, awe and inspiration drawn from Sleeping Beauty, her first glimpse of the ballet.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina | [
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27,931 | 2 | Text: English (translation) Original Language: SwedishRobin Preiss Glasser is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series, written by Jane OConnor; America: A Patriotic Primer, A Is for Abigail, and Our Fifty States by Lynne Cheney; and Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. She lives in Southern California with her family.; Title: Lotta on Troublemaker Street | [
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27,932 | 1 | Six goofy dinosaurs lurk behind the flaps in pop-up whiz David Carter's colorful Flapdoodle Dinosaurs. Readers peek inside a loaf of bread, an old radio, a china teapot, and more to discover such winsome characters as Diplodocus Blue ("she often whispers 'I love you'") and Triceratops Pink ("she hunts all day long for Green Pickle Pie"). Each dino leaps off the page in an explosion of color and feats of paper engineering genius. Designed for the younger reader, this appealing book names real dinosaurs, but fictionalizes them with nonsense rhymes that describe their personalities and favorite activities. Take Spinosaurus Purple, for example.Flapdoodle Dinosaurs by David A. Carter is just plain fun. Heavy black text stands out against the slick white background: "Who's inside the loaf of bread?" it asks. Children flip the plump loaf on the opposite page to find the vibrant "Tyrannosaurus Red" who has taken up residence. "Triceratops Pink" lives inside a pickle jar of "Grandma Gill's Pickled Dills." The entire dino line-up pops up on the final spread.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Flapdoodle Dinosaurs (Pop Up) | [
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27,933 | 2 | Dora always makes a bedtime wish on the first star she sees, but tonight a comet has knocked Little Star out of the sky. It's up to Dora and her friend Boots the monkey to cross the Troll Bridge, go past Tico's Tree without getting caught by Swiper the fox, and climb up Tall Mountain in order to throw Little Star back to her friend the Moon. Little Star is based on the television episode and teaches problem solving, map reading, and counting. (Ages 2 to 5) --David Horiuchi; Title: Little Star | [
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27,934 | 0 | Grade 4-8-In this anthology, noted children's and adult fantasy writers play with the bones of traditional stories, songs, and characters to create 13 vibrant, imaginative short stories. Bruce Coville, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Neil Gaiman, Tanith Lee, and Jane Yolen are among the contributors. In the tales, the fisherman and his wife are viewed from across the water by a lonely motherless girl; fairies give Sleeping Beauty a century of time to explore the world before she wakes up and settles down; Lupe, in her mother's red cape, faces down the wolf. Some stories are set in the folkloric past, others weave in contemporary details such as harried urban life, computers, and cell phones with pleasing results. The final moving story, Katherine Vaz's "My Swan Sister," based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans," presents a family introducing their new baby, who is attached to an oxygen tank, to all of the pleasures of their New York neighborhood before she dies in the unfinished jacket her sister has knitted. The author says, "Rachel was a real little girl who did not live long, but-pretty as a swan, light as a feather-she managed to remind my family that even when time runs short, even when we cannot speak, we can still work wonders." There's something for everyone in this anthology, which proves once again the immense flexibility of traditional tales in the hands of gifted storytellers.Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 5-10. Not as exciting as Datlow and Windling's previous anthology, A Wolf at the Door (2000), these fairy-tale retellings are driven more by ideas and message than by story. In fact, the general introduction-- fairy tales were originally told to adults before they were sweetened and simplified--and the commentary on the stories are sometimes more interesting than the tales themselves. But the ideas are fun, and the lively, contemporary play with the old tales will entertain many teens. Neil Gaiman makes us think about Scheharazade. Will Shetterly questions where that "handy woodsman" really comes from to save Little Red Riding Hood. Far from passive, Rapunzel frees herself, and Sleeping Beauty actually wakes up regularly and secretly gets things done. Great for writing classes and discussion. Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Swan Sister: Fairy Tales Retold | [
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27,935 | 6 | The Cheerios Halloween Play Book by Lee Wade encourages youngsters to reach for the cereal to complete the pictures of black cats with glasses and ghosts shouting "Boo."Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Cheerios Halloween Play Book | [
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27,936 | 2 | Douglas Woodis the author of A Quiet Place as well as theNew York Timesbestselling Cant Do series. His booksOld TurtleandOld Turtle and the Broken Truthwere both international bestsellers. He lives in a cabin in the woods of Minnesota. A studied naturalist, Douglas shares his knowledge of nature as a wilderness guide. Visit him at DouglasWood.com.; Title: What Grandmas Can't Do | [
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27,937 | 0 | Grade 1-4-This richly illustrated biography focuses on St. Nicholas, born around the year A.D. 280 in what is now Turkey. His active life of spirituality, good works, and miracles, especially concerning children, made him a popular saint after his death. The eventual melding of the December 6 feast day of St. Nicholas, which was celebrated with gift giving and merriment, with Christmas is explained clearly, giving children an understanding of how this man morphed into the Santa Claus they know today. The gilded paintings are full of absorbing, though sometimes anachronistic, details. In an illustration accompanying a story of Nicholas tossing coins into a girl's stocking, the stocking is bright red with a white top, very Christmas-y but not exactly third-century attire. The greatest strength of this book is its straightforward, affectionate depiction of a person who, by his deep love for the young and the needy, embodies the spirit of Christmas.-E. M.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-5. Children who think Santa Claus when they hear the name St. Nicholas will be surprised to hear the true story of the man who became the church's youngest bishop and the patron saint of butchers and prisoners as well as children. Born with spiritual gifts (at one day old, he stood in his bath and prayed to God!), Nicholas, in Buddhalike fashion, was distressed by the sorrow in the world and made it his mission to relieve suffering. Often he did this using miraculous means, saving sailors as an apparition and resurrecting three children who had been killed and pickled in brine to be served as food. Even middle-grade readers, the best audience for this, may be confused by some of the church-laden intricacies of the narrative, but the pictures are delightfully Demi. Representative scenes, set against buff-colored pages, burst through their gilded frames, and careful design work is evident right through to the endpapers, which show how Santa Claus is represented in various countries. Lovely and informative. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Legend of Saint Nicholas | [
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27,938 | 2 | When it comes to picking a hero for a childrens book, you can never go wrong with mice. From Mickey to Maisy to just about every Kevin Henkes book ever made, plucky rodents have made for incredibly popular protagonists. To that proud tradition comes the simply-named Mouse of Mouses First Day of School. After stowing away in a backpack, Mouse discovers all the wonders waiting at what appears to be a preschool or kindergarten. As Mouse explores each new station (blocks, books, pots and pans, plants, and more) with wonder and enthusiasm, author Lauren Thompson includes catchy phrases that kids will love repeating out loud. "Squiggle, scribble, dot crayons!" reads one page. "Feathery, floppy, boppy hats!" reads another. Buket Erdogans bright and simple pastel illustrations on textured backgrounds feature a happy Mouse having a great time encountering objects that kids recognize from their home, day care, or school. (Ages 2 to 6) --John MoePreSchool-K-This is a new "first" for mouse as he hides in a backpack and gleefully emerges into the brave new world of preschool. As in Mouse's First Halloween (2000), Mouse's First Valentine (2002), and Mouse's First Christmas (1999, all S & S), Thompson and Erdogan have created a spirited landscape of simple text overlaying vividly colored, richly textured, mouse-sized scenes of kid-familiar objects. The creature frolics among an assortment of childhood icons, from blocks and a toy car to tubes of paint and a juice box and snacks. Expressive and playful text with phrases such as "Thump, boom, bump a drum"; "Blinky, cuddly, curly dolls"; and "Squiggle, scribble, dot crayons" adds a bouncy beat. The concluding chalked message, "Welcome to school, Mouse!" will have young listeners eagerly anticipating their own first day.Mary Ann Carcich, Hampton Bays Public Library, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Mouse's First Day of School | [
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27,939 | 2 | Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3 Illustrations and text work as one as a boy spies a bird and begins to ask questions. Little black crow,/where do you go?/Where do you go/in the cold white snow?/Where do you go? The initially fact-based inquiries progress from solid to more ethereal. Little black crow/in the white snow,/in the blue sky,/in the brown below,/do you ever wonder/about stars you see?/Might you ever wonder/about someone.../...like me? Impressionistic watercolor landscapes perfectly set the mood and style for these awe-filled inquiries of a curious child. Spare brushstrokes leave large areas of white, and, much like the unanswered inquiries, encourage readers to suggest answers and ask more questions the minimalist paintings create an opportunity to imagine more. Enjoy this beautiful book with a group or share it quietly with a single child. Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.As a young boy observes a bird fly through skies that alternate from stormy to sunny, cold to warm, he wonders, Little black crow, where do you go? This query is followed by more rhetorical statements that get right to the heart of children's own questions about family, friends, love, fear, mistakes, and, above all, self-worth. Raschka uses thick, black, ink lines in abstract depictions of the boy, who appears only at the beginning, middle, and end of the book, and of the seemingly carefree bird with an oversize beak that is featured on each of the double-page spreads, along with a few short lines of gentle, rhyming text. The lonely, rural, outdoor settings are washed across wide, white pages in watercolors of browns, blues, pinks, and yellows. With its satisfying closure, this quiet, tender book will appeal to contemplative young kids who wonder about their place in the world and whether other creatures, crow and child alike, share similar, powerful feelings. Grades K-2. --Andrew Medlar; Title: Little Black Crow (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) | [
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27,940 | 2 | PreSchool-A bouncy text and appealing cartoon artwork provide a lighthearted glimpse at the busy lives of a brother-and-sister duo. The diaper-clad babes are introduced with gentle humor: "Double born./Twice the blessing./Double kids./Twice the messing." As buoyant as the staccato rhymes that describe them, the siblings are soon on the move, learning to walk and talk and encountering a range of experiences that will be familiar territory for most preschoolers. It's twice the fun, as they play with toys, enjoy time spent outdoors, eat a meal, and share a bath. At bedtime, after being tucked in by their smiling parents, the youngsters close their eyes, "Double tired/from all their play./Double dreams/for their next day." The colorful digital illustrations echo the breezy tone of the text. The layout is uncluttered and the action is set against clean pastel and white backgrounds. With orange hair, circle-shaped heads, and sketched-in features, the children resemble one another closely, but are also easily identifiable as individuals. An enjoyable romp.Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library JournalCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS. A simple rhyme and lively, colorful, uncluttered illustrations make this picture book a joyful read-aloud for young children, twins or not. The boy-girl twins begin their journey as infants, but they progress through toddlerhood as the pages turn. The premise ("Double born. / Twice the blessing. / Double kids. / Twice the messing.") may be a little overdone, because, of course, twins don't do everything at the same time. But Courtin's big, active illustrations of the lovable kids busy together through the day will have young preschoolers pointing and joining in. Kathy BroderickCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Twin to Twin | [
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27,941 | 18 | George Stanley was a Professor of African and Middle-Eastern Languages and Linguistics at Cameron University. In between prepping class lectures and grading papers, he found the time to write for children. He was also the author of Night Fires and the Third-Grade Detectives series.; Title: Geronimo (Childhood of Famous Americans) | [
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27,942 | 11 | "Twenty mattresses. One hidden pea. One sleepless night." The Princess and the Pea, adapted by Sarah Aronson, illus. by Chris Demarest, breaks it down to basics, with spare text that leaves the pictures to tell most of the story. Throughout, pop-ups and pull-tabs bring the tale to life while tiny mice throw in their two cents via humorous talk-balloons. All ages.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Princess and the Pea : A Pop-up Book | [
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27,943 | 11 | Nancy Van Laan has written many books perfect for reading aloud, including So Say the Little Monkeys; Little Fish, Lost; With a Whoop and a Holler, an American Library Association Notable Book; and the 1990 Parents' Choice Award winner, Possum Come a-Knockin'. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.; Title: So Say the Little Monkeys | [
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27,944 | 1 | Wheeler and Ansley return to the comical family dynamics they related so successfully in Wool Gathering for this turkey tale set on Wishbone Farm. While Turk's parents cluck with pride over him, little brother Runt sees Turk's assets as liabilities (" `He's a dancer,' said his mother. `He's an athlete,' said his father. `He's a goner,' said... Runt. But no one ever listened to Runt"). The younger fowl continues his sarcastic asides as he scares off a football coach and a ballet instructor who admires Turk's legs ("Look at zee size of zose drumsticks!"), until finally his family sees the light. This funny tale may well make readers consider the fowl's side of the holiday; they may even spare the turkey. Ages 4-7.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 2-Turk is "the biggest, strongest, and most graceful bird on Wishbone Farm." His younger brother, "Runt," has figured out why people come to the farm in November, but no one wants to listen. Their mother thinks that a young turkey will be singled out to be "the lead dancer in Swan Lake," and their father believes the chosen one will "play in the Thanksgiving Day football game." Runt remains the voice of reason throughout, humorously hinting at the truth, while being disregarded by the others. Much to his parents' dismay, Runt is able to drive away customers who are interested in his tasty-looking big brother. One November day, a little old lady comes along who decides Runt is just the right size for her holiday table. As usual, nobody pays attention to his cries for help, until his burly brother finally catches on. Safe for the Thanksgiving holiday, the birds finally acknowledge Runt's intelligence, and work together come Christmastime. Ansley's pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons are a riot and elevate the simple plot to high drama. A silly, but thoroughly enjoyable holiday selection.Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NYCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy | [
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27,945 | 0 | Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 5Bryan's vibrant illustrations interpret and energize three beloved songs: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Although the artistic style is similar to that in All Night, All Day (Atheneum, 1991), here Bryan uses intricate cut-paper collages to accompany the lines of text at the bottom of the pages. Energy and movement course through many of the full-bleed illustrations, as when children-depicted in rainbow-colored silhouettes-use a boat, an airplane, a bicycle, and other means to carry their lights "Ev'ry where I go." At other times, the images offer comfort and security, as large multicolored hands embrace the world's wonders and "the little bitty baby" is cradled in an adult's protective arms. Simple melody lines and an explanation of the origin and importance of spirituals are appended. Yet, Bryan's illustrations demonstrate more than words the dynamic inspiration that these songs still provide. Readers will find themselves humming as they turn the pages.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The inspiring words of three well-known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," are matched with powerful construction-paper collage illustrations. Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics. Children dance around with candles and march with saints; God holds a world of colored objects in his hands. The musical notation and lyrics for each song appear at the end of the book, as does a brief note from Bryan about the history of the spiritual and the changes he made in some of the lyrics. This will be hard to read without breaking into song. Randall EnosCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Let it Shine | [
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27,946 | 1 | The crafty barnyard crew from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is back, and this time Farmer Brown has decided to take a vacation. But not to worry--he's leaving his brother Bob to mind the farm: "I wrote everything down for you. Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine. But keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble." Of course, fans of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's last brilliant book already know to keep an eye on that manipulative mallard. Now, wait a minute... what's Duck doing eyeing that pencil?Poor Bob has no idea what he's in for, and Duck and friends have shrewdly seized this chance to move on from collective bargaining to outright subterfuge: "Bob gave Duck a good long stare and went inside. He read the first note: 'Tuesday night is pizza night (not the frozen kind!). The hens prefer anchovies.'" Well, seems like strange way to run a farm, but... "Twenty-nine minutes later there was hot pizza in the barn." Giggle, giggle, quack, indeed.Clearly, Duck and his cow pals aren't the only ones around to have mastered the pencil and the keyboard. Cronin and Lewin have put their talents to good use yet again, offering up another simple but clever story fit for kids and grownups alike. Lewin seems to snicker throughout her playful watercolors (gotta love those monogrammed towels: "FB"), and Cronin has a ball with the animal cast and their human patsy. (What do the cows pick on movie night? "The Sound of Moosic," of course. Giggle, giggle, moo.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesThe barnyard animals first seen in Cronin and Lewin's Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type continue to express themselves via the written word in this clever and funny sequel. When Farmer Brown takes a vacation and leaves his brother Bob in charge ("I wrote everything down for you. Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine. But keep an eye on Duck. He's trouble"), enterprising Duck sees boundless opportunity in the situation. The webbed fellow commandeers the pencil and paper that Farmer Brown has left behind and writes out his own feeding/care tips for Bob to follow: "Tuesday night is pizza night (not the frozen kind!). The hens prefer anchovies." (A "giggle, giggle, cluck" escapes from the onlookers.) Unaware of the note's authorship, Bob complies, and subsequent requests include indoor bubble baths for the pigs and the cows' choice for movie night ("The Sound of Moosic"). The jig is soon up with Duck and company found out in a humorous denouement. Cronin again balances wit and jovial warmth in scenarios that will have readers laughing out loud. Fans of the first book will delight in the details found in Lewin's chipper watercolor washes with a painted bold black line (the electric blankets originally demanded by the cows are put to good use, for example). This sitcom on the farm more than lives up to its title and demands repeat visits. Ages 3-7. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Giggle, Giggle, Quack (A Click Clack Book) | [
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27,947 | 2 | School Library Journal These warm, cheerful vignettes are sure to resonate with children. -- ReviewLaura Numeroff is well known as the author of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and the flipbook, What Grandmas Do Best/What Grandpas Do Best. She lives in Los Angeles, California with her horse Otis.; Title: What Grandpas Do Best (miniature gift edition) | [
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27,948 | 2 | Theo has earned a village-wide reputation for being greedy and grabby. While the locals all have theories about the root of the problem, Theo's grandmother knows the true cause: he is spoiled rotten. Grandmother also knows the only cure is a heaping helping of humble pie a gigantic concoction that she happens to be preparing. She mixes Theo in with the fruit filling and covers it with crust, and not even Theo's worst tantrums get him out. Finally, when he rolls still inside the pie into a nearby village of starving people, the boy gets a taste of what it means to be compassionate. Debut author Donnelly gamely offers rhythmic turns of phrase ("Theo howled and yowled and thumped and bumped over rocks and ruts and branches") but her shapely prose does not disguise the didactic flavor of an old-fashioned morality tale. In addition, her examples of what constitutes spoiling a plump featherbed, a soft tunic, a warm coverlet are a stretch. The illustrations, however, convey an impish sense of fun that will have young readers happily following along and cheering for Theo's comeuppance. In Gammell's (Song and Dance Man) signature style, wispy colored-pencil and watercolor compositions alternate between shadowy black-brown hues and a palette bursting with rainbow brightness. Anchored in Old World details, his interpretations add dramatic punch and leavening along with a healthy dash of humor. Ages 4-7.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. Set in a medieval land, this picture book introduces Theo, a rotten kid, who is selfish, lazy, and indifferent to the suffering of others. On the day he eats Baby's birthday cake, his grandmother decides to do something about her spoiled grandson. She makes a gigantic humble pie, and with a magical rhyme, she pops Tom inside. A major tantrum isn't enough to free him, and his "friends" refuse to pull him out. His family doesn't even care that he's gone. When Theo rolls himself to the village, he notices, for the first time, the ravaged, hungry people and feels pity. All the villagers see, however, is the huge pie. In the nick of time, Theo extricates himself and rushes home, a better boy who, as his grandmother notes, "has gotten his just deserts." Using fairy tale conventions, Donnelly's debut is fresh and funny. The only unsatisfying note is the ending, when Theo's freedom comes accidentally rather than as a result of his change of heart. Gammell's art is known for its exuberance. Here, using pastels, watercolors, and colored pencils, he offers splatters and splats, messes and muddles, adding mirth to the story's worth. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Humble Pie | [
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27,949 | 11 | Storyteller Bryan's (What a Wonderful World) singular voice provides rhythm and sound effects throughout this musical adaptation of a Zambian tale. When gray Ringdove calls the other monotone birds together and asks, "Who of all is the most beautiful?" they all reply, "Blackbird." They then encircle Blackbird, dancing and singing, "Beak to beak, peck, peck, peck,/ Spread your wings, stretch your neck./ Black is beautiful, uh-huh!/ Black is beautiful, uh-huh!" At the birds' request, Blackbird agrees to paint black markings on them (with the blackening brew in his medicine gourd), but he warns Ringdove that it's not the color black that will make them beautiful. "Color on the outside is not what's on the inside..... Whatever I do/ I'll be me and you'll be you." The message about inner beauty and identity becomes somewhat diluted by the closing song, in which the birds triumphantly sing, "Our colors sport a brand-new look,/ A touch of black was all it took./ Oh beautiful black, uh-huh, uh-huh/ Black is beautiful, UH-HUH!" But if the ending creates a bit of confusion, Bryan's collages make up for it with their exhibition of colorful splendor and composition. Scenes of the rainbow of wings are outdone only by a lakeside view of their colors intricately "mirrored in the waters." And Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious. Ages 3-7. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 2-Because they haven't got a spot of black on their bodies, the colorful birds of Africa envy Blackbird. They extol his feathers that "gleam all colors in the sun" in their songs and dances. And although he assures them that "Color on the outside is not what's on the inside," he generously shares the blackening brew in his gourd. First he adds a necklace of midnight to Ringdove, then markings of black to every feathered creature large and small, causing them to finally sing, "Oh beautiful black, uh-huh, uh-huh/Black is beautiful, UH-HUH!" Adapted from an Ila tale from Zambia, this story delivers a somewhat contradictory message. Blackbird frequently affirms that it's what's inside that counts but his avian friends are certainly fixated on adding some black to their feathered finery. The story line is simple and the rhythmic chants of the flock frequently interspersed throughout the text add drama and a rapper's cadence. The cut-paper silhouettes are colorful but static, effectuating a stylized formality. The endpapers include an image of the scissors used to create the collages and reinforce the physical process behind the art. This unusual and little-known pourquoi tale may supplement larger collections and serves as a thoughtful and entertaining addition to units on self-esteem.Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Beautiful Blackbird (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner) | [
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27,950 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 4Nasrettin Hoca was a renowned 13th-century Turkish philosopher respected for his wisdom, common sense, and humor, elements that are found in the many folktales about him. This story describes how he stopped to assist in the capture of a wayward goat and soiled his already patched coat in the process. He had no time to change before he headed off to a banquet at a rich friend's house, and everyone there avoided him because he was both shabby and smelly. Nasrettin went home, bathed, and dressed in a splendiferous outfit. He returned to the banquet and was greeted warmly. To everyone's astonishment, he proceeded to stuff food into his coat. When questioned, he replied that it was obvious that it was the coat that had been invited, not him. Demi's retelling of this tale is compelling and includes many details that help bring both time and place into focus. Her paint-and-ink illustrations are resplendent with her trademark gold leaf and intricate borders. However, Nasrettin's allegedly shabby coat is the same jewel-toned red as the finer one he later dons, and as the pictures are so small, it's easy to mistake the patches for daubs of gold. Although this minor problem lessens the effect of his transformation, this is still a well-told, visually enticing tale and a first purchase for most libraries. An informative afterword is included.Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 3. Delayed by an escaped goat, the Turkish folk hero Nasrettin Hoca attends a friend's banquet clad in a filthy, tattered coat. The host is embarrassed, the guests shun him, and no one serves him food. Nasrettin goes home home, bathes and dresses in his finest clothes, and returns to the banquet, where he stuffs food and wine into his coat. Asked why he feeds his coat, Nasrettin notes his earlier appearance and explains, "This shows it was the coat and not me that you invited to your banquet." An afterword adds background on Hodja folklore but does not cite a source. The well-paced retelling retains the sly, wise humor of traditional Nasrettin tales. Inspired by Turkish art, Demi places miniature figures in frames filled with geometric patterns. It is difficult to distinguish the patches in Nasrettin's shabby coat, but the handsomely dressed Nasrettin stands tall on the only unframed page. An excellent choice for multicultural studies, this wry moral tale transcends time and culture. Linda PerkinsCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Hungry Coat: A Tale from Turkey | [
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27,951 | 2 | Grade 7-10-A suspenseful psychological page-turner with a supernatural element. Set in a small coastal village in Cornwall, it opens with a girl being snatched from her home in the middle of a storm. Fin, her older brother, blames himself for leaving Ella and their little brother, Sam, alone while their parents were at the pub. The kidnapper, a boy about Fin's age, hides Ella in a cave beneath an abandoned lighthouse and demands ransom money. When Sam sees and hears a spectral girl who encourages him to catch the next storm from the cliff's edge, he repeatedly follows the voice along the dangerous coastal path. His sensitivity helps Fin use a form of dowsing with a pendulum to find Ella in the nick of time. But, just as the lighthouse collapses, so does the family, as Ella learns the dark secrets of her father's past, including an affair, the accidental death of a child, and blackmail. Can the family weather this next storm? Bowler's plot is tightly scripted, with good pacing and steadily building tension. The complex themes of guilt and betrayal enhance the suspense. The author's stylistic use of symbolism, such as the collapsing lighthouse and three offshore islands, the Three Furies, also enriches the story. A lot happens very quickly in the resolution. There is some strong language, appropriate to the intensity of the situation. This dark thriller will appeal to fans of Robert Cormier.Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, MECopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 6-10. In the first chapter of this exciting thriller, 13-year-old Ella is kidnapped at gunpoint in her home by a huge teenage boy who keeps her captive in a cave near the raging ocean in Cornwall, England. Then the story switches to her distraught family (especially her older brother, guilt-ridden because he had left her alone), as they try to find her and wait for the kidnapper's terse phone calls: "Tell a soul and she's dead." Bowler won Britain's Carnegie Medal for River Boy (2000), but here the mystical edge to the story is sometimes contrived, in particular the pendulums used to find Ella and the intricate parallels with the fantasy world of her 3-year-old brother. It's the fast, realistic action and dialogue and the stormy coastal setting that drive this story, as well as the seething presence of horrifying family secrets. As in Mariah Fredericks' True Confessions of a Heartless Girl [BKL Ap 1 03], the adult characters are as complex as the kids. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Storm Catchers | [
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27,952 | 2 | This tale does for bathtime what these collaborators' previous Tickle Tum! did for mealtime. The bunny baby has grown rather messy-or, as Van Laan so eloquently phrases it, "Ewww yuck/ sticka stuck!" The situation calls for a good "scrubba dub dubba." The author once again shows her fluency in the patois of the nursery: "Washy nosie/ washy toesies/ washy anything/ that growsies." Pons's generously scaled pictures stay in step with her collaborator's giddy, bubbly fun. With gentle humor, the artist, working in watercolors and pastels of mauve, aqua and apricot, underscores the bond between mother and child. Author and illustrator understand that no bathtime is complete without a dramatic and total underwater submergence, the elaborate pouring of water into a too-small receptacle and the sculpting of a fetching "bubblesome doo" (a shampoo-shaped coiffure). "Pull out the drain plug,/ round the toys twirl" signals the end of the entertainment, and the bathroom is left a soapy, soppy mess. But who cares? Well, from her distressed look, it's clear Mama Bunny does-but she gives her happy toddler a snug towel hug nonetheless. Ages 3-6. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-K-"Ewww yuck/sticka stuck!" So begins this sequel to Tickle Tum! (Atheneum, 2001). This time, mama bunny is giving little bunny a bath, or trying to. Toddlers will enjoy chanting along to rhymes like, "Skootch down/scrunch your eyes/rinsa-rinse away./Tippitta dippitta tugboat toots./Yahoo! Time to play." Pons's bubbly pictures done in watercolor and soft pastels perfectly portray the young rabbit's tubtime antics. A few of the verses may not roll easily off readers' tongues at first, but repeat readings will make this a bedtime favorite. All in all, libraries should not be surprised if this book comes back with a few damp pages.Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CTCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Scrubba Dub | [
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27,953 | 0 | Kindergarten-Grade 4In this original tall tale, Delicious describes her family's journey from Iowa to Oregon in the 1800s. Daddy loves the idea of going west but he can't bear to leave his apple trees behind. He constructs two special wagons, fills them with "good, wormy dirt," and packs in hundreds of plants and trees. "Apples, ho!" he cries, and off they go. When they reach the Platte River"wider than Texas, thicker than Momma's muskrat stew"Delicious helps her father build a raft to ferry the seedlingsand the familyacross. Everyone makes it to the other side, just barely. Before long, a hailstorm hits, scattering bonnets, petticoats, and even Daddy's drawers. Other larger-than-life challenges await the family, but inventive Delicious always manages to save the day. Soon, they're all floating down "the mighty Columbia." They plant those trees in Oregon soil, and everyone lives happily ever after. An author's note explains that this story is based loosely on Henderson Luelling, a pioneer who really did transport plants and fruit trees to Oregon in 1847. Hopkinson's version, of course, is just pure fun and make-believe. Carpenter's oil paintings are filled with vivid shades that reflect the changing scenery. Amusing details abound, and the slightly exaggerated humor of the pictures is in perfect balance with the tone of the text. The plucky heroinewearing a bright red dress, white pinafore, and confident smileoften takes center stage. An entertaining choice for storytimes or an amusing supplement to units on westward expansion.Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 3. The pair that created Fannie in the Kitchen (2001) offers another food-related picture book for youngsters. When Papa decides to move from Iowa to Oregon his biggest concern is not his family but his apples--and his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears! He constructs a dirt-filled wagon to transport his fruit saplings, while his family travels in a smaller cart. Along the way, they encounter the requisite Oregon Trail hardships, but luckily daughter Delicious is clever enough to help her family (and Papa's precious darlings) arrive safely at their new home. Based loosely on the life of Henderson Luelling, who founded Oregon's first nursery in 1847, Hopkinson's alliterative tall tale is rich in language that begs to be read out loud ("'Guard the grapes! Protect the peaches!' Daddy howled"), and Carpenter's colorful oil paintings add to the exaggerated fun. Some apple facts and a historical note are appended. Kay WeismanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains (Anne Schwartz Books) | [
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27,954 | 16 | PreSchool-This lift-the-flap adventure is an introduction to various body parts, with fingers behind mittens, toes inside boots, two ears under a hat, etc. A multicultural crew of children with playful expressions on their faces is dressed in jeans, a coat, even sunglasses decorated in bright polka-dotted, striped, and flowery patterns; colors include hot pink, sunshine yellow, spring green, and ruby red. A cheerful board book to use with lapsit and toddler storytimes.Olga R. Kuharets, Broward County Libraries, Fort Lauderdale, FLCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the New York Times bestseller My Mother Is Mine. Her other titles include A Mama for Owen, If You Were Born a Kitten, Grandmother’s Song, and Thank You for Me! She has retired from the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults where she was the first Faculty Chair. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and can be reached at MarionDaneBauer.com.; Title: Toes, Ears, & Nose! A Lift-the-Flap Book | [
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27,955 | 0 | Grade 4-7-Leave it to Gutman to come up with a novel idea for the Wright brothers' centennial. He creates a fictionalized diary, written from the point of view of Nags Head's Johnny Moore, a real person who witnessed the brothers' experiments. Beginning with January 1, 1900, 14-year-old Johnny writes: "Today is the first day of a new century! That's something innit?" At first, he ridicules the blank book his mother has given him, but as he writes in it, he slowly warms to his subject-himself-and his reactions to what is happening around him. Besides describing the peculiar Wright brothers (the "dingbatters"), he discusses the formation of baseball's National League, the transformation of his favorite team into the Chicago Cubs, the assassination of President McKinley, and the ascent of Teddy Roosevelt. Using "local" phrasings and grammatical flaws, Gutman creates a convincing voice for Johnny and embellishes the youngster's relationship with the Wrights and his role in the events. The author includes many of the primary figures in the race to perfect a flying machine; skillfully weaves the scientific principles of flight into the narrative; and also inserts quotes from the brothers, photographs, and newspaper clippings. A section at the end separates fact from fiction and provides a philosophical time line that outlines the "good" and "bad" things that the airplane has wrought. A thoughtful and inventive approach.Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NYCopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 4-7. Among those who saw the first flight at Kitty Hawk was a teenager named Johnny Moore. Gutman imagines Moore's journal, in this novel, which includes an eyewitness account of the attempt to get the first plane off the North Carolina dunes. Moore is a backwoods rustic who looks at the Wright's efforts with bemused skepticism and a lot of twangy folksiness. Eventually, however, he becomes excited about the effort and even takes a ride in the plane itself. Maps, newspaper accounts, and photographs of the actual events are interspersed throughout the story, but many of the novel's events are historically inaccurate. Gutman deals with the issue in a concluding section that explains how his book diverges from reality. In fact, the blending of fact and fiction works surprising well, reminiscent of films that incorporate both fictional and documentary footage. Many youth titles about the Wright brothers have recently been published in celebration of the anniversary of the famous flight; this one has a refreshing tone that's more amusing than reverential. Todd MorningCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Race for the Sky: The Kitty Hawk Diaries of Johnny Moore | [
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27,956 | 2 | Deborah Reber is an accomplished author for tweens and teens. A former children's television executive, Deborah uses her writing, speaking, and volunteering to empower and inspire girls everywhere to live their best life. Deborah is the author of two Simon Pulse non-fiction books: In Their Shoes and Chill. She lives in Seattle. Please visit Deborah at www.deborahreber.com or www.smartgirlsknow.com.; Title: Magenta Gets Glasses! (Blues Clues #10) | [
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27,957 | 0 | This waggish collection of poems about an unorthodox family get-together brims with enough visual and verbal fun to appeal to both parents and children alike. The felicitous combination of whimsical watercolors and quick-witted text features a rambunctious, munching family with a plethora of spring "Lambie Kins" who get "passed from sheep to sheep/ and kissed and kissed and kissed!" Newcomer Wheeler is not sheepish about clever puns and wordplay; the character poems especially stand out. "Sister Alabaster," the Kung-Fu master, "sure knows her chops"; "Aunt Eweginia" always makes "ewesful" things even as she "knits till she is nude." The design deserves kudos, too: on one spread, the sheep play "Baa-dminton" and opt for nibbling grass over perfecting their swing while, opposite, "Brunch," shows a baseball diamond and describes "A nibble here/ A nibble there/ Where has the infield gone?" The layout also plays up the punch line for a couple of poems: goofy "Woolverton" carries a bouquet of flowers and wears a love-sick expression, but doesn't know his true love is a cow (revealed with the turn of a page), and "Hiram's Horns" are so magnificent, the family decorates them each Christmas (a full spread is dedicated to their finery). These irresistible sheep relatives will captivate young readers from the time they arrive to their last "So long... farewool... good-baaa." Ages 3-6.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.K-Gr 3-A sheep family reunion is the clever theme that unifies these 24 humorous poems. The relations include Aunt Eweginia, Old Ramses, and Sweet Lanolin. Witty wordplay and puns are consistently maintained: "Sister Alabaster,/with fleece as white as snow,/is a Kung-Fu master,/-That lamb sure knows her chops!" Children will delight in the offbeat images: "Odd Ephram is the cousin/that no one talks about./He traded in his woolly coat/and now wears sauerkraut." After the characters are introduced, the verses progress to describe a "Baa-dminton" game and a "Rambunctious" picnic. In the final selection, the sheep bid each other a fond "farewool." Ansley's ink-and-watercolor illustrations extend the humor of this lighthearted collection.Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, CanadaCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion | [
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27,958 | 11 | Albert, an urban dachshund, has a real weakness for taxis. This yen is limited to rides with his human mistress--until the day he sneaks into a taxi on his own. It's a slippery slope from there. Soon he's hopping taxis all over town, planning adventures to the Kalahari Desert, California, and beyond. Eventually Albert winds up at the airport and discovers "astonishing airplanes" that look like giant white birds and his allegiance to the earthbound yellow cars is challenged.Pierre Pratt's wonderful, thick paintings work hard to make up for the sometimes bewildering, often overwhelming swaths of Cynthia Zarin's text. A ruthless editor could pare this story down to a charming dog-in-the-city tale; as it is, there are too many gratuitous characters and tangents for a young reader's plot-driven mind. A better bet would be Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben's Gaspard and Lisa series (Lisa in New York, Gaspard on Vacation, etc.). Still, for children who don't mind just going with the flow, following a high-strung pooch all around Manhattan, this is an entertaining and imaginative little romp. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterGrade 1-3--Most of the time, Albert the dachshund and Mrs. Crabtree walk the streets of New York City, but they occasionally take taxis, and thus is born the dog's simple pleasure. One day, he sneaks into a cab alone, but is soon dumped back onto the sidewalk by the driver. Next, he enters a car with a "very old lady" who offers to take him on an adventure. Though interested, he jumps out of the window and begins a third escapade with a couple of airport-bound boys. When they arrive at the terminal, the hyperactive pooch is overwhelmed by travel possibilities, until he runs into Mr. Crabtree, who is returning from a business trip, and the man takes his pet home in a cab (though now Albert daydreams of airplanes instead of automobiles). Young urbanites will relate to scenes of Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, but may not share Albert's delight in traveling alone and being lost in a big city. The lengthy text requires an audience of independent readers; young listeners will have trouble following the jumpy narrative with its confusing character cameos. Pratt's witty illustrations, rendered in quick broad strokes and vibrant washes of color, aptly reflect the bustling vitality of the city but are not enough to elevate Albert to more than a secondary purchase.--Mary Ann Carcich, Hampton Bays Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Albert, the Dog Who Liked to Ride in Taxis | [
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27,959 | 0 | With the clever, nearly 13-year-old narrator, Patience, at the helm, this fast-paced debut novel successfully steers through a whaling expedition and mutinous uprising. Though Patience would rather honor her recently deceased Mama's plan that she study mathematics at home on Nantucket, her captain father insists she and her six-year-old brother, Thaddeus (Tad), accompany him on his whaling ship. However, once aboard the Morning Star, her father initially dismisses her interest in navigation until she proves herself in her lessons (she also demonstrates her talents in the galley the author includes two favorite recipes). Frederick spices up the journey with an eclectic cast and crew, including Glum the dour cook, two thugs Patience nicknames Bunion and Toad, and a traitor named Bridgewater whom she dubs Bilgewater. She also weaves into the plot atmospheric details about whaling, the layout of the ship and navigational instruments, and supplements her research with facts about infamous whaling vessels such as the Essex and insider terms that kids will eat up, such as "Nantucket sleigh ride" the whalers' name for the breakneck chase after the prey. Patience also keeps a diary, which in some instances offers a slightly revised rehash of events but, for the most part, complements the text. Though readers will enjoy the whaling adventure, the brave heroine makes this historical adventure most memorable. Ages 8-12.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Grade 5-7 After the death of their mother, Patience and her younger brother, Tad, are taken by their captain father aboard his whaling ship for a three-year journey. At first, Patience desperately misses her Nantucket home, but she slowly grows accustomed to life at sea. The 12-year-old isn't thrilled to be confined to menial housekeeping chores, but after she is the first person to spot a whale, her father teaches her to use navigation equipment. When the ship is later threatened with sabotage by mutinous sailors, the girl must put her newfound skills and confidence to the test. Patience is a fully fleshed-out character, with layers of strength, intelligence, courage, and resourcefulness. She is also seeking approval from her father and anxious about her role on the ship and in life. Readers get a good sense of conditions aboard a whaler in 1835 and what daily life entailed. Nautical terms are included, but are not too technical and are woven throughout the text smoothly enough to glean the meaning (a glossary is included). The flow and pace of the novel are breezy enough to hold reader interest. Overall, a delightful journey with an appealing, well-rounded character. -Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed | [
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27,960 | 2 | Grade 3-6-Fourth-grader Alice McKinley can't seem to do anything right. Her intentions are as good as gold, but her gullibility gets the best of her every time. Her older brother, Lester, has a great time pulling her leg, and usually his teasing is harmless. But one day he takes it too far and convinces trusting Alice that his new girlfriend is a child-abuse victim who plans to run away to China to escape her violent home life. Alice's kindhearted effort to help out leads to considerable embarrassment for everybody, especially the McKinleys. Add a few other world-class mistakes to the mix, and Alice's fourth-grade year starts to feel like a total failure. Naylor's straightforward, good-humored narrative provides series fans with extra insight into the events that shaped this beloved character into a favorite young adult heroine.Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SCCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 3-7. Embarrassment has always been a big part of the wildly popular Alice series about a young, motherless girl trying to work out how to grow up female, but her bumbling is the heart of this story: "Blunderbuss" is her middle name. Following Starting with Alice (2002), this is the second of three prequels to the Alice books, which began with The Agony of Alice in 1985. Here, Alice, in fourth grade, can't get the unspoken rules right. Once again, it's all good fun--except for one troubling episode. Alice adores Tarzan movies, and with the boy next door she bumbles things as she tries to act out the romance of Tarzan and Jane as they flee from "ignorant savages." The book flap says that Naylor based this book on her own experience growing up. Still, some things aren't timeless. Haven't we gone beyond racist stereotypes about stupid, comic savages in the jungle? This might be a good title for class discussion: all the laughter close to home, and then the question of what's really funny. What should Alice be embarrassed about? Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Alice in Blunderland | [
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27,961 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1-An outstanding informational source that is highly appealing in its presentation. The brief rhyming text, similar to that in Demarest's Firefighters A to Z (2000) and Smokejumpers One to Ten (2002, both McElderry), tells the story of the "hotshots" called to put out a brushfire that is threatening to destroy a mountainside neighborhood. The short, uncomplicated text belies the author's knowledge of his subject. Despite an occasional forced rhyme, each word has been carefully chosen. While the text is simple enough for young listeners, it includes keywords that impart factual material. An author's note includes additional information and explanations of terminology. Borderless, double-page pastel illustrations effectively show the progression of events, from the accidental ignition of dried grass and deployment of brush rigs and trucks until moments after the fire has been extinguished. The vivid color and smudgy look of the pastel crayon artwork perfectly re-create the wildly raging fire and the hotshots. Every library will want to have this book on hand.Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OHCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.K-Gr. 2. Similar in subject and format to Demarest's Firefighters A to Z (2000) and Smoke Jumpers One to Ten (2002), this large-format book features hotshots, "the elite ground fire-fighting corps with permanent stations dotted throughout the western United States." Sparks from a passing train ignite a fire that rages out of control, burning homes as well as brush-covered countryside. The hotshots respond quickly, racing up a mountain, setting a "backburn," and protecting themselves with heat-resistant coverings when the blaze overtakes them. After their backburn stops the fire, they reload their tools on the truck, ready for the next call. The rhythm of the short, rhyming text sounds a bit clunky, and some terminology may confuse the uninitiated. But the story builds to a terrific climax, and the dramatic, intensely colored pastel illustrations are riveting. In the appended note, Demarest describes the process of battling wildfires, explains the fire-fighting terms used in the book, and lists books, videos, and Web sites for further information. Sure to enthrall children with an interest in fire fighting. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Hotshots! | [
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27,962 | 0 | Kathleen Kudlinski was born in Pennsylvania. When she grew up, she studied art and biology at the University of Maine. She became a science teacher, but when she stopped teaching, she tried writing. She is the author of books about Rosa Parks, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dr. Seuss, and many more.; Title: Harriet Tubman: Freedom's Trailblazer (Childhood of Famous Americans) | [
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27,963 | 0 | Young Lena, a fan of fancy headwear, enthusiastically embarks on an arts-and-crafts project to create a hat for each month of the year. She pastes and decorates her various chapeaux with representations of what makes each month so great. January's stocking cap has a snow theme, depicting snowmen, a sled and a mug of cocoa; December, with its jam-packed holiday docket, poses the biggest challenge and results in the biggest hat of all, rendered here on a vertical gatefold. Katz's (Counting Kisses) mixed-media artwork, primarily a combination of gouache and collage, has a kicky brightness that refreshes such traditional subjects as valentines, a spring flower garden, American flags, etc. Unfortunately, the presentation is muddled. The minimal rhyming text, with no more than a few lines per spread, seems aimed at very young readers (August is the month to collect sand in our pails), but assumes a familiarity with the names of and symbols associated with seasonal celebrations. For example, her description March winds swirl and we hear robins sing doesn't refer to Saint Patrick's Day, yet Lena's hat is a green tribute to shamrocks and pots of gold. The relatively complex instructions for making poster-board hats that appear at book's end, on the other hand, suggest an older audience, but children capable of attempting the paper millinery on their own will likely be turned off by the overly simplistic story. Ages 3-8.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Karen Katz has written and illustrated more than fifty picture books and novelty books including the bestselling Where Is Babys Belly Button? After graduating from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, she attended the Yale Graduate School of Art and Architecture where she became interested in folk art, Indian miniatures, Shaker art, and Mexican art. Her book, Counting Kisses, was named one of the 100 Greatest Books for Kids by Scholastic Parent & Child and was a Childrens Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection. Karen, her husband Gary Richards, and their daughter Lena divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York. Learn more about Karen Katz at KarenKatz.com.; Title: Twelve Hats for Lena : A Book of Months | [
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27,964 | 0 | Starred Review. Grade 2-5–This slice of historical fiction celebrates the bravery and resourcefulness of children. In the winter of 1941, 10-year-old Piet, a strong skater, is enlisted to lead his two young neighbors from Holland to safety over the ice to relatives in Belgium after their father is arrested for sending messages to the allied forces. The three children leave their home in Sluis and bravely skate 16 kilometers on the canals to Brugge. They outwit and hide from German soldiers and make it to their destination in one long, difficult day. Told with immediacy and suspense from Piet's point of view, the engaging narrative is arranged in columns, which is an ideal structure to relate the action in short sentences. Readers learn about the Elfstedentocht, a 200-kilometer skating race, and the boy's hero, skater Pim Mulier. The gorgeously detailed watercolor illustrations capture a sense of the time. The subdued, winter hues of brown and smoky gray are those often found in the oil paintings of Dutch and Flemish masters and match the quiet tone of the text. The book's format maximizes the drama and expanse of the landscape. Use this picture book to introduce curricular units and to give youngsters a vivid child's-eye view of the past.–Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 3-6. In this exciting World War II picture book for older children, a boy in the Netherlands helps two children escape to Belgium, where they will be safe from German soldiers. Piet, 10, is inspired by his country's great skating champion, and he has always dreamed of taking part in the famous national race. Now, however, he must race with Johanna and her little brother, Joop, along the frozen canals, past German guards, and over the border to safety. Piet's long, lucid, first-person narrative appears in short dramatic lines ("I could feel the scrape of our blades against the ice / And I could feel the cold air inside my chest"), and Daly's sepia-tone illustrations stay true to the boy's viewpoint, both in the few tense, full-page close-ups (as when the children confront the border guards) and in the spacious views of the kids speeding through the white landscape. The focus on the historic skating race is sometimes confusing, but the war is always in the background, and the physical reality of the thrilling rescue will hold skating fans. Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Greatest Skating Race: A World War II Story from the Netherlands | [
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27,965 | 0 | Lea Wait made her mystery debut with Shadows at the Fair, which was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Shadows on the Ivy, the third novel in her acclaimed series featuring Maggie Summer, is forthcoming in hardcover from Scribner. Lea comes from a long line of antiques dealers, and has owned an antique print business for more than twenty-five years. The single adoptive mother of four Asian girls who are now grown, she lives in Edgecomb, Maine. In addition to the Antique Print mysteries, Lea Wait writes historical fiction for young readers. Her first children's book, Stopping to Home, was named a Notable Book for Children in 2001 by Smithsonian magazine.Visit her website at www.leawait.com.; Title: Seaward Born (Aladdin Historical Fiction) | [
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27,966 | 2 | Grade 1-4In this narrative poem packaged as a picture book, the eight-year-old narrator ruminates about her life, describing the various houses that she has lived in. Her family is about to move to a fourth one, and she is not happy. Wong balances the girl's reluctance with her grandmother's humorous realism and artfully weaves both voices into the narration. Whereas her parents are busy envisioning their new dream house, the child yearns for the familiar: waking up to hash browns, waffles, and a chocolate shake at Grandmom's. Finally, motivated by her grandmother's assertion that, It takes time time/to settle into a house/to learn to love it right/to make it feel homegrown, she stitches together memories of her grandmother's house to create a vision of her own ideal abode and accepts the idea of moving. Lewis's watercolors are exquisite when depicting nature, and are warm in tone, but in the end, uneven. In fact, the layout on one page is quite confusing as it combines small paintings detailing unsavory aspects of houses they see on their House Hunt Sundays with the divergent, crowning description of beloved Grandmom's house, without any kind of visual or typographic transition. Helpful for kids who move a lot, this is a solid example of descriptive writing. Unfortunately, the overall feel of the book is sugary.Sara Paulson-Yarovoy, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Janet S. Wong is the author of more than a dozen picture books and poetry collections. Her work includes Night Garden: Poems from the World of Dreams, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, and Knock on Wood: Poems About Superstitions, both illustrated by Julie Paschkis, as well as Grump, a Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Book, illustrated by John Wallace. Janet lives with her family in Medina, Washington.; Title: Homegrown House | [
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27,967 | 2 | How could such a sweet little red-haired girl's mother accuse her of being wild? Worse still, how could she possibly make her sit in the time-out chair? That's precisely what this little girl wonders as she sits in the chair and lets her imagination (but not her manners, no way!) run wild: "If I were a lion,/ I'd growl and roar/ and knock the dishes/ on the floor./ I'd scare the hair/ right off the cat,/ but do you see me doing that?" Heather M. Solomon, also the illustrator of Clever Beatrice, captures the wildness in the little girl's mind in fantastic watercolor and gouache paintings. In the "growl and roar" spread, a ferocious lion is standing on two legs, open-jawed, in the ultra-artsy kitchen, breaking the dishes as the little girl looks on, wide-eyed and innocent. "Wild has feathers./ Wild has scales./ Wild has whiskers, tusks, and tails," she insists, surrounded by a made-up menagerie of owls, parrots, toucans, Old World chameleons, horned toads, snakes, walruses, seals, and fish in a bucket. We all know she protests too much: the title page reveals exhibit A--a childlike lion picture scrawled on the wall and a knocked-over cereal box. (Preschool to age 6) --Karin SnelsonPreSchool-Grade 1-When a young girl is sent to a time-out chair, she defends herself by asking, "Wild?/Who me?" With wide-eyed innocence, she proclaims: "Wild has feathers./Wild has scales./Wild has whiskers, tusks, and tails./Wild is furry./Wild is strong./Wild does not know/right from wrong." As she describes each characteristic, unruly animals take over the kitchen and living room-snorting, charging, and growling as they break dishes, overturn furniture, and create messes. The narrator seems to be surprised by their antics, but the gleam in her eye makes it obvious that she's not as innocent as she appears. So who created the havoc-the animals or this "meek and mild" child? Sharp-eyed readers will enjoy spotting the toys being blamed for the disasters; the endpapers, with numerous stuffed animals strewn haphazardly across them, provide another clue. Solomon adds to the humor by giving the youngster oversized features that make her appear cartoonlike, but with a painterly touch just shy of realistic. Splashes of salt resist on each page form a soft patterned background for the carpeting. An interesting combination of gouache brush strokes scattered over watercolor washes captures the texture of fur and feathers. Pair this book with Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (HarperCollins, 1988) for another protagonist whose imagination runs rampant when he's confined, and to create a storytime that will grab the attention of children who have been placed in a time-out.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: If I Were a Lion | [
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27,968 | 0 | Stephen Krensky is the author of more than a hundred books for children, including How Santa Got His Job (an ALA Notable Book) and Big Bad Wolves at School. He and his wife, Joan, live in Lexington, Massachusetts. You can visit him at StephenKrensky.com.; Title: Sacagawea and the Bravest Deed | [
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27,969 | 4 | The animals aboard Jane Yolen's Animal Train, illus. by Doug Cushman, teach colors, shapes, numbers and opposites. Die-cut like a locomotive, the board book's playful verse encourages youngsters to look beneath liftable flaps ("Porter Seal soon/ Comes and goes,/ Luggage balanced/ On his nose") as the characters ride the rails. Ages 3-6.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Animal Train : A Lift-the-Flap Concept Book | [
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27,970 | 0 | In a starred review, PW said of this collection of short poems, "The interplay between words and pictures effectively conjures images from seasons, to sports, to the jungle. From endpaper to doodled endpaper, this mix of clever language and visual delights makes a dandy treat for all ages." Ages 3-8. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape | [
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27,971 | 2 | Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novelMissing Mayreceived the Newbery Medal. She lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Visit her at CynthiaRylant.com.; Title: The Whale (Lighthouse Family) | [
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27,972 | 11 | PreS-This slice-of-life vignette takes readers through a day in an urban apartment building. The book is divided into three sections-morning, day, and night-and time flows smoothly for the young residents ("one baby, two little girls, three big boys, four little boys, two cats, and a bird") from the time they wake until they are tucked into bed. Spot illustrations allow children to glimpse details of the activities going on simultaneously on various floors. The minimalist pen-and-ink cartoons, with their loose and simple lines, are accented with soft analogous colors in gouache. White backgrounds provide a restful contrast to all this busyness and isolate the text so it is easy to read. The pictures and text include individuals of many different backgrounds. Youngsters will enjoy this peek into other children's daily routines and meals (especially potato chips and hot dogs for breakfast) as well as the constant action provided by the characters, including a set of triplets.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. A squat, red-brick apartment building is home to two little girls, three big boys, and four little boys--from different families. This fact may not be clear to the intended audience, though, at least not at first, as the children scramble about on oversize snowy-white pages, getting up, eating breakfast, and beginning their day. As morning blends into afternoon, it becomes clearer that toddler Henry is at the grocery store with his mommy, and African American twins Peter and Thomas are shopping with their mom. Then, back at home, the triplets join in the hunt after Henry's bird flies into the hallway. By dinnertime, the groups have sorted out nicely--one family eats hamburgers, another chicken, a third pizza, and Henry's parents watch as he picks at his food. Schwartz is always able to get to the heart of childhood doings and feelings in her stories and chipper pen-and-watercolor art. Here, her success is somewhat diluted by the multiplicity of characters and events. Still, little ones will enjoy recognizing slices of their own lives. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: A Glorious Day | [
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27,973 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 4–Franco combines her love for language and numbers in this collection that celebrates all things 100. Poems ranging in size, scope, and subject matter are decorated with Salerno's joyful gouache illustrations. Each poem works in the triple digit number, such as "100 Inches Tall" in which a girl speculates about the pros and cons of being so tall. Sometimes Franco experiments with different types of poems, such as "Haiku," comprised of four stanzas, each an independent haiku as well. "One hundred acorns/buried all over the yard–/squirrel's autumn chores." Students will enjoy sharing a special poem each day to help them count down to the 100th day of school. Pair this title with Rosemary Wells's Emily's First 100 Days of School (Hyperion, 1999) for a perfect score.–Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. Classes gearing up for 100th day celebrations will delight in this collection of 100 poems that could be shared one-a-day. Some poems include whimsical arithmetic exercises, such as the numbered list in "100 Picnic Pests" that invites children to add insects or several poems that encourage counting to 100 by 10s and 20s. Other selections are atmospheric scenes that make only a passing reference to 100: "the one hundred little parachutes" that blow off a dandelion, for instance. Children with beginning-of-the-year jitters will appreciate the warm opening poem, which offers a reassuring list of the familiar activities that will make up the first 100 days. Salerno, who also illustrated Franco's Mathematickels (2003), contributes stylish, cheerful gouache paintings, which, while mostly too small to be easily viewed by groups, extend the poems' lighthearted moods. Pair this with Rosemary Wells' Emily's First 100 Days of School (2000) to help kids prepare for the big countdown. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Counting Our Way to the 100th Day! | [
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27,974 | 2 | Mommies are great at so many different things. But whether they're helping you make a garden grow, taking you trick-or-treating, or tucking you in with a good-night kiss, all moms are doing one thing best: giving you "lots and lots of love." In Laura Numeroff and Lynn Munsinger's companion to What Daddies Do Best, animal moms shower their offspring with loving gestures. Munsinger's appealing watercolor illustrations show a massive bear mum teaching her cub how to ride a bike (helmets on, of course!). In another image, a mama mouse holds her weeping child, a telltale moving van in the background undoubtedly whisking away a best friend; still another depicts a pair of porcupines in pajamas, cozying up for a bedtime story. As in the Daddies book, the running text simply describes what readers are seeing: "Mommies can watch the sun set with you." Young readers will be reassured and delighted by this tribute to good old mom. (Ages 2 to 6) --Emilie CoulterLaura Numeroff is well known as the author of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and the two-in-one book What Grandmas Do Best/What Grandpas Do Best. She lives in Los Angeles, California with her dog and two cats.; Title: What Mommies Do Best (Miniature Edition) | [
27894
] | Test |
27,975 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 2-Meet "Murphy-Stop-That," the yippy little terrier starring in this first-person (or should we say first-dog) account. Murphy's peripatetic, wide-eyed, tail-wagging personality is foreshadowed in endpapers covered with his zippy little paw prints. There is not much plot here, but Murphy's breathlessly running commentary to himself on everything from the importance of being first into the kitchen in the morning ("Run! Run! Don't waste any time. You have to be first!") to a car trip to the vet ("I hate to ride in the car. Whirring. Bumping. Swaying. Whimper. Whine") to dinnertime ("Be patient. Don't beg. Things drop. Crumbs. Good things. Sneaky handouts") gives the book entertaining momentum. Readers know this dog and his world through his consistently expressed point of view, both textual and visual. The impression of Murphy's hyperkinetic energy is supported through the graphic device of horizontal linearity as he moves across the bottom of most spreads in multiple images, often at a dead run, halting only on the last page as linearity turns more softly circular at day's end. Provensen skillfully balances frenetic activity with generous white space. Her oil renderings of this farm world in strong, recognizable line are a perfect foil for her more hasty, scratchy depiction of the pup himself. This is an assured but simple presentation that will earn this memorably funny dog a place on shelves and in hearts.Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CTCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. For terrier Murphy (or, as he introduces himself, "Murphy-Stop-That"), life on the farm is busy. There are floors to lick, shoes to chew, mice to sniff out. The kitchen is a joy; the car, not so great; the vet, "Get me out of here!" But soon, it's home to supper, some excited night barking (he "heard the moon move"), and bedtime in the barn, surrounded by his toys and animal friends. With charming, lively illustrations and peppy, descriptive prose, Provensen portrays the smells, sounds, and activities of a delightful, active pup. Colorful, textured artwork outlined in black and brimming with whimsical detail, captures wide-eyed Murphy traversing barnyard and house, wholeheartedly enjoying life (even doing a few things he shouldn't be doing). Although this is longer than the usual picture book, short phrases and strings of adjectives make it a fun read-aloud that will hold kids' interest. It will be hard to resist the joyful, humorous touches in text and art and the enthusiastic, engaging doggie stream of consciousness as Murphy goes about his day. Shelle RosenfeldCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: A Day in the Life of Murphy (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) | [
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27,976 | 13 | It is the last wish of 15-year-old Jess's grandfather to return to his childhood home by the river. "Bowler's 1998 Carnegie Medal winner succeeds in conveying the strong bond between Jess and her grandfather; as the novel unfolds, the heroine realizes they have more in common than she'd ever imagined," said PW. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)nCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc."The Horn Book Magazine" There is no question that the tightly scripted plot with its steadily building tension will keep readers spellbound to the end.Susan Cooper, Newbery Medal Winner, "The Grey King" A river is a natural metaphor for life and death, and Tim Bowler uses it to wonderful effect in this lovely, simple story. "River Boy" is written in quiet, non-poetic prose -- but it's a poem, as well as a very moving novel."The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books" Cormier fans...are likely to find this just their cup of astringent tea."School Library Journal" (starred review) This psychological thriller is immediately engaging...[and] suspenseful and fast-paced throughout.; Title: River Boy | [
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27,977 | 2 | Grade 1-3--Ruby Lu makes her debut in this funny and charming chapter book. Full of joie de vivre, the eight-year-old loves her family, particularly her baby brother, Oscar; wearing reflective tape; and performing in her own backyard magic show. Plot development is episodic but steady as Ruby musters up her courage to attend Chinese school; she confronts mean Christina from California; and she decides to drive herself to school. (Her parents are frantic when their children and car are missing, but Ruby thinks that her biggest mistake was parking in the principal's spot.) Looming large is the fact that her cousin, Flying Duck, is emigrating from China and Ruby will have to share her bedroom. All is well, however, when Flying Duck gets off the airplane wearing reflective tape. Clever book design includes a playful copyright page and a small flip book of one of Ruby's magic tricks on the lower right-hand corner of each page. "Ruby's Fantastic Glossary and Pronunciation Guide" explains unfamiliar terms related to Chinese culture. Generous font, ample white space, and animated and active illustrations rendered in India ink make this a perfect choice for readers who are looking for alternatives to Barbara Park's "Junie B. Jones" books (Random).--Debbie Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 1-3. Look's Asian American perspective is always like a breath of fresh air in picture books. With Ruby Lu, she ventures for the first time into chapter-book territory, and the results are mixed. Her chapters are oddly disjointed, and the narrative doesn't flow from one chapter into the next. Rather it reads like a collection of nine short stories in which Ruby worries about going to Chinese school (Do they really serve snacks of roasted snakes?), the arrival of a cousin from China whom she's never met, and more. In addition, because the book is billed as the first in a series, Look introduces a load of details to establish character and setting, which threaten to overwhelm what little continuity there is. Still, there's some sparkle here, and Look certainly addresses the need for a recurring Asian American character. A little tightening may give future books the extra punch they need. Terry GloverCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Ruby Lu, Brave and True | [
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27,978 | 2 | "Sparkling . . . introduces an eccentric, entirely engaging British family whose members readers will immediately embrace.""This family's story, in which every activity becomes an artistic expression, will surely fly off the shelves."Hilary McKay is the award-winning author ofLove to Everyone,Binny Bewitched(which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year andreceived two starred reviews),Binny in Secret(which received three starred reviews),Binny for Short(which received four starred reviews), and six novels about the Casson family:Saffys Angel,Indigos Star, Permanent Rose,Caddy Ever After,Forever Rose, andCaddys World. She is also the author ofWishing for Tomorrow, the sequel to Frances Hodgson BurnettsA Little Princess. Hilary lives with her family in Derbyshire, England. Visit her at HilaryMcKay.co.uk.; Title: Saffy's Angel (Casson Family) | [
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27,979 | 0 | Publishers Weekly It's smooth sailing for Rylant's sweet, sea-inspired tale...(which) will keep young readers turning the pages-and on the lookout for future titles in the series.Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novelMissing Mayreceived the Newbery Medal. She lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Visit her at CynthiaRylant.com.; Title: The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) | [
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27,980 | 3 | Based on the new TV special of the same name, A Charlie Brown Valentine, by Charles M. Schulz, adapted by Justine and Ron Fontes and illus. by Paige Braddock, follows the anxiety-ridden hero as he loses sleep in his attempts to show the Little Red-Haired Girl that he cares.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: A Charlie Brown Valentine (Peanuts) | [
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27,981 | 5 | Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938) was an extremely talented cartoonist, illustrator, and storyteller. He had already written and illustrated a book of original fairy tales before creating the first two Raggedy books, Raggedy Ann Stories and Raggedy Andy Stories. Raggedy Ann, heroine of the first, was the favorite doll of his daughter, Marcella, who died at the age of thirteen after a long illness. It was from Marcella that Johnny drew the inspiration to eventually create more than forty Raggedy Ann and Andy books, all capturing his unique vision of childhood. Many of the stories, illustrations, and adventures in the Raggedy Ann storybooks were based on Marcella's childhood adventures. The Paper Dragon: A Raggedy Ann Adventure was one of Johnny's early adventure storybooks and has become one of his most beloved.; Title: The Paper Dragon (A Raggedy Ann Adventure) | [
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27,982 | 0 | Gr. 2-4. In this Ready-for-Chapter book in the Brave Kids: True Stories from America's Past series, Goodman introduces Robert, one of the more than 10,000 underage boys who sneaked into uniform during the Civil War. After defying his mother and running away, Robert, 12, became a drummer for the Union army. At the Battle of Fredericksburg, he proved himself a hero, risking his life and even capturing a rebel soldier. His story was in the newspapers, and General Burnside and Abraham Lincoln publicly honored him. With a good deal of dialogue, the book is a quick read that will grab children with the fast-paced action of a boy at war, even as it fills in the decidedly non-glorious facts about the terrible defeat of the Union army at the battle that made Robert a hero.It also raises some hotly debated issues about fact and fiction in children's literature. This is fiction, so all the rules about strict documentation don't apply. Right? Well then, why that word "True" in the series title? How "true" is this story? Goodman's entertaining, informal afterword addresses these questions. It seems quoting sources doesn't always work; a book written about Robert soon after the war bragged so much that Goodman decided she didn't always believe it. She "dreamed up" a lot, especially about Robert's thoughts and conversations; but she also says that, even though her hero was a real boy whose exploits were written up at the time, "history is really a combination of what happened and what people think happened." That's a statement to make us think. First the exciting story, then the laidback commentary: together they make this a good springboard, even for older readers, for talking about history, story, truth, and the meaning of war. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedTo research her various books and magazine articles,Susan E. Goodmanhas snowshoed through mountain forests, tried using a blowgun in the Amazon, and scared a moose at rest -- and herself in the bargain. Years ago, she went to U.S. Space Camp as a participant and loved the 1/6 Gravity Chair. Ms. Goodman lives with her family in Boston, Massachusetts.; Title: Robert Henry Hendershot: True Stories from America's Past | [
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27,983 | 14 | A dog of a different color stars with his good buddy Joe in the paper-over-board title Blue's 12 Days of Christmas by Catherine Lukas, illus. by Karen Craig. Ages 3-6.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Blue's 12 Days of Christmas (Blue''s Clues) | [
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27,984 | 1 | Little Mouse follows his big sister around the house early one February morning, wondering just what she's doing with the "smooth and rosy," "sticky and goopy," and "white and holey" things she searches for and finds. Finally, after a little paper folding, paste brushing, and lace smoothing, Mouse has his answer. "Little Mouse," his sister calls. "This valentine is just for YOU on Valentine's Day." Fans of Lauren Thompson and illustrator Buket Erdogan's other Mouse books, Mouse's First Christmas and Mouse's First Halloween, will be tickled pink to see this duo's Valentine's Day title. Soaked in Valentine reds, pinks, and purples, with text playfully wrapping around Mouse's tail or over his ears, this entertaining little picture book is just the thing to introduce young ones to the holiday or to inspire a creative afternoon of valentine-crafting for friends and family. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie CoulterThe star of Mouse's First Christmas and Mouse's First Halloween gets a heart-shaped card from big sister Minka in Mouse's First Valentine by Lauren Thompson, illus. by Buket Erdogan. As Minka collects the materials to make it paste, ribbon and lace Little Mouse sneaks behind her, each time asking "What could it be?" Minka answers each question on the following page. " `Red paper!' said Minka./ Just what I need.' " Erdogan's velvety palette in rosy tones warms the pages.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Mouse's First Valentine | [
1713,
2722,
27753,
28138,
45491
] | Test |
27,985 | 2 | Grade 2–4—A child recounts his great-great uncle's lifelong passion for flying-which began at age five with a leap from the roof of a chicken coop and climaxed with wartime flights as one of the Tuskegee Airmen. The man is depicted as a slender figure with distant eyes contemplating the wild blue yonder or, later on, posing with massive-looking, antique aircraft. The slightly misty look of Long's illustrations artfully evokes that sense of remembered times and matches the lyrical tone of Johnson's brief, poetic monologue. "He cried when they landed/because then he knew/what it was like to go/into the wind,/against the wind,/beyond the wind." A final view of the child and his uncle flying off into the "magical wind" in an oversize biplane caps this soaring double tribute to both the Second World War's still-underappreciated African-American pilots and to the profound longing to fly that impelled them.—John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.In spare, poetic lines, a young African American boy introduces his great-great-uncle, who was a Tuskegee airman. His uncle's love for flying begins in boyhood, when he "catches air" in jumps from haylofts and takes his first rides in a "flying barnstormer." Later he becomes a Tuskegee wind flyer and serves in World War II, and his delight in piloting lasts his lifetime. Johnson introduces the history in oblique, pared-down words. Many children will need adult help to place the story in context, and they may want to talk about the story's references to war, including a scene of planes in combat. Long's acrylics beautifully extend the evocative words. Resembling WPA murals in clearly defined, rounded figures and realistic scenes, the artwork shows thrilling expanses of sky and gives a sense, in aerial views, of what it must feel like to touch clouds from an open aircraft. Pair this title with Lynn Homan and Thomas Reilly's The Tuskegee Airmen Story (2002). Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Wind Flyers | [
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27,986 | 0 | In Simon & Schuster's continuing program of Raggedy Ann reissues, the redheaded dolls go on a wish-granting spree in Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods by Johnny Gruelle. When their journey leads them to a group of forest fairies, they learn a lesson. The volume features the original 1930s typeface and Gruelle's full-color artwork. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938) was an extremely talented cartoonist, illustrator, and storyteller. He had already written and illustrated a book of original fairy tales before creating the first two Raggedy books, Raggedy Ann Stories and Raggedy Andy Stories. Raggedy Ann, heroine of the first, was the favorite doll of his daughter, Marcella, who died after a long illness at the age of thirteen. It was from her that Johnny drew inspiration to eventually create over forty Raggedy Ann and Andy books, all capturing his unique vision of childhood. Many of the stories, illustrations, and adventures in the Raggedy Ann storybooks were based on Marcella's childhood adventures. Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods was one of Johnny's early adventure storybooks and has become one of his most enduring.; Title: Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods: Classic Edition | [
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27,987 | 11 | "This book is proof a road trip can change your life." -- Seventeen magazine"17 Things We're Loving Right Now" -- Seventeen magazine"A moving, realistic exploration of first love, class issues, girls' self-confidence, and the process of healing." -- BooklistEllen Wittlinger is the critically acclaimed author of the teen novels Parrotfish, Blind Faith, Sandpiper, Heart on My Sleeve, Zigzag, and Hard Love (an American Library Association Michael L. Printz Honor Book and a Lambda Literary Award winner), and its sequel Love & Lies: Marisols Story. She has a bachelors degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and an MFA from the University of Iowa. A former childrens librarian, she lives with her husband in Haydenville, Massachusetts.; Title: Zigzag | [
43415
] | Validation |
27,988 | 2 | Surprises abound in Grandma and Me, a lift-the-flap board book by Karen Katz. Someone special is at the door. Who could it be? A big blue door on the opposite page opens to reveal It's Grandma! But there's more in store: lively pastels show a teddy bear in her suitcase and cookies baking in the oven. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Karen Katz has written and illustrated more than fifty picture books and novelty books including the bestselling Where Is Babys Belly Button? After graduating from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, she attended the Yale Graduate School of Art and Architecture where she became interested in folk art, Indian miniatures, Shaker art, and Mexican art. Her book, Counting Kisses, was named one of the 100 Greatest Books for Kids by Scholastic Parent & Child and was a Childrens Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection. Karen, her husband Gary Richards, and their daughter Lena divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York. Learn more about Karen Katz at KarenKatz.com.; Title: Grandma and Me: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Books) | [
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27,989 | 2 | One young Dracula is excited to go trick-or-treating (with his mom) in his family's apartment building on Halloween night. He visits Knicker Knocker on the second floor, who gives him candy bars, then Slipper Slopper on the third floor, whose treat is peanut cups. Wiggle Waggle on the fourth floor fills his bag with tangerine drops. The story continues in this vein until the young vampire visits the inhabitant of the 10th floor: Magic Merlin. But what's this? Magic Merlin has no treats, but a trick! He waves a magic wand and decrees everything to be "Wackbards!" As little Dracula works his way back down the apartment floors, everything is indeed backwards. Now, it's all tricks! Wiggle Waggle is Waggle Wiggle, and instead of tangerine drops, he offers whirling, twirling drangerine tops. Slipper Slopper is now Slopper Slipper and gives him a furry litter of ceanut pups instead of peanut cups. (One of the best and most interesting aspects of this book is illustrator Paul Meisel's wacky visual interpretations of these wackbards words.) Of course, by the time little Dracula gets home, the power of his daddy's hug breaks Merlin's spell and they "laughed and laughed" and "ate and ate." Part Halloween book, part goofy wordplay book, Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, and Paul Meisel's Trick or Treat? is sure to please giggle-prone goblins with a penchant for beanut putter. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin SnelsonCounting and word games result when a trick-or-treater makes the rounds of his 10-story apartment building. On his way upstairs, the junior Dracula gets Licorice Twists, Chocolate Sticks and so forth, but, on the top floor, a gleeful neighbor in Merlin guise sends him "WackBards!" The boy proceeds in reverse, receiving Stocolate Chicks, Twicorice Lists, etc. Meisel (How to Talk to Your Cat) gamely draws a crateful of chicks, elaborately scrawled lists, etc., and Martin and Sampson's (previously teamed for I Pledge Allegiance, reviewed August 26) expertly cadenced inside-out wordplay could prove habit-forming. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Trick or Treat? | [
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27,990 | 12 | Here Come Our Firefighters! by Chris Demarest offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the station house. A firetruck stretches across the length of one spread that folds out into three panels; labels name each part (e.g. extension ladder and tow hook). Pull-tabs help a firefighter slide down a pole, while a pop-up highlights a burning building. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Here Come Our Firefighters! : A Pop-up Book | [
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27,991 | 14 | Skeletons are a little less scary when they have the hiccups. This particular skeleton can't seem to shake them--not in the shower (nice fuzzy bat slippers!), not while brushing his teeth (woops! there goes the bottom jaw!), not while polishing his bones, carving a pumpkin, raking leaves, or even when playing baseball with his friend Ghost. Ghost, instead of Boo-ing! away his buddy's hiccups right away as we might expect, advises Skeleton to hold his breath and eat some sugar and drink water upside down. When he finally does Boo! it still doesn't work. But when Ghost finds a mirror and holds it up to Skeleton's face, he sees his reflection and screams in fright! The hiccups jump away, hic, hic, hic. While it's novel to see a skeleton eating sugar, drinking water, showering, etc., it may be tricky to find the right audience for this unusual picture book that's more about hiccups than Halloween. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonSkeleton's persistent hiccups prevent him from polishing his bones (his arm jerks loose), carving a pumpkin, raking leaves, etc. "Drink some water upside down," advises Ghost, but the liquid pours out Skeleton's eye sockets. Relief finally comes when Ghost pulls out a mirror and Skeleton scares himself. Cuyler (The Biggest, Best Snowman) punctuates each sentence with a "hic, hic, hic," while Schindler (Big Pumpkin) limns woebegone Skeleton in pale blue-white on elegantly mottled burgundies and evergreens. The illustrations may be spare, but most contain a sly detail or two (check out Skeleton's bat slippers). The commonplace condition and unlikely victim make for offbeat-hic-comedy. Ages 3-6.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Skeleton Hiccups | [
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27,992 | 2 | In her first venture as both writer and illustrator, Potter (Gabriella's Song) proves as adept with words as she is with images, spinning a lyrical account of the year she toured Italy with her family's theater troupe. After packing their steamer trunks with "puppets, masks, and musical instruments," their grandparents see them off at the airport. Then seven-year-old Giselle, her little sister, Chloe, and their parents are off in an old wooden carnival truck across "the country that's shaped like a boot." From their not-so-stellar debut at a piazza in Florence (the police scold them for not having a permit, their truck gets stuck in a narrow street and they are rescued by nuns) to their grand finale performance in Rome, Potter wisely filters her reminiscences through the eyes of her child-self. She alights on details most likely to intrigue a young audience (such as "bread you could roll up into little balls" and a circus performer named Eva "who could hang by her long hair and play the tuba"). The captivating account makes the exotic setting come alive (e.g., "We ate little pizzas with thin crusts until our bellies puffed up, and watched people dancing under the sparkly lights"), as does the fittingly quirky mixed-media artwork. Her instantly recognizable elongated faces and disproportionate bodies all arms and legs particularly suit her free-spirited family. Endpapers sporting journal entries, homework assignments, drawings and more from Potter's original trip make the foreign backdrop immediately accessible. Ages 4-8. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-The title is certain to pique children's curiosity, and the quirky autobiographical story will quickly pull them in. Potter's first-person narration describes the year her family's theater troupe traveled throughout Italy, living in a truck amid their masks, puppets, and musical instruments. The illustrator's signature figures, with almond-shaped heads and curved legs that end in tiny feet, take to the stage in costumes with transparent veils and papier-mache heads, enacting whimsical tales. Potter's pencil, ink gouache, and watercolor scenes capture classic details of Italian culture, from the pigeons, roasted chestnuts, and fountains to the chastising glances of the nuns and the unyielding behavior of the espresso drinkers. The text is sprinkled with rhymed journal pages, Italian phrases, and a "picture dictionary" restaurant tablecloth. The endpapers reproduce pieces of Potter's actual childhood journal; she was seven at the time. Anyone who has lived or traveled abroad will relate to the child's perspective of a new culture. Others will be fascinated with the troubadour lifestyle, e.g., toddler Chlo' sleeping in a drawer, a serendipitous encounter with a stranger that leads to a pizza garden party. A madcap journey from a gifted storyteller.Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public LibraryCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Year I Didn't Go to School | [
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27,993 | 13 | This innovative visual deconstruction of one of jazz saxophonist Coltrane's most beloved compositions may be Raschka's (Mysterious Thelonious) most ambitious picture book yet. After a playful introduction ("Good evening. And thank you for coming to our book"), the unseen narratorconductor introduces the performers a box, a snowflake, some raindrops and a kitten a tongue-in-cheek nod to Coltrane's version of "My Favorite Things"). The book does not require previous awareness of the jazz great's work, however. Each performer (representing percussion, bass, piano and sax) appears in a different color and shape (Raschka riffs on primary red, yellow and blue, and the basic square, triangle and circle). The performance begins, only to be interrupted when the kitten ("the melody on top of everything") takes steps a little too large ("People, people! What happened?"). Some coaching finally produces what Coltrane called "sheets of sound." Raschka's transparent watercolors layer colors and shapes the way a musician would notes and harmonies. Stunningly simple, the concept provides a compelling introduction to Coltrane's genius. Those who possess a little musical knowledge will delight in such arch references as "remixed by Chris Raschka" on the title page and the conductor's hilarious critique ("First of all, raindrops, you were rushing on page 19"). Even the jacket repeats the book's central conceit: a clear plastic wrap featuring the kitten, painted in thick black outline, overlays the other elements. A must for jazz enthusiasts and, for first-timers, a clever introduction to this wildly creative musical genre. Ages 4-7. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 5-Paw forward, the cat featured in Raschka's Simple Gifts (Holt, 1998) graces the clear cellophane jacket of this book. Her thick, black, inked contours overlay the watercolor, biomorphic forms on the book's front cover-a box, snowflake, and raindrop-the performers of Coltrane's jazz classic "Giant Steps." An offstage narrator/conductor prepares listeners for "swirling, leaping, tumbling 'sheets of sound.'" In the ensuing double spreads, the 4/4 tempo is introduced by a quartet of raindrops (drums); the foundation is then formed with an overlay of boxes (the bass). Snowflakes (the piano) build up next to represent harmony, and, at last, the kitten (sax) dances across the shapes, bringing the melody. The conductor, however, is not pleased, so after some comments, the piece is played again, winding down to a quiet curtain call of the four isolated images. The sequential design and layering of the organic forms are a creative, joyful, and energetic match for the pulsing momentum and resolution in the music. Raschka manages to distill body and soul and "remix" Coltrane's sound graphically, and the book offers an engaging intellectual and sensory experience. Presenting it with the music itself is a must. Bravo, maestro!-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: John Coltrane's Giant Steps (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) | [
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27,994 | 18 | To research her various books and magazine articles,Susan E. Goodmanhas snowshoed through mountain forests, tried using a blowgun in the Amazon, and scared a moose at rest -- and herself in the bargain. Years ago, she went to U.S. Space Camp as a participant and loved the 1/6 Gravity Chair. Ms. Goodman lives with her family in Boston, Massachusetts.; Title: Hazelle Boxberg (Brave Kids) | [
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] | Test |
27,995 | 2 | Grade 2-4Third-graders Gracie and Zach arrive at school early because their mother is a teacher. Mr. Carillo has been there since early morning, unlocking the building, turning on the heat and lights, and even making coffee in the teachers' workroom. He calls the twins the "Early Birds" and lets them help with some of the work. The children soon realize how special the friendly custodian is; he can fix anything, knows the name of every student, and even shares donuts with his two assistants. When Gracie notices the words of praise written on the students' papers displayed on the walls, she gets an idea. With the help of Zach, the principal, and her teacher, they plan a surprise for Mr. Carillo. When he opens the school, there's a banner as well as notes written by the children posted on the many things that he has cleaned or fixed: "Super! Mighty Fine! Good Effort." This tale lauds a job well done and highlights the important role of custodians. Gustavson's realistic oil paintings suggest the warmth of the building and the dark hallways in the early morning with enough generic blurred detail to keep readers focused on the people rather than the place. The story is sure to move youngsters to, as Borden suggests in her introduction, "Celebrate your custodian's hard work."Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 3. Mr. John Carillo, custodian of Dublin Elementary School, gets to work early in the morning in the pitch-black dark to prepare the building for the school day. Third-grader Gracie and her twin brother, Zach, come early with their mother who teaches at the school, and they love helping Mr. Carillo get everything ready. Then Gracie comes up with a plan for everyone to thank him. The simple, unrhymed poetic words and the realistic oil paintings create a strong sense of a diverse school community and a man in flannel shirt and worn leather shoes who always knows "which key fit the right lock." Especially intriguing is the hands-on detail of the tools Mr. Carillo uses ("hammers and pliers, / boxes of nails and screws, / and short and tall ladders / that clattered and screeched") and the work he does with wiring, pipes, windows, and lights. Yes, he's a faultless character, but there's no condescension in the kid's view of the strong, solitary, almost melancholy man, and his work. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The A+ Custodian | [
52401
] | Test |
27,996 | 13 | "This shimmering adaptation of a Gershwin tune may be primarily for adults, but Wimmer's lifelike portraits of a vibrant, closely knit African-American family are a pleasure for anyone to behold," said PW. Ages 5-up. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Mike Wimmer has illustrated many books for children, including Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh, which was named an ALA Notable Childrens Book and was called a grand slam in a starred review in Publishers Weekly. He also illustrated Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh by Robert Burleigh, which received the Orbis Pictus Award for nonfiction. He lives in Oklahoma with his family.; Title: Summertime | [
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27,997 | 2 | In Dora's Backpack, Nickelodeon's popular Latina heroine needs to return eight books to the library before it closes. With Map leading the way, Dora and her friend Boots the monkey will make use of all the handy items stored in Backpack to cross the Troll Bridge, get through the Icky-Sticky Sand, cross Turtle River, and get to the library in time. But beware, because Swiper the fox is always lurking. Dora's Backpack is based on the television episode and teaches problem solving, map reading, counting, and one Spanish word. (Ages 2 to 5) --David Horiuchi; Title: Dora's Backpack (DORA THE EXPLORER) | [
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27,998 | 2 | Daddy is making a special project. Help him find the tools he needs by looking under the oversized flaps. Working with Daddy is so much fun! Book Details:; Title: Daddy and Me (Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Books) | [
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27,999 | 15 | Kindergarten-Grade 3 - With its interestingly composed, close-up color photos, this book explores a variety of seeds and their methods of dispersal. The text is simple enough for independent reading; however, some of the concepts are not adequately explained. For example, Robbins states: "From the seeds that farmers sow, in the spring and summer come wonderful fruits - delicious sweet plums and cherries, peaches, apricots, and many others," and some youngsters may think that these fruits come from annual plants, not orchard trees. This is a worthy secondary purchase, however, for its pictures and for creating an awareness of the vast variety of seeds and their importance both for plant propagation and as foods for humans and animals. Jean Richards's A Fruit Is a Suitcase for Seeds (Millbrook, 2002) covers the same concepts, but has watercolor pictures rather than photographs and includes two pages of frequently asked questions. - Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 3. Robbins uses a simple text and many crisp, large-scale photos to introduce seeds to young children. A typical double-page spread presents a single plant and its seeds or several plants whose seeds are similar. A few sentences in large type comment on the specific topic, and color photos, often close-ups of plants or seeds, are silhouetted against white pages. The artwork is striking and effective, but the organization and content of the text are weaker. For example, the sentence "From the seeds that farmers sow, in the spring and summer come wonderful fruits--delicious, sweet plums and cherries, peaches, apricots, and many others" needs some interpretation from an adult. Fruit trees, even seeds from the fruits named, are usually said to be planted rather than sown, and a hopeful child who plants a peach pit will wait many summers for the fruit. Still, preschool and primary-grade teachers will appreciate this for the clarity and beauty of its illustrations. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Seeds | [
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