Preschool to Grade 4: October 2012

BANKS , Kate. The Bear in the Book. illus. by Greg Hallensleben. 40p. Farrar/Frances Foster. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30591-8.
PreS–In this deceptively simple bedtime story, a boy snuggles up with his mother to read his favorite book. It is about a bear going to sleep for the winter, and together they look at the pictures and talk about the text. “‘Do bears really sleep all winter long?’ asked the boy.” He turns the page and notices the snow. “‘Snow is cold,’ he said.” His mother reads some more about the sleeping bear, and animals in winter, and children gliding across the ice on a frozen lake. “‘I’d like to skate,’ said the boy.” Page by page, the bear sleeps while life goes on around him, but this book is about much more than that. With great subtlety, this mother and child are modeling the perfect way to share a picture book, cuddling up and allowing time to examine the pictures, talk about the concepts, and point out the known and unknown. Actions in the book within the book are internalized by the boy, demonstrating a fundamental aspect of reading comprehension: “A fox drank from a pond. ‘I’m thirsty,’ said the little boy.” As with previous bedtime books by these fine collaborators, short simple sentences create a tranquil, soothing air, while the lush textured oil paintings fill the pages with dense color. But the most valuable thing about this gem might be that it demonstrates a best practice, to the benefit of children and parents alike.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

DORÉMUS , Gaëtan. Bear Despair. tr. from French. illus. by author. 32p. (Stories Without Words Series). Enchanted Lion. 2012. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-125-4. LC 2012931209.
PreS-K–Bear is sleeping soundly when a mischievous wolf comes along and steals his beloved teddy bear from his arms. Crying, Bear chases after him. When Wolf throws the teddy far away, Bear eats him in a single bite and then proceeds to look for his toy. Lion picks it up and then throws it far away as well; Bear eats him, too. When it lands in a nest, a bird picks it up and flies away…so Bear eats Bird’s two eggs. And so on until a friendly octopus finds the teddy and delivers it back to Bear. Bear then frees all the animals (including the two now-hatched baby birds) from his stomach. He goes back to sleep with his stuffed friend and all is well. The endpapers further tell the story. Children will relate to this wordless tale of losing a beloved source of comfort; Bear acts out, but the tantrum ends as soon as he is reunited with his teddy bear. Suspense builds as Bear continues to swallow the animals he encounters, but the animals are seen in cross-section inside Bear’s stomach, reassuring readers that they are alive and well. The art is lovely; the crosshatch style and color palette are unique and childlike. Dorémus depicts the animals’ emotions in gorgeous ways, such as the worry in the eyes of Lion when the eggs start hatching or the spread showing Bear under a rain cloud, mourning the loss of his teddy. This charming book is a winner.–Laura Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City

DUNREA , Olivier. Little Cub. illus. by author. 32p. Philomel. Nov. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24235-9.
PreS-Gr 2–Little Cub and Old Bear are back in a tale that is part prequel, part adoption story, and all heart. Little Cub is sad and lonely. He has no one to take care of him, teach him how to catch fish, help him get honey, and be with him during the long dark nights. Old Bear is sad and lonely. He has no one to teach, share his food with, and keep him company during the long dark nights. One day he finds Little Cub whimpering and alone. “‘Who do you belong to?’ asked Old Bear./‘I belong to me…But maybe I could belong to you.’” And of course Old Bear names him, takes him home, feeds him, puts him to bed, tells him a story, and the rest is history. The charming pencil and gouache illustrations capture the very essence of bears, while still rendering them sweet and appealing. The backgrounds are stark white with detailed, realistic trees, rocks, grasses, bees, and more. The patterned text, with alternating pages describing the cub’s concerns, followed by the related concerns of Old Bear, works beautifully. The wording is descriptive, economical, and deceptively simple. Dunrea packs a huge amount of emotion into his limited text and engaging art. A delight for fans of these characters and a lovely next step for children ready to move beyond the “Gossie and Friends” series (Houghton Harcourt).–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

HENKES , Kevin. Penny and Her Doll. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-208199-5; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-208200-8. LC 2011030043.
PreS-Gr 1–The engaging mouse introduced in Penny and Her Song (HarperCollins, 2011) is back. This time she and her mother are working in the garden when the mailman arrives with a package. Penny’s grandmother has sent her a doll.  She loves it and shows it to her siblings and her father. However, she is stumped because she cannot think of a name for her. After Penny decides to show her doll all around her home, she is inspired to find a name for her in the garden, and she happily runs in and announces her choice to her family. The garden motif is carried throughout the book by the color scheme and the floral wallpaper in the home. Penny’s voice is authentic, and her play and interaction with her doll will be recognizable to children. The sight words and repetition are perfect for emerging readers and will allow children to move from being read to toward reading on their own. As supremely satisfying as a Henkes picture book, this beginning reader belongs in collections everywhere.–Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City

MCDONNELL , Patrick. The Monsters’ Monster. illus. by author. 40p. Little, Brown. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-04547-6. LC 2011042742.
PreS-1–Three little monsters love to CRASH!, BASH!, and SMASH! Every day they argue over who is the best monster, until they join forces to “make a MONSTER monster. The biggest, baddest monster EVER!” At first, their efforts look successful, but to their horror, the creature’s first words after tearing off his bandages are “Dank you.” The enormous Frankenstein look-alike contents himself with breathing fresh air and gently greeting the spiders, bats, and rats in the castle. But just as the little monsters begin to despair, Monster lets out a ROAR and smashes through the dungeon wall, heading toward the “monster-fearing village” below. Is he finally off to make mayhem? Or will his exploits end in a lesson for the little monsters about gratitude and sharing? McDonnell’s monsters are comic and endearing, and the book’s colors gently shift from dark and gloomy to warm as the story progresses. The message is well executed, and the little beasts’ exuberance at their badness keeps the tale from devolving into platitudes. This delightful title will provide a new option for “not so scary” monster storytimes.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

WILLEMS , Mo. Let’s Go For a Drive! illus. by author. 64p. (Elephant and Piggie Series). CIP. Hyperion/Disney. 2012. RTE $8.99. ISBN 978-142316482-1. LC 2011053285.
K-Gr 2–Best friends Elephant and Piggie are back in a new adventure that extols imaginative play and flexibility. Type-A Elephant suggests going for a drive (narrated hilariously by the friends with a Pigeon-esque “Drive! Drive! Drivey-drive-drive!”), but cannot stop panicking about contingencies long enough to relax. Piggie gamely supplies solutions to assuage Elephant’s concerns, each time adding a new sound effect to their play–“Map! Map! Mappy-map-map!” and so on–guaranteeing laughs from children.  Eventually, Elephant thinks of a need that Piggie cannot supply, causing him to have a flat-out meltdown (also reminiscent of the Pigeon), but in the end, Piggie’s quick thinking saves the day. The clean line drawings mirror and support the concise text; both avoid unnecessary details while evoking the full range of emotion. The deceptive simplicity and the comic-book layout will entice even reluctant readers, and is a perfect read-aloud for groups of a wide age range. A must-have for every library.-Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library

ASIM , Jabari. Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington. illus. by Bryan Collier. 48p. bibliog. chron. Little, Brown. Dec. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-08657-8.
Gr 2-4–Here sits a barefooted boy leaning against a tree trunk, eyes closed, dreaming about reading. Here he is following his master’s daughter to school, carrying her books, feeling their “magic seeping into his hands.” Booker was born a slave, and slaves were forbidden to read. Emancipation came while he was still young. He worked with the men in his family, first shoveling salt, then in a coal mine. He learned to read from a spelling book his mother gave him. He attended the school for Negroes after work and dreamed of Hampton Institute, where he could study writing. He walked there–hundreds of miles through the mountains of Virginia, unloading ships in Richmond when his food money ran out. A janitor job at Hampton paid his room and board. Written in simply stated narrative, in a font that looks hand-printed, this story covers more of Washington’s life and offers more detail than Marie Bradby’s More Than Anything Else (Orchard, 1995),  a brief, movingly told, beautifully rendered introduction to Washington for younger children. Collier’s patterned and textured watercolor and paper collage paintings perfectly mirror the narrative, reiterating details and settings in handsomely constructed glimpses of the young Booker at school and at work; the teen-aged Booker traveling on foot toward a better education; the student dreaming of great things to come. His dreams are shown as luminescent bubbles or rays of light that reach toward the sky; his shirt is map-patterned. Two pages of biographical endnotes include a time line of his significant accomplishments. An inspirational life, memorably presented.–Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH

ASTON , Dianna Hutts. A Rock Is Lively. illus. by Sylvia Long. 40p. CIP. Chronicle. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0645-8. LC 2011048375
Gr 3-6–Another beauty from Aston and Long, creators of the equally eye-catching An Egg Is Quiet (2006), A Seed Is Sleepy (2007), and A Butterfly Is Patient (2011, all Chronicle). This time they take on the seemingly sedentary world of rocks and minerals, showing them to be anything but (when you know your geology).  Boiling underground, freezing in space, colorful or drab, enormous or minuscule, health food (grits for gizzards), tools for prehistoric man and modern chimps, canvas for paleolithic art or construction material for the Taj Mahal–rocks get around. Aston’s quiet text follows their morphings from magma to various incarnations and back again, while Long’s meticulous, elegant watercolors record their astounding diversity.  Rocks are “surprising” as geodes. They are “creative” when viewed as pigments for a prehistoric palette. Rocks are “lively.” A handsome piece of bookmaking from the artistically rock-strewn cover to the glorious azurite endpapers, this is an elegant window into the hitherto static existence of rocks and minerals. Eye-catching and eye-opening.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

BISHOP , Nic. Nic Bishop Snakes. photos by author. 48p. CIP. further reading. glossary. index. Scholastic. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-20638-9. LC 2011039316.
Gr 3-5–Nearly two dozen close-ups of photogenic snakes are highlighted in this introduction. A lucid text, set either on different colored pages or overlaid on photo backgrounds, briefly describes basic anatomy; major physical characteristics common to all snakes; distinctive characteristics of more than a dozen world species; locomotion; diet; hunting and feeding methods; defense mechanisms; and egg-laying and birth of young. The photographs, a mix of full-page and spreads, are sharply focused, well composed, and expertly lighted so that the reptiles’ beautiful skin colors and patterns are shown to advantage–the shot of a Central American eyelash viper in attack mode is especially good, and a four-page foldout displaying a coiled Mojave rattlesnake is impressive. Picture captions identify the species depicted and offer additional information on characteristics; the degree of magnification employed is indicated. Other snakes shown include the parrot snake, carpet python, and African egg-eating snake. An afterword describes some of the difficulties Bishop encountered in photographing his subjects. This title compares well with such standards as Sandra Markle’s Outside and Inside Snakes (S & S, 1995) and Seymour Simon’s Snakes (HarperCollins, 1992) and offers some new tidbits of information. Bishop’s brilliantly photographed book will appeal both to snake fans and casual browsers.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

For all the latest reviews in this subject area and more, check out our new Book Verdict site! Book Verdict is fully accessible to all users, though certain content and functionality are only available to subscribers.To log in to your account, click here. To view the new subscription options, Get Started With Book Verdict ProToday.Don’t know if you have an account with us? It’s easy to check and verify your email, or create a new account.

The following titles are reviewed in the October 1 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Fiction

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. Spot the Animals: A Lift-the-Flap Book of Colors. illus. by Steve Jenkins. 16p. Sterling. Oct. 2012. BD $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4027-7723-3.

ANDERSEN , Hans Christian. The Princess and the Pea: A Pop-Up Book. illus. by Pippa Pixley. 16p. Tango. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-8570-7816-9.

ANDERSEN , Hans Christian. The Princess and the Pea. tr. from German. illus. by Maja Dusíková. 28p. Floris. 2012. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-0-86315-857-5.

BASE , Graeme. Little Elephants. illus. by author. 40p. Abrams. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0463-5.

BELL , Juliet Clare. The Kite Princess. illus. by Laura-Kate Chapman. 32p. Barefoot. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-803-0; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-830-6.

BENDER , Rebecca. Don’t Laugh at Giraffe. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Pajama. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-9869495-6-2.

BENOIT , Brian. Crustacean Vacation. illus. by Marty Kelley. 36p. Islandport Press. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-934031-95-7. LC 2011935508.

BERGER , Carin. A Perfect Day. illus. by author. 40p. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Nov. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201580-8. LC 2011035455.

BLISS , Harry. Bailey at the Museum. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Scholastic. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-23345-3. LC 2012004325.

BRADFORD , Arthur. Benny’s Brigade. illus. by Lisa Hanawalt. 48p. McSweeney’s McMullens. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936365-61-6.

BUCKLEY , Michael. Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show. illus. by Dan Santat. 40p. Abrams. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0379-9.

CABATINGAN , Erin. A Is for Musk Ox. illus. by Matthew Myers. 40p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-676-3. LC 2011033794.

CALMENSON , Stephanie. Ollie’s School Day: A Yes-and-No Book. illus. by Abby Carter. 24p. Holiday House. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2377-4. LC 2011040357.

CAMPBELL , K. G. Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters. illus. by author. 32p. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-770-9.

CASCONE, Annette & Gina Cascone. The Beast of Baskerville. Bk. 3. ISBN 978-0-7653-3067-3; ISBN 978-1-4299-9294-7.
–––– . Invasion of the Appleheads. Bk. 4. ISBN 978-0-7653-3068-0; ISBN 978-1-4299-9295-4.
ea vol: 192p. (Deadtime Stories). Tor/Starscape. 2012. Tr $14.99; ebook $9.99 .

CLARK , Katie. Grandma Drove the Lobsterboat. illus. by Amy Huntington. 32p. Down East. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60893-004-3.

COLANDRO , Lucille. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books! illus. by Jared Lee. 32p. Scholastic. 2012. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-40287-3.

COOPER , Elisha. Homer. illus. by author. 236p. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201248-7. LC 2011013453.

CÔTÉ , Geneviève. Mr. King’s Things. illus. by author. 32p. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-700-6. LC 20119079399.

COVILLE , Bruce & Elizabeth Levy . Paula Danzinger’s Amber Brown Is Tickled Pink. illus. by Tony Ross. 152p. (Amber Brown Series). CIP. Putnam. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25656-1; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-1-101-58155-1. LC 2011039493.

CURTIS , Jamie Lee. My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs, and High Fives. illus. by Laura Cornell. 40p. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-144155-4.

DEEDY , Carmen Agra. Return of the Library Dragon. illus. by Michael P. White. 32p. CIP. Peachtree. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-621-5. LC 2011035265.

DOYLE , Malachy. Too Noisy! illus. by Ed Vere. 40p. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6226-4.

DRAGONWAGON , Crescent. All the Awake Animals Are Almost Asleep. illus. by David McPhail. 40p. CIP. Little, Brown. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-07045-4. LC 2011042734.

EGAN , Kate. Kate and Nate Are Running Late! illus. by Dan Yaccarino. 40p. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00080-4.

ENDLE , Kate & Caspar Babypants . Augie to Zebra. illus. by Kate Endle. 32p. Sasquatch Books. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-570-61750-8.

FURIE , Matt. The Night Riders. illus. by author. 48p. McSweeney’s McMullens. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-936365-56-2.

GLIORI , Debi. What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf? illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Walker. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-3432-7; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-3433-4.

HEST , Amy. Charley’s First Night. illus. by Helen Oxenbury. 32p. Candlewick. Oct. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4055-2.

HITI , Samuel. Waga’s Big Scare. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Carolrhoda. Oct. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5622-6; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0418-2. LC 2012000315.

HOLUB , Joan & Suzanne Williams . Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom. Bk. 1. illus. by Craig Phillips. 100p. (Heroes in Training Series). S & S/Aladdin. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5787-4; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5263-3;
ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5264-0.

HOOD , Susan. The Tooth Mouse. illus. by Janice Nadeau. 32p. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-565-1.

HOPMAN , Philip. Valentine and His Violin. tr. from Dutch by Claudius Translations, Dave Cooper, & Vincent Janssen Steenberg. illus. by author. 32p. Lemniscaat. 2012. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-9359-5417-0.

HOSFORD , Kate. Infinity and Me. illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska. 32p. CIP. Carolrhoda. Oct. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6726-0; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58013-997-7. LC 2011044746.

HOWE , James. Otter and Odder: A Love Story. illus. by Chris Raschka. 40p. CIP. Candlewick. Oct. 2012. Tr $14. ISBN 978-0-7636-4174-0. LC 2010048213.

IONESCO , Eugène. Stories 1, 2, 3, 4. tr. from French by Etienne Delessert. illus. by translator. 112p. McSweeney’s McMullens. 2012. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936365-51-7.

JENKINS , Emily. Dangerous Pumpkins. Bk. 2. illus. by Harry Bliss. 154p. (Invisible Inkling Series). CIP. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-06-180223-2; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-211438-9. LC 2011019294.

JOOSSE , Barbara. Lovabye Dragon. illus. by Randy Cecil. 32p. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5408-5.

KELLY , Mark. Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story. illus. by C. F. Payne. 40p. bibliog. websites. CIP. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5824-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5832-1. LC 2012008497.

KNUDSEN , Michelle. Big Mean Mike. illus. by Scott Magoon. 40p. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4990-6. LC 2011046623.

LESTER , Alison. Noni the Pony. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. S & S/Beach Lane. Oct. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5959-5; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5960-1. LC 2012004907.

MACCARONE , Grace. Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Wicked Wish. illus. by Christine Davenier. 40p. glossary. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00580-9.

MCELLIGOTT , Matthew. Even Aliens Need Snacks. illus. by author. 40p. CIP. Walker. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2398-7; PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-2399-4. LC 2011050071.

MACKINTOSH , David. The Frank Show. illus. by author. 32p. Abrams. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0393-5.

MARINSKY , Jane. Just Perfect. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Godine. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56792-428-2. LC 2010046262.

MILWAY , Katie Smith. Mimi’s Village and How Basic Health Care Transformed It. illus. by Eugenie Fernandes. 32p. (CitizenKid Series). glossary. maps. photos. CIP. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-722-8.

MORRISON , Cathy. I Want a Pet! illus. by author. 32p. Tiger Tales. 2012. RTE $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58925-113-7.

MYER , Andy. Delia’s Dull Day: An Incredibly Boring Story. illus. by author. 36p. Sleeping Bear. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-804-4.

NEWMAN , Barbara Johansen. Glamorous Glasses. illus. by author. 32p. Boyds Mills. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-878-3. LC 2012934129.

NORTH , Sherry. Because You Are My Teacher. illus. by Marcellus Hall. 32p. Abrams. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0385-0.

O’HAIR , Margaret. Sweet Baby Feet. illus. by Tracy Dockray. 32p. CIP. Farrar. Nov. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-374-37348-1. LC 2011018295.

OXLEY , Jennifer & Billy Aronson . The Chicken Problem. illus. by authors. 32p. CIP. Random. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86989-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96989-8. LC 2011031249.

PATEL , Sanjay & Emily Haynes . Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth. illus. by Sanjay Patel. 40p. Chronicle. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0362-4.

PILKEY, Dav. Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers. Bk. 9. illus. by author. 304p. (Captain Underpants Series). Scholastic. 2012. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-17534-0. LC 2012935012.

PULVER , Robin. The Case of the Incapacitated Capitals. illus. by Lynne Rowe Reed. 32p. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2402-3. LC 2011024047.

RAAB , Brigitte. Mama, I Can’t Sleep. tr. from German by Connie Stradling Morby. illus. by Manuela Olten. 36p. CIP. Sky Pony. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61608-965-8. LC 2012010537.

REYNOLDS , Peter H. Sky Color. illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $14.00. ISBN 978-0-7636-2345-6.

RODRIGUEZ , Béatrice. The Gingerbread Man. illus. by author. 32p. NorthSouth. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4086-7.

ROSEN , Michael. Happy Harry’s Café. illus. by Richard Holland. 32p. Candlewick. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6239-4.

RUBIN , Adam. Those Darn Squirrels Fly South. illus. by Daniel Salmieri. 32p. CIP. Clarion. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-67823-8. LC 2011041584.

RUNTON , Andy. Bright Lights and Starry Nights! illus. by author. 40p. (Owly and Wormy Series). CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Nov. 2012. ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5439-2; Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5775-1. LC 2012010648.

SHANNON , David. Jangles: A Big Fish Story. illus. by author. 32p. Scholastic/Blue Sky. Oct. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14312-7.

SHIREEN , Nadia. Hey, Presto! illus. by author. 32p. Knopf. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86905-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96905-8.

SINYKIN , Sheri. Zayde Comes to Live. illus. by Kristina Swarner. 32p. CIP. Peachtree. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-631-4. LC 2011020977.

SPINELLI , Eileen. Cold Snap. illus. by Marjorie Priceman. 32p. CIP. Knopf. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85700-3. LC 2011013290.

STEINKELLNER , Elisabeth. My New Granny. tr. from German by Connie Stradling Morby. illus. by Michael Roher. 32p. CIP. Sky Pony. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-62087-223-9. LC 2012010540.

STEVENS , Janet & Susan Stevens Crummel . Find a Cow Now! illus. by Janet Stevens. 32p. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2218-0. LC 2011042112.

STEWART , Sarah. The Quiet Place. illus. by David Small. 40p. CIP. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-32565-7. LC 2011031768.

TEGEN , Katherine. Snowman Magic. illus. by Brandon Dorman. 32p. HarperCollins/Harper. Oct. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-201445-0.

VALDIVIA , Paloma. Up Above and Down Below. tr. from Spanish by Susan Ouriou. illus. by author. 32p. Owlkids. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-926973-39-5. LC 2011943194.

VAN GENECHTEN , Guido. The Big Woods Orchestra. tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. 30p. Clavis. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-113-9.

VERPLANCKE , Klaas. Applesauce. tr. from Dutch by Helen Mixter. illus. by author. 40p. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2012. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-186-1.

VIORST , Judith. Lulu Walks the Dogs. illus. by Lane Smith. 144p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3579-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3581-0. LC 2011023841.

WAHMAN , Joe. Snowboy 1, 2, 3. illus. by Wendy Wahman. 32p. CIP. Holt. Oct. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8732-1. LC 2011034307.

WALSH , Joanna. The Perfect Hug. illus. by Judi Abbot. 32p. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. Dec. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6606-7; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-7931-9.

WALTON , Rick. I Need My Own Country! illus. by Wes Hargis. 32p. CIP. Bloomsbury. Oct. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-559-4; ebook $17.89. ISBN 978-1-59990-560-0. LC 2012004902.

WELLS , Rosemary. Max & Ruby’s Treasure Hunt. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Viking. Oct. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-06317-8. LC 2011048535.

WILEY , Melissa. Fox and Crow Are Not Friends. illus. by Sebastien Braun. 48p. (Step Into Reading Series). CIP. Random. 2012. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86982-2; PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96982-9; ebook $3.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98574-4. LC 2011043350.

WINTHROP , Elizabeth. Maia and the Monster Baby. illus. by Amanda Haley. 32p. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2518-1. LC 2011042887.

YAMASHITA , Masako. Snow Children. illus. by author. 32p. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-144-1.

ZARINS , Kim. The Helpful Puppy. illus. by Emily Arnold McCully. 32p. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2318-7. LC 2010039541.

ZIEFERT , Harriet. Big Brave Daddy. illus. by Smiljana Coh. 24p. Blue Apple. 2012. Tr $10.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-211-9.

Nonfiction

ASTON , Dianna Hutts. A Rock Is Lively. illus. by Sylvia Long. 40p. CIP. Chronicle. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0645-8. LC 2011048375.

BALSLEY , Tilda. Oh No, Jonah! illus. by Jago. 32p. CIP. Kar-Ben. 2012. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5140-5; Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5139-9; ebook $13.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0049-8. LC 2011029038.

BURLEIGH , Robert. If You Spent a Day with Thoreau at Walden Pond. illus. by Wendell Minor. 40p. maps. notes. CIP. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9137-3. LC 2011034306.

CLAYTON , Dallas. Make Magic! Do Good! illus. by author. 112p. Candlewick. Nov. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5746-8.

CURTIS , Jennifer Keats. Seahorses. illus. by Chad Wallace. 32p. bibliog. glossary. websites. CIP. Holt. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9239-4. LC 2011034059.

DORISI-WINGET, Dianna. Snow Leopards. ISBN 978-1-4296-7645-8. LC 2011021018.

GAGNE, Tammy. Cheetahs. ISBN 978-1-4296-7641-0. LC 2011010825.
–––– . Jaguars. ISBN 978-1-4296-7642-7. LC 2011010826.
–––– . Lions. ISBN 978-1-4296-7643-4. LC 2011010830.

HEGEL, Claudette. Tigers. ISBN 978-1-4296-7646-5. LC 2011021016.

ZUCHORA-WALSKE, Christine M. Mountain Lions. ISBN 978-1-4296-7644-1. LC 201021017.
ea vol: 32p. (Big Cats Series). maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone. 2012. PLB $27.32.

EMBERLEY , Rebecca & Ed Emberley . The Ant and the Grasshopper. illus. by authors. 32p. CIP. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Oct. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-493-6. LC 2011033800.

FREEDMAN , Russell. The Boston Tea Party. illus. by Peter Malone. 40p. bibliog. chron. index. maps. notes. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2266-1. LC 2010028726.

FROMER, Liza & Francine Gerstein. My Healthy Body. ISBN 978-1-77049-311-7. LC 2011938774.
–––– . My Itchy Body. ISBN 978-1-77049-312-4. LC 2011938773.
ea vol: illus. by Joe Weissmann. 24p. (Body Works Series). glossary. CIP. Tundra Books. 2012. Tr $14.99.

GHERMAN , Beverly. First Mothers. illus. by Julie Downing. 64p. bibliog. Clarion. 2012. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-547-22301-8. LC 2012930747.

GOLDIN , David. Meet Me at the Art Museum: A Whimsical Look Behind the Scenes. illus. by author. 40p. glossary. maps. notes. photos. reprods. Abrams. Nov. 2012. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0187-0.

GREENWOOD, Mark. Drummer Boy of John John. illus. by Frané Lessac. 40p. bibliog. glossary. photos. CIP. Lee & Low. 2012. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-652-6. LC 2011045370.

HALE , Christy. Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. illus. by author. 40p. bibliog. notes. photos. Lee & Low. Oct. 2012. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-651-9.

HAMLISCH , Marvin. Marvin Makes Music. illus. by Jim Madsen. 32p. w/CD. Dial. Nov. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3730-3.

HEIDBREDER , Robert. Noisy Poems for a Busy Day. illus. by Lori Joy Smith. 40p. Kids Can. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-706-8. LC 20119069946.

HEIMAN , Diane & Liz Suneby . It’s a…It’s a…It’s a Mitzvah. illus. by Laurel Molk. 32p. Jewish Lights. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-58023-509-9. LC 2012003703.

LEWIS , J. Patrick. If You Were a Chocolate Mustache. illus. by Matthew Cordell. 160p. index. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. Oct. 2012. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-927-8. LC 2012939794.

LONG , Ethan. The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular! illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2320-0. LC 2011018256.

LUCKHURST , Matt. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure. illus. by author. 48p. bibliog. Abrams. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0420-8.

MACAULAY , David with Sheila Keenan . Castle: How It Works. illus. by David Macaulay. 32p. diags. further reading. glossary. index. websites. Roaring Brook/David Macaulay Studio. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-744-9; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-766-1. LC 2011962088.

MATHERS , Petra, comp. The McElderry Book of Mother Goose: Revered and Rare Rhymes. illus. by compiler. 80p. index. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. 2012. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-689-85605-1; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5314-2. LC 2011003404.

OCHILTREE , Dianne. Molly, by Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter. illus. by Kathleen Kemly. 32p. bibliog. further reading. websites. Calkins Creek. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-721-2. LC 2012933452.

OELSCHLAGER , Vanita. I Came from the Water: One Haitian Boy’s Incredible Tale of Survival. illus. by Mike Blanc. 40p. photos. Vanita Books. 2012. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-9832904-5-2; Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-9832904-4-5.

RAPPOPORT, Ken. Alex Rodriguez: Champion Baseball Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4026-7. LC 2011043754.
–––– . Derek Jeter: Champion Basball Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4025-0. LC 2011033514.
–––– . Peyton Manning: Champion Football Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4027-4. LC 2011052759.

THORNLEY, Stew. Kevin Garnett: Champion Basketball Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4028-1. LC 2011031517.
–––– . Kobe Bryant: Champion Basketball Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4029-8. LC 2011038174.
–––– . Tim Duncan: Champion Basketball Star. ISBN 978-0-7660-4030-4. LC 2011050440.
ea vol: 48p. (Sports Star Champions Series). charts. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Enslow. 2012. PLB $23.93.

RISSMAN, Rebecca. Be the Best at Math. ISBN 978-1-4109-4765-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4773-4. LC 2011043936.
–––– . Be the Best at Reading. ISBN 978-1-4109-4768-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4773-4. LC 2011044039.
–––– . Be the Best at Science. ISBN 978-1-4109-4766-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4771-0. LC 2011043937.
–––– . Be the Best at Writing. ISBN 978-1-4109-4767-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4772-7. LC 2011044038.
ea vol: 32p. (Top Tips Series). illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Heinemann Library. 2012. PLB $29.32; pap. $7.99.

ROTNER , Shelley & David A. Winter. Body Actions. illus. by Shelley Rotner. 32p. glossary. photos. CIP. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2366-8. LC 2011007268.

SMITH, Siân. Pulleys. ISBN 978-1-4329-6580-8; ISBN 978-1-4329-6587-7. LC 2011041306.
–––– . Screws, Nuts, and Bolts. ISBN 978-1-4329-6582-2; ISBN 978-1-4329-6589-1. LC 2011041311.
ea vol: 24p. (How Toys Work Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Heinemann Library. 2012. PLB $21.99; pap. $5.99.

SOBOL , Richard. The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves. photos by author. 48p. (Traveling Photographer Series). glossary. maps. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4165-8.

SPINNER , Stephanie. Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird. illus. by Meilo So. 32p. Knopf. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86846-7; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96846-4.

WALSH , Barbara E. The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans. illus. by Layne Johnson. 32p. bibliog. websites. Calkins Creek. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-754-0. LC 2012933914.

WATSON , Renée. Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills. illus. by Christian Robinson. 32p. Random. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86973-0; ebook $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96973-7. LC 2011043314.

WELLS, Robert E. Can We Share the World with Tigers? illus. by author. 32p. (Wells of Knowledge Science Series). diags. glossary. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-1055-1. LC 2011038269.