Hi! Fly Guy (Weston Woods) ©2005 by Tedd Arnold

 Hi! Fly Guy. DVD. 7 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47807-6. $59.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-47823-6: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 978-0-545-47822-9: $18.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47806-9: $12.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Fly Guy’s adventures begin with Tedd Arnold’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Cartwheel, 2005), and the sweet series for beginning readers soars to new heights with this outstanding DVD version. Buzz is looking for a smart pet to take to the Amazing Pet Show, and finds one talented fly for his jar. Is it a pest or a pet? Despite the naysayers, Fly Guy proves himself to be one fine flyer and a loyal pet. MacLeod Andrews gives an energetic and varied vocal performance and the animation by Soup2Nuts is hilarious. Best of all, the accompanying music and the Fly Guy song set the scene for a completely satisfying production. Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud’s musical stylings include a sliding clarinet, a guitar, and a harmonica as they steal the show while providing a spot-on match for Fly Guy’s humor and loop-the-loop aerial act. Special effects, from burps to buzzes, further enliven the text. Children will love the DVD and the CD as read-along aids or as pure, joyful entertainment. A delightful interview with the author follows the production. A brilliant marriage of text, art, and music.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

 Show Way. DVD. 12 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47811-3. 59.95. CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47810-6: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0545-47827-4: $29.95.
Gr 2-5–A Show Way was a quilt that had messages stitched into it showing the family’s journey North to freedom, offering hope and a guide for slaves in the South. That theme of “leading the way” is a thread running through Jackqueline Woodson’s carefully woven story (Putnam, 2005). Soonie’s great-grandma was only a child when she was sold away from her parents. The patchwork quilts that she pieced contained clues leading to freedom. She passed her skill and knowledge on to her daughter, and so it went—generation after generation of strong women, each adding their own piece to the patchwork of their family history. From slavery to civil rights to the author’s own daughter, viewers follow this celebration of the guiding influence that strong women can have in a family. Woodson has chosen each word with particular care, and the personal warmth shines through as she reads her own work with a smile in her voice. Hudson Talbott’s amazing multimedia illustrations joyously play on the quilt theme in wonderful spreads of both patterns and history. To see the author’s own child included in the illustrations at the end of a quilted line of strong women, her face the center of the “North Star” pattern, is heart-touching. There is also a brief interview with the author as she talks about her ancestors and the process of writing the story. This is a wonderful homage to the power of knowing your own history and being true to those who have shown you the way to follow your own dreams.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

 Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle. DVD. 86 min. Prod. by the Electron Project. Dist. by Video Project. 2012. ISBN unavail. $89.
Gr 9 Up–The political, social, and cultural dimensions of the campaign to establish the United State’s first offshore wind farm in Massachusetts’ famed Nantucket Sound is chronicled in this excellent program. This debate, which began in 2001 and went on for more than 10 years, is a complex tangle of regional and national political bedfellows, environmentalism, elitism, and localism. From the fisherman to the Kennedys, from Bill Koch to the Native American tribes, from Ken Salazar to Green Peace, the whole spectrum of concerned citizenry expresses their varied points of view—with plenty of inaccuracy and hypocrisy to go around. While there is a pro-clean energy leitmotif throughout the documentary, the directors do depict supporters and detractors with a fair hand. Through a satirical soundtrack and flashy graphic representations, viewers get a fuller sense of all the factors that inform a local campaign with national consequences. It is a humorous study in government process, media spin, grassroots advocacy, and the burgeoning field of eco-capitalism. Cape Spin is highly recommended for use in history, civics, environmental science, or political science classes at the high school, community college, and university level.–Vincent M. Livoti, University of Maine at August

 The Great Unexpected. By Sharon Creech. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2004-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-205-8. $51.75.
Gr 5-7–Two seemingly unique communities are entwined through history and fate in a way that only Sharon Creech can manage in her story (HarperCollins, 2012) about friendship. Naomi Dean, who has a habit of always being around when trouble starts, lives with her guardians in the little town of Blackbird Tree, and is best friends with Lizzie Scatterding, who “could talk the ears off a cornfield.” Things get interesting the day that the charming young Finn boy drops out of a tree and sets in motion some very strange and unexpected events. While the two girls puzzle over his appearance and compete for his attention, two ladies in Ireland are planning a few unusual things of their own. How the author ties all of the characters on both sides of the Atlantic together is slightly contrived, but her hints and clues keep the plot moving smoothly and logically. There are locked trunks, dogs, significant trees, Finns, and black birds in both communities, although the birds are called rooks in Ireland. Heather O’Neill and Erin Moon give each character a delightful and recognizable voice; Naomi’s is sweet and charming, Mrs. Kavanaugh’s is elegant, Mr. Farley and Crazy Cora sound elderly and gruff. Only the sing-song voice of Lizzie sounds out of place and slightly bothersome. As usual, Creech’s language and descriptions are vivid and beautiful. Rich symbolism abounds, and many common threads are woven together at the novel’s conclusion.–MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY

 Necromancing the Stone. By Lish McBride. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 11:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4498-4678-1, CD: ISBN 978-1-4498-4679-4. $97.75.
Gr 9 Up–After killing Douglas Montgomery, an evil necromancer, in an act of self-defense, Sam LaCroix inherits all of his property, including his house and James, the pukis or house spirit. Sam also thinks he has absorbed all of Douglas’s ability to raise the dead. He’s struggling with his new powers, dealing with his friend Ramon’s transformation as a werebear, trying to train with his girlfriend Brid’s werewolf brothers, and adjusting to his place on the supernatural Council, when his sister is threatened. Sam knows the person is trying to get to him, and when Brid’s father, Brannick, is murdered, the killer appears to be a necromancer. Sam doesn’t realize that Douglas is back from the dead and, with the help of James, he may finish the job he started with Sam. If Sam can’t prove he didn’t kill Brannick, he may lose the support of the pack and be at the mercy of his worst enemy. In McBride’s witty and sarcastic sequel (2012) to Hold Me Closer Necromancer, (2010, both Holt), Jonathan Todd Ross captures Sam’s witty sarcasm and good-natured vulnerability and Chris Sorensen perfectly voices Douglas’s cold-heartedness. The author carries on with the themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, and adds to this the theme of accepting responsibility. This volume is as darkly hilarious, horrifically suspenseful, and heartbreaking as the first book.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

 Path of Beasts: The Keepers Trilogy, Book 3. By Lian Tanner. 6 CDs. 6:39 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library.Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-71091-8. $34.
Gr 3-6–After their perilous adventure in Spoke in City of Lies (2011), Goldie Roth and her friends have just returned to Jewel and are eager to see their homes and families again in the final title (2012, both Delacorte) in Tanner’s trilogy. Their joyous reunion is interrupted by the discovery that the Fugleman has taken over the city, with a mercenary army as well as his Blessed Guardians to enforce his orders. When the Fugleman brings a canon to the doors of the Museum, its up to Goldie and her friends to save both the Museum and the city, and to defeat the Fugleman once and for all. Their only hope lies at the end of the Beast Road, a path Goldie will walk knowing that no one has ever survived the journey. Fans of the previous titles will relish this thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Claudia Black returns for the final installment, providing the perfect vocal talent. Her smooth, pleasant voice for the third-person narration blends with shifts in pitch and accent for immediately recognizable characters. Not to be missed.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, CA

 Personal Effects. By E.M. Kokie. 8 CDs. 9:08 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0637-0. $54.97.
Gr 9 Up–Matt has had a rough time coping since his brother’s death in Iraq left him alone with his abusive father. When his father tries to keep him from looking through his brother’s personal effects, Matt can no longer just do as he’s told. Convinced that his things will give Matt insight into TJ’s “real” life, Matt secretly defies his father and discovers that his brother had a secret significant other in Wisconsin. Needing to deliver TJ’s final unmailed letter, Matt heads for Madison to seek out C, only to find that there was even more to TJ’s secret than he’d thought. Matt must choose a path for his own future. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps or will he defy him and accept who TJ truly was. Kokie’s stellar debut novel (Candlewick, 2012) is narrated by Nick Podehl who easily captures an unsure teenager’s emotional struggle. As Matt strives to find his own self-worth and uncover his brother’s TJ’s secrets, Podehl draws listeners in and keeps them invested in Matt’s story. He fluidly evokes the wide gamut of emotions that Matt experiences, while still maintaining a sense of underlying grief throughout. The expert narration coupled with a powerful and heartfelt story make this audiobook a must have for all high school and public library collections.–Jessica Miller, West Springfield Public Library, MA

 Sophia’s War. By Avi. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2043-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2042-3. $66.75.
Gr 5-9–Set in 1776 during the American Revolution when New York was under siege by the British, Avi’s tale (Beach Lane Books, 2012) of resistance features an amazing female protagonist, trials aplenty as she tries to avenge her brother’s death, and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Sophia’s family believes in freedom and desperately wants America to govern itself. Her brother goes off to fight, is captured, and ends up dying in a filthy hold of a British prison boat. John Andre, a charming English officer who is billeted with Sophia’s family, fails to intervene to save her brother. Despite having a schoolgirl crush on Andre, Sophia is conflicted by his failure to save her brother. After witnessing the execution of Nathan Hale, Sophia is determined to help the American cause. Recruited as a spy, she becomes a maid in the home of the commander of the British forces in America. Sophia uncovers some crucial information and sets out to reach West Point before Benedict Arnold can turn it over to the British. Avi’s outstanding text and Angela Goethals’s spot-on narration make the Revolutionary War come alive for listeners, providing a real sense of the time period. A perfect choice for school and public libraries.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

 We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart. By Walter Dean Myers. CD. 33:51 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1112-2. $29.95.
Gr 3 Up–The sweeping scope of Myers’s free verse poems (HarperCollins, 2011) is captured beautifully and interpreted dramatically on this CD by a diverse cast of narrators. This eminently patriotic book celebrates free expression and attempts to paint with word pictures the depth and breadth of the varied American experience. Rarely are all ethnicities given voice in a treatise on American freedom, liberty, and values, but the panorama of people who built America is well represented here. In fact, the book alone, without the CD, falls flat with its oddly-proportioned, crowded murals in a sea of white space. It is only with the soaring music, stirring sound effects, and talented team of multicultural readers that this book’s meaning and powerful purpose come to life. When a Native American voices Tecumseh’s words to the accompaniment of reed flute and eagle flight, listeners understand their intent. From Jimi Hendrix’s guitar riff to the sound of boxes of tea being dumped in Boston Harbor, meaning is enhanced. Not a young child’s picture book, the complicated concepts, vocabulary, and mature images are best for older students. Charles R. Smith Jr.’s book, I Am America (Cartwheel, 2003), is a better fit for earlier grades. Annotated quotations and art notes provide helpful references, as do the author’s and artist’s prefaces. Useful for biography units or civics classes, the chorus of voices, music, and sounds tell the unique story of America and its people in 33 breathless minutes. Truly inspirational.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

 The Barber of the Beasts. Performed by Zak Morgan. CD. 40:26 min. with booklet. Prod. by MyKazoo. Dist. byCD Universe. 2012. ISBN unavail. $9.89.
K-Gr 3–Zak Morgan, a former Grammy Award nominee, presents 13 original songs and one cover on his fourth family music album. With his background in children’s literature, Morgan writes some very clever lyrics for his songs and exhibits a fondness for puns. Having total creative freedom on this project, Morgan has explored classical and orchestral music utilizing violin, viola, cello, upright bass, piano, harmonium, oboe, flute, piccolo, trumpet, tuba, trombone, drums, tubular bells, glockenspiel, and percussion. The songs, in blues, sea shanty, jazz, Western, hard rock, and easy listening musical styles, feature guitars, bass, ukulele, mandolin, esseharpa, accordion, concertina, and harmonium. The instrumental performances are outstanding, as are Morgan’s vocals: his versatile voice handles ultra-smooth and very gravelly tones with equal assurance. “Overture” and “Winter March” are instrumental pieces. “The Barber of the Beasts” and “Minor Miners” are performed in operatic and classical styles, with a boys’ group in the latter that sounds like the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Among the other songs are “First Grade,” “Snow Day,” “The White Shark’s Chum,” “The Case of the Dry Markers,” “Nancy Jane,” “The Cricket & the Coin,” “Mr. E,” “Swinging on a Star,” “Let Me In,” and “Wash My Hands.” The booklet includes a glossary of words from the songs. An excellent and creative production.–Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX

 Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You? Performed by Lyle Cogen. CD. approx.18 min. Prod. byMaZac Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $9.99.
Gr 1-8–This concept album from singer/anti-bullying activist Lyle Cogen challenges kids to determine what role they play each day in school. Two pieces, “Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You?” and “No Put Downs,” are from her one-woman musical play “Sticks and Stones.” Opening with the Latin-infused production number “Bystander,” Cogan shows the bystander’s point of view and encourages the change necessary to become more involved to help those being bullied. “You Ain’t Nothing but a Bully” is a techno-pop/rap about what motivates the bully’s behavior. “Don’t Laugh at Me,” the pop tune/ballad by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, gives the viewpoint of the victim of bullying. With a defiant attitude, Cogen recites the unifying poem for the album, “Bully, Bystander, Bullied: Which One Are You?” The hip-hop tune “No Put Downs” offers an alternative behavior to bullies. The album closes with the Billy Steinberg/Tom Kelly classic ballad “True Colors,” adapted so it fuses the text to form a pop/rap song to appeal to a wide range of musical interests. Cogen is an impassioned, polished performer. While probably not a golden ticket solution, this could be a very useful tool in combating bullies by encouraging boys and girls to place tags on the various roles and encourage bystanders to speak up.–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

 Ozomatli Presents OzoKids. CD. approx. 37 min. Hornblow Group/Megaforce Records. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.98.
PreS-Gr 3–The Grammy award-winning Los Angeles-based Latin fusion group, Ozomatli, continues to defy being pigeon-holed. Never afraid to try new things, they accepted a challenge from PBS television to shed gang-violence and explicit lyrics and record several education-focused songs. Their new album is aimed at youngsters yet maintains a gritty, urban edge that should have wide appeal. Fusing Latino, hip-hop, reggae, techno pop, and rock, these 14 original tunes will teach youngsters and please grownups, too. The sophisticated and engaging arrangements feature a wide variety of musical styles and instrumentation. “Trees” explains what’s necessary for a tree to grow. “Germs” talks about good and bad germs. “Exercise” espouses its importance and various forms. “Water” lists the many forms it takes. “Pirana” encourages facing fears. Among the catchy numbers are “Moose on the Loose” (a techno rap), “Balloon Fest” (a cha-cha), “Like It’s Your Birthday,” “Let’s Go to the Movies” (features a strong percussion beat), “Spelling” (a fusion-infused spelling lesson), and “Changito” (a high-octane song sure to get kids up and moving). Rock on, Ozo!–Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

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

DVD

Art

Behind the Color Wheel: Using Color in Art and Design. DVD. 24 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-665-1. $109.

Drugs & Alcohol

Performance Enhancing Substances in Sport. DVD. 21 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by VEA. Dist. by Insight Media. 2012. ISBN unavail. $129.

Guidance–General

Before You Hook Up: Dating Rights and Responsibilities. DVD. 22 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-155548-572-6. $149.95.

Children and Divorce: Children Teaching Children About Divorce. DVD. 46:46 min. Professor Child. 2012. ISBN unavail. $34.99.

How to Say NO and Really Mean It. DVD. 20 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-155548-579-5. $149.95.

Guidance–Careers

Do You Have What It Takes? Fashion Design Careers. DVD. 22 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning ZoneXpress. 2012. ISBN unavail. $79.95.

Job Interview Secrets. DVD. 17 min. with tchr’s guide. Prod. by VEA. Dist. by Insight Media. 2012. ISBN unavail. $129.

Health

54321+8 Countdown to Your Health. DVD. 24 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning ZoneXPress. 2012. ISBN unavail. $79.95.

Get Off the SoFAS! Avoiding Solid Fats & Added Sugars.

DVD. 36 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-607-1. $99.

Nutrition Labels: Reading Between the Lines.

DVD. 21 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-619-4. $89.

Pass on the Salt: Shaking the Habit. DVD. 20 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Learning Seed. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55740-618-7. $89.

The Top 5 Food Mistakes Most Teens Make and How to Fix Them. DVD. 25 min. with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-55548-930-4. $149.95.

Language Arts

Chowder. DVD. 12 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2012. ISBN 1-933938-91-9. $49.95.

Wind Flyers. DVD. 7 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2012. ISBN 1-033938-90-0. $49.95.

Science

The Atomic States of America. DVD. 70 min./90min. Video Project. 2012. ISBN unavail. K-12: $89, public library:  $39.95.

Geologic Journey II, Episode 2: Along the African Rift. DVD. 51 min. with tchr’s. guide online. Prod. by CBC and 90th Parallel Prods. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2010, 2012 release. ISBN 1-93777-229-2. $250.

Social Studies

Families of Italy (Families of the World Series). DVD. 30 min. with tchr’s. guide. Master Communications. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60480-155-2. $29.95.

Audio

Many of these titles are available for download and/or in Playaway format. Check distributors’ websites, playaway.com, and audio download retailers for availability and price.

Language Arts

Ask the Passengers. By A. S. King. 7 CDs. 8:05 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01511-7. $50.

Bear Says Thanks. By Karma Wilson. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-4703-2919-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2918-1. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-4169-5856-7: $16.99.

Burn for Burn. By Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-0759-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-0760-6. $66.75.

Button Down. By Anne Ylvisaker. 3 CDs. 2:56 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0626-4. $54.97.

Fish in the Sky. By Fridrik Erlings. 6 CDs. 6:53 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0630-1. $54.97. 

Flock: Stork Trilogy, Book 3. By Wendy Delsol. 8 CDs. 9:45 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0631-8. $54.97.

The Forgiveness Garden. By Lauren Thompson. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-4703-2982-2, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-038-3. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-3126-259903: $16.99.

The Freedom Maze. By Delia Sherman. 8 CDs. 8:19 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-499-01463-9. $55.

The Infects. By Sean Beaudoin,. 8 CDs. 8:48 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-0634-9. $54.97.

Island of Silence: Unwanteds, Book 2. By Lisa McMann. 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2986-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2977-8. $77.75.

Jump into the Sky. By Shelley Pearsall. 7 CDs. 8:24 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01404-2. $40.

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. By L. Frank Baum. 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Tantor Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4526-1027-6. $47.99.

Library Lily. By Gillian Shields. CD. 6:10 min. with hardcover book. Spoken Arts. 2012. ISBN 0-8045-4243-0. $29.95.

Little Blue Truck. By Alice Schertle. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2925-9, CD ISBN978-1-4703-2924-2. $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-1520-5661-2:$16.99.

Malcolm at Midnight. By W.H. Beck. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2070-6, CD: ISBN 987-1-4703-2071-3. $51.75.

Poison Princess: The Arcana Chronicles, Book 1. By Kresley Cole. 11 cassettes or 11 CDs. 12:30 hrs.Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2988-4, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2980-8. $108.75.

Seconds Away: A Mickey Bolitar Novel. By Harlan Coben. 7 CDs. 7:46 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-0498-6. $74.97.

Secrets of the Magic Ring. By Karen McQuestion. 3 CDs. 3:29 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4692-3111-2. $49.97.

Skylark. By Megan Spooner. 9 cassettes or 9 CDs. 11 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-4477-8. CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-5576-1. $97.75.

Vertigo. By Kristina Dunker. 6 CDs. 6:48 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-8088-1. $49.97.

The Villain Virus: NERDS, Book 4. By Michael Buckley. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2012.cassette: ISBN 978-1-4703-2609-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4703-2610-4. $51.75.

Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker: Take My Advice! By Robin Palmer. 5 CDs. 5:14 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5879-8. $49.97. 

Music

Apple Apple. Performed by The Harmonica Pocket. CD. approx. 49 min. CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Backyard Astronauts. Performed by Mr. Richard. CD. approx. 32 min. Prod. by Bark Records/Mr. Richard. Dist. by AV Café. 2012.ISBN unavail. $12.

A Boy and His Guitar. Performed by Mr. Billy. CD. 40 min. Prod. by Flying Bounce House Records/Mister Billy. Dist. by AV Café. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.95.

Call Me a Nerd! CD. Performed by The Nerdz. 36 min. Call Me a Nerd. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Escalator. Performed by David Tobocman. CD. 30 min. Prod. by Elsewhere Records. Dist by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.98.

Go! CD. Performed by The Alphabet Rockers. approx. 38 min. School Time Music. 2012. ISBN unavail. $14.99.

Green and Bumpy. Performed by Deep Friend Pickle Project. CD. approx. 41 min. Prod. by Green and Bumpy Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.97.

Huh-uh. Performed by Barry G and the Dream Jam Kids CD. approx. 24 min. Prod. by myKaZoo Music. Dist. by CD Universe. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.99.

I Am Sleepy with Sukey Molloy. CD. 43 min. Sukey Molloy. 2012. ISBN unavail. $12.99.

I Can Do It! Performed by Patty Shukla. CD. approx. 36 min. Prod. by Patty Shukla Kids Music. Dist. by AV Café. 2012.ISBN unavail. $14.

Imagination. Performed by Sulinha Boucher. CD. 40:62 min. Sulinha.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Playing in the Band. CD. 44 min. Prod. by Little Rockers Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $11.97.

Reading Rocks! Performed by Johnnette Dowing. CD. 49 min. Prod. by Wiggle Work Records. Dist. byCDBaby.com. 2012. ISBN unavail. $15.

Social Studies

The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure. By Martin W. Sandler. 4 CDs. 3:53 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4558-5197-3. $54.97.

There’s no doubt about it: app production has skyrocketed. But curiously, a number of children’s book publishers and app developers are now thinking twice about the format. After dipping the proverbial toe in the water, some companies have put app development on hold, while others are exploring their options, trying to determine how to create these costly innovative items and still make a buck. Some organizations, including Random House and Sesame Workshop, have extended their partnerships to include apps, and many more bookshelf apps, such as MeeGenius! and Wanderful, are hosting collections of titles that are grouped by theme, specialization, or publisher. In a word, the world of apps is in flux.

But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a slew of exceptional products this year, and you’ll find a number of them on our list. As with most year-end lists, this one is subjective, and it includes only apps that have been reviewed in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. You’ll note a front-runner, but those items that follow can stand proudly side-by-side.

 1. Moonbot Studios deserves high praise. Its Oscar-winning team, led by kids’ book creator William Joyce and film director Brandon Oldenburg, was one of the first to create an app, IMAG.N.O.TRON, that features augmented reality—a technology that layers digital images and information onto the real world. How does this cutting-edge app work? Clutching an iPad, simply hold the app over a page of Joyce’s bestseller The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (S & S/Atheneum, 2012), an ode to the joys of reading. As soon as the app recognizes an image, the magic begins: books suddenly start to flutter, fly, and softly recite their lines; characters begin to wink; images are seamlessly transformed from 2-D into 3-D, and a bicyclist appears to glide off the printed page. Moonbot’s signature wit and originality are in evidence here, but with this app, seeing is truly believing.

2. Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral’s young adult novel, CHOPSTICKS (Penguin/Citrus Suite), is a format-bending mystery that’s told through photos, news clippings, and artwork—and the kicky digital version packs some added punch. Will the embedded songs, YouTube videos, animated IMs, sound effects, and a “shuffle” feature that lets viewers choose alternate readings help solve this sophisticated puzzle? The verdict’s still out.

3. With just a touch of the screen, kids can zoom in from outer space and land anywhere on Earth thanks to Nick Crane’s BAREFOOT WORLD ATLAS (Barefoot Books/Touch Press). Then it’s a quick jump to another region, country, landmark, or activity of their choice. Narrated bits, delightful animations, background music, and real-time data inform viewers about the amazing range of traditions, cultures, geographical features, and animals found on our globe. This is one trip kids won’t want to end.

4. Looking for a healthy dose of interactivity? Try Jamie Lee Curtis’s whimsical picture book Where Do Balloons Go? (HarperCollins/Auryn, Inc.), with vibrant illustrations by Laura Cornell. Among the splendid features that await those who tap, tilt, pinch, and swipe their way through this rhyming story are musical interludes, animated vignettes, theater-to-showcase user-created videos, and, oh yes, an opportunity to record your own squeaky, helium-induced voice. With its unique features, this app offers hours of fun.

5. Artists who are grappling with the best way to bring comic books to the tablet can take some tips from Ryan Woodward’s BOTTOM OF THE NINTH (Ryan Woodward Art & Animation). Sepia panels incorporating baseball memorabilia and splashes of color are enhanced with the sights and sounds of America’s favorite pastime as Candy Cunningham takes to the pitcher’s mound to play “New Baseball,” 200 years in the future. With touch-triggered dialogue balloons, piped-in radio commentary, and dazzling animation, this one hits it out of the park.

6. If you’re not yet convinced that Moonbot Studios’ creative team is pure genius, take a look at THE NUMBERLYS, an app inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis. In The Numberlys’s grey futuristic world, letters don’t exist—until five roly-poly factory workers sporting puffball hairdos hammer, bend, and forge their way through the alphabet with the help of viewers. As the narrator says, at first the laborers’ efforts were “awful. Then at last… artful.” Indeed.

7. Somewhere beyond this double, double toil and trouble, Shakespeare must be smiling. With extensive notes and commentary, videos of famed actors performing each of the Bard’s 154 sonnets, a facsimile of the 1609 Quarto, and other noteworthy highlights, THE SONNETS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Touch Press) offers a stunning look at the playwright’s work. Really, who needs a classroom when you can watch and listen to actress Fiona Shaw recite Shakespeare at home?

8. Breathtaking visuals, a concise text, and a narrated tour of some of our nation’s most spectacular natural sites make Michael Collier’s WONDERS OF GEOLOGY (Mikaya Press/Tasa Graphic Arts) a contender for the Eighth Wonder of the World. Close-up views, animated diagrams, and arrows that point to the geographic features under discussion transform basic science concepts into fascinating brain food. Throw in flawless navigation, and this app is a secondary student’s go-to text.

9.Based on a folk song by Gilles Vigneault, SUNDAY IN KYOTO (Les Productions Folle Avoine/The Secret Mountain) tells the story of an ensemble of musicians (who play koto, guitar, piano, shamisen, bouzouki, banjo, and harp) that was organized by one Cajun Joe. Amusing details, subtle animations, a toe-tapping tune, and a few Zen-like moments (including a bronze Buddha that claps and a discreet mouse that emerges for a bow at the performance’s finale) make this performance absolutely irresistible.

10. In FRAGILE EARTH (HarperCollins/Aimer Media), 170 pairs of captioned, before-and-after photos, taken on the ground or by satellite, reveal the often-devastating effects of hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural phenomena on our vulnerable planet—as well as the harmful consequences of urbanization, mining, and global warming. In one horrifying sequence, 15 minutes separate two black-and-white photos taken before and after a violent dust storm engulfed a Kansas town. These and other images are enlightening, and often, alarming.

Each CSLP member state that chooses to participate in the 2013 Teen Video Challenge will organize and carry out their own competition to select their state winner. The winning video from each participating state will be named one of the CSLP 2013 Teen Videos to promote summer reading nationwide.

A prize of $275 will be awarded to the creators of the winning state video, and their public library will receive prizes worth $125 from CSLP and Upstart, a supplier of library promotional materials and reading incentives. Winners will be announced by CSLP in spring 2013. For full details about the contest and to find out how to enter your state’s competition, visit www.cslpreads.org.

CSLP is a grassroots consortium of member states working together to provide children, teens, and families with summer reading programs and promotional materials for public libraries.