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31,400 | 0 | PreS-Gr 1--Two beginning readers illustrated with clear, full-color photographs of people and props dramatically placed on all-white backgrounds. The books feature twins Tim and Jim playing with their dog (Get the Ball, Slim) and Tess cleaning her room only to begin her messy cycle again (I Like Mess). The characters' exaggerated expressions give the stories the feeling of a staged drama but provide readers with obvious picture clues. The controlled vocabulary, sight words, and use of rhyme and context clues (only a few of the words used are not pictured) make these phonics-based stories appropriate for just-beginning-to-read students. Each book includes practical suggestions for reading with children and helpful phonics guidelines. Parents and teachers who are always looking for more books at this level will be delighted with these titles, but kids especially will enjoy the simple antics of these characters and have successful reading experiences.Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, IDCopyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: I Like Mess (Real Kids Readers, Level 1) | [
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31,401 | 2 | PreS-Gr 2-These two phonics-based easy readers would make a welcome addition to any collection. Whether it be about The New Kid in school or the search for a lost sneaker (Lost and Found), these stories are interesting, make sense, and have engaging characters. However, it is the colorful photographs on double-page spreads that make these texts come alive. The children's facial expressions and natural body language perfectly express humor, exasperation, insecurity, and other plot-related emotions. "Phonic Guidelines" and tips for reading with children round out these books that beginning readers will reach for again and again. Buy multiples!-Diane Janoff, Queens Borough Public Library, NYCopyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: New, Kid The (Real Kids Readers, Level 1) | [
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31,402 | 15 | Gr 5-8-In a companion volume to her Legends of Landforms (Millbrook, 2001), Vogel explores various weather/climate phenomena from the viewpoint of various Native American peoples and the modern meteorologists. Tales from the Papago, the Acoma, the Penobscot, and others give varied reasons for floods, seasons, the rainbow, and more, followed by scientific explanations. A large, color photo accompanies each chapter, and the author provides source notes for the myths and legends she has adapted. Assigned to the 398s in Dewey, the book may escape the notice of those doing weather reports. While somewhat pedestrian in tone, Vogel's presentation is unique, and will be valuable to teachers and homeschooling parents who are seeking materials for cross-curriculum studies.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Gr. 4-8. Weather played such a vital role in the lives of Native Americans that many of their legends pertain to the elements. Vogel offers a sampling of weather-related tales from various North American tribes, sharing intriguing ancient fables about the changing seasons, the importance of the sun, and the necessity of rain. Each legend is headed by tribal derivation and followed by a scientific explanation of the meteorological phenomenon it concerns. Sometimes contemporary examples of a particularly memorable flood or tornado are mentioned to link ancient myths to modern-day realities. A large color photograph stunningly accents each entry in this versatile volume for classroom application and personal reading. Source notes are appended. Ellen MandelCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Weather Legends: Native Americ | [
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31,403 | 13 | Gr 1-4Rhyming text paired with striking reproductions encourages readers to utilize the senses when contemplating paintings. Kids drink milk with Jan Vermeer's Kitchen Maid, listen to the clashing foils of Milton Avery's Fencers, catch a stinky whiff from Jamie Wyeth's Portrait of a Pig, and pat a Tortilla Maker's floury treat (Diego Rivera). This simple yet imagination-expanding method of experiencing art will captivate youngsters. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted."A fine addition for most collections." -- School Library Journal"Raczka's short, rhyming text gives structure to the book, but the color reproductions of well-chosen, vivid paintings steal the show." -- Booklist"This is a work to examine again and again. A delightful, insightful introduction to the world of art." -- Kirkus Reviews; Title: More Than Meets The Eye: Seeing Art With All Five Senses (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) | [
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31,404 | 13 | Kindergarten-Grade 2-Having survived his first day of school in Jack the Wolf (Roaring Brook, 2002), the child now faces a problem at home. He loves to draw, but his rabbit refuses to serve as a model and escapes through an open window. Jack searches for his pet all afternoon, wandering from his backyard through town and to the beach. There, he receives some advice from a painter trying to capture the sea on his canvas: "Rabbits do as they like- just like the sea." Jack heads home after locating the animal in a heap of sand, and the exhausted animal follows, and falls asleep, thus remaining still while Jack draws him. Some of the boy's classmates reappear in this episode, which has the slightly surreal feeling of Jagtenberg's first book. The primitive quality of the drawings of landscapes and people, and the blank white interiors of buildings create a dreamlike sense that is enhanced by the rabbit's huge size. There is something oddly appealing in Jack's search and his realization of the difficulties of translating subject into art. His adventures are worth sharing.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, MankatoCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 1. "When Jack's not at school he likes to draw." Jack's rabbit, however, is not in a mood to pose and leaps out the open window just as Jack is poised with his best crayon. Jack goes out after him, looking behind trees, in the pet shop, on the street, the park, and the beach. Finally Jack is tired, and the rabbit's tired, so he's found and Jack carries him home and gets to draw the now-sleeping bunny. The language is simple and direct, and the art a winning combination of geometric and architectural spaces and figures that look as though a child had indeed drawn them. The man painting on the beach, where the water and shoreline on his easel coincide with the beach itself, is a good example of the modest and offbeat humor of the pictures. A low-key approach to life as a kid from the author of Jack the Wolf (2002). GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.; Title: Jack's Rabbit (Single Titles) | [
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31,405 | 12 | K-Gr 4-Here is an intelligent math tool that can be used by an individual child or with groups. Each section of the book consists of a repetitious rhyme about a bug on a two-page spread full of bright pastels and friendly dark colors, followed by a second spread that shows a close-up of the insect and the last word of the poem in heavy, large letters. By using the sounds in the poems, the details of the pictures, and the various blocks of color that frame the initial spread, children can find and identify repetitive patterns. The author's note states that, "Each picture contains six patterns that match that picture's border." Unfortunately, notes about the book's intended use and an explanation of an AAB pattern appear on the last page, and some readers, including adults, may have no idea what to make of it all until they finish flipping through the pages. The concepts will undoubtedly have to be explained and demonstrated to the youngest readers, but even some third and fourth graders will take joy in trying to "figure out" the book and play the game-once they know what they're supposed to do. An excellent way to prove to reluctant readers that books can be lots of fun.Thomas Pitchford, Rosenthal Elementary, Alexandria, LACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Trudy Harris writes books that both educate and entertain. She has written a number of successful math concept books, including: Pattern Bugs, 20 Hungry Piggies, Jenny Found a Penny, The Clock Struck One, and Tally Cat Keeps Track. Trudy loves reading picture books to her grandchildren and to her students at Temple View Elementary in Idaho Falls, Idaho.; Title: Pattern Bugs (Math Is Fun) | [
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31,406 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1-These three stories intended for very beginning readers subtly reinforce concepts of friendship, sportsmanship, and emotional expression. I Am Mad! features a bullying older sister, and is the weakest of the lot, due perhaps to the difficulty of telling a complex story with such limited vocabulary. It is the one title to have an adult character, and the photographs of the mother are less effective than those of the children. Best Friends, the most successful title, includes two girls who describe their differences and similarities, concluding with a statement of strong friendship. I Like to Win! features an African-American boy and girl, possibly siblings, who resolve their arguments over winning and losing at board games. The small amount of print per page, the crisp color photos, and the informative notes to parents about phonics and early-reading skills all contribute to the appeal of these books.-Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NECopyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc."A welcome new series for the earliest readers".School Library Journal; Title: Best Friends (Real Kids Readers. Level 1) | [
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31,407 | 12 | PreSchool-Grade 1-Although there's not much of a story line in this appealing concept book, there is definitely more here than initially meets the eye. The rhyming prose and brightly colored cartoon fish inhabit a world of patterns, beginning with the simplest AB pattern and growing increasingly complex. Upon closer inspection, the patterns can be seen echoing throughout, as pictures both express and reinforce the pattern of the words. For example, the ABB pattern introduced by an eel is echoed not only on the creature's body (stripe-dot-dot), but also in the bubbles that issue from its mouth (large-small-small), the underwater reeds (short-tall-tall) and plants (curve-star-star), and borders of the page (yellow-red-red). Once children get the idea, they will enjoy discovering the repetition and looking for examples. A clear and effective teaching tool.Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Trudy Harris writes books that both educate and entertain. She has written a number of successful math concept books, including: Pattern Bugs, 20 Hungry Piggies, Jenny Found a Penny, The Clock Struck One, and Tally Cat Keeps Track. Trudy loves reading picture books to her grandchildren and to her students at Temple View Elementary in Idaho Falls, Idaho.; Title: Pattern Fish (Math Is Fun) | [
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31,408 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1-These three stories intended for very beginning readers subtly reinforce concepts of friendship, sportsmanship, and emotional expression. I Am Mad! features a bullying older sister, and is the weakest of the lot, due perhaps to the difficulty of telling a complex story with such limited vocabulary. It is the one title to have an adult character, and the photographs of the mother are less effective than those of the children. Best Friends, the most successful title, includes two girls who describe their differences and similarities, concluding with a statement of strong friendship. I Like to Win! features an African-American boy and girl, possibly siblings, who resolve their arguments over winning and losing at board games. The small amount of print per page, the crisp color photos, and the informative notes to parents about phonics and early-reading skills all contribute to the appeal of these books.-Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NECopyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc."A welcome new series for the earliest readers".School Library Journal; Title: I Like To Win ! (Real Kids Readers. Level 1) | [
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31,409 | 15 | Grade 1-5-A beautiful take on the water cycle. Waldman traces the journey of a single drop of water throughout the year, with each month receiving its own spread. The water begins as a snowflake that melts into a droplet, flows into the ground, bubbles up in a spring, flows into a farm's irrigation system, evaporates into the morning fog, becomes part of a cloud, rains down, enters a plumbing system, washes a little girl's face, flows out to the ocean, gets swept onto the shore and evaporates into the sky to become a snowflake once more. The clear text is undeniably lyrical: "It flowed past fields of waving sea grasses, over corals of many colors, and into the mouth of a great striped fish." The real stunners here, though, are the dazzling, cool-toned paintings that convey the wonders of nature with delicate precision. A must for libraries and science classrooms.Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, ColumbiaCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a single droplet of water as it moves and changes throughout one year. With a double-page spread for each month, the story traces the droplet's journey from snowflake to mountain pond to underground stream to river to irrigation system to cloud to reservoir to city water system to bathroom sink to drain pipe to cloud and back to snowflake. A few sentences of text on each spread comment on the droplet's form, travels, and surroundings. More effective and memorable, though, are the subtle hues and varied compositions of Waldman's paintings in this unusually handsome presentation of the water cycle. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Snowflake : A Water Cycle Story | [
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31,410 | 2 | PreS-Gr 1--Two beginning readers illustrated with clear, full-color photographs of people and props dramatically placed on all-white backgrounds. The books feature twins Tim and Jim playing with their dog (Get the Ball, Slim) and Tess cleaning her room only to begin her messy cycle again (I Like Mess). The characters' exaggerated expressions give the stories the feeling of a staged drama but provide readers with obvious picture clues. The controlled vocabulary, sight words, and use of rhyme and context clues (only a few of the words used are not pictured) make these phonics-based stories appropriate for just-beginning-to-read students. Each book includes practical suggestions for reading with children and helpful phonics guidelines. Parents and teachers who are always looking for more books at this level will be delighted with these titles, but kids especially will enjoy the simple antics of these characters and have successful reading experiences.Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, IDCopyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Get The Ball, Slim (Real Kids Readers, Level 1) | [
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31,411 | 15 | PreSchool-Grade 3-Jolivet presents striking, oversized panoramas of living creatures from all corners of the globe. The animals appear in eclectic groups such as "underground," "at night," or "black and white" rather than more conventional divisions. The resulting patterns reveal the variety yet interconnectedness of the living world. Younger children will enjoy hunting for the chameleon that can be found on each spread, which may be challenging since it changes color and posture from page to page. Adults may consult the four pages of notes written in small type at book's end to learn a fact or two about each animal. However, the text is really a supplement to the splendid illustrations. Besides its attraction for browsers and its potential as an attention-getting introduction to studies about animals, the book could serve as a stimulus for students working on graphic-design projects. Consequently, the audience for this lovely volume may extend well beyond the primary grades.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, MankatoCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS. A teeming zoo of creatures swims, flies, and stampedes through the nearly two-foot-tall pages of this beautifully illustrated French import. There are few words and no story. Instead, Jolivet groups her animals loosely into sometimes rhyming categories related to habitats, habits, or appearance: "In the Trees, "In the Seas, "At Night," "Spots and Stripes," and so on. Rendered in bright colors and in the bold, clean lines and graphic contrasts of linoleum cuts, the animals appear in chaotic spreads that may be more decorative than instructive. But the book's magnificent size and diversity of animals make a powerful visual impact that will easily attract preschoolers to the expansive pages, where they'll point to the animals they know and discover a world of new species. Browsers will also like the hide-and-seek game offered by a hidden chameleon on each page. An appendix, printed in tiny type, offers one or two facts about each of the many animals featured in the book. An unusual, and unusually handsome, offering. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Zoo - ology | [
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31,412 | 16 | PreSchool-Grade 2-From the black book jacket with cutout openings for each letter of the title to the vibrant, painterly strokes of yellow on the endpapers, Hidden Alphabet is a visual delight. A black mat frames an object on each page. When it is lifted, each of these objects becomes a significant part of the letter's negative space (e.g., two balloons form circles to make the openings in the letter "B"). This clever trick of changing viewers' perspective from foreground to background will keep readers turning the pages to see the other optical illusions this pictorial byplay produces. Because of the way they are formed, the letters are not always completely conventional in shape. This may challenge very young children to identify them, but readers of any age will enjoy seeing a mouse turn into an "M" made of cheese with a few tiny chunks nibbled out of it. Seeger's interesting word choices-arrowhead, inkblot, olive, partridge, quotation mark, yolk-and her sophisticated paintings make this a fascinating artistic experience as well as a learning opportunity.Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS. Seeger's Hidden Alphabet uses a timeworn approach to A through Z that matches each letter with a word that begins with that letter, then adds a lift-the-flap format and a striking graphic design to transform the book into something new. Each shiny, thick black page features a cut-away through which children can view vibrantly colored objects, such as balloons. By lifting the flap, children will be surprised to discover that the object actually forms part of a letter. Kids may need help recognizing some of the objects featured, but the design is bold and clean enough to make the letters easily discernible. It is a book that manages to be both child friendly and visually exciting. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Hidden Alphabet | [
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31,413 | 15 | PreSchool-Grade 2 Large print, a well-spaced text, varied typeface, simple explanations, and appealing color photos of children on every page make this book a pleasant reading experience. Did you know? insets appear at every turn, providing additional and fascinating food-related trivia, such as, There are more than 7,000 different kinds of apples. A sentence or two discuss cocoa beans, potatoes, bread, grains, cornstalks, popcorn, milk, lemons, eggs, tomatoes, peanuts, grapes, and more. This is a book that teachers, librarians, and parents will find useful, informative, and fun to share. Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. This book is all about making connections, and though it does a respectable job, there's still room for improvement. Each spread introduces a different food. The first spread explains that cocoa beans are seeds that grow on cocoa trees, chocolate is produced by grinding and cooking cocoa beans, and hot chocolate is made from chocolate. But the photos aren't well matched to the statements: the first (and largest) photo shows the inside of a cocoa bean; the next (a smaller, rather indistinct one) shows the bean hanging on the tree; and the last shows a smiling boy drinking cocoa. The placement of the photographs varies from spread to spread, and although some of the pictures are wonderfully crisp, a few are difficult to make out. An interesting fact ("a lemon is a type of berry") appears somewhere on each spread. Children who have never thought about the origins of maple syrup or salt will have their eyes opened in a way that makes them think about how other products come to their lives. For slightly older readers, suggest Rachel Eagen's The Biography of Bananas, reviewed on p.87. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Where Does Food Come From? (Exceptional Science Titles for Primary Grades) | [
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31,414 | 2 | Shelley Rotner is a noted freelance photojournalist, whose work has appeared in Time magazine, National Geographic's World Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Outside Magazine, Food and Wine, and numerous others. She is also the author and photo-illustrator of over 30 award-winning children's books. Her most recent books include Many Ways, Every Season, and Feeling Thankful. Shelley has also traveled extensively for UNICEF documenting programs about children, women, and education. Currently, Ms. Rotner is working on a collection of large, hand-painted photographs that capture beautiful and sacred places she has discovered in her travels. Shelley Rotner received her undergraduate degree in photography and psychology from Syracuse University and a dual Master's degree in elementary education and museum education from Bank Street College.; Title: Lots of Feelings (Shelley Rotner's Early Childhood Library (Paperback)) | [
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31,415 | 13 | The sixteenth-century love story behind the Taj Mahal, rather than the monument itself, is the focus of this gorgeous picture book. Cowritten by two seasoned children's-book authors, the heavily fictionalized narrative tells of the passionate first meeting, and ensuing devoted partnership, between Khurram, a Mogul prince, and his bride, Arjumand. Her death in childbirth leads the stricken widower, now emperor, to commission a lavish mausoleum "as perfect . . . as if heaven and earth were joined." Despite the Library of Congress cataloging the book as history, the extended context provided in the book's endnote challenges such cut-and-dried categorization; it turns out that the emperor actually had three wives and that "the love story . . . is based largely on legend." The latter ought to have been stated up front, but little will hinder readers from reveling in the artistic contributions of Bhushan, a Hyderabad native. In the tradition of Mogul miniatures, his ornate, elaborately framed paintings capture the culture of elegant luxury that reached its apogee in the story's celebrated structure. A bibliography "for historical facts in the text" is provided, but there are no specific source notes. Mattson, JenniferCaroline Arnold always loved books, but as a child she never thought of writing as a career. Born in Pittsburgh, she grew up in Minneapolis and studied art at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa. "It was only after my children were born that I became acquainted with children's books and it occurred to me that I could use my training to become a children's book illustrator. I soon realized that I needed a text to go with the pictures, and the more I wrote, the more I realized that I liked writing as much as or more than drawing. I've always been fascinated by the natural world and love to go to the parks and museums. Perhaps that is why so many of my books are about scientific topics." Arnold is now the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, a neuroscientist, and teaches writing at UCLA Extension.; Title: Taj Mahal | [
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31,416 | 1 | Renowned for their bold graphics, simple clean design, engaging rhyming text, and large stunning pop-ups on each spread, Snappy books are a favorite among youngsters ages three to five. Brightly illustrated by Derek Matthews, the Snappies have been a children's literary phenomenon for more than four years. Youngsters will meet ten different pets in Snappy Little Pets, and they all pop right out of the pages to play! With dogs, cats, fish, birds, and other favorite pets, this collection of funny and feathery family friends is fantastic fun.; Title: Snappy Little Pets (Snappy Pop-Ups) | [
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31,417 | 0 | "The term 'Boker Tov' - 'Good Morning' in Hebrew, is introduced in this jaunty jingle created and sung by Rabbi Black with an accompanying guitar on the enclosed CD. A little boy shadowed by his scruffy happy pup is encouraged to rise feeling the joy of what each new day can bring. Thanking God for food, the earth, the sunshine and the surprise of each new morning, the little boy dresses, eats and goes to school to enjoy the rest of the day. Brown's deeply colored acrylic paintings offer secular scenes of a multicultural and multiracial neighborhood full of cookie-cutter, round-faced, wide-grinned children all expressing carefree anticipation of the new day's wonderful possibilities. The universal theme of starting fresh each new day with a positive attitude overshadows the sacred theme of morning prayers, and while it certainly expresses a positive sentiment, it may not be the most useful book for religious curricula." --Kirkus Reviews"The Hebrew phrase for 'Good Morning' is the inspiration for a sweet-natured tribute to the joys of experiencing creation anew each day ('Good morning, light shining in./ So much to do we can't wait to begin'). Brown's cheery paintings, which chronicle a boy's morning at home and school, are distinguished by exuberant colors and have just enough naif charm to be endearing without cloying. The text ('We thank God for the food we eat/ For the earth beneath our feet.../ For the morning sunshine bright, / That fills our hearts with joy and light./ Boker tov!') is actually lyrics to a song on an accompanying CD, from rabbi and singer/songwriter Black's 1998 album, 'Everybody's Got a Little Music.' While the overly familiar words don't exactly bounce off the page, they feel far livelier when interpreted by Black's genial, folksy vocals. A suitably buoyant way to begin the day. Ages 1-4." --Publishers Weekly; Title: Boker Tov!: Good Morning! (Kar-ben Favorites) | [
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31,418 | 17 | "Reaching well beyond his role as a mime, Spielman's (Janusz Korczak's Children) picture-book biography puts a fascinating new face on Marceau (1923-2007), tracing his career in entertainment back to his childhood idolization of Charlie Chaplin, who 'could make his audience laugh and cry without ever speaking a word.' As a boy in Strasbourg, Marcel amused peers with his impersonations of animals, but WWII changed the tenor of his life. Gauthier's (The Tooth) airy illustrations become (at least briefly) more somber as they portray the evacuation of Marceau's hometown, and his work with the French Resistance as a teenager, which entailed leading Jewish children across the Swiss border to safety, often disguising them as scouts on their way to camp. After his father was deported to Auschwitz, Marceau's mother sent him to a children's home, where he pursued his dramatic aspirations, eventually studying, perfecting, and teaching mime. Terrific photos of Marceau on stage close out this well-rounded biography and complement Gauthier's more abstract portraits of the man who took Chaplin's flair a step further to revive 'the ancient and almost forgotten art of silence.'" --Publishers Weekly"Little Marcel grows up in Strasbourg, on the border between France and Germany, fascinated with the silent film star Charlie Chaplin. He, too, wants to use only his gestures and the medium of silence to make people laugh and cry. But Hitler intervenes when the boy is 16, and Marcel becomes part of the French Resistance, helping to forge identification cards for Jewish children and even leading small groups, dressed as boy scouts, to safety in Switzerland. At the end of World War II, Marcel is able to study the ancient art of mime--and for the next 60 years he performs around the world. This whimsical biography, with its dark notes of oppression and war, reminds readers of the power of dreams and the importance of practice and persistence."--Washington Parent"When Marcel Mangel was a little boy, his father took him to see a Charlie Chaplin movie. Marcel was amazed to see that the comic actor was able to make people laugh out loud even though he did not say a word. This uncanny ability made Marcel want to be just like Charlie, and he became a skilled mime who was beloved by the children who watched his antics. In 1939 Marcel and his brother Alain left their home in Strasbourg and went to Limoges, where Marcel attended school and studied art. He was not able to enjoy this life for long though. By the summer of 1940, much of France was occupied, and the anti Jewish laws imposed by the Nazis were making life miserable for Jews like Marcel and Alain. The brothers began to work with the French Resistance, with Marcel specializing in creating forged travel documents for Jewish children. Several times he led groups of children to the Swiss border so that they could escape the Nazis. It was during this time, that he changed his last name, taking the name Marceau. When Limoges became too dangerous for him, Marcel's mother sent him to children's home outside of Paris. Marcel kept on practicing his acting and mime techniques, teaching other children what he could about drama and art. Then, when Marcel was twenty, someone saw him performing and suggested that he should go to the drama school that was founded by a famous actor and director. Though the world was at war still, Marcel was finally on his way to becoming the performer that he had always dreamed of being. These days not many people watch Charlie Chaplain's movies, and therefore they cannot appreciate how funny and moving a good mime performance can be. In this book, Gloria Spielman tells the story of one of the world's greatest mimes, showing her readers how brave Marcel Marceau was during the war years in Europe, and how committed he was to his craft. Young actors will find this story inspirational and motivational." --Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews "Marcel Marceau, Master of Mime, by Gloria Spielman, illustrated by Manon Gauthier (Kar-Ben). I confess I have always been a mime-mocker. Walking against the wind? Trapped in a box? Climbing a ladder? Oh cripes, cut it out and say something! But I'm eating my own words (silently! with invisible cutlery!) after reading this gripping biography. At age 5, Marcel--the son of a kosher butcher in Strasbourg, France--is determined to become a silent actor like Charlie Chaplin. At 16, he joins the French Resistance to fight the Nazis. He alters photos and forges ID cards to make other children look too young to be sent to the camps and secretly leads groups of Jewish children across the Swiss border to safety. After the war, he becomes the artist he always wanted to be. The luminous pencil and watercolor illustrations complement the text beautifully."--Tablet "A puppeteer, a mime and a magician -- each with the ability to enchant, yet each with skills far more attainable by the performance-minded child than the abilities of a certain Harry Potter -- are the worthy subjects of three very different biographies for middle-grade readers about men who mastered some form of magic. 'Jim Henson' relates its subject's story in traditional linear fashion, beginning with 'Jim Henson's family didn't have a TV. No one had a TV in the 1930s.' Henson's puppets will be familiar to many young readers and his life story is certainly of interest. But despite a few choice details (Henson's childhood best friend was named Kermit), the story of his childhood that follows has an Everyboy vagueness, and the prose, especially considering that its subject's creations were so distinctively witty, lacks a certain amount of imagination. The story comes alive with Henson's interest in puppetry, which blossomed when he was 16 and responded to a help-wanted ad for a young person to work marionettes on a Saturday morning show. Thus did Henson land his first job in television. The book describes Henson's innovations, which include his use of flexible fabric in place of wood to enhance his puppets' facial expressions and his banishment of the puppet's traditional boxed stage. But a sentence like 'Fifteen years after introducing the Muppets, Jim was 33 and a famous guy on TV' sounds more like a promotional brochure than a biography for children. The illustrations, alas, are also somewhat lackluster, although Henson's own creatures, from Big Bird to the hecklers, are depicted with verve. Far more visually arresting is 'Marcel Marceau: Master of Mime, ' which showcases the atmospheric mixed media artwork of Manon Gauthier, a finalist for the Governor General of Canada Awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Caldecott for illustrators. While the art and layout are structured like a picture book for young children, the text is pitched for children older than 10: The French Resistance is mentioned without context or explanation, for example, as are identity cards and labor camps. But as a read-aloud for older children who will tolerate the format, and with sufficient background information from those versed in the history, the book works, largely on the strength of its remarkable subject and striking visuals. Clarity of format and treatment are both present, happily, in 'Harry Houdini, ' a beautifully illustrated biography of this most fascinating man. Janice Weaver, whose previous books for children include 'Hudson, ' combines photographs, original illustrations and archival material like playbills and posters to tell the story of the boy who fled the Hungarian ghetto and then became a lifelong master escape artist. The detail and background information are just right and don't overwhelm the story. Such treatment befits a life like Houdini's, which began in Budapest in 1874 as Ehrich Weiss, one of five children born to a Jewish rabbi and his second wife. The family moved to Appleton, Wis., where Houdini's father was fired, four years later, leading to a period of poverty for the whole family, and child labor for young Houdini. As a teenager, Ehrich renamed himself and entered the sideshow business, eventually becoming an international celebrity -- escapee from the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the King of Handcuffs and a friend of Arthur Conan Doyle -- only to die on Halloween in 1926 under appropriately mysterious circumstances. With entertaining sidebars on metamorphosis tricks and dime bars, 'Harry Houdini' is sure to enchant aspiring magicians, offbeat history buffs and anyone who, in our own straitened times, appreciates a good rag-to-riches tale. These days, such transformations can seem almost magical." --The New York Times Book Review "This picture book biography discusses Marceau reviving the mime art after being heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin and silent movies as a child, studying at Dullin's drama school in Paris, and perfecting his art. It also describes his actions in WW II when he used his drawing skills to forge identity cards and guided groups of children across the border into Switzerland. The narrative presents Marceau's life in a storybook-like manner and makes the material interesting and accessible to children. The pale watercolors suitably reflect this period. When the story jumps ahead to the end of Marceau's career, the book ends with photographs of Marceau performing." --Bayviews"The noteworthy life of Marcel Marceau, born Marcel Mangel, is explored in this attractive picture book. Adults who are familiar with his famous work as a mime will be interested in his early experiences as a young boy growing up in Strasbourg, France on the eve of World War II. In an expressive and straightforward text, the author tells the story of a popular boy who wanted to be an entertainer like Charlie Chaplin from a very young age. As a citizen in Strasbourg, he and his family were forced to leave the city in a mass exodus of residents immediately after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. At sixteen years old, he joined the French resistance and used his drawing skills to alter information on the identity cards of children. He also led several trip across the border, taking them into the safety of Switzerland. His father, a kosher butcher, died in Auschwitz, but his mother and brother survived with Marcel in Paris. Eventually, he went to drama school and singlehandedly revived the art of mime, which had been almost forgotten. The pen and ink with watercolor art is striking and complements the softly told story perfectly, with the muted browns and beiges of wartime changing to red as Marcel finally peeks around the red curtain at his first show in 1947. The last two pages thankfully include real photos of the famous French artist in various poses as present day adults remember him. The book would have benefited from an author's note offering a simple background history of the region or why Marcel's family would be ordered to leave their city by their own government or what eventually happened to Marcel's father. (This would help the adult reader of the book, actually.) Marcel died in 2007 and this effective picture book is a pleasing tribute to his life and memory."--Jewish Book World"Spielman's excellent biography of the Master of Mime engages one from the outset by introducing young Marcel as he is raiding his father's wardrobe to dress up as Charlie Chaplin and entertain neighbors on the streets of pre-World War II France. We see that Marceau was, from his own outset, a performer and much in demand. He was also a Jew, and this fact altered his life, which is an understatement. His father died in Auschwitz. At the age of 16, he and his older brother worked for the French Resistance in Limoges. The artistic young Marceau forged documents and dangerously led groups of Jewish children secretly to the Swiss border. At 20, Marceau was in Paris studying mime and later performed for Patton's troops in Germany. Once the war was over, Marceau concentrated on his art, honing his clown character Bip. His fame spread worldwide, and many of us have been privileged to see him on one medium or another. His legacy, through his school for mime and also through the lives of the children he saved during WWII, is assured. His mime communicated beyond language. (Oh, and BTW, he spoke excellent English.) Spielman's language in this book soars, even poetic when describing what Marceau could do through mime. And the art is outstanding, very expressive and using the page space gorgeously through color, placement, and design. Gauthier fits the palette to the prose, making for a very successful collaboration." --Center for the Study of Children's Literature at San Diego State University"Pantomime artist Marcel Marceau's silent, white-faced character Bip is widely known throughout the world. Less known is Marceau's life story, which is just as fascinating. From the time he was a small boy in Strasbourg, France, Marcel Mangel entertained his peers by doing impressions of animals and of his favorite movie actor, Charlie Chaplin. At age sixteen, Marcel and his older brother Alain fled from the Nazis to Limoges, where they changed their last name to Marceau and became active in the French Resistance. Because of his ability to impersonate and entertain, Marcel was tapped to smuggle Jewish children out of France and into Switzerland, a dangerous trip he took many times, disguising himself and the children as scouts on their way to camp. This work eventually led to an opportunity for him to attend drama school in Paris, and there he discovered his life's passion and his profession. In 1947, he introduced the character Bip, who served as his alter ego and persona for the next sixty years. Spielman's understated picture-book biography covers all these events but focuses particularly on the actor's early years, showing how he first used his natural talents as a survival mechanism and later crafted them into an art form. Gauthier's softly colored line drawing perfectly capture the gentle spirit of Marcel Marceau, both off and on stage." --The Horn Book Magazine Manon Gauthier lives in Montreal, Canada, where she works as a professional illustrator. A graphic designer by training, she decided to devote herself entirely to books for children in 2006. She likes mixing techniques and media. Her work has been recognized by the Governor General of Canada Awards and has won the Illustration Jeunesse Prize.; Title: Marcel Marceau: Master of Mime (Kar-ben Biographies) | [
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31,419 | 22 | Melinda Thielbar is a teacher, statistician, and economist who has written mathematics courses at many different levels. In 2005, Melinda was awarded a VIGRE fellowship at North Carolina State University for doctoral candidates "likely to make a strong contribution to education in mathematics." She expects to complete her PhD in 2010. Melinda lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, author and videogame programmer Richard Dansky.; Title: The Kung Fu Puzzle: A Mystery With Time and Temperature (Manga Math Mysteries) | [
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31,420 | 15 | Laura Hamilton Waxman has written many books for the History Maker Bios series, including Jimmy Carter, Colin Powell, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Marie Curie, and Sequoyah. She has also written in the Creative Minds Biographies series. Laura uses her pen name for other Lerner series.; Title: The Solar System (Early Bird Astronomy) | [
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31,421 | 0 | Sammy Spider, that curious arachnid who refuses to just spin webs, follows his boy companion Josh to a Simchat Torah service when he gets himself stuck on a syrupy candy apple atop a small Jewish flag. As in previous outings, the inquisitive spiderling learns about this important Jewish fall holiday that joyously marks the year-long completion of the reading of the Torah through parade, singing and dancing. Just as Josh likes to read his favorite book over and over again, the Jewish people like to read the Torah, their favorite story, again and again. Signature cut-paper collage art employs some lovely colors and textures, but Kahn's choice of blank blue and brown paper eyes is disconcerting, and the all-too-familiar question-and-answer pattern of this author/illustrator duo make this entry in their series feel stale. Still, there are few enough choices available on this particular celebration to allow purchasers to be too choosy. A candy-apple recipe completes the formulaic, if well-meaning, tale. (Picture book. 3-6)Katherine Janus Kahn has been illustrating children's books for over 25 years, including the Sammy Spider series and the Ziz books. Her vivid illustrations, in a watercolor and cut-out technique, have been compared to the work of Eric Carle.; Title: Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah (Sammy Spider's First Books) | [
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31,422 | 2 | "Mallory wonders why her best friend, Mary Ann, seems preoccupied and uncommunicative. She doesn't even seem excited about trying out for the school musical, Annie. When Mallory gets the lead and Mary Ann is left out, the gap grows wider until a crisis comes. The fourteenth volume in the Mallory series is a fast-moving chapter book depicting a low period in the girls' strong friendship. Although the play provides new vocabulary (defined in shaded ovals between paragraphs), the rehearsal and performance scenes seem perfunctory next to Mallory's offstage drama with Mary Ann. Bold drawings add visual appeal." --Booklist"After landing the title role in Annie, Mallory can't figure out why her best friend, Mary Ann, doesn't seem happy for her. Could Mary Ann be jealous of Mallory's newfound fame, not to mention her new (and kind of mean) actress friends? Mallory learns important lessons about friendship; the story's focus on the excitement of staging a musical helps mask the message." --The Horn Book GuideLaurie Friedman is the author of the popular Mallory series, The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series, and many award-winning picture books. She lives in Florida.; Title: Mallory in the Spotlight | [
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31,423 | 0 | "The team who created Mendel's Accordion (2007) offers another historical picture book celebrating the Jewish immigrant experience. Feivel leaves his wife and four children behind in the Old Country when he comes to New York. A wood carver by trade, he is hired to create carousel horses for a Coney Island amusement park. Thinking of the family he has left behind, Feivel fashions steeds for his wife and children, inscribing each masterpiece with a name. Van der Sterre's ink-and-watercolor illustrations offer a pleasantly nostalgic look at life in New York's Lower East Side and Brooklyn's Coney Island during the late 1800s. The scenes are rich with street details and the beautifully crafted horses. An appended note explains about several real eastern European Jewish synagogue ark carvers who found work in the U.S. as carousel carvers. Slightly older audiences will also enjoy Deborah Lee Rose's The Rose Horse (1995), which touches on the carousel carvers and is set in Coney Island's Jewish community of the early twentieth century."--Booklist"As the chief apprentice in Mr. Nathanson's Coney Island carousel shop, Feivel lovingly remembers his wife and children in the old country as he designs and carves wooden horses. He creates a glorious horse with a long, golden mane for his wife, Goldie; a proud, regal beast for his eldest son, Hershel; a gentle creature whose bridle is etched with deer for his son Shmuel; a lively and graceful horse adorned with flowers and ribbons for his daughter Sasha; and a beautiful pony ornamented with hundreds of glittering glass jewels for his baby, Lena. By the time the carousel is complete, Fievel has earned enough money to bring his family to America. When they are finally reunited, the happy family rides the carousel together. The historical note details the contributions of eastern European Jewish immigrants, once wood carvers of synagogue arks and Torah scrolls, who used their talent to create magnificent carousel horses enjoyed by generations of children. Watercolor illustrations with ink lines illustrate the immigrant experience on New York's Lower East Side in the late 1800s and help bring to life the magic of Coney Island. Like this team's Mendel's Accordion (Lerner, 2007), this story celebrates the richness of the Jewish American experience."--School Library JournalHeidi Smith Hyde is the director of education of Temple Sinai in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her books include Feivel's Flying Horses, a National Jewish Book Award Finalist, and Mendel's Accordion, winner of the Sugarman Award.; Title: Feivel's Flying Horses (Kar-ben Favorites) | [
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31,424 | 16 | PreSchool-From dawn to dark, a road crew working with a variety of machines constructs a bridge over a pond, under the watch of a smiling turtle that initially halted progress. A simple text carries the plot, prompting the exploration of colors and numbers; children are also likely to try to locate the turtle on each page. Carter uses acrylic paints over flat foam board and plaster figures to produce highly textured, colorful representations of everyone's favorite construction vehicles and their multiethnic drivers. Preschoolers will be repeat customers for this friendly work.Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Get To Work, Trucks! (Single Titles) | [
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31,425 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 2-It is cider-making time on grandpa's apple farm, and Alex, Abigail, and the rest of the family pick and sort the fruit. Only the odd ones, by shape or color, are tossed into the chopper to make the apple mush. The mush then goes to the press where the juice is squeezed out. Once the cider is ready, the family opens the Apple Barn where they all help sell the apples, cider, and homemade jams and pastries. The realistic illustrations are soft with autumnal colors and show the process that results in that glass of cider. Although listed as fiction, there is more straightforward information than story. The addition of the children makes this book more personal for young students. A useful purchase for most collections.Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, ORCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. It's cider-making time on Grandpa's apple farm, and the whole family helps. Alex and Abigail pick bright red apples and carry bushel baskets to the wagon. They stand along a conveyer belt helping to sort the perfect (eating) apples from the not-so-perfect (cider) apples. Later, they watch as the apples are chopped into what Grandpa calls "apple mush" and pressed into cider. The cider is bottled and sold, and the family celebrates the labor with glasses of the sweet drink. The comfortable, colorful art brings little ones up close to the process and gives them a good look at the conveyor belts and presses and other machinery involved; the scene of the apple orchard store, shelves filled with jams and honey, gallons of cider, and pies and doughnuts all neatly stacked for purchase, is especially nice. A double-page spread, "Cider Lore," following the story, provides wonderful tidbits about the cider-making process. An excellent resource for autumn units or to use in preparation for a trip to the orchard. Helen RosenbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Apple Cider-Making Days (Single Titles) | [
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31,426 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Strawberries (First Step Nonfiction) | [
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31,427 | 0 | Gr 14Taking an imaginative leap into the past, Nelson describes the role of the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem, which opened in the 1930s and became a place where all kinds of people came to read, talk, and buy books about African American history. Told from the point of view of Lewis Michaux Jr.the bookstore owner's son and the author's relativethis title clearly explains what made this bookstore unique. Lewis Michaux Sr. had a passion for sharing books with others, which was reflected in his words "Knowledge is power./You need it every hour./READ A BOOK!" He welcomed his customers and allowed them to stay as long as they wanted to and made a platform available outside the store so that people could speak their minds; among the speakers were Malcolm X and Michaux himself. Christie's bold, colorful paintings help readers envision this landmark bookstore and the surrounding neighborhood. Back matter includes additional information about Lewis Michaux Sr. and an author's note in which Nelson describes her interest in the subject, the sources she used for her research, and her use of perspective. Nelson and Christie's Coretta Scott King Honor No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller (Carolrhoda, 2012) is aimed at older readers; this picture book explores Michaux for a slightly younger audience. VERDICT A strong endorsement of the power of books and reading, an excellent choice for history and biography collections, and a strong choice for educators emphasizing the importance of community.Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York"Nelson and Christie bring the story of Harlem's storied National Memorial African Bookstore to picture book readers in this companion to their 2012 YA collaboration, No Crystal Stair. The shop was opened in the 1930s by Nelson's great-uncle, Lewis Michaux, who 'started out with five books... and a mission.' Writing in the voice of Michaux's admiring son, Nelson illuminates Lewis's generosity (he invited those who couldn't afford books into his shop to read) and his fervent belief in the power of words and books to change lives. Michaux's love of words comes through in his catchy aphorisms and sales pitches ('Knowledge is power. You need it every hour. Read a book!'), which appear throughout, as well as his nickname for the shop, 'The House of Common Sense and Home of Proper Propaganda.' Christie's paintings powerfully contrast the idea of the bookstore as a refuge with the tensions of the day, particularly during a section of the book about Michaux's friendship with Malcolm X and his anguish following the activist's assassination. It's an emotive tribute to Michaux's personal and professional legacy."--Publishers Weekly"Taking an imaginative leap into the past, Nelson describes the role of the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem, which opened in the 1930s and became a place where all kinds of people came to read, talk, and buy books about African American history. Told from the point of view of Lewis Michaux Jr.--the bookstore owner's son and the author's relative--this title clearly explains what made this bookstore unique. Lewis Michaux Sr. had a passion for sharing books with others, which was reflected in his words 'Knowledge is power./You need it every hour./READ A BOOK!' He welcomed his customers and allowed them to stay as long as they wanted to and made a platform available outside the store so that people could speak their minds; among the speakers were Malcolm X and Michaux himself. Christie's bold, colorful paintings help readers envision this landmark bookstore and the surrounding neighborhood. Back matter includes additional information about Lewis Michaux Sr. and an author's note in which Nelson describes her interest in the subject, the sources she used for her research, and her use of perspective. Nelson and Christie's Coretta Scott King Honor No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller (Carolrhoda, 2012) is aimed at older readers; this picture book explores Michaux for a slightly younger audience. VERDICT: A strong endorsement of the power of books and reading, an excellent choice for history and biography collections, and a strong choice for educators emphasizing the importance of community."--School Library Journal"If the central character of Nelson's Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning No Crystal Stair (rev. 3/12) was the author's great-uncle, Lewis Michaux, this picture book adaptation of the same source material shifts the focus just enough to give younger readers an introduction to his singular achievement: the National Memorial African Bookstore, founded by Michaux in Harlem in the 1930s. Where No Crystal Stair had more than thirty narrators, this book has but one, Michaux's young son Lewis, a late-in-life child who witnessed the store's doings during the tumultuous 1960s. Studded with Michaux's aphorisms ('Don't get took! Read a book!'), the book successfully conveys the vibrancy of the bookstore and its habitus, including Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, whose assassination provides the emotional climax of the story. R. Gregory Christie, whose black-and-white drawings are such an inextricable part of No Crystal Stair, is here allowed full pages drenched with expressionistic color to convey the spirit of the place, time, and people. While middle-graders might need some context to understand that the book is set fifty years in the past, its concerns remain: as Michaux 'jokes' to Lewis, 'Anytime more than three black people congregate, the police get nervous.' Nelson provides full documentation in a biographical note, and some of the bookseller's best slogans decorate the endpapers."--The Horn Book Magazine"This companion to No Crystal Stair (2012) introduces younger readers to Nelson's great uncle, Lewis Michaux Sr., owner of Harlem's National Memorial African Bookstore. Michaux's young son Lewis Jr. narrates; he recalls helping his father with the day-to-day operation of the shop; visits from the famous, including Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X; and the devoted community patronage that helped the store thrive for nearly four decades. Nelson highlights Michaux's dedication to his calling (he financed the business with his own money and often slept at the store when customers stayed late), as well as his determination to educate his clientele. She also notes the political climate the store fostered, detailing a missed meeting with Malcolm X on the night he was shot, which probably saved Michaux's life. Christie, who also illustrated the earlier volume, here uses a bold color palette and realistically rendered figures. He incorporates many of Michaux's slogans ('Don't get took! Read a book!') into the art, especially on the end papers and in depictions of the storefront. Appended with generous back matter including a list of sources, this moving tribute should be a welcome addition to almost any collection."--starred, Booklist"A man with a mission leaves a memorable mark in Harlem. The National Memorial African Bookstore and its owner, Lewis Michaux, were vibrant Harlem fixtures for many years. Nelson, who told her great-uncle's story for teen readers in the award-winning No Crystal Stair, also illustrated by Christie (2012), now turns to the voice of Michaux's son as narrator in this version for a younger audience. The son is an enthusiastic and proud witness to history as he talks about visits to the bookstore by Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Michaux's commitments to reading, knowledge, and African-American history shine brightly through the liberal use of boldface and large type for his pithy and wise sayings, as in 'Knowledge is power. You need it every hour. READ A BOOK!' Christie's richly textured and complex paintings, created with broad strokes of color, showcase full bookcases and avid readers. His use of a billboard motif to frame both scenes and text evokes a troubled but strong neighborhood. Faces in browns and grays are set against yellow and orange backgrounds and depict intense emotions in both famous and ordinary folk. The Michaux family's deeply felt sorrow at the assassination of Malcolm X will resonate with all readers. From the author's heart to America's readers: a tribute to a man who believed in and lived black pride."--starred, Kirkus Reviews; Title: The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem's Greatest Bookstore (Carolrhoda Picture Books) | [
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31,428 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Salamanders (First Step Nonfiction: Animal Life Cycles) | [
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31,429 | 12 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What Are Similes and Metaphors? (Words are Categorical) | [
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31,430 | 11 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Children and parents of different races and religions are shown practicing their faith and expressing their love for one another and for our beautiful earth. The importance of religious symbols, music, places of worship, holidays, and food shines through in the simple text and appealing color photographs. The message that is reinforced is that although all of the people pictured have different religions, they share fundamental values. Unfortunately, the individual images are identified only in a separate section at the back of the book; it is cumbersome to have to flip back and forth to find out which religions are discussed on each page. While the concept of explaining a bit about a variety of religions in one volume is a good one, the format limits this book's effectiveness and appeal.Heather Ver Voort, Wilson Middle School, Natick, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 2. As a way of introducing children to the variety and continuity of the world's religions, Rotner provides clear, colorful photographs showing the religious practices of children and adults who are Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs. The opening pages show ethnically diverse groups of children going to school, playing together, and spending time with their parents. But the text notes that despite their similarities, families have different beliefs and worship God in different ways. A typical double-page spread introduces a single theme such as religious books, music, symbols, or prayer through six photographs and a line or two of simple text. Back matter includes information about specific photos, page by page, and a brief bibliography. A fine visual introduction to a basic American freedom, this book is a good starting place for conversations about different religions. It may be particularly valuable to children whose communities are not religiously diverse. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Many Ways: How Families Practice Their Beliefs and Religions (Shelley Rotner's Early Childhood Library) | [
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31,431 | 13 | Grade 4 Up–Raczka deserves an A+ for cleverness. He begins by explaining his premise: one work of art can take on new meaning when combined with another. Then, without further commentary, he couples famous pieces in a way that suggests a new, humorous scene. Rodin's The Thinker is juxtaposed with Klee's modernistic painting of a chessboard so that the statue looks as if it is contemplating the next move. Siméon-Chardin's picture of a boy blowing soap bubbles seems to be creating Kandinsky's Several Circles. Each selection takes up a page and is reproduced in crisp color. The book ends with a catalog that includes thumbnail illustrations and short paragraphs that go beyond artist and date to reveal interesting details about the works. More subtle than Jon Scieszka's Seen Art? (Viking 2005), this book is an amusing way to introduce children to famous works of art.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."Raczka deserves an A+ for cleverness. . . this book is an amusing way to introduce children to famous works of art." -- School Library Journal<br /><br />"This wordless book urges readers to think about art in different ways by pairing artworks of diverse era and styles." --The Horn Book Guide; Title: Unlikely Pairs: Fun With Famous Works of Art (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) | [
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31,432 | 20 | Book by Ross, Kathy; Title: The Big Book Of Christian Crafts | [
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31,433 | 15 | PreSchool-Grade 2Rotner has created a wonderful book with minimal text (Taste a fruity pop. See a kite flying high) and glorious, full-bleed color photographs that evoke the sights, the smells, the sounds, and the look of things at the beach. Children are shown eating watermelon, listening to a seashell, running along the shore at sunset, and so on. A fisherman and his catch are depicted, as are fluffy clouds and crashing waves, and the gritty sand. Children who have never been to the beach may not be as thrilled with this title as those who have, but the message regarding how we use our senses comes across effortlessly.Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 1. Just right for preschool and early primary-grade units on the senses, this picture book tells what children see, hear, smell, touch, and taste at the beach. Occasionally one photo and a single short sentence fill an entire double-page spread, but more typically a spread includes two facing, full-page photos, each accompanied by a line of text, such as "Smell the seaweed at low tide. / Touch its slippery surface." A few of the clear, colorful photos show adults (fishermen, a lifeguard) at work, but most of the illustrations are close-ups of children at play. An inviting, kid-friendly introduction to the senses and the seashore. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Senses At The Seashore | [
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31,434 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: The Clown in the Gown Drives the Car with the Star: A Book about Diphthongs and R-Controlled Vowels (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,435 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: The Bug in the Jug Wants a Hug (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,436 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: #4 the Frail Snail on the Trail: A Long Vowel Sounds Book with Consonant Blends (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,437 | 0 | Candice Ransom is the author of 115 books for children and young adults. She has written in every genre, board books to biographies, fantasy to historical fiction, contemporary fiction to mystery series. Candice has an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and an MA in Children's Literature from Hollins University. Currently, she is on the faculty of Hollins University's MA/MFA program in children's literature.; Title: The Night of the Hurricane's Fury (On My Own History) | [
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31,438 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Dragonflies (First Step Nonfiction) | [
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31,439 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: The Peaches on the Beaches: A Book About Inflectional Endings (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,440 | 0 | Notable Book, Sydney Taylor Award CommitteeBest Books of the Year 2011, Bank Street College of EducationA PJ Library Selection"a solid choice for Judeo-Christian collections that may be enjoyed in secular settings as well" School Library Journal"a vital resource to help children stay grounded and aware of what is real" Jewish WomanGod realizes that the people of the world need rules to live by and decides to speak to them from a mountaintop. Beautiful Mount Carmel, tall Mount Hermon and majestic Mount Tabor all compete for the honor of being the chosen mountain. But little Mount Sinai is silent. Which mountain will God choose?; Title: The Littlest Mountain | [
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31,441 | 2 | Karen Ballen has a bachelor's degree from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota. She taught biology at a small college in Minnesota before turning to children's writing. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and children. Seven Wonders of Medicine is her first book.; Title: Seven Wonders of Medicine | [
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31,442 | 20 | "As Bezalel watches his grandmother Miriam (Moses' sister) comfort the Israelites on their trek through the desert, he draws pictures in the sand that extend or amplify Miriam's words and deeds. As a result, he's chosen to design and fashion the Holy Ark. Readers familiar with the Exodus story will appreciate this accessible and enjoyable interpretation illustrated with flowing desert-hued pictures." --The Horn Book GuideJacqueline Jules is an award-winning author and poet. Her many children's books include The Hardest Word (National Jewish Book Award finalist), Happy Hanukkah Lights, and Picnic at Camp Shalom. She lives in northern Virginia.; Title: Miriam in the Desert | [
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31,443 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: The Nice Mice in the Rice: A Long Vowel Sounds Book (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,444 | 2 | Becky is a school librarian by day and writer by night (well, actually very early mornings). Her natural habitat is the temperate forests of northwestern Wisconsin, where she shares her den with a husband, two animal-loving sons, and two big black dogs. She is the co-author of all twelve books in the Follow That Food Chain series, as well as the biography, Dr. Kate: Angel on Snowshoes.; Title: A Savanna Food Chain: A Who-eats-what Adventrue in Africa (Follow That Food Chain) | [
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31,445 | 0 | Gr 1-2Tally McNally is obsessed with keeping score using tally marks. All day long the cat records who is the faster, smarter, smaller, taller, etc., and due to his sneaky ways, he wins every time. When Tom Cat declares himself the wettest during a rainstorm, Tally goes to extreme measures to prove he's even wetter and ends up in the sewer drain. Now his tallying comes in handy as he knows which cats to ask for help. In the end, all of his friends work together to pull him out, and Tally Cat ends his tallying ways. The final two pages feature an explanation of what tally marks are, how to use them, and how they are used by Tally Cat. This explanation could have been placed before the story for even better effect. The illustrations depict a bunch of street savvy, hip cats with great facial expressions. Andrew Harris makes the most of showing how much tallying Tally Cat does and gives readers ample opportunity to count the marks. Great extra touches include the classic cat "hang in there" motivational poster in the alley hangout. This concept book would work equally well in the classroom or at storytime.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted."Tally McNally the alley cat keeps track of everything with tally marks: trees climbed, mice caught, races won. But his ultra-competitive nature leads him to sometimes cheat a bit so as to always be the winner. One rainy day when Tom Cat announces that he is as wet as a cat can get, Tally McNally rises to the challenge. But when Tally goes too far and finds himself washed down the gutter, he quickly 'fesses up so they will rescue him. It takes teamwork to get Tally out, and, when he emerges, one last tally shows readers that he has learned his lesson. Trudy Harris's rhyming verses have a kind of jazzy beat that fits with the alley cats. Andrew N. Harris's illustrations anthropomorphize his subjects, clothing them and giving them eyebrows and human-like eyes--both of which get a lot of use, especially when it comes to the other cats' putting up with the fraudulent tallies. Backmatter teaches readers how to use tally marks to count objects. Math and a lesson in friendship rolled into one." --Kirkus Reviews"Tally McNally is obsessed with keeping score using tally marks. All day long the cat records who is the faster, smarter, smaller, taller, etc., and due to his sneaky ways, he wins every time. When Tom Cat declares himself the wettest during a rainstorm, Tally goes to extreme measures to prove he's even wetter and ends up in the sewer drain. Now his tallying comes in handy as he knows which cats to ask for help. n the end, all of his friends work together to pull him out, and Tally Cat ends his tallying ways. The final two pages feature an explanation of what tally marks are, how to use them, and how they are used by Tally Cat. This explanation could have been placed before the story for even better effect. The illustrations depict a bunch of street savvy, hip cats with great facial expressions. Andrew Harris makes the most of showing how much tallying Tally Cat does and gives readers ample opportunity to count the marks. Great extra touches include the classic cat 'hang in there' motivational poster in the alley hangout. This concept book would work equally well in the classroom or at storytime." --School Library Journal; Title: Tally Cat Keeps Track (Math Is Fun!) | [
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31,446 | 17 | Jeff Savage has written dozens of books for young readers, many of them sports related. His other Amazing Athlete titles include LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, and Travis Pastrana. He frequently visits schools around the country to talk to kids about his work. Jeff Savage has written dozens of books for young readers, many of them sports related. His other Amazing Athlete titles include LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, and Travis Pastrana. He frequently visits schools around the country to talk to kids about his work.; Title: Sidney Crosby (Amazing Athletes) | [
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31,447 | 13 | Grade 16Eighteen paintings, and not a bowl of fruit in sight. Whether it is the knockout punch of George Bellows's Dempsey and Firpo or the fiery blasts of Diego Rivera's The Conquest of Mexico, this art is not about sitting still. Raczka threads selections together using few words: "Dragon Slayers/Baseball Players/Big Top Swingers/Stone Slingers." Similar in format to his Art Is (Millbrook, 2003), the book includes works in various styles, dating from 1450 to 1962. Rounded out with some fun facts about the selections, this enjoyable collection presents an array of action-packed art fit for independent perusal or group discussion.Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO ENDRaczka continues his series (Bob Raczkas Art Adventures) of thematic approaches to fine art with 18 depictions of lively activity, created by painters from Paolo Uccello to Roy Lichtenstein. Opening with Uccellos dramatic St. George and the Dragon followed by Morris Kantors Baseball at Night, he provides identifying captions for each, and also links them with a rhyming word or phrase (Dragon Slayers and Baseball Players) in larger type. The brightly reproduced paintings range in size from full page to three-quarters spread, and a closing section of analytical comments about each invite young viewers to page back for closer looks. The larger pictures cross the gutters with no visible losses. Though Frans Hals puckish Jester with a Lute (Lute Strummers) doesnt quite fit the theme, it does set up the wild jumble of Max Beckmanns ensuing Rugby Players (Rugby Scrummers), and it isnt the only smile-worthy juxtaposition here. The minimal text helps to keep the focus squarely on the art, which is as it should be. Grades 3-5. --John Peters; Title: Action Figures: Paintings of Fun, Daring, and Adventure (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) | [
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31,448 | 17 | Grade 35The oft-told history of the first African-American student to attend a newly integrated elementary school in New Orleans, LA, in 1960, gets a fresh dose of facts. Rather than exclusively cover the best-known aspects of Bridges's story, Donaldson adds scope by including what happened before and after the girl's fateful first-grade year. Information on her time at William Frantz Public School, the repercussions of her attendance on her family, and her resurgence as an advocate not only for civil rights, but also for the New Orleans schools, especially after Hurricane Katrina, adds depth and resonance. However, while the author explains that Ruby was the first African-American student to integrate a school in Louisiana, she does not make it clear that the child was the first to integrate an elementary school in the entire South. This omission diminishes the historical significance of Bridges's brave act. Primary-source black-and-white and color photographs (and a picture drawn by first-grader Ruby) with clear, concise captions add gravity and reality to the story, and the illustrations that begin each chapter give the pages more appeal. A lovely section at the conclusion of the book provides an anecdote about Norman Rockwell's The Problem We All Live With, a painting of the young student.Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY ENDDonaldson recounts the story of this young African American girl who, in 1960 at the age of six, integrated New Orleans William Franz Elementary School. Escorted to and from school by U.S. marshals, Bridges spent an entire year being educated by herself because whites refused to attend classes with her. The author also documents Bridges adult life, highlighting her community activities in recent years. Donaldsons book is illustrated with full-color drawings and carefully chosen period photos, some of which include an impossibly tiny Bridges being flanked by large marshalsa poignant sight, indeed. The book is appended with a time line and bibliography, and it makes a good introduction for report writers too young for Bridges own memoir, Through My Eyes (1999). Grades 3-6. --Kay Weisman; Title: Ruby Bridges | [
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31,449 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 2In this third book about the Rib-Eye Reds (carnivores) and Green Sox (herbivores), the teams are all over the diamond playing fast-action baseball. The rhyming text sweeps youngsters through the game with appropriate baseball idioms peppered throughout. Wheeler includes on-the-field plays as well as typical baseball-crowd fun like a manager's tantrum, a seventh-inning stretch, and a visit to the snack bar. Gott's illustrations are masterful at catching the leaping, running action of the battling behemoths and giving each spread a stop-action, "you are there" feel. The final page promises a rematch on the basketball court in the next book. Libraries looking to satisfy dinosaur lovers as well as sports enthusiasts will find this title an easy sell.Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Following Dino-Hockey (2007) and Dino-Soccer (2009), Wheelers latest dino-sports story heads to the baseball diamond, where two teams of prehistoric athletes face off: the Green Sox herbivores and Rib-Eye Reds, including celebrity carnivores like T. rex. Once again, the play-by-play action in the acrylic paintings and the rhyming text (Green Sox need to change the score. / Their only hope? Apatosaur!) will captivate young baseball fans, while the humor in each incongruous scene will widen the books audience to sports-ambivalent kids. A final spread hints at the series next installment: Buy your tickets at the court / for Dino-Hoopsnext seasons sport! Preschool-Grade 2. --Gillian Engberg; Title: Dino-baseball (Dino Sports) | [
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31,450 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Goats (First Step Nonfiction Farm Animals) | [
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31,451 | 0 | Deborah Lakritz has a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. Her previous books include Say Hello, Lily (Kar-Ben). A mother of five, she lives in Milwaukee with her husband, children and pet fish, Sunny.; Title: Say Hello, Lily (Jewish Identity) | [
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31,452 | 0 | Jacqueline Jules is the award-winning author of 25 children's books, including No English (2012 Forward National Literature Award), Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off (2010 CYBILS Literary Award, Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Honor Award, ALSC Great Early Elementary Reads), and Freddie Ramos Makes a Splash (named on 2013 List of Best Children's Books of the Year by Bank Street College Committee). When not reading, writing, or teaching, Jacqueline enjoys time with her family in Northern Virginia.; Title: Before We Eat: A Thank You Prayer (Very First Board Books) | [
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31,453 | 0 | K-Gr 3The protagonist from Love, Ruby Valentine (Carolrhoda, 2006) has moved to the mountains, but her love of Valentine's Day and her quest for perfection remain unchanged. She plans a Valentine's Day party with the help of Lovebird, her pet cockatoo with pink crest feathers. Splattered with pink and hearts, the cartoon art is joyful and energetic while the landscapes have a Seuss-like quality. Ruby bakes, cleans, and wraps up her goodies to share, but the cold air rolls in and all her planning comes to naught. No one can make it up the mountain after a snowstorm so she must come up with a solution, with a little help from Lovebird. This good-natured story shows what really matters during holidays: spending time with people you love. It's a good choice for anyone looking for a girls-only Valentine's Day story with a clearly stated message about sharing time rather than money.Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.In this follow-up to Love, Ruby Valentine (2006), as another Valentines Day approaches, Ruby and her cockatoo, Lovebird, fix up the house and send out party invites. When snow keeps the guests from getting up the hill, bird and girl set out by sled to take the party to town. The simple rhyme scheme gets a bit tedious, but the story is as warm as the fire over which people are roasting marshmallows at the books conclusion. Avrils ink-and-and-watercolor pictures, highlighted with pinks and reds, go for both tenderness and giggles and get readers into the spirit of this special day. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper; Title: Ruby Valentine Saves the Day | [
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31,454 | 18 | Lisa Bullard is the award-winning author of more than 60 books for children, including You Can Write a Story: A Story-Writing Recipe for Kids. She teaches writing classes at the Loft Literary Center and regularly visits schools to talk with students about story-writing.; Title: The Empire State Building (Lightning Bolt Books) | [
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31,455 | 15 | Clear, vivid photos give this simple introduction to composting a realistic look that makes the process look downright doable. Based on the text of Glaser's Compost! Growing Gardens from Your Garbage (1996), which was illustrated with watercolors, the wording here is sometimes identical and sometimes reworked. Most of Rotner's excellent photos feature one or two children as they scrape their dinner plates into a bucket indoors, add kitchen and yard waste to the compost bin outside, observe the leaves and food rotting over time, add the compost to their vegetable garden, put new plants into the ground, and watch them grow. The kids look comfortable with the camera and with getting their hands a little dirty in the garden. It's good to find a book that treats worms, mold, and rot in a matter-of-fact way, without exploiting the ick factor. Two appended pages answer common practical questions about composting. Grades K-3. --Carolyn PhelanLinda Glaser is the author of many successful nonfiction picture books, mainly on natural history subjects. Her books Spectacular Spiders, Compost!, and Wonderful Worms were all named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association. In addition to teaching and writing, she conducts writing workshops for schoolchildren and for adults.Shelley Rotner is an award-winning children's book author and photo-illustrator as well as a freelance photographer specializing in portrait and travel photography. She is the author of Many Ways, Senses at the Seashore, Everybody Works, Feelings, and numerous other titles for the Shelley Rotner's Early Childhood Library series.; Title: Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story | [
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31,456 | 15 | Grade 5 Up?These two books introduce key concepts of science by exploring their development, applications, and relationships to scientific knowledge as a whole. Photosynthesis explains the process; the history of discoveries leading to current understanding of photosynthesis; and related issues such as acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and the use of basic materials that are directly or indirectly dependent on photosynthesis. The authors also explore the topic as an important key to our future. Symbiosis covers mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, and gives numerous examples of these important partnerships. Further chapters consider the symbiotic relationships that humans have with animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms and concerns that scientists have that "emerging diseases," such as Ebola, might become the world's next great plague. The authors also discuss the possibility of "alien symbionts" being introduced through space exploration. These books are well researched and interesting and the format is inviting for both general-interest reading and research. Scientific terms, which are defined in context as well as in the glossary, are highlighted in boldface type. The high-quality, full-color photographs have informative captions. The lists for further reading include recently published books and an annotated listing of Internet resources.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Photosynthesis (Science Concepts) | [
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31,457 | 15 | "Rhyming, uneven verse enumerates some of the characteristics and pleasures of fall, except that things are a bit topsy-turvy: 'Bears gather nuts / Geese hibernate. / Squirrels fly south in / big figure eights.' Illustrations rendered in warm colors capture the silliness of the brief text. Kids will have fun following the final instructions to 'Go back and find all the / things that aren't right.'" --The Horn Book Guide"This title, featuring a young boy and his canine companion, offers a witty, wacky take on familiar autumnal activities and elements. Beginning with a somewhat tongue-twisting line, 'Every Septober, / Every Octember, / Fall fills my senses with / scenes to remember,' the text and art include mixed-up scenarios of leaves flying upward, geese hibernating, squirrels flying south. In this upside-down world, 'Touchdowns are hit. / Home runs are kicked.' Halloween gets a more humorous than scary treatment in shadowy scenes in which winged mummies 'go bats' and 'vampires ride brooms' and kids get trick-or-treats of stuffing and drumsticks. There's plenty to seek and find in the colorful, soft-textured illustrations, which use playful perspectives in more zany, backward scenes, such as 'bonfires that cool off our fronts and our rears,' and invite revisiting. Bouncy rhymes keep things peppy, and kids will enjoy being in on the jokes and identifying all that's topsy-turvy in this fun romp. A humorous option for seasonal storytimes." --Booklist"With giddy abandon, Cameron's (A Day with No Crayons) bustling, mixed-media artwork has fun with this story's gleefully wacky premise. Moving from windswept, daytime panoramas to shadowy evenings, the pictures leave no doubt that much is awry this autumn: a boy bites into an orange apple as kids in a hot-air balloon attempt to capture leaves that rise rather than fall from trees. Raczka's (Guyku) merry, rat-a-tat verse reveals that animals' behavior is also askew: 'Bears gather nuts./ Geese hibernate./ Squirrels fly south in/ big figure eights.' Readers will eagerly scour illustrations to decipher the text's ramifications. On a spread in which 'Hats cover hands./ Gloves cover ears./ Bonfires cool off our/ fronts and our rears,' the children's reversed glove and hat placement is obvious; less so is the ice covering the marshmallows that they (and a snowman) roast over a fire. Even observant kids may not pick up on all of the art's switcheroos on the first read, and will gladly follow Raczka's parting directive to 'Go back and find all the/ things that aren't right.'" --Publishers Weekly"'Raczka gives a mixed-up version of various Fall scenarios which will amuse youngsters. In this rhyming lyrical picture book, a little boy takes an adventure from Septober to Octember and witnesses apples turning orange while pumpkins turn red. Not only are touchdowns hit and home runs kicked, but hats cover hands, and gloves cover ears. Animals don't escape this mixed-up story either; wolves meow, while black cats say, 'Whoo.' The watercolor illustrations are fun to view as they capture each word explicitly. Children will get the pleasure of correcting each incorrect statement." --Library Media Connection"This rollicking fall frolic is sure to arouse a chorus of hearty negatives in every audience as children race to point out the mistakes in both the text and the illustrations. Raczka has taken all the quintessential elements of fall and turned them topsy-turvy. From the staple treats of candy corn and caramel apples to the antics of the animals, nothing is sacred (or correct), including the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving: 'Neighbors give stuffing and / drumsticks for treats. / Families give thanks / for a bounty of sweets.' But silly as the rhyming verses are, they need Cameron's zany illustrations to truly make them come alive. After all, some of the mix-ups defy even the most active of imaginations: 'Bears gather nuts. / Geese hibernate. / Squirrels fly south in / big figure eights.' Digital paintings with photo-collage elements draw readers' eyes through the scenes, in which bears bend trees down to the ground with their heavy weight and squirrels with balloons tied around their waists soar through the sky. But the laughs don't stop thereCameron includes at least one wrong thing on each spread that is unrelated to the text. Observant readers just may spot them all. A true celebration of fall certain to be a winner with teachers and children alike; here's hoping that the rest of the seasons will follow." --Kirkus ReviewsSince majoring in art at the University of Illinois, Bob Raczka has been a writer at various Chicago-area advertising agencies. His other books include 3-D ABC: A Sculptural Alphabet; Action Figures: Paintings of Fun, Daring, and Adventure; Unlikely Pairs: Fun with Famous Works of Art; and more.; Title: Fall Mixed Up (Carolrhoda Picture Books) | [
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31,458 | 0 | "Tashlich, a Jewish custom performed during the high holidays, symbolizes the throwing away of last year's sins by discarding crumbs into a body of water. On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, Annie, who's "in charge" this year, creates a special outing for her family where they will perform the ritual and a few added observances. Following her lead, they hike through the woods and stop at different locations along the trail to remember the good and bad of the past year, make a promise to keep in the new year and then eat apples dipped in honey to welcome the beginning of a sweet year to come. The long yet straightforward narrative depicts an environmentally conscious, traditional family eager to share the acknowledgement of their mistakes and good memories. Annie's likable bossiness helps the necessarily explicative text go down easy. Gouache on textured paper emulate pointillism, depicting fall foliage dominated by auburn, brown and green colors. An author's note encourages families to find unique ways to practice this low-impact yet spiritually rich custom." --Kirkus ReviewsAlexandra Steele-Morgan lives and works in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Since her graduation from the University of Plymouth, she has enjoyed illustrating in a variety of forms for children. She also enjoys painting portraits and seascapes in her spare time.; Title: Tashlich at Turtle Rock | [
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31,459 | 10 | This third graphic novel in the Elsewhere Chronicles completes the trilogy begun in The Shadow Door (2009), but also leaves things open for further installments. The four children continue their search for a way out of the strange world theyve been transported to, fighting off the menacing shadow monsters with light guns and a handy camera while encountering all manner of peculiar flora and fauna. This other world is so tantalizingly imagined and gorgeously rendered that the not-really-an-ending is a huge bummer, leaving more questions percolating than answered. Kids will be left literally begging for more, and are likely to get it. Grades 4-7. --Ian ChipmanNykko is the author of several graphic novel series, including The ElseWhere Chronicles (Les Enfants d'ailleurs), originally published in French by Dupuis, which won the 2007 Lyon Festival Youth Prize. Nykko lives in Perros-Guirec, France.; Title: The Master of Shadows (Elsewhere Chronicles) | [
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31,460 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: The Thing on the Wing Can Sing (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,461 | 10 | The plot in this first book in the Elsewhere Chroniclesa French-import graphic-novel trilogyis simple enough: the four friends discover a door to another world in a spooky house (which is architecturally quite modern, in a nice twist), and then two of them get stuckthere while the other two try to figure out how to get them back. A few of the details along the way are introduced with little explanation, such as light guns and a projector that somehow opens up the Shadow Door, and readers will have to wait until the next volume to truly get a handle on whats going on in this other world of menacing shadows and monsters. That said, this is an undeniably attractive offering, as the artwork, with deep darks and effervescent lights splayed across large, glossy pages, is strikingly rendered. Indeed, there are times when the textual interference on the story is rendered unnecessary by the action occurring in the panels. A cryptic, light-horror opening that should have no problem gaining an appreciative readership. Grades 4-7. --Ian Chipman"Combining the fantasy genre with the graphic-novel format adds up to a package with all kinds of young-reader appeal. The books below each involve life-changing journeys, suspenseful plots, and inventive storytelling, all steeped in magical realms and loaded with high adventure.. . .The Shadow Door. By Nykko. Illus. by Bannister. 2009. Lerner/Graphic Universe, $27.93 (9780761344599). Gr. 4-7.While poking around a spooky old house, four friends discover a portal to another world populated by fantastical flora and fauna and menaced by terrifying shadow creatures. The Elsewhere Chronicles continue in The Shadow Spies and The Master of Shadows (both 2009), as well as the forthcoming The Calling (2010)."--Booklist; Title: The Shadow Door (Elsewhere Chronicles) (The Elsewhere Chronicles) | [
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31,462 | 0 | "As a classroom teacher, I was impressed with many aspects of this book. It's perfect for research reports because of its beautiful photographs and interesting morsels of information. The graphic design of the contents page, on which the page numbers are in bubbles, is interesting and inviting. The map and diagram were excellent ideas and perfect for this nonfiction text. The glossary, with challenging vocabulary words and easy-to-understand definitions, is an excellent and crucial addition. This book would be great for a classroom read-aloud. The colorful photographs, entertaining information, and print size allow it to be used in small- and large-group settings. The interactive text asks students questions throughout. Students will enjoy the beginning of the book, when they are asked to make faces and sounds like a bat. The text boxes on various pages are in fun locations with a different font and print color. The author uses 'Watch Out!' and 'Look!' in bold print to capture readers' attention. The author personalized the book by asking the question, 'Who gives you piggyback rides?' The lightning bolt at the top of a page warns that a new idea will be discussed. In summary, the book has many excellent possibilities for use. It could be an easy read for a child, a great read-aloud for teachers to supplement a unit of study, an entertaining book to read around Halloween time, and/or a useful book for a research report for an early childhood reader." --NSTA--WebsiteRuth (Berman) Strother is a veteran author and editor who has developed countless books for children in the areas of natural science, pet care, and biography, among others. Spanning the continent, Ruth was born in New York, grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is now trying to warm up in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and two Labs.; Title: Let's Look at Bats (Lightning Bolt Books) | [
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31,463 | 0 | "As a classroom teacher, I was impressed with many aspects of this book, which is perfect for research reports because it has beautiful photographs and interesting morsels of information. The graphic design of the contents page, on which the page numbers are in bubbles, is interesting and inviting. The map and diagram were excellent ideas and are perfect for this text, and the glossary, with challenging vocabulary words and easy-to-understand definitions, was an excellent and crucial addition. Text boxes are highlighted with a different font and print color, and there are many suggestions for further reading. This book would be great for a classroom read-aloud. The colorful photographs, entertaining information, and print size allow it to be used in both small- and large-group settings. The text is interactive, asking readers questions throughout. Kids will love the roadrunner eating the iguana and the iguana devouring a cactus. It's a perfect book for group discussions because there are questions throughout. The lightning bolt at the top of a page warns readers that a new idea will be discussed. In summary, this book has many excellent uses - as an easy read for a child, a great read-aloud for teachers to supplement a unit of study, an entertaining book to read independently, and/or a useful book for a research report for an early childhood reader." --NSTA--WebsiteJudith Jango-Cohen's career began in the classroom, where she created lessons to excite her students' interest in science. Eleven years later, after the birth of her two children, she turned to writing full time. Her adventures as a naturalist and photographer have inspired her forty-two books, which cover an assortment of subjects from Bionics to Ben Franklin and from ladybugs to librarians. Besides researching and writing books, Judith also writes science news stories for Scholastic classroom magazines.As a former teacher, Judith loves visiting classrooms and libraries to share her stories as a writer/photographer and to help children learn to express themselves through poetry and prose. She also enjoys meeting teachers and librarians when she presents programs at conferences.Judith's titles have been selected for the Children's Choices Reading List by the IRA/CBC, recommended by the National Science Teacher's Association, chosen for the Children's Literature Choice List, named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book by the NCSS/CBC, and selected as Best Children's Books of the Year by the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College.; Title: Let's Look at Iguanas (Lightning Bolt Books: Animal Close-Ups) | [
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31,464 | 1 | Sandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally known science education consultant.Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist.Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in New Zealand with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffry.; Title: Fishing Spiders: Water Ninjas (Arachnid World) | [
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31,465 | 1 | Sandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally known science education consultant.Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist.Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in New Zealand with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffry.; Title: Jumping Spiders: Gold-Medal Stalkers (Arachnid World) | [
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31,466 | 1 | Sandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally known science education consultant.Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist.Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in New Zealand with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffry.; Title: Crab Spiders: Phantom Hunters (Arachnid World) | [
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31,467 | 0 | "Gentle humor, clever rhyme, dynamic illustrations, and biblical accuracy deliver an energetic, age-appropriate holiday story through a dexterous narrative that converts to a drama script. Author Tilda Balsley gifts the picture book crowd, their teachers, and parents with an inviting look at Purim's biblical and holiday lore. Her compact tale holds attention through strong, well-described characters who are distinct personalities able to shine in the play format, achieved through the smart but simple use of color in each character's dialogue. Without straying from Megillat Esther, Balsley enchants with heroine Easther, goody Mordechai, baddy Haman, flawed human King Ahasheurus, and a rich supporting group of others from Vashti to Haman's wife. The narrator keeps motive and action moving in orderly fashion in both the narrative and dramatic form without spoiling the fun. The rhymes are excellent--unforced while carefully maintaining established rhythm. The layout highlights fun asides in speech balloons to underline or embroider the story. Balsley initiated this format in her 2008 Let My People Go, where she teamed with illustrator Ilene Richard. As in their earlier book, here Richard's illustrations are charming, mobile, active, and flavored with Near Eastern sensibility. They support the text while imagining what these historical characters looked like and did. This picture book is well focused, well thought-out, and well delivered." --Jewish Book World "This book is an imaginative take on the tried and true Purim story. King Ahashuerus is looking for a queen. His loyal followers find Esther, a young and beautiful Jewish girl, who the king selects to be his wife. She lives with her cousin Mordechai, who persuades her to hide her Jewish heritage in order to protect herself.However, things do not stay peaceful for long. Mordechai offends one of the king's advisors, Haman, by refusing to bow to him. So Haman decides to punish all the Jews in the kingdom. He tells the king that none of the Jews follow his orders. The king grants Haman permission to kill all Jews, young and old, on the 13th day of Adar. Mordechai steps into action, convincing his sister that maybe her role in becoming queen was to save the Jews from this awful plight. So she fasts for three days, and convinces all the Jews to do the same. She invites the king and Haman to join her for dinner. She tells the king about Haman's awful plot against the Jews, and the king is so mad that he decides Haman should be hung on the gallows. This fun, rhyming story can be read or performed in a theater script format with five different parts. It is color coded and easy to follow. It is beautifully illustrated with imaginative pictures that will engage children ages four and up." --Jewish Journal Tilda Balsley has written many books for Kar-Ben, bringing her stories to life with rhyme, rhythm, and humor. Tilda lives with her husband and their rescue Shih Tzu in Reidsville, North Carolina.; Title: The Queen Who Saved Her People | [
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31,468 | 11 | Grade 3-6–In this top-notch introduction to self-portraiture, Raczka delves more deeply into each selection than in his More Than Meets the Eye (Millbrook, 2003). A single opening page prepares the way, whetting readers' appetites by having them consider how they would portray themselves. Full spreads follow, in which one page contains a labeled image and the other presents the related narrative on a faux parchment background. Raczka has chosen carefully; within his 14 examples, he manages to include three women, a range of cultures, and a span of periods and ages (Dürer drew a version of himself at age 13). The moods vary as do the media, although, unfortunately, the media are not listed anywhere. The reproductions are clear, and the writing offers tidbits about the artists' lives as well as interpretation about the works. Viewers reading and looking closely will learn that Goya affixed candles to his hat so he could work at night, that Chagall painted himself with seven fingers for a reason, and that Rockwell's Triple Self Portrait includes many more than three. Peggy Roalf's fine Looking at Paintings: Self-Portraits (Hyperion, 1993) covers several of the same artists (although most of the portraits differ) and many additional names with a similar organization. A class would benefit from exposure to both; browsers may wish to begin with the shorter length and conversational style of this title.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 3-5. The author of More than Meets the Eye: Seeing Art with All Five Senses (2003) leads children through a series of artists' self-portraits, evidently chosen to represent a broad range of styles within Western art. Each portrait appears on a full page, facing a page of commentary. Artists, introduced in chronological order beginning with Albrecht Durer (1472-1528) and concluding with Cindy Sherman (1954-), include Artemisia Gentileschi, Jan Vermeer, and Chuck Close. Readers may learn a little about the artists' lives and importance, but the main focus is on the content of their self-portraits: why artists included certain elements, composed them as they did, or used particular techniques. The most striking and involving part of the book is the series of well-chosen portraits, beautifully reproduced on heavy, glossy paper. A good resource for school "picture people" and teachers, this will also be an intriguing starting place for children inspired (or assigned) to create their own self-portraits. For curious kids, Raczka's self-portrait is on the back flap. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Here's Looking At Me: How Artists See Themselves (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) | [
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31,469 | 12 | "As she did in Ruby, Violet and Lime: Looking for Color and Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture? (both Millbrook, 2011), Brocket has taken a concept and given it the full treatment. Using crisp, bright photographs reminiscent of the work of Tana Hoban and clearly written text in playful fonts, she examines patterns from almost every conceivable angle. There are patterns determined sometimes by shape, sometimes by color, sometimes by object. They run the gamut from simple to quite complex. There are man-made patterns such as brickwork or quilts, and patterns that occur in nature, such as geranium leaves. The author explains their various purposes and encourages children to 'look up and down and all around' to try and find them. This book is a visual treat that could be used by teachers looking for ways to introduce the topic, and it will attract browsers as well. A first purchase." --School Library Journal"The third book in the Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts series presents patterns. While the large-print text explains what patterns are, how they vary, and why they are useful to people, the large, colorful illustrations steal the show. Heightening viewers' awareness of the patterns around them, the photos focus attention on subjects that vary from the print on new sneakers to the geometric arrangement of old ceramic tiles, from the creative plantings of dark and light lettuces to the glass-and-steel triangles that make up a distinctive skyscraper. Like Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture? (2011) and Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color (2012), this volume offers plenty of textures and colors to enjoy as well. Parents and teachers looking for a concept book on patterns will find this a rich collection of photos that can spark any number of discussions around the subject." --Booklist"This attractive book explains what patterns are and how they can exist in nature or be created by organizing objects in different ways. The striking color photos provide dozens of examples of interesting patterns all around--in fabrics, nature, manmade structures, and decorative objects. The book serves as an engaging introduction to patterns as observed in science, math, and art." --The Horn Book Guide"Patterning and ways of sorting are the focus of the third in Brocket's four-part series, and, as with her color and texture entries, her brightly colored close-up photos truly make the book. Beginning with a definition, Brocket treats readers to a visual feast of patterns. Her up-close photos show a wide array of objects with their own distinctive patterns, from fabrics and architectural elements to food and plants. Simple arrangements of objects share a page with complex ones, and the familiar are mixed in with the new: a quilt, a candy-decorated cake, a garden full of lettuce, a dahlia, the shadow of a fence, a building's windows, polka-dot socks. But Brocket does not stop there--she delves into the reasons for patterns. They help us identify plants, stay organized, decorate and plan, but, most of all, they are pleasing to the eye. While this entry lacks the great adjectives that made the first two in the series such standouts, the text does give children some words to help describe what they see--swirls, stripes, dots, zigzag. Brocket peppers the text with challenges that require children to identify the patterns, to look for more around them and to create their own, even pointing out how the same collection of rocks can be sorted in different ways to create different patterns. Another solid entry sure to attract the attention of art and math teachers alike." --Kirkus ReviewsJane Brocket is the author of The Gentle Art of Domesticity (2007) and The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking (2010) and of two books based on the wonderful things characters eat and do in classic children s books: Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer (2008) and Ripping Things to Do (2009)--a selection of the pieces in these two books has been collected into one volume for the US as Turkish Delight and Treasure Hunts (Perigee, 2010). She is currently writing a series of four Clever Concepts books for Millbrook Press. She has a knitting book to be published in 2011 and two more craft books in the pipeline. Jane enjoys knitting, quilting, sewing, baking, growing flowers, and taking photographs of the things she makes as well as details of the world around her. She loves color, pattern, texture, shapes, and objects. And, above all, she love books and reading.; Title: Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What Are Patterns? (Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts) | [
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31,470 | 0 | "Also perfect for this age is a board book, Going on a Hametz Hunt by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Rick Brown ($5.95). Using rhymes and counting, the little ones can be brought into the fun of the pre-holiday search for hametz." -- Chicago Jewish Star MagazineJacqueline Jules is an award-winning author and poet. Her many children's books include The Hardest Word (National Jewish Book Award finalist), Happy Hanukkah Lights, and Picnic at Camp Shalom. She lives in northern Virginia.; Title: Going on a Hametz Hunt (Very First Board Books) | [
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31,471 | 0 | Pamela F. Service has authored more than 20 books in the science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction genres. After working as a history museum curator for many years in Indiana, she is now the director of a museum in Eureka, California, where she lives with her husband and cats.Mike Gorman is a seasoned editorial illustrator whose work has been seen in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, and other publications. He lives in Westbrook, Maine, with his wife, three children, two dogs, a cat, and a gecko. This is his first illustrated book project.; Title: My Cousin, the Alien (Alien Agent) | [] | Test |
31,472 | 0 | Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical(R), Math Is CATegorical(R), Food Is CATegorical(TM), and Animal Groups Are CATegorical(TM) series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.; Title: #2 Stop, Drop, and Flop in the Slop: A Short Vowel Sounds Book with Consonant Blends (Sounds Like Reading) | [
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31,473 | 1 | "Markle follows her 'Insect World' series (Lerner, 2008) with a similarly designed overview of spiders, ticks, and scorpions. She presents a mix of common and less-common facts (not all arachnids have eight legs), and her commentary accompanies a particularly strong suite of illustrations featuring large, clear, labeled outside and inside views that display typical body parts. Photos go beyond the standard portraits to show, for instance, harvestmen mating and multiple shots of ticks feeding. Each volume also includes multimedia resource lists and a science activity designed to provide insight on the arachnid world without actually involving any live animals. First-rate." --School Library Journal, Series Made SimpleSandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally-known science education consultant. Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist. Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffery.; Title: Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners (Arachnid World) | [
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31,474 | 10 | Nykko is the author of several graphic novel series, including The ElseWhere Chronicles (Les Enfants d'ailleurs), originally published in French by Dupuis, which won the 2007 Lyon Festival Youth Prize. Nykko lives in Perros-Guirec, France.; Title: The Shadow Spies (Elsewhere Chronicles) | [
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31,475 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Pigs (First Step Nonfiction) | [
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31,476 | 1 | "These volumes discuss the title animals' physical characteristics, life cycles, and danger to humans. Markle's clear and detailed narratives, along with instructive close-up photographs of the exterior and interior anatomies of the title arachnids, will fascinate readers and make them instant experts on the creatures." --The Horn Book Guide"This fascinating book starts out by describing the difference between arachnids and a close relative, the crustacean. Most arachnids, such as the scorpion, have eight legs and two main body parts. Full-color photographs make this book especially informative. Detailed pictures (such as those of the inside and outside of the scorpion) are shown. In addition, throughout the book, words that are hard to pronounce are phonetically spelled in parentheses. Interesting structures on the outside of the scorpion (such as the pedipalps, chelicerae, spiracle, and telson) are visually represented and described. These close-up photographs reveal details about the scorpion that are extraordinary! Inside, structures like the malpighian tubules, book lungs, and the hepatopancreas are explained. The book goes into detail about how the scorpion becomes an adult through incomplete metamorphosis. Self-defense mechanisms, armed warfare, they way they fight or flee, and scorpion babies are additional topics. Readers will learn interesting facts; for instance, except for newborns, all scorpions glow blue green or yellow green in ultraviolet light. In addition to all of the facts and information presented in this book, the reader also learns how scorpions are classified and the names of other arachnid defenders and what they look like. There is a glossary and lists of additional books to read and websites that contain more information. Near the end of the book, there is a scorpion activity for students to do. Students follow steps in the activity to get a feel for how scorpions detect vibrations through the ground and the air. All in all, this middle school book would be a great addition to any teacher's classroom library." --NSTA"Markle follows her 'Insect World' series (Lerner, 2008) with a similarly designed overview of spiders, ticks, and scorpions. She presents a mix of common and less-common facts (not all arachnids have eight legs), and her commentary accompanies a particularly strong suite of illustrations featuring large, clear, labeled outside and inside views that display typical body parts. Photos go beyond the standard portraits to show, for instance, harvestmen mating and multiple shots of ticks feeding. Each volume also includes multimedia resource lists and a science activity designed to provide insight on the arachnid world without actually involving any live animals. First-rate." --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple"These books are very well done, with phenomenally great photographs. There are extreme close-ups of body parts: eyes, feet, inside the baby spider nests. There are many good photographs of spiders doing their daily spider thing, including eating prey or sucking blood out of their host. There are a lot of pictures of infant spiders. The books follow them through their life cycle. They also show photographs of the arachnids molting, mating, and maturing. The books contain small sidebars and cross-section drawings of each arachnid. Large fonts and few words on the page make the books easier to read. The book Ticks discusses diseases carried by ticks. Anyone interested in spiders and arachnids is going to love these books. They are well researched by Sandra Markle and the language is accessible to younger readers. Each book contains activities and More Arachnid Defenders." --Library Media ConnectionSandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally-known science education consultant. Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist. Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffery.; Title: Scorpions: Armored Stingers (Arachnid World) | [
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31,477 | 0 | Christine Zuchora-Walske grew up--and eventually settled down--in Minneapolis. But as a young adult, she spent some time gallivanting elsewhere, including the University of Notre Dame, London, the University of Denver, and a small town in the cornfields of Illinois. Along the way she discovered a love for reading, writing, and inquiry--and a desire to make a career of those activities. For almost twenty years now, Christine has been writing and editing books and magazine articles for children and their parents. She began as an editor with the Cricket family of children's magazines. She ventured to the Lerner Group next, and then Meadowbrook Press. After having two children, she became a freelance editor and writer. Christine's author credits are many and varied. They include crafts and puzzles; a monthly column in which she impersonated a praying mantis; natural science titles for beginning readers; books exploring countries around the world; a debate on the pros and cons of Internet censorship; and books on pregnancy and parenting. Christine has also edited hundreds of articles and books in many genres and for all ages. Christine is especially fond of science and history. But she loves all kinds of knowledge and literature. She never tires of learning new things, and she gets a kick out of trading knowledge with others.; Title: Let's Look at Prairie Dogs (Lightning Bolt Books) | [
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31,478 | 2 | "A little girl channels her exuberance and excessive pogo-stick jumping into a worthy fundraising venture. Jenny is a born jumper. She vaults over fire hydrants, bounds over hedges and leaps over fences, but she isn't very careful about when her jumping might not be appropriate. Her teacher scolds, 'Jumping is for frogs, ' when Jenny knocks over the caterpillar bins in the science room, and she is banished from the cafeteria after she upsets the entire hot-lunch cart. Much worse is the incessant teasing she attracts from her classmates, who croak, 'Ribbit, ribbit, ' whenever they see her. 'When did my Jumping Jenny become Slumping Jenny?' asks Grandma when she sees a forlorn-looking Jenny sitting on the stoop. Discouraged but still thinking positively, Jenny begins to develop an idea that will put her jumping talent to good use as part of her class 'mitzvah project.' Friends and family pledge to Jenny's jumpathon, to be held at the school's African village fair that's been to raise money for a Ugandan school. Acrylic-on-canvas cartoon-style paintings depict a Jewish day school, with boys wearing yarmulkes and Hebrew text on the board. Bari's story of one girl's approach to the Jewish principle of 'tikkun olam' (literally, "repair the world") will resonate as readers watch Jenny achieve her exhausting, triumphant success." --Kirkus Reviews"There is something about a book that makes us laugh and think at the same time! Jumping Jenny is one of those both engaging and thoughtful. Here's the summary: 'Jenny was born to jump - her every ounce was made to bounce. But when jumping gets her into trouble, she decides to hang up her pogo stick and stop completely. Pretty soon, Jumping Jenny became Slumping Jenny. Then, when her school plans a charity (mitzvah) project, Jenny discovers that her unique skill can be used for a very special purpose. See what can happen when a determined little girl follows her passion to make a difference in the world.'" -- Working Mother"This is a story about Tikkun Olam, the act of trying to make the world a better place. Though the illustrations convey the fact that Jenny attends a Hebrew day school, she lives in a diverse community, and children of all backgrounds will relate to her predicament and benefit from the universal lessons imparted. 'Your every ounce was made to bounce!' says Jenny's grandma when she notices how forlorn the little girl has become, trying to squelch her perpetual jumping. It's true that her constant motion has been interfering with life at school and at home, but suppressing her nature is not a good solution. Fortunately, Jenny's teacher believes in community service and organizes a fundraising project to assist a needy school in Uganda. Jenny commits to a jumpathon, collecting pledge money for each jump. She simultaneously reaches her goal of 1000 jumps and helps fund computers and books. It's unfortunate that the jumpathon idea comes from a talking pogo stick awkwardly invested with momentary magical powers rather than from Jenny herself. Nonetheless, with its bright, child-friendly cartoonlike illustrations, the book succeeds in reminding children to recognize their own gifts and to remember to give to others." --School Library Journal"Jenny loves to jump. She is constantly jumping over cracks in the sidewalk and over fences with and without her pogo stick. Her jumping gets her in trouble in school, where she knocks over a box of caterpillars in the science room and bumps into the hot lunch cart in the cafeteria, splattering mashed potatoes in every direction. Her jumping annoys her friends who make fun of her, her teachers who ask her to stop, and her mother who does not allow her to jump in the house. Jenny becomes a hero when her teacher suggests a mitzvah project to help children in Uganda. Jenny decides she will jump 1,000 times without stopping and collects $1 a jump from her friends and family. The Jewish content is minimal, although one of the boys in the racially diverse class wears a kippah, the Hebrew alphabet is displayed on the blackboard, and the teacher mentions that their Ugandan project is a mitzvah. The word mitzvah is neither explained nor translated. Without the single mention of the unexplained word "mitzvah" this book could be about any group of children, not necessarily Jewish children. The brightly colored full page illustrations are cheerful and enhance the story." --Jewish Book World"In this fun, yet meaningful, story, Jenny is a jumping maniac who, at times, jumps herself right into trouble. After several mishaps and a tirade of disapproval, Jenny decides jumping is just not worth the trouble. Depressed, she mopes about. However, an opportunity arises in the form of a fundraiser; Jenny's 'pogo stick' offers her the brilliant idea to jump in a jump-a-thon. She rounds up pledges and everyone helps her practice to reach her goal. When the big day finally arrives, her $1 per jump pledges actualize as she triumphantly hits 1,000 jumps. By using a medium that most children can relate to, this story is an excellent motivator to help students see the potential in their own passions and to find ways to make a difference in their own world. The softly colored illustrations complement the story nicely. The writing itself is clear and descriptive with fun uses of language making this appealing story a great read-aloud." --Bridget Slayden, Library Media Connection; Title: Jumping Jenny (Kar-ben Favorites) | [
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31,479 | 20 | Katherine Janus Kahn studied Fine Arts at the Bezalel School in Jerusalem and at the University of Iowa. She has illustrated many children's books including Kar-Ben's popular Sammy Spider series. She lives in Wheaton, Maryland.; Title: A Family Haggadah II (English and Hebrew Edition) | [
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31,480 | 18 | Jeffrey Kuehlke has written many nonfiction books for young readers.; Title: The Golden Gate Bridge (Lightning Bolt Books) | [
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31,481 | 18 | "Adapted from her writings, this illustrated book tells the courageous story of Zitkala-Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Capaldi has illustrated the book throughout with richly colored paintings that capture the essence of the accompanying storyline. Assimilation into the dominant culture is not glossed over but handled in a delicate manner that accentuates the enormous obstacles Bonnin overcame. Bonnin is portrayed as a strong woman who fought not only for Native American rights but also for women's rights. Bonnin's gifts as a speaker, author, and musician helped to persuade people to believe in the power of her message. This title will fill the gap in most libraries of strong, non-stereotypical Native American role models. A bibliography and further readings are included." --Library Media Connection"Gertrude Simmons Bonnin of the Yankton Sioux, later known as Zitkala-Sa, bridged the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the white and Indian cultures. Brought up in an Indiana missionary school from the age of eight, she experienced both the demeaning boarding-school routines intended to strip students of their culture, and the opportunities to develop her talent as a writer and a violinist. Through the brief double-page spread chapters that mark highlights of her life, readers follow her school days, her later career as a political advocate for Indian rights, and her struggle to reconcile her determination for personal advancement with feelings of guilt for abandoning her family. First-person narration adapted from Zitkala-Sa's own writings and supplemented with 'additional primary and secondary sources' is frequently challenging in the formality of its turn-of-the-century tone; indeed, children who can negotiate this text may well be up to reading her autobiographical stories in the original. Zitkala-Sa is still an interesting figure, however, and one who rarely turns up in collective or individual biographies; this account offers insight not just into her achievements but into the complexity of identity. Stiff, sweetly doll-like figures in Capaldi's mixed-media illustrations suggest a younger audience than is likely to connect with the content. Closing notes, as well as print and online resources, will however guide middle graders and their teachers to further information on Zitkala-Sa's life and times." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"This picture book about Native American musician, author, and activist Zitkala-Sa is adapted from three semiautobiographical stories written for the Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s. Born Gertrude Simmons on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Zitkala-Sa chose as a young child to accompany missionaries who were headed east in order to study. Although stranded between two worlds, Simmons relished the opportunities her education afforded her. She blossomed as a musician and was a talented public speaker who used her gifts as 'tools that supported [her] greater goal, ' which was nothing less than civil liberties for Native Americans. Occasionally the narrative emphasizes straightforward accomplishments over more telling personal moments; readers are not told how Gertrude Simmons acquired the name Zitkala-Sa, for example. Still, Zitkala-Sa's story is inherently compelling, and Capaldi's beautiful mixed-media illustrations enhance the themes of grace and strength. Closing with final notes, a bibliography, and suggestions for further reading, this is a competent introduction to an extraordinary woman who is rarely covered in books for youth." --Booklist"Capaldi and Pearce document the life of Gertrude Simmons, an author, musician, and activist best known by her pen name, Zitkala-Sa (Red Bird). Drawing from semiautobiographical stories that Zitkala-Sa wrote for the Atlantic Monthly in the early 1900s, Capaldi and Pearce eloquently describe her experience at a Quaker boarding school, where she laments the loss of her culture, but also develops passions for violin and women's suffrage. Reconciling her new identity with her roots, she writes and stages 'The Sun Dance Opera; and advocates for Native American rights. Capaldi's understated illustrations integrate solid colors and doll-like characterizations with reproductions of period materials, while appended information on Zitkala-Sa rounds out this fascinating portrait." --Publishers Weekly"Zitkala-Sa, whose name means Red Bird, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was Yankton Sioux, a musician, writer, composer and activist who was born in the year of Little Bighorn. Capaldi and Pearce have taken three of the stories Zitkala-Sa wrote for the Atlantic Monthly, presumed to be autobiographical, and retold them with additional material. While the language has been somewhat modernized, it still sounds quite stilted and overwrought to contemporary ears, although it is very much in the heightened style of the time. The stories are powerful: having her long, thick hair cut short at White's Manual Labor Institute in Wabash, Ind.; winning oratory contests at Earlham College while facing a huge banner with the word 'Squaw' on it; teaching at Carlisle Indian School and playing the violin before President McKinley; writing the Sun Dance opera (the first Native American to write an opera and have it staged); working in Washington D.C. for the National Council of American Indians. The illustrations use collages of newspaper clippings, railroad tickets, Atlantic Monthly logos and other archival materials over the loosely drawn, textured images. An afterword, source note and selected bibliographies are included, but the use of the first person may give scholarly pause, especially for young readers, who may not wish to pursue the various bibliographical sources. An important figure of myriad talents, Zitkala-Sa and her life and works are brought to needed attention here, but it's too bad the treatment isn't a bit clearer." --Kirkus Reviews"This picture book adaptation of three of Zitkala-Sa's semiautobiographical stories (published in the early 1900s) begins with the Native American girl's 1884 enrollment in a Quaker-run boarding school. Music, along with oratory skills, rekindled her ancestral spirit and prompted a life devoted to Native American rights. Sheet music, maps, and photographs are thoughtfully incorporated into the acrylic illustrations in this emotion-stirring biography." --The Horn Book Guide "This picture-book biography of Zitkala-Sa, a young Sioux girl born in 1876 in South Dakota, adapts and paraphrases some of her own autobiographical writings to trace her life from youth to adulthood. Born Gertrude Simmons, she was sent to an Indian boarding school in Indiana when she was eight, and it was through this education that she discovered a love and talent for music, writing, and public speaking, among other things. Her journey took her ever farther east, from college in Indiana to teaching in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, to finally fighting for Native American civil rights in Washington, DC, in the early 1920s. Each spread shares moments from her life as she struggled to survive in two very different worlds: the familiar Sioux reservation and the Anglo world that was opened up to her. While the text is modified for clarity for young audiences, it is still lyrical and compelling, drawing readers into the woman's life and work. The accompanying paintings are textured and sometimes layered with maps, pictures, and magazine pages that provide a rich complement to the story, conveying both emotion and depth. This unique format brings Zitkala-Sa's intriguing story to life, and engenders further exploration. Extensive back matter includes suggested readings, useful websites, and a bit more detail about Zitkala-Sa." --School Library JournalAs a freelance artist, Gina Capaldi has both written and illustrated books that range from nonfiction, educational, and picture books. Her favorite published works are her historical nonfiction, such as A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero. One of Gina's earlier books on American Indians has been recommended for elementary school social studies curriculum in the Virginia School systems. Gina Capaldi attended Malibu's Pepperdine University; Art Center & College of Design in Pasadena, California; and Pitzer College in Claremont, California.Q. L. Pearce is the author of more than 100 nonfiction books for children on the subjects of science, literature, history, and values. Her published fiction includes more than a dozen collections of scary stories and mysteries. Q is the Assistant Regional Advisor in the Orange County region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Southern California.; Title: Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist | [
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31,482 | 20 | "Beginning with the story of Creation, according to our author, the Bible teaches readers to respect the land and conserve natural resources. Stories from the Bible are retold in the author's own language, often humorously. Titles of stories include: Greener Pastures, Abraham and Sustainable Herding; Reduce Reuse Recycle, Building the Tabernacle; and Every Seven Years, a Sabbath For the Land. Suggested kid-directed activities follow each story, which can be useful, particularly for parents and teachers who want to help children carry out simple projects to involve them in recognition and care of their environment. In some stories, archaeological or historical points are also raised. The 'Noah's Ark' activities focus on biodiversity in an age-appropriate fashion. 'Joseph in Egypt' focuses on creating a survival kit including a clever, hands-on set of directions for preserving pickles. The story of Joshua in which he commands the sun to stand still is a powerful jump-off to address the use of solar power. The Shmittah year, a yearlong rest from planting, presents the concept of sustainable agriculture, overcrowding, and preserving fruits. A nine-page potpourri follows the stories as a corollary, with Jewish-centered thoughts on topics such as Bal Tashchit (Don't Waste or Destroy). The Biblical content is interwoven with contemporary environmental goals. Illustrations assist the reader in visualizing people and events from the Biblical periods and work well with the text. This new book, while interesting for children to read alone, can also be useful for Tu B'Shevat and Earth Day events. --Jewish Book WorldAn environmental theme unites nine Jewish bible stories enhanced with a variety of science and nature activities. "The religiously focused narrative begins by stating that God's 'perfectly planned planet' has been misused by humankind. Biblical figures such as Noah, Abraham, Joshua, Joseph and Moses demonstrate how the Bible is filled with ways to preserve and respect the earth. From Noah's Ark and the flood, illustrating the beauty of the planet's biodiversity, to Joshua's need for sunlight to successfully defend the people of Gibeon with solar power, each scene is connected to a contemporary interpretation through introductory paragraphs and child-oriented projects. For example, noise pollution is addressed through the story of how Joshua destroyed Jericho first by surrounding the city walls with silence and then by using the loud trumpet blasts to crack the ramparts reinforcing the walls. This is followed by a simple science experiment that will observe whether two identical plants will grow differently under soothing classical and loud hard rock music. Biblical scenes done in gouache against white or pastel backgrounds alternate with easy-to-achieve directives in white panels set against a background that look like green handmade paper. A final 'potpourri' section deals with biblical laws and practices for a plethora of eco-friendly practices." A credible, ethical approach to teaching environmental science and responsibility under a Judaic umbrella. (Religion. 5-9) --Kirkus ReviewsBorn in the United States, Tami Lehman-Wilzig now lives in Israel. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and an M.A. in Communications from Boston University. She is one of Israel's leading English language copywriters. Her children's books include Tasty Bible Stories, Keeping the Promise, Passover Around the World, Hanukkah Around the World and Zvuvi's Israel. She lives in Kfar Saba, Israel.; Title: Green Bible Stories for Children | [
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31,483 | 20 | Gr 2-5-This slim volume is packed full of recipes, factoids, and festive ideas for celebrating the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. Beginning with an introduction that emphasizes the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians and the rededication of the Holy Temple, the book is organized into eight festive meals including a brunch, afternoon tea, Shabbat dinner, winter picnic, and Rosh Chodesh Twilight Supper. Each one features a type of latke, stretching the definition to include several nontraditional items that contain no potatoes but are fried in oil, such as Apple Latkes. Waffle Latkes with Yogurt contains no yogurt, but otherwise menus are creative and varied. Interesting facts are sprinkled throughout, and each recipe is coded for level of difficulty and kashruth (meat, dairy, or parve). Safety tips, craft ideas, candle blessings, and instructions for the dreidel game are also included. Colorful graphic art on each page adds to the appeal. A solid addition for most collections, despite the flimsy paperback format.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted."'Maccabee Meals' features large, easy-to-read print, lots of lively illustrations and a selection of enticing, unique recipes such as Waffle Latkes with yogurt, or Chocolate Star Dreidels. Inter-spersed with the recipes and drawings are short stories and other Chanukah facts. One box tells readers that Chanukah and Christmas coincide once every 38 years. Who knew? All recipes are marked with a dreidel symbol indicating whether they are dairy, meat or parve -- and with a dreidel score ranging from no-cooking ease to the harder use of hot stove with an adult. Instructions for crafts, playing dreidel and candle blessings complete the book. Parents will likely appreciate the page on party etiquette and this one-liner: 'Remember, good cooks always leave the kitchen neat and clean.' --J Weekly"Maccabee Meals: Food and Fun for Hanukkah (Kar-Ben) by Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler and illustrated by Ursula Roma has also been reissued, and it is full of fun facts and simple recipes children will enjoy. Here's one for starters: 'The first day of Hanukkah and Christmas day coincide once every 38 years. The next time it will happen will be in 2016.' Such valuable trivia, along with delightful and simple recipes, can be found in this new addition to the Chanukah bookshelf. The thin paperback cookbook also includes such information as the candle-lighting blessings in English and Hebrew, dreidel trivia, table crafts and decoration ideas. This is another clever do-over of an old favorite from 20 years ago written by the same authors. Of course, you will find simple recipes for cookies, latkes and sufganiyot, but have your kids ever considered spooning shredded potatoes into a heated waffle iron, baking them for brunch and topping them with yogurt? Certainly preschoolers would happily busy themselves preparing a menorah sandwich -- cream cheese or peanut butter on bread, eight pretzel-stick candles, one carrot-stick shamash and nine raisins as flames. Plus, who needs those store-bought chocolate coins when you have a recipe to make your own gelt and have more fun? So if you're noticing your young chefs are watching too many Food Network shows, maybe you'll find a plate of chicken latkes, hero sandwiches or hot dog mini-kabobs at your next Chanukah celebration by leaving the preparations to them." --Jewish Journal of Los Angeles"With the whimsically illustrated cookbook, 'Maccabee Meals: Food and Fun for Hanukkah' (Kar-Ben Publishing), children can take part in holiday preparations. Recipes, rated for difficulty, range from simple (egg cream, menorah sandwich) to sufganiyot ('An adult should be nearby to supervise'). There are recipes for eight kinds of latkes, kitchen and etiquette tips, mini-stories (the dreidel, gelt, etc.), candle blessings, and table crafts."--Chicago Tribune"This child-friendly cookbook features traditional latkes and easy-to-make jelly doughnuts as well as less-traditional, kid-inspired treats. Beyond the classic potato latke, young chefs will learn how to make seven other varieties from cheese, vegetables, apples and even chicken, for eight types of meals ranging from brunch to Shabbat dinner or a pajama party. Many of the recipes reflect American staples: Peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches cut in triangles are placed in a stack to create a Jewish star, for example. Hot dog mini-kebabs are another example, but Groner and Wikler are careful to include some lesser-known culinary customs, such as a meal designed for Sephardic communities that includes 'burmuelos' a flour, milk and egg-based fried doughnut sprinkled with cinnamon, and the crescent-shaped 'new moon cookie' offered in celebrations of Rosh Chodesh Tevet (the new moon that falls during Hanukkah). Primary colors in simply drawn, black marker-outlined illustrations decorate section headings and recipe titles in large purple and pink lettering. Sprinkled throughout are informative pages on such topics as the holiday itself, commemorative postage stamps and Israeli-style celebrations. Kitchen tips and difficulty scale, including those that require adult supervision, introduce the book, while specifics from candle-lighting blessings to dreidel rules and table-decorating crafts complete the text. Both well-conceived and useful." --Kirkus Reviews ; Title: Maccabee Meals: Food and Fun for Hanukkah | [
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31,484 | 22 | Melinda Thielbar is a writer, teacher, statistician, and student of the martial arts. Manga Math Mysteries, including The Kung Fu Puzzle and The Secret Ghost is her first children's series. In 2005, Melinda left SAS to finish a PhD in statistics. She was awarded a VIGRE fellowship at North Carolina State University. This fellowship is awarded to students likely to make a strong contribution to education in the mathematics and statistics field. Again, Melinda earned a fantastic reputation in the classroom. Her statistics lectures and examples were known for their ability to hold her students' interest--no easy task in a statistics for non-majors class that's held at 8:00am. Melinda lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, writer Richard Dansky, and their three cats. She is currently working on the research portion of her PhD.; Title: Manga Math Mysteries 3: The Secret Ghost: a Mystery With Distance and Measurement | [
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31,485 | 17 | Jeff Savage has written dozens of books for young readers, many of them sports related. His other Amazing Athlete titles include LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, and Travis Pastrana. He frequently visits schools around the country to talk to kids about his work. Jeff Savage has written dozens of books for young readers, many of them sports related. His other Amazing Athlete titles include LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, and Travis Pastrana. He frequently visits schools around the country to talk to kids about his work.; Title: Josh Hamilton (Amazing Athletes) | [
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31,486 | 0 | " It is the Depression and Hannah's father has lost his job. They are forced to move from Minneapolis to northern Minnesota where she is the only Jew in her class at school. Her parents are rigorous believers in following the rules and regulations governing the Sabbath. Hannah gets upset when she learns that the fall picnic falls on Saturday and that the students are making plans to be driven to the park for the festivities.Hannah tries to convince her parents to make an exception and allow her to ride in a car on the Sabbath but they insist that she honor the day of rest and the ways of her people. After much worrying, she comes up with a solution and is gratified to discover the hospitality and empathy of her classmates once her teacher explains her dilemma. Linda Glaser has written this touching book designed for children 5 through 9 years of age. The old fashioned illustrations of Adam Gustavson vividly convey the Depression era period. Children need more stories like this one to learn respect for religious diversity and appreciation of the rituals of others." --Spirituality & Practice "Hannah has just relocated from Minneapolis to rural Minnesota because her father lost his job during the Depression. She is new at school and trying to fit in. The teacher announces that the fall picnic is Saturday, and she is trying to make carpool arrangements. Suddenly, Hannah begins to feel overwhelmed. Home in Minneapolis, Hannah's old friends would have understood, but here she is scared that she will be an outcast because she is the only Jewish person in the entire school. Her family is observant and does not drive on Shabbat. She begs her family to make an exception and allow her to go with schoolmates in the car, but her parents' answer is a firm no! After much contemplation, it suddenly dawns on Hannah that she can go if she walks to the park. She explains her predicament to the teacher, who asks if anyone in the class is willing to walk with Hannah. She stares in disbelief as everyone's hand in the class goes up. This is a touching and true tale of friendship and community. This moving story is based on the author's visit in 1996 to an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center entitled 'Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest.'" --The Jewish Journal "Hannah smiled as she folded her hands in front of her on her desk when Miss Hartley declared, 'This Saturday is our fall picnic.' Her family had just moved from Minneapolis to northern Minnesota and it would be the perfect time to make a few new friends. Hannah's heart sank when it was announced that the picnic was going to be held at Grove Park, a full two miles away. It was on a Saturday and she'd need a ride. That was a big problem for Hannah because Saturday was the Sabbath. It made her long for her old home because her friends would understand. That night she approached Mama and Papa and told them about the picnic. Mama was knitting, but frowned over her glasses and stopped long enough to tell her it was unacceptable. Hannah began to plead, but Papa didn't waver as he said, 'You know that Saturday is our day of rest. We don't work or drive on the Sabbath.' The next night was a repeat of the first, but Jews couldn't 'forget the ways of [their] people.' The other children had rides and even Miss Hartley claimed she would help her get one, but there was that little problem. Would she ever have any friends if she told them why she couldn't ride in the car? Was there any way she could get to that picnic? This tale, set in the Midwest in the 1930s, was inspired by a real girl who encountered a problem similar to Hannah's. European Jewish immigrants to the West often found they were the only Jews in their newfound communities. The story is sad, but heartwarming as Hannah finds a solution to her problem. The artwork has a beautiful, vintage aura to it and is quite captivating. In the back of the book there is a brief author's note about her inspiration for the tale, the era in which the story takes place, and a period photograph. Quill says: This is a touching story of how Hannah, an Orthodox Jew, found a way to make friends and honor her religion." --The Feathered Quill "After Papa loses his job during the Great Depression, Hannah and her family move from Minneapolis to rural Minnesota, and suddenly she is the only Jewish student in her school. Hannah hopes that a weekend class picnic could be her opportunity to make friends, but her hopes are dashed when Papa reminds her later, 'You know that Saturday is our day of rest. We don't work or drive on the Sabbath.' In a touching conclusion, Hannah's classmates offer to walk the two miles with Hannah to the picnic spot. Glaser's elegant text works well with Gustavson's painterly illustrations, which play with shadow and light to effectively capture emotion. An author's note reveals that a true story inspired this picture book that could open up discussion on a variety of topics, ranging from the Great Depression to Jewish traditions, and is a heartwarming reminder that the smallest actions often have the largest impact." --Booklist"Sometimes the tiniest actions are the most heroic. In this book--based on a true story--the heroes are children. Illustrator Gustavson is very good at painting eyes. Even when the characters have their eyelids closed, it's easy to read their expressions. Mostly they look nervous. Hannah is nervous because she might have to miss her class picnic. Her family won't drive on the Jewish Sabbath; she's the only Orthodox girl in a school in rural Minnesota. In every picture, Hannah looks nervous in a slightly different way: shy when she's a new student, timid and regretful when she tells her father about the picnic. 'Just because there are no other Jews...' he says, 'doesn't mean we forget the ways of our people.' Hannah thinks: 'I don't want to follow the ways of my people... I just want to go on my class picnic.' On the second-to-last page, she has to speak up in front of the entire class. Her eyes are pointed at her desk. 'I--I can go if someone will walk with me, ' she whispers. And in one brief, moving sentence, all the students raise their hands to volunteer. In this picture, their eyes are barely visible--they're tiny scribbles of paint--but they seem to be filled with joy. The moment is a little miracle--nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true."--Kirkus Reviews "After her family moves to Minnesota so her father can look for work during the Great Depression, Hannah is the only Jewish child in her class. She's lonely. But the opportunity to go on a picnic and meet new friends brings on anxiety for the young girl, whose obervant family forbids riding in vehicles during the Sabbath. How can she communicate her concerns to her teacher and classmates? And what will their reaction be? A tender coming-of-age story, beautifully rendered." --ForeWord Magazine"The inside cover of this book reads 'After Papa loses his job during the Depression, Hannah's family moves to rural Minnesota, where she is the only Jewish child in her class. When her teacher tries to arrange carpools for a Saturday class picnic, Hannah is upset. Her Jewish family is observant, and she cannot ride on the Sabbath....' One of the things I most love about picture books these days is how authors and publishers are smacking home runs in the subject departments. I mean seriously, what a superb tension to write about, in a community that most of us can identify with, and with questions that all of us, young and old can connect with. Children (and we adults at times) are always trying to find bridges between tensions and joys in our lives. I love the illustrations in this book. The illustrator, Adam Gustavson, is new to me, but I loved how he portrayed the aloneness in the main character's eyes. I really enjoyed the teacher in this book, but hey, I am a teacher and am immensely committed to the craft of teaching so I am an easy sell. I loved, loved, loved the ending. When I read this book at the library, I found myself shaking my head, surprised again at the treasures around me. Books: filled with gifts for all of us." --Book Peep Wonders Blog"After Hannah's father loses his job during the Depression, the family moves to a rural town in northern Minnesota where he will work in his brother's general store. Hannah is not only the new girl in her class; she's also the only Jewish child in the whole school. When the teacher announces the date of the class picnic and offers to arrange carpools, Hannah desperately wants to go. But the picnic is on a Saturday and her family is Orthodox. 'Why can't I ride in a car? It's not driving. It's just sitting' she begs her parents. Hannah finally tells her teacher she can't ride on a Saturday, but says she can walk with someone. To Hannah's surprise, when the teacher asks who would like to walk with her, every single hand in the class is raised. Adam Gustavson's paintings accurately reflect the period, and an author's note explains that the story was inspired by a true episode. Recommended for ages 5-9." --Jewish Book World "Hannah's Way is an American Jewish story that has not been told in picture books before. The time is the 1920s and the place is Northeastern Minnesota, a rural iron mining area called the Iron Range. After her father loses his job in Minneapolis, Hannah's family moves to a small town so that he can join Uncle Max, working at his general store. It was common for Jews to run dry goods stores in small town America. Hannah finds herself the only Jewish girl in her class at her new school, and she feels alone and friendless. When her teacher announces that the fall picnic will be on Saturday, and asks who needs a ride, Hannah is crestfallen. She had wanted to go to the picnic, but she knows that her family does not work or drive on the Sabbath. At home, she asks her parents' permission, and they confirm that she may not ride to the picnic. How Hannah resolves this makes an encouraging story. Illustrator Adam Gustavson's realistic and convincing double page paintings suggest the dark and difficult aspect of life for Hannah's family in America's hinterlands. Hannah's parents appear strict and forbidding. Browns and grays are the dominant shades inside Hannah's home, and there is a somewhat threatening atmosphere. These illustrations open questions about how difficult life may have been for isolated Jewish families in these towns. How did they connect to the communities they joined? How did they maintain Jewish laws and customs? Not, this story tells us, by being permissive parents. The author's note at the back of the book credits the inspiration for this story to a 1996 exhibit at the Minnesota History Center called 'Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest.' This reviewer found the website for this exhibit to be a rich source of fascinating photographs: http: //www. jhsum.org/jewishwomenexhibit . The book, Hannah's Way, and this website would be excellent resources for children to learn about this aspect of the American Jewish experience. Kar-Ben Publishing, in its present location in Minneapolis, has issued an authentic Minnesotan Jewish story, in a high quality picture book. Hannah's Way is enthusiastically recommended for all Jewish and public library children's collections, and especially for all elementary school libraries." --Association of Jewish Libraries"Hannah is eager to fit into her new school. It's the Depression, and her family has relocated from Minneapolis to rural Minnesota. She is the only Jewish girl in her class, and her family is the only Jewish family in the community. Glaser (Emma's Poem) delves into the girl's dilemma: there's a class picnic on Saturday, the perfect opportunity to build friendships, and the teacher is arranging carpools for it, but Hannah's not allowed to ride in a car on the Sabbath. She frets that no one will understand her problem. 'If only she weren't so far away from all her friends, ' Hannah thinks. In Minneapolis, they would have understood the situation. She dreads the moment when she has to speak up. However, when she finally tells her teacher, a surprising solution presents itself. This is a sweet story, based on fact, of a community accepting a stranger with a different religion. Illustrations by Gustavson (Good Luck, Mrs. K.) in shadowy greens, browns, and purples lend a period feel to the story, and his painterly use of texture and light deftly depicts his character's emotions." --Publishers Weekly Award-winning author Linda Glaser is the author of many books for children including Hoppy Hanukkah! and Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota. www.lindaglaserauthor.com; Title: Hannah's Way | [
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31,487 | 0 | Robin Nelson's careers have always kept her surrounded by books--as an elementary teacher, working at a publishing company, and now working as a school library media specialist. But her favorite job is writing books for kids. She has written many nonfiction books for children. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.; Title: Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction) | [
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31,488 | 2 | Kate Hosford read constantly as a child, even reading through a school fire alarm at one point. She grew up in Waitsfield, Vermont, with lots of animals, including a miniature cow named Mini Moo. Kate attended Amherst College, and also spent a semester studying Buddhism in India. Kate has worked as an adoption and foster care worker, a teacher and an illustrator, before turning to writing full time. She has taught in New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. She is presently getting her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Chris, and her two sons, Charlie and Andreas. Kate enjoys singing and dancing with her boys. Her free time is spent trying to keep up with them!; Title: Big Birthday | [
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31,489 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3When Millicent cannot afford the hat she sees in a store window, the clerk remembers that he has a special one that's perfect for her budget. This imaginary hat can be any size, shape, or color that she prefers. As she walks down the street wearing it, Millie is inspired. Soon she has a hat like a peacock, then a cake, next a flower, and then a fountain. In the park she discovers that everyone has a special hat. Back home she tells her parents all about her day and soon they too are sporting hats. Kitamura's idea and writing are solid, but his illustrations are not as successful as in his Duck Is Dirty (Farrar, 1996; o.p.) or UFO Diary (Andersen, 2007). For example, the store clerk is described as kindly but looks decidedly sour, and the cake hat is less than appetizing. Overall the book doesn't display a joyful burst of imagination.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH ENDMillie loves hats, but she has no money and she can't afford to buy any of the lovely hats in town. But the man in the hat shop has an idea. He produces a box containing a hat too fine and beautiful to behold, but with the most perfect shape and color imaginable, if Millie dares to imagine it.Soon she can not only see her own beautiful hat, but everyone else's hats as well.; Title: Millie's Marvellous Hat | [
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31,490 | 0 | "Kar-Ben Publishing, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, has released three delightful books for young readers who want to learn more about the upcoming High Holidays. Both Rosh Hashana and Sukkot are represented in the offerings, and they will brighten up and holiday gathering.What's the Buzz? Honey for a Sweet New YearTake a trip to an Israeli bee farm in the third book in Allison Ofananky and Eilyahu Alpern's 'Nature in Israel' series on Jewish holidays. In this latest book, author Ofanansky and photographer Alpern travel to the Dvorat Hatavor Bee Farm and Education Center at Moshav Shadmot Dvora in Lower Galilee to see how honey is made for Rosh Hashana.Readers accompany a group of children for a tour led by a guide named Yigal, who explains how the bees create the honeycomb, why beekeepers put hives in orchards and how bees carry 'kisses' from flower to flower. The children are also given the opportunity to taste the honey and to make candles from beeswax.Ofanansky writes the book from the point of view of one of the children on tour, and each highlight is documented with one of Alpern's vivid photographs.The only downside to the book is that it ends far too quickly. It leaves you wanting more information about the process of making honey and how such small bees can produce so much. Perhaps to compensate, Ofanansky includes "Fun facts" at the end of the book. Among those is the fact that there are 90,000 beehives in more than 6,000 locations around Israel, and most of the honey they produce is sold around Rosh Hashana.The other two books in the 'Nature in Israel' series are Harvest of Light and Sukkot Treasure Hunt. This book is intended for ages 3-8.Talia and the Rude VegetablesTalia is a city girl who is visiting her grandmother in the country for Rosh Hashana. And she is very confused when she mishears her grandmother's request to collect 'rude' vegetables from the garden--such as onions, garlic, turnips and potatoes (root vegetables).And so begins Talia's quest to find the rudest vegetables in Grandma's garden that will make a holiday stew.Author Linda Elovitz Marshall has crafted a cute story that starts with Talia's initial confusion, but ends with her performing a holiday mitzvah. Along the way, the reader is introduced to seven root vegetables that Talia describes in her own special way.The character of Talia has her own unique brand of reasoning. She is a good-hearted girl who is trying her best to find the vegetables that her grandmother most wants. Full-page, colorful illustrations by Francesca Assirelli bring this delightful young girl to life.Of course, when her grandmother finds out how she chose the 'rude' vegetables and what she did with the rest, she is very proud of her independent and resourceful granddaughter. In the end, Talia teaches all of us that the rudest vegetables can often make the tastiest stew.This book is intended for ages 3-8.Sadie's Sukkah BreakfastSadie's Sukkah Breakfast is the first in the new 'Sadie and Ori' series that catches up with the younger brother and sister on each Jewish holiday. And this lovely first installment is a wonderful introduction to Sukkot.Author Jamie Korngold, a rabbi, has crafted a simple story about Sadie and Ori's unioque interpretation of the traditions of Sukkot. Together with their family, the pair has erected a sukka in their backyard, complete with paper chains, strings of popcorn and fruit mosaics they had made in Sunday school.When they want to serve an 'elegant breakfast' in their sukka, they realize that they will need guests. But no one is awake, so whom can they invite?Whimsical watercolor illustrations by Julie Fortenberry seem to move with the story, creating a special world for Sadie and Ori. As the story progresses, it's difficult to refrain from smiling and from loving these well-intentioned children--and those with whom they share their Sukkot traditions.Up next for Sadie and Ori will be Sadie and the Big Mountain (Shavuot) and Sadies's Almost Marvelous Menorah (Hanukkah). This book is intended for ages 2-6."Talia is confounded by her grandmother's request for some 'rude vegetables' (carrots, turnips, potatoes, etc.) for the Rosh Hashanah stew. While digging up an 'ornery onion' and 'garish garlic, ' she thinks about her own behavior; all ends with holiday sweetness. The joke goes on a little long, but the end is rewarding. Autumnal colors and rounded shapes evoke comfortable family scenes." --The Horn Book Guide"A little girl's misunderstanding, the harvesting of some root vegetables and a recipe for stew merge for an amusing Jewish New Year story. Talia, a city girl, is visiting her grandmother, who tells her to 'bring back seven root vegetables' from the garden. Hearing 'rude' for 'root, ' the confused child ponders over this while she proceeds to find her perception of rude veggies in an ornery onion, a garish garlic, a crooked carrot, a terrible turnip, lumpy bumpy potatoes, big ugly parsnips and 'rude-abagas...definitely rude.' Pleased with how well she has satisfied Grandma's request, Talia decides to donate the other perfectly nice vegetables to the Rabbi as a mitzvah for a poor family. The narrative, with its recurring theme of 'what Grandma wants, ' is matched well to Assirelli's illustrations. Their terra-cotta and earthy hues combine with deep purple and olive-green tones for kitchen and backyard scenes. Talia's round face is drawn with thin lines detailing expressions of surprise, pleasure and the exertion of digging and pulling. Marshall incorporates many new words to extend the term 'rude' while at the same time allowing youngsters, who will soon realize Talia's mix-up, to learn the names of the various root vegetables. A charming fall story loosely structured by Judaic concepts." --Kirkus Reviews"Talia's grandmother is busy in the kitchen making a stew to welcome the Jewish New Year. She sends the little girl to the garden for seven root vegetables. Talia hears the word 'rude' rather than root and has fun wondering what kind of misdeeds were done by the onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, potatoes, parsnips, and rutabagas. This train of thought leads her to take a hard look at her own behavior and the need for apologies to those she has offended. Talia puts the best vegetables in a basket that she delivers to the rabbi to give to those in need of food. Her grandmother gets a kick out of her digging up the 'rude' vegetables but is impressed with her mitzvah of giving the extra bag of vegetables to the rabbi. Linda Elovitz Marshall, the writer, and Francesa Assirelli, the illustrator have done a fine job integrating the Jewish New Year with Talia's garden adventures. They have also included a recipe for 'Rude' Vegetable Stew as a special treat." --Spirituality & Practice "Grandmother sent Talia to the garden to gather root vegetables, for 'a delicious stew to welcome the New Year.' Talia, who 'had never done much gardening, ' wondered how a vegetable could be rude. The language is wonderful, the humor just right, and Talia's mitzvah giving perfect vegetables to the rabbi adds a sweet touch."--Yellow Brick Road"This laugh-out-loud title keeps the little jokes coming. Young Talia, a city girl, mishears her grandmother's request for the child's help in fetching root vegetables from the garden for a sweet Rosh Hashanah stew. Talia proceeds to wrestle assorted insolent veggies--crooked carrots, peculiar parsnips, and, of course, rude-abagas--from the garden, gathering at the same time nice, compliant ones that she gives to the local rabbi, since her grandmother has specifically requested the rude ones. Talia manages to perform both familial and social duty--she has done a mitzvah to feed the hungry, explains her pleased grandmother, who also gently clarifies the original request. An easy and flexible recipe for 'Rude Vegetable Stew' concludes the volume. Quirky, cool-palette color illustrations by Italian artist Assirelli perfectly convey the whimsical narrative in Marshall's first children's book. This lovely New Year's book can be read and enjoyed year-round." --Publishers WeeklyLinda Elovitz Marshall has, in addition to writing and farming, taught early childhood and parenting education, and owned a bookstore. She is the author of Talia and the Rude Vegetables and Talia and the Very YUM Kippur.; Title: Talia and the Rude Vegetables (High Holidays) | [
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31,491 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Longtime friends Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog have fallen into comfortable, lazy routines, doing nothing but eating and sleeping. When they can no longer fit on their couch, they ignore what is happening to them. And when they outgrow their house, they tell themselves that it has shrunk. They set off to find their "distant relatives," a tiger and a wolf, in hopes of living with them. The pair walks hither and yon, through cities and fields, to no avail, and food is scarce. Returning home, they spy their sleek new selves in a mirror: "For the first time in a long time, they felt really comfortable with who they were." Ross's watercolor and line cartoons depict the animals growing larger and larger, with clothes straining over their stomachs and food covering most surfaces in their home. However, the pictures may prove confusing as they are at odds with the text ("the cushions almost filled the room," etc.), and children may not understand the pair's underlying problem, and that they have slimmed down because they have gotten more exercise.Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ ENDJeanne Willis is one of the most successful children's picture book authors. She also writes for television and video companies, and has two children. Tony Ross has been highly acclaimed and is in great demand as a children's book illustrator. His books are published all over the world. He lives in Nottingham.; Title: Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog | [
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31,492 | 1 | Sasspants the prickly detective guinea pig and Hamisher the hamster return in another graphic-novel mystery in the Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye series. This caper involves disappearing mice, and all clues point to a ghost as the culprit. Pet-shop owner Mr. Venezi continues to mix up his animals, this time deciding that his hamsters are gnomes. Astute young readers can follow the visual clues to solve the mystery as they read. Most of the fun lies in the relationship between the bookworm guinea pig and the enthusiastic hamster who wants to be her sidekick. Grades 2-4. --Kat Kan"This charmingly goofy, slightly goose-pimply graphic novel is just right for a gently spooky laptime or independent read. Venable brings back the mismatched stars of Hamster and Cheese: Guinea Pig Pet Shop Private Eye #1 (April 2010). Hamisher the hamster had hired Sasspants the Guinea Pig to help solve the mystery of their missing pet store owner's sandwiches--because the 'G' in 'PIG' had fallen away from the label on her cage, Hamisher took Sasspants to be a P.I. Now Hamisher can't wait to solve another puzzle, so he keeps fabricating them ('This is like the fifth fake mystery you made up this week!' says Sasspants). As with Peter and the Wolf, Hamisher's false alarms cause him to lose credibility, so when all of the mice really do disappear, he has trouble enlisting Sasspants in his cause. That's not all: Hamisher believes there's a ghost in the aisle of their pet shop; he's seen its shadow and felt the telltale cold spot a phantom would inhabit--even Mr. Venezi thinks the aisle is haunted. Using a palette of muted blues, greens and earth tones, Stephanie Yue plants clues with a wide-panel shot of the pet store's next-door hardware neighbor up for sale, and exploits the comic potential of the pet store owner's fear of ghosts with a one-page image of a newly cleared bookshelf and a sign that reads, "Please enjoy the rest of the shop. This aisle is currently haunted." Yue also has fun with a Philip Marlowe-style get-up for Hamisher, and the hamster's attempts to get Sasspants to wear a matching hat, plus a humorous sequence that chronicles Hamisher's dangerous mission to see if Gerry the snake was the culprit for the missing mice. (A close-up of the hamster shows him--'Gulp'--before he leaps into the snake's cage.) Together, Venable and Yue strike just the right balance between funny and frightening. Youngest readers will appreciate the many visual clues to this puzzle's solution, while slightly older readers who love a good mystery will enjoy putting the pieces together." --Shelf Awareness"The denizens of Mr Venezi's Pets & Stuff return for another hilarious mystery. Sasspants the guinea pig solved the mystery of the missing sandwiches in Hamster and Cheese (2010); now she's doomed to be thought a detective even though she has replaced the final 'G' on her cage label. Hamisher the koala (actually hamster; Mr. Venezi is nearsighted and clueless, though not neglectful) loves being a sidekick, and he comes up with so many fake mysteries that Sasspants doesn't believe him when he has a real one. The mice are going missing one by one, and everyone's sure it's a ghost. Sasspants takes the case to get Hamisher off her back so she can get back to reading her much-loved books. Venable's second adventure does not disappoint. The celebutante chinchillas--er, camels--(one of whom has a pet mouse, 'Mr. Sparkles, ' la Paris Hilton's chihuahua) and the bubble-headed goldfish will inspire giggles. The deadpan expressions of Yue's pudgy animals colored by Hi Fi Design supply many of the laughs. A gem--please, tell us we'll be seeing more of Sasspants!" --Kirkus Reviews; Title: And Then There Were Gnomes (Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye) | [
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31,493 | 0 | PreSchool-Grade 1Sneaking into Josh's backpack, the curious spider in this long-running series experiences his first day at his Jewish school. He hears the story of Noah's Ark, learns about being kind to animals, and observes the children painting, building with blocks, and enjoying a snack. When the youngsters return to the classroom after playing outside, Sammy is discovered. Their first instinct is to step on him, but Josh reminds them about their obligation to be kind to all creatures. This book is a departure from the previous "Sammy" titles in that Josh Shapiro actually sees the spider in this one. The bright cut-paper illustrations help to depict a typical school day. A welcome addition where the earlier titles are popular.Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: ALEF-Bet Yoga for Kids | [
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31,494 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 2Elmer the patchwork elephant is back. Once a year the gray elephants decorate themselves and have a parade, and this story takes place on that day. The other animals are complaining about all of the noise made by the excited elephants as they prepare for the big event. Elmer recognizes the feelings for what they really are, jealousy, and he invites them to join in the celebration. McKee does a great job of creating the jungle environment and the festivities in vibrant, exciting colors. The textures and the patchwork-quilt look of the jungle will invite readers to take a closer look. The impact of the creatures coming together as a community to celebrate is a satisfying conclusioneveryone is having a great time and no one feels left out. A strong addition to the popular series.Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ ENDElmer, the patchwork elephant, has been a favorite of children around the world since the first book debuted in 1989. Elmer's Special Day is the latest book in this classic series.It's almost Elmer Day again for the elephants, and they are getting their colorful parade outfits ready. But in their excitement they are making an awful lot of noise and upsetting the other animals. So Elmer changes the rules and invites every single animal to join in the parade. And they have a surprise in store for Elmer...; Title: Elmer's Special Day | [
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31,495 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 1Elmer the patchwork elephant and his black-and-white-checkered cousin Wilbur are out strolling together when they come across a herd of gray elephants. To Wilbur's mind, they are not unique, although Elmer claims that they are "all unique.Just not as different as us." Not long afterward, Grandpa Eldo, a gold elephant, introduces them to Rose, a pink youngster who has wandered away from her herd. Rose and the two cousins play together as they set off in search of her herd. They encounter a lone gray pachyderm that she finds peculiar. When they locate her pink herd, the cousins understand Rose's reaction to the gray elephant. Fans will welcome this addition to the series. The message that everyone is unique is hardly subtle, and there's not a lot of action, but youngsters will enjoy looking at the bright jungle scenes and the cartoonlike animals that form Elmer's world.Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."Elmer the patchwork elephant and his black-and-white-checkered cousin Wilbur are out strolling together when they come across a herd of gray elephants. To Wilbur's mind, they are not unique, although Elmer claims that they are 'all unique. . . . Just not as different as us.' Not long afterward, Grandpa Eldo, a gold elephant, introduces them to Rose, a pink youngster who has wandered away from her herd. Rose and the two cousins play together as they set off in search of her herd. They encounter a lone gray pachyderm that she finds peculiar. When they locate her pink herd, the cousins understand Rose's reaction to the gray elephant. Fans will welcome this addition to the series. The message that everyone is unique is hardly subtle, and there's not a lot of action, but youngsters will enjoy looking at the bright jungle scenes and the cartoonlike animals that form Elmer's world." --School Library Journal; Title: Elmer and Rose | [
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31,496 | 0 | "A camel, a train mishap and the holiday of Hanukkah bring together a Bedouin and a Jew in acts of kindness and camaraderie. Eager to celebrate with friends in Jaffa, Ari balances an armload of sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), dreidels, menorah, bottle of oil and the bag of Turkish coins as he rushes to the train he will drive to Jerusalem. On his way are several children playacting the story of the holiday, providing a tiny summary for readers, a device that is repeated throughout. Finally aboard and daydreaming a bit, Ari derails the caboose of his train when forced to make a sudden stop to avoid a camel sitting on the tracks. Rescue comes with the stubborn camel's owner, a Bedouin named Kalil ('friend' in Arabic), who sends for help while Ari graciously accepts Kalil's hospitality. 'Your camel may be stubborn, but I was not careful.' The observance of the first night of Hanukkah, coincidentally on the site of Modi'in, the ancient home of the Maccabees, is shared; Ari lights candles, sings blessings and teaches Kalil to play dreidel, and together they enjoy coffee with the sufganiyot. The late-19th-century atmosphere of the story is conveyed with gentle cartoons that move horizontally with the flow of a traveling train. This addition to the series moves beyond the holiday with its implied message of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect for separate cultures sharing one homeland." --Kirkus Reviews"Engineer Ari returns for another holiday story in Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap. Ari drives a train in 1890s Ottoman Palestine, when the 55-mile rail link between Jerusalem and Jaffa, on the Mediterranean coast, opened.It's almost the start of Hanukkah and Ari has barely enough time to drive the train from Jerusalem back to Jaffa to light the first candle together with friends. As he makes his way through Jerusalem to the train station, he meets up with kids who recount the Hanukkah story.Then, outside Jerusalem, Ari's train nearly hits a camel sitting on the tracks. Slamming on the brakes, Ari stops short of the camel but his Hanukkah supplies fo flying and the caboose jumps the track.The Bedouim owner of the camel comes to Ari's aid, and so occurs an unusual first-night Hanukkah celebration and a new friendship.And it all happens right at Modi'in, the home of the Macabbees, where the story of Hanukkah began.With delightful illustrations, this is an upbeat, heart-warming story."--Chicago Jewish Star"Candles, latkes, gifts-- Chanukah traditions bring light and joy to the dark days of winter. As you select presents for your children, we urge you to give them books. Each year, publishers offer new Chanukah titles, and this year there are some great choices. We gathered recently to discuss the new crop of Chanukah books: AMY: Another good choice, and quite unique, is Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, one of Kar-Ben Publishing's reliable authors. In this story, young Jacob loves his autistic brother, Nathan, but is afraid Nathan will embarrass him by blowing out the Chanukah candles when their new neighbors come to celebrate with the family. The issue of autism is addressed honestly as the story shows Jacob both protecting and resenting his brother. JUDY: I thought this was one of the best ones published this year, and it is unusual as it combines the holiday with an issue that many families deal with daily. It is very well told, and aimed at many people in the family. Really well done--and a good conversation starter." --Jewish Community Voice"Engineer Ari and his red steam engine return to celebrate the Festival of Lights. As Ari hurries to the Jerusalem station with his arms full of packages, he passes two boys reenacting the triumph of the Maccabees and two girls playing dreidel to commemorate Hanukkah's great miracle. Ari is looking forward to returning to Jaffa so he can celebrate with his friends but when his train encounters a stubborn camel on the tracks in Modi'in, it is a Bedouin shepherd who comes to his aid. Ari asks his new friend, Kalil, to join him while he lights the Hanukkiah and eats his sufganiyot. Once again, young readers will enjoy the familiar elements of the holiday and also the simple charm of Engineer Ari, whose friendly, earnest demeanor makes these books such a pleasure to read. Of particular note are the girls' dreidels that display the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hay, and Pay (Nes Gadol Hayah Po), reminding children that the great miracle of Hanukkah happened 'here' in the Land of Israel. Combining cheerful illustrations, a friendly text, appealing characters and a bright red train, this book will have children chanting 'Toot! Toot!' for eight days and nights. Includes a brief description of the holiday, a glossary, and a photo-history of the first steam engine to travel between Jerusalem and Jaffa in 1892."--Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap"It's Hanukkah and Engineer Ari is off in his train to celebrate the holiday with his friends, Jessie and Nathaniel. He is carrying traditional sufganiyot (jelly donuts), dreidels, and Turkish coins. His Hannukiah (the correct name for the holiday candelabra) travels with him, too. Along the way, he passes children playing Maccabees and Syrians which leads to a streamlined retelling of the Hanukkah story. Interestingly, the way the story is phrased implies that there were not one but two Hanukkah miracles, the second being the defeat of the greater Syrian army by the small band of Jewish guerilla fighters. Little girls near the tracks play dreidel, but since the story takes place in Jerusalem, the letters on the spinning toy represent, 'A miracle happened here, ' rather than the Diaspora translation of, 'A miracle happened there.' As Ari takes off on his journey, his train is derailed by a wayward camel and his presents are spilled from the train. A friendly Bedouin shepherd helps to retrieve the gifts and offers Ari traditional hospitality as they share Ari's celebration on the first night of the holiday. By the time Jessie and Ari arrive from Jaffa to help right the train, Ari has solidified a new friendship and discovered that he is celebrating the holiday on the actual site of the Maccabees' uprising. There's a lot of good historical information packed into this charming book, and the synopsized story of the origin of the holiday is perfectly woven into the story of new friends, old traditions, all illustrated with cheery and colorful pictures children will love."--Children's Literature Comprehensive Database "As Engineer Ari walks through Jerusalem with his arms full of packages for Hanukkah, he meets two boys reenacting the tale of brave Judah Maccabee and two girls playing the dreidel game. Later, when his train breaks down, Ari is aided by a Bedouin shepherd who puts him back on the right track. As with the earlier Engineer Ari books, this one combines simple charm with a good-hearted message, all wrapped up in a bit of interesting history about the first steam engine to travel between Jaffa and Jerusalem in 1892. Of particular note is that the dreidel displays a different set of letters than those most children are familiar with, because in Israel the great miracle of Hanukkah happened 'here, ' not 'there.' Combining cheerful illustrations, and friendly text, appealing characters, and a bright red train, this holiday book is sure to please." --School Library Journal"Train engineer Ari is in Jerusalem picking up things for the celebration of Hanukkah at his home. On the way, other Jews remind him of the history of a victory by the Maccabees over the army of a mighty Syrian king. When they restored the Holy Temple in Jerusalem a miracle happened: the seven branched menorah burned for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. Engineer Ari boards his train to Jaffa, dreaming of the holiday celebrations with his friends. But he has to bring the train to a sudden stop to avoid hitting a camel seated on the tracks. The owner of the camel, Kalil (which means friend in Arabic), is a Bedouin. He helps Ari pick up his scattered Hanukkah things. By chance, the engineer picks up a coin from the time of the Maccabees. He learns they are on the very spot where the Maccabees once lived. Kalil invites Ari to his tent and accepts an offer by his new friend to celebrate Hanukkah together. This is a timely teaching story by Deborah Bodin Cohen that brings a devout Jew together with a Bedouin on a Jewish holiday rich with history and meaning. The mutual hospitality of the two men is a miracle in its own right. This children's book is designed for children from the ages of 4 to 8." -- Spirituality and Practice"Ari was a train engineer. Hanukkah was about to begin and Ari was eager to quickly get to the home of his engineer friends, Nathaniel and Jessie to share this important celebration with them. Ari was bringing presents--sufganiyot (delicious jelly donuts), a bag of Turkish coins, a dreidel (a spinning top with four letters that stand for 'a great miracle happened here') and a Hanukkiah (a candelabra that holds candles that are lit on the eight nights of Hanukkah). As Ari drove the train to Jaffa, he began to daydream of Nathaniel's potato latkes and Jessie's voice singing the ritual Hanukkah blessings and he was distracted from driving the train. Then he saw it―a camel, sitting on the railroad tracks! Ari stopped the train―just in time! Whew! 'Garumf' grunted the camel sitting on the tracks. The camel was fine. The train was not. And the gifts Ari was bringing were spread out on the ground. What to do? Then, Kalil, the owner of the camel, arrived. He was upset that his camel had caused the accident and helped Ari pick up the Hanukkah gifts. As they were picking up the Turkish coins, Ari noticed a very unusual coin. It wasn't one of his Turkish coins; it was a Maccabean coin. The accident had happened in the place where the Maccabees had lived long ago--where the miracle of Hanukkah had begun! The scattered Hanukkah gifts were picked up quickly and Ari, the devout Jew, invited Kalil, his new devout Muslim friend, to join him in celebrating Hanukkah. When Ari was finally reunited with his friends, Nathaniel and Jessie, he said 'Miracles can still happen' because two men from such different backgrounds came together in a special place to celebrate such a special occasion. And the camel's response? 'Garumf!' Quill says: This imaginative story of two different traditions, two different faiths, two different men united in a new friendship celebrating a Jewish holiday rich with history and meaning will delight children between the ages of four to seven." Quill Book Review Deborah Bodin Cohen was ordained at Hebrew Union College - Jewish institute of Religion. She is the author of many children's books including the Engineer Ari series, The Seventh Day, Papa Jethro, and Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim. Her books have received numerous honors, including a National Jewish Book award, Sydney Taylor honor designations and the Sugarman prize. She lives in Rockville, MD, with her husband David and three children.; Title: Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap | [
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31,497 | 1 | "These well-crafted introductions take a close look at arachnids with extraordinary attributes. In each title, a succinct text describes general characteristics; major physical and behavioral characteristics shared by all of the featured invertebrates; distinctive traits of particular species; habitats; life cycles; feeding habits and diets, etc. Each book concludes with a story outlining the lives of representative males and females, from birth to reproduction as adults. Sharp, close-up color photos (extreme close-ups in Mites) depict each stage of their life cycles. In some sections, a photo appears on every page; in others, a full-page close-up alternates with each page of text. About a dozen species are depicted in Tarantulas and Mites, four in Wind Scorpions. Highlighting each title are detailed, double-page, anatomical diagrams of both external and internal key body parts. Hexagon-shaped sidebars, scattered throughout, offer additional facts. Addenda include information on related arachnids and a simple activity demonstrating a behavior discussed in the text (feeding, molting, etc.). Mites and Tarantulas offer more detail on anatomy than other introductions, such as Carrie Gleason's Feasting Bedbugs, Mites, and Ticks (Crabtree, 2011) and Alice B. McGinty's The Tarantula (Rosen, 2002); they also describe mating (and depict it in Tarantulas), which these earlier titles do not. As there is little information available on wind scorpions, Markle's books will also help fill a gap. Valuable resources for both students and arachnophiles alike." --School Library Journal"The Arachnid World series looks at animals that are often confused with insects but are actually in a class by themselves. After introducing arachnids, each book looks more closely at one type, discussing its physical structure, life cycle, and characteristic behaviors. Large color photos, sometimes highly magnified, appear throughout the books and illustrate the text quite well. One uncommonly useful feature in each book is the pair of double-page spreads showing the animal's body, inside and out. First, a photo of the arachnid appears with its visible parts clearly labeled and certain features discussed more fully. Next, a large-scale cross section shows the critter's innards, with an arrow pointing out each significant organ and leading to related text boxes. In Mites, Markle discusses a variety of these usually tiny, sometimes parasitic creatures. Tarantulas looks at the lives of these large, hairy spiders and points out that they help control insect populations. Wind Scorpions introduces a group of arachnids that use supersize jaws to defend themselves and to attack their prey. Each volume concludes with a glossary, an activity, and short, annotated lists of books and websites. Solid additions to science collections." --BooklistSandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally known science education consultant.Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children's Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist.Markle is also the author of the Insect World series and several single titles. Her book Rescues! was named a Best Book by the Society of School Librarians International and a Recommended Title of Outstanding Nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award committee; Animal Heroes was named a 2008 Lasting Connections title by Book Links. Markle lives in New Zealand with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffry.; Title: Tarantulas: Supersized Predators (Arachnid World) | [] | Test |
31,498 | 2 | Gr 5-7-Emma is resigned to the seeming reality that her name, spoken aloud, is her identity. Just 12, bright and nearly six feet tall, she feels invisible at school in her New England coastal town. Her mother, Donatella, owns a bead shop, and the many beads in her shop, with individual shapes, colors, and origins, are an apt metaphor for the novel's cast of varied characters. Quiet Emma, for instance, keeps lists to organize her life and often feels like the adult to her short, round Italian mother, who dresses and acts like a teenager. She wonders if she's adopted like her friend, Penelope, a nine-year-old from Liberia, who lives with her two mothers across the street and urges Emma to find her "joylah." Emma is dubious when Donatella proposes that she be homeschooled at the public library, but school officials agree to the proposal, and Stevie, a cool librarian, becomes her tutor. Then she receives an invitation to the Freke Family Reunion at a Wisconsin campground and flies out to meet the clan of Walter Freke, the father she's never met. The reunion proves to be a life-changing weekend, for Emma connects with cousins who look like her, gains a sense of belonging, and discovers her surname rhymes with Becky. Yet, upon seeing the rigid control enforced by the reunion organizer, she begins to appreciate her unstructured home life and confidently stands up against the culture of intolerance aimed at her eccentric, odd-looking cousin, who, like her old self, just doesn't fit in. A well-paced story told with heart and humor.-Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Out of place and invisible at school and, apparently, at home, where she is in charge of most chores and the family bead store, 12-year-old Emma rues her excessive height and skinniness, her red hair, and, most of all, her name. Never having known her father, she is surprised by an invitation to a family reunion in Wisconsin, where she discovers she shares these characteristics with members of a family she never knew she had. Over the weekend, she also learns that there can be too much order and supervision, that she can make friends, and that the independence her quirky, freewheeling mother allows is something to value. This rich story of self-acceptance offers readers much to think about: contrasting family patterns, appropriate schooling for very bright children, conformity, and respecting differences. The first-person narrative moves along briskly, with believable dialogue and plenty of humor. Gently poking fun at the Wisconsin Frekes, the author also shows why Emma appreciates them. Readers will certainly sympathize with and root for Emma and celebrate the storys satisfying ending. Grades 4-7. --Kathleen Isaacs; Title: I, Emma Freke | [
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31,499 | 1 | PreS-Gr 2–After vacationing in space for a few million years, the creatures once thought to be extinct return home. Cartoon-style, digitally enhanced paintings show a variety of dinosaurs catching up on laundry, mowing an overgrown lawn, developing photos, and buying school supplies. However, the dinosaurs also need to adapt to challenges of the modern world: the temptation to eat humans, the Great Wall that blocks access to a portable dinosaur toilet, and a petrified pet at home in the cave. This strange mix of reality and fantasy concludes with a serene spread in which a dinosaur peacefully snores while dreaming of his next vacation. If there was an ironic intent in the text (Good to have you back home again), it may be lost on children who see a skeptical, even fearful pet dog, trapped under the slumbering Rex's claws. While avid dinosaur fans may appreciate the wacky scenarios, most would be better served by a more successful melding of past and present, such as Chris Gall's Dinotrux (Little, Brown, 2009).Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.According to this wildly whimsical tale, dinosaurs arent extincttheyve just been in outer space on vacation. Humorous scenes depict the multitude of postvacation chores and challenges dinosaur families face after such a long absence: laundry to do, mail to collect, school supplies to purchase, etc. With various types of brightly colored dinosaurs dressed as humans and involved in humanlike activity, this brings to mind the popular Jane Yolen and Mark Teague How Do Dinosaurs . . . series. In this case, however, the colorful illustrationsfeaturing various beguiling dinosaur families against equally appealing backgroundssignificantly outshine the rhyming text and the premise. Even so, this will hold its own among the legion of dinosaur picture books for those fans of anything to do with dinosaurs, and they wont care that the rhymes dont always work or that the one-note joke is inconsistent at best. With the cover illustration of a T-rex arriving at the airport sporting a Hawaiian print shirt and a Mickey Mousetype hat, this wont spend much time on the shelf. Preschool-Grade 2. --Randall Enos; Title: Vacation's Over!: Return of the Dinosaurs | [
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