Preschool to Grade 4

E-Mail This Link

Enter recipient's e-mail:

Close

Email

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

Share

July 1, 2010

Fiction

AGEE, Jon. Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog. illus. by author. unpaged. Scholastic
Michael di Capua Bks. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-545-16203-6. LC 2009932554.
PreS-Gr 4-Mr. Putney's unusual animal friends become the platform for a guessing game that will nudge children's creative thinking while giving them plenty to laugh about along the way. The opening spread poses the question, "Who wakes Mr. Putney in the morning?" The accompanying illustration depicts an armadillo staring at an alarm clock as the man dozes on. When the page is turned, the creature shouts, "YO!" awakening him and hence fitting the label: "An Alarmadillo." A bevy of other quirky pairings introduces the man's other friends: "Who is snooping on Mr. Putney?" a "Spyena," and "Who is Mr. Putney trying to put on a diet?" an "Oranguton." Clue-packed pictures add to the fun. Agee fills out the spreads with thick-lined, soft-colored, comedic pictures. A great choice for fans of punnery and where other of Agee's books are popular.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

AGELL, Charlotte. The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister. illus. by author. 160p. Holt
Christy Ottaviano Bks. July 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8902-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5-India McAllister hopes that fourth grade brings her plenty of fun and adventures in her small town in Maine. She camps out and looks for UFOs with her friend Colby, tries to catch her father's new bird that gets loose in the house, and takes walks into the woods with her dog. India is also navigating a number of personal issues, including her parents' divorce, confusing feelings for her father's implied boyfriend, embarrassment over a plaster breast that hangs in the living room as a reminder that her mother survived breast cancer, and the fact that she was adopted from China. Though there is plenty of action to keep readers interested, there's too much going on and most of the child's situations feel unresolved. India jumps around from topic to topic with no clear transition. Spot art th0roughout the book adds emphasis to the story. -Charlotte M. Johnston, Dorchester County Library, Summerville, SC

ALDA, Arlene. Lulu's Piano Lesson. illus. by Lisa Desimini. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. Aug. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-930-6. LC 2009938087.
K-Gr 3-Readers meet Lulu as she leaves the home of her piano teacher, Mr. Sharp, after her weekly lesson. They then spend the rest of the week with her, witnessing each day's excuse to not practice "Old MacDonald." On Monday, she'd rather soar on squeaking swings; on Tuesday and Wednesday, she rides her bike and plays in the branches of an apple tree; on rainy Thursday, she stays indoors and plays with stuffed animals. By the time Friday arrives, Lulu hasn't practiced at all and dreads her lesson. She admits her lapse to Mr. Sharp and he asks her to describe all the things she did instead. She describes the sounds associated with the fun times and soon she is singing about her week to the tune of "Old MacDonald." Relaxed, she sits down at the piano, plays her lesson, and makes up new words to the familiar song. Lulu dances all the way home, imagining an orchestra playing her song. Many readers will identify with the young protagonist who, despite good intentions, fails to find time to practice her music. The adults in Lulu's life are sympathetic and do not force the issue. Alda's text is nicely paced, and Desimini's cheery and inviting, jewel-toned, mixed-media collages provide a playful, active accompaniment. Young musicians, parents, and teachers will appreciate this compassionate book about the connections between practice and play.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

BAEHR, Patricia. Boo Cow. illus. by Margot Apple. unpaged. CIP. Charlesbridge. July 2010. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-108-0. LC 2008025333.
K-Gr 2-Mr. and Mrs. Noodleman purchase 552 hens with the idea of selling eggs, but the chickens don't lay any. A neighbor tells Mr. Noodleman that a ghostly cow is haunting the coop and frightening the hens. That night, the Noodlemans hear stomping and clanging noises coming from the henhouse. It's Boo Cow! After several similar nights, Mrs. Noodleman takes four chickens into the house and settles them on the foot of the bed, hoping for enough eggs for breakfast. That night Boo Cow enters the bedroom and frightens everyone. Mrs. Noodleman shoos her away, and the four chickens produce some eggs. Still no eggs appear in the henhouse. Finally, the farmers move their own bed out to the coop, where they discover the real thief. The lead and pastel pencil illustrations are soft and dreamy, and perfect for a ghost story. All of the faces, human, chicken, and ghost, are expressive. However, there are too many unanswered questions, such as why the ghost cow is there, leaving parents with a lot of explaining to do.-Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

BARNETT, Mac. Oh No!: (Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World). illus. by Dan Santat. unpaged. Hyperion
Disney. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2312-5. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-This graphic novel in picture-book form will appeal to the "Captain Underpants" set. A young girl builds a robot for the science fair, but things get crazy when it goes on a rampage through the city. That's when she realizes that she forgot to give it any skills that would allow it to understand her commands to stop. She creates a giant toad monster to fight the robot-but the toad has its own problems. Santat's Photoshop illustrations propel the story far more than the text, and the dialogue balloons, dramatic perspectives, and graphic style bring a true comic-book sensibility to this funny story that's loaded with child appeal.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

BARRY, Frances. Let's Save the Animals: A Flip-the-Flap Book. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4501-4. LC 2009022117.
PreS-Gr 1-Each spread highlights an endangered animal, such as the Amur tiger and giant panda. A flap in the middle of the spread, when flipped, reveals the same animal in a different pose. The concept worked well in Duckie's Rainbow (2004) and Duckie's Ducklings (2005, both Candlewick) because the flipping of the page enhanced the visualization of what Barry was trying to show: for example, actually creating a rainbow. The flaps do not work that way here; they merely provide a novel way of presenting the material. Nevertheless, this book will appeal to children as the collage illustrations are attractive. There are also two levels of information: simple sentences make up the core of the text-"I'd save the orangutan, stretching from branch to branch"-and incidental facts about the dangers facing each animal are written at a higher level and set in small type. This book could be used in a classroom setting to discuss endangered animals with young children, but it lacks the flair of the "Duckie" titles.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Beaty, Andrea. Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies. illus. by Dan Santat. 184p. CIP. Abrams
Amulet. 2010. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-8416-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5-Far, far away in the Starburst galaxy ("just beyond the Milky Way but not as far as the Peanut Cluster"), a flaming meteor smashes the marshmallow Planet of the Fluffs into sticky goo. Faced with planetary meltdown, Fierce, Large, Ugly, and Ferocious Furballs hop a salvaged rocket ship and head for Earth, seeking a fresh source of sugary energy. Meanwhile, Earth twins Joules and Kevin arrive at Camp Whatsitooya. The boys are horror-film fans, and they quickly find that the camp has all the hallmarks of a fright-night flick. There are odd noises and unearthly creatures-and a smashed spaceship out in the woods. Even worse, the counselors all seem to be turning into zombies. The kids discover that the Fluffs have taken over and plan to reduce the campers' brains to quivering sweet mush-perfect food for the invaders. Can Joules and Kevin find a way to defeat the killer space bunnies or will the fuzzy fiends get them first? The off-the-wall plot bounces from crisis to crisis as the twins use their movie expertise to predict the next emergency. The rather acerbic narrator frequently "breaks page" to address readers with asides, directions, and even mock commercials. Black-and-white cartoons-some in multipanel-comic form-and a lot of in-text graphic sound words add to the wacky fun. Similar in tone to Jon Sciezka's "Time Warp Trio" series (Viking), but for a slightly older audience, this title should have special appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

BIRDSALL, Jeanne. Flora's Very Windy Day. illus. by Matt Phelan. unpaged. CIP. Clarion. Aug. 2010. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-98676-7. LC 2008056061.
K-Gr 2-When Flora's younger brother spills her paints, their mother orders them both outside even though the autumn wind is strong and might blow them away. Luckily Flora wears her "super-special, heavy-duty red boots," but Crispin's purple boots are ordinary. When the triple-strength wind lifts him up into the air, Flora kicks off her boots and sails up in the sky to retrieve him. A dragonfly, a sparrow, a rainbow, an eagle, and a cloud all ask to keep Crispin, but she says, "He's my brother and I'm taking him home." Each one replies with the cryptic phrase, "If the wind lets you." The lonely man in the moon and the wind also ask for the child, but Flora is determined. Accepting her change of heart, the wind blows them down to earth. Birdsall's first picture book is a flight of fancy reconciling a sister to her innocently irritating little brother. Phelan uses ink, watercolor, and pastels for their airy adventure, tossing and tumbling them through a series of encounters that reveal Flora's changing feelings. This gem of a book will resonate with older siblings everywhere.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

BLEXBOLEX. Seasons. tr. from French by Claudia Bedrick. illus. by author. unpaged. Enchanted Lion. 2010. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-59270-095-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-At first glance, this work may appear to be a simple concept book. Four spreads depict the same landscape during each season. Then Blexbolex turns to images of objects, activities, and concepts that remind readers of life's everyday and unusual occurrences as days and months pass. Above each image is a one- or two-word caption printed in block capitals. Sometimes the relationships between illustrations are straightforward, as when "cocoon" appears opposite "butterfly." Other times, turning the page results in contrast or continuity. For example, a scene recalling Manet's painting of people on a "picnic" is followed by "debris" left after their departure. Still other connections occur pages apart as characters or objects reappear. The red-and-white house from the initial landscapes can be spotted in several places, sometimes in perilous circumstances such as "flood" or "tornado," but also during snowy "silence." The stunning artwork demonstrates Blexbolex's mastery of printmaking. From preschoolers identifying familiar objects to adults pondering visual representations of ideas such as "late bloomer," attentive readers will find new connections with each perusal. A book to savor.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

BOWE, Julie. My Best Frenemy. 234p. (Friends for Keeps Series). CIP. Dial. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3501-9. LC 2009025099.
Gr 3-5-Fourth-grader Ida May is precariously poised between wanting to be herself-an artist who follows the rules and loves her sock monkey-and wanting to be accepted by her more sophisticated peers who are into makeup and fashion. Then, a game of truth or dare causes her best friend to turn against her, and everything changes. It falls to frenemy Jenna to remind her that standing up for yourself is braver than going along with the crowd. Like Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams), My Best Frenemy emphasizes the conflict between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to earn popularity. Written in descriptive language ("Her words were covered in prickles") that sets the scene and gives readers insight into Ida's confusion and growth, the story is realistic and well told.-Wendy E. Dunn, Fort Worth Public Library, TX

BRAUN, Sebastien. Meeow and the Pots and Pans. illus. by author. unpaged. Boxer Bks., dist. by Sterling. 2010. PLB $12.95. ISBN 978-1-907152-35-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-The star of Meeow and the Big Box and Meeow and the Little Chairs (both Boxer Bks., 2009) returns. In this installment, Meeow and his four perky animal pals browse through a cupboard of pots, pans, and cooking utensils, and each one removes an item. With a wooden spoon, frying pan, fork, mixing bowls, lids, and measuring cups, the playmates form a band. This story reads aloud well. A few vocabulary words for colors are integrated into the text. Helvetica typeface is clear, large, and bold. At times the text is printed opposite the artwork against a solid background; more often it appears with the illustrations. Created from hand-painted line shapes that were digitized, assembled, and colored, the bouncy artwork rests upon pastel blue-and-white checkerboard patterned backgrounds. The last spread portrays Meeow and company in band uniforms playing traditional, rather than homemade, musical instruments. After hearing this story, children will want to experiment with kitchen wares to create their own music. Purchase if the earlier "Meeow" books are popular.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

BRENNAN, Eileen. Dirtball Pete. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Random. Aug. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83425-7; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93425-4. LC 2006022433.
K-Gr 3-Dirtball Pete is a nice kid who can't help getting messy and stinky. When it's time for him to perform in THE FIFTY STATES AND WHY THEY'RE GREAT! day at school, his mom scrubs him down, dresses him up, and tells him to make her proud. Inevitably, Pete gets filthy while chasing down his blown-away notes, but his confident performance in the show makes his mom proud anyway. This is a pleasant little lesson in not judging a book by its cover, with the didacticism mostly offset by the quirky storytelling and illustrations. The almost-adult humor is layered into the chipper text, with lines like "no one can tell the wind what to do-not a kite, not a sailboat, not a businessman's toupee." The cartoon illustrations look like the Peanuts gang on caffeine: short children with large heads, but with a more kinetic energy than the work of Charles Schulz (Pete's similarity to Pigpen enhances this impression). The message is timeless, the setting modern, with Pete's multicultural class and the parents snapping photos with their phones. One old-fashioned element of the story may bother safety-conscious adults: due to his bulky Pennsylvania costume, Pete rides loose in the back of the station wagon. This story would be useful to support character-education topics like respect, judging others, self-esteem, and so on.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

BROWN, Alan James. Love-a-Duck. illus. by Francesca Chessa. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2263-0. LC 2009029940.
PreS-Gr 1-Jane loves her yellow plastic duck. When he falls off his perch and out the window into her brother's carriage, nobody notices. The next few hours hold sometimes-scary adventures for the bath toy-a romp through the park in the family dog's mouth, a swim with real ducks in the pond, getting splashed with mud, and being pushed around by a fish. Though poor Love-a-Duck has attempted all day to squeak at the other animals like any self-respecting rubber ducky should, he's unable to manage it. After his return to the tub, via the same dog, the contented toy is finally able to "Squeak, squeak!" Cheerful, bright illustrations help relate this humorous escapade. Call-and-response portions of the book will engage young listeners, who will laugh at the duck's attempts to get his voice just right.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

CARLSON, Nancy. Henry and the Bully. illus. by author. unpaged. Viking. July 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01148-3. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-When second-grader Sam, a poodle, begins to harass first-grader Henry and his friends, the young mouse does the right thing and tells his teacher. However, Sam continues to bully Henry at recess, and he feels sick with worry. Despite underwhelming adult involvement, Henry finds a creative way to stand up to his nemesis and they even become friends. The colorful cartoon illustrations are full of action and memorable facial expressions. This installment of Henry's adventures shows kids how to use their own ingenuity to solve a common problem.-Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

CATROW, David. Funny Lunch. illus. by author. unpaged. (Max Spaniel Series). Scholastic
Orchard. 2010. RTE $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-05747-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-This second installment in the early-reader series is laugh-out-loud silly. Max comes from a long line of chefs and embraces the role at the diner where he works with his feline pal. He pushes the special of the day, pizza pie, but has no takers. When chili is ordered, Max delivers a scarf; a hot-dog order is filled with a panting dog and a fan. Finally a busload of people order 100 pizzas with everything to go, and the chef is unable to deliver. Dog and cat hop on a tandem bike and head to the local pizza shop, returning loaded with steaming hot pies. In the end, the customers leave happy and the two friends can finally sit down for a satisfying and well-deserved lunch break. Catrow's watercolor illustrations are exuberant and clever, full of humorous details that kids will love to discover. The typeface and sentence lengths suggest a low-level early reader, but the absence of clear picture clues makes this best for shared reading practice.-Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

CHACONAS, Dori. Don't Slam the Door! illus. by Will Hillenbrand. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Aug. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3709-5. LC 2009015254.
PreS-Gr 2-In this rhyming story, Chaconas brings the domino effect to the farm. When a dog causes a screen door to slam and wake the cat, there's no end to the havoc. The cat puts knots in Ma's knitting yarn, resulting in painful lumpy socks that cause Dad to bump into a beehive, and so on: you get the picture. By the end of the story the cows are back in the barn, the feathers back in the pillow, and the pig-tailed narrator is exhausted from trying to keep order in her little world. The author's bouncy couplets are rhythmically consistent-all the better for reading aloud. Hillenbrand's mixed-media illustrations with characteristic domestic details and expressive faces on both animal and human figures are a spot-on match to the narrative. More than just silly fun at home or at storytime, this title would be useful for teaching cause and effect and prediction.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

CLARKE, Jane. Trumpet: The Little Elephant with a Big Temper. illus. by Charles Fuge. unpaged. S & S. 2010. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-0482-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K-Trumpet is learning how to deal with frustration. His mother and sister help him to calm down by counting to 10 before he loses his temper. He comes dangerously close to ruining his birthday party, but he manages a triumph of self-control. When an accident destroys the cake that took his mother ages to make, it's the little elephant's turn to help her deal with the situation. Fuge's winsome watercolors capture the characters' expressions and bring the story to life. Charmingly told and perfectly paced, this satisfying tale is an excellent reminder that children aren't the only ones who need to learn to control their tempers.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

CUYLER, Margery. Guinea Pigs Add Up. illus. by Tracey Campbell Pearson. unpaged. CIP. Walker. July 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-9795-7; RTE $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-9796-4. LC 2009028788.
PreS-Gr 1-A cheerful classroom of primary-grade students is delighted when their teacher announces the imminent arrival of a class pet. Soon a guinea pig takes up residence, but the children sense its loneliness and beg for a guinea-pig playmate. She arrives, "and two weeks later in the cage,
one pig gives birth to three." Very quickly there are 20 pets, and, as they threaten to overrun the classroom, Mr. Gilbert scrambles to find them homes with the children's families. The class wall charts illustrating the math involved in the furry family's growth now cover subtraction as the creatures are successfully farmed out. Mr. Gilbert's class-pet replacement-"a rabbit sweet as honey"-is happily welcomed, until "he" turns out to be an expectant she. A lively, rhyming text engagingly relates the story of these multiplying creatures, while the watercolor, pen-and-ink, and acrylic-gouache illustrations comically depict the mayhem resulting from overpopulation. Sweetly humorous touches abound in the illustrative details and extend the story line. This rhythmic tale of ever-popular pets will work well as a read-aloud or with newly independent readers.-Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

DEGMAN, Lori. 1 Zany Zoo. illus. by Colin Jack. unpaged. CIP. S & S. July 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8990-5. LC 2009003776.
K-Gr 1-By sneaking into the zoo before it opens, a young boy witnesses "1 fearless fox" stealing the zookeeper's keys. Whimsical mayhem ensues as animals are freed from their cages. Hippos play musical chairs, beavers cook up chili for lunch, and leopards trade in their round spots for squares and triangles. All returns to normal, however, with one loud shout from the zookeeper, and the young boy is deposited back outside to wait in line. Degman's giggle-inducing rhymes move this read-aloud story along: "2 sporty zebras in goggles and flippers were snipping the walrus's whiskers with clippers./One did the combing, the other the trimming./They swept up the clippings, then all four went swimming." Kids will enjoy hearing the catchy rhymes read multiple times. Digital cartoon images, made to appear like hand-drawn ink sketches, capture the swift movement and playful mood. Overall, this a fun romp through the zoo.-Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

DODD, Emma. I Don't Want a Cool Cat! illus. by author. unpaged. Little, Brown. Aug. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-316-03674-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-Cats may have a reputation for being finicky, but there's not a feline in this book that's as fussy as the little girl telling the story, a companion to I Don't Want a Posh Dog! (Little, Brown, 2009). In fluid rhyming text she turns down a cool cat, a stuffy cat, a greedy cat, and a prize cat. The cat she wants has one important feature-it's a cat she can call her own. Pedigree and distinction cannot measure up to affection, and the one she chooses is just what anyone would want. There is no shortage of charm or humor in this book, exhibited by the artwork. Dodd uses solid colors and heavy outlines to distinguish figures against pastel-colored pages devoid of all background. The illustrations are all on spreads that make full use of the oversize space, even when they hardly take up any of it, as in the case of the "slinky, dinky, twinky cat," whose inability to fill a page personifies its inability to meet the girl's desires. Playful and jubilant, this book for cat connoisseurs will work well as a read-a-loud and for emerging readers who like to have fun with sounds and words.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

DRAPER, Sharon M. The Silver Secret. Bk. 3. 126p. (Sassy Series). Scholastic. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-545-07153-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5-Inside her trademark "Sassy Sack," spunky and diminutive Sassy keeps everything anyone could possibly use, from batteries to silver nail polish. However, her bag also contains one very big Silver Secret. The fourth grader wants nothing more than to participate in her school choir's musical and wear one of the shimmery purple dresses the performers wear. Unfortunately, she can't carry a tune, and she is initially disappointed with her role of stage manager. As Sassy directs and organizes the participants, though, she realizes that her strengths are needed and appreciated even if she is behind the curtain. When a fire breaks out in the auditorium, the treasured Sassy Sack goes missing and along with it, her Silver Secret-a piccolo given to her by her grandmother. As the story unfolds, Sassy learns that everyone has an area in which they shine, and she becomes skilled in bringing that out in others and in herself. Reluctant readers and those looking for quick, fun chapter books will find the African-American child appealing. This story has some sparkle, but isn't a true gem.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

ELKIN, Mark. Samuel's Baby. illus. by Amy Wummer. unpaged. CIP. Tricycle. July 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-301-8. LC 2009007548.
PreS-Gr 2-A standout original title among new-baby picture books. During show-and-tell in kindergarten class, soon-to-be big brother Samuel blurts out, "I'm having a baby!" Samuel's friend Marcel says he's having a baby, too. Soon, Carolee and Sophie are having twins and triplets. By the end of the week, all of the students' shirts are bulging with dolls, puppies, dinosaurs, and even a truck. Samuel is a little worried about stinky diapers and broken toys, but demonstrating the proper diapering and cradling techniques to his classmates helps calm his nerves. Following a week of spring break, Samuel brings his new sister to class, rocking her to sleep as the other kids follow suit with their own bundles of joy. Elkin makes great use of humor and dialogue in the classroom. "‘I'm not having a baby,' said Terri....‘I'm having a puppy.'" Wummer's pencil and watercolor illustrations effectively utilize facial expressions to communicate voice and personality. A multiethnic group of children and an African-American teacher make this title perfect for today's diverse classrooms. By briefly mentioning common sibling worries and complaints within the narrative, Elkin opens the door to discussing these topics without losing the humorous atmosphere. Soon-to-be older siblings will giggle at "baby" dump trucks, but will also find comfort in Samuel's eventual conclusion that his baby is "perfect."-Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

EVES, Sue. The Quiet Woman and the Noisy Dog. illus. by Ailie Busby. unpaged. Andersen, dist. by IPG. July 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-84270-939-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-A quiet woman and her noisy dog live in a quiet house in a noisy town. On the other side of town, a noisy woman lives with her quiet dog. The two women run into one another at the park, where their pups play together. The dogs get mixed up, and each woman ends up at home with the wrong one. "The quiet woman gave her muddy dog a bath.
It was the quiet dog and not her dog at all!" When the pets realize what happened, they switch behaviors because they miss their homes. After a dog swap, everyone is happy. "Woof! Woof! Yap! Yap!" The size of the type varies appropriately with the oft-repeated words "noisy" and "quiet," making it easier for youngsters to decipher them. The watercolor cartoonlike illustrations in bright pastels add to the charm of this simple story. Children will enjoy this onomatopoeic but quiet adventure.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

FEARNLEY, Jan. The Baby Dragon-Tamer. illus. by author. unpaged. Egmont USA. 2010. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4052-4336-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-A big dragon meets his match when he tries to frighten a playful baby in this not-so-scary picture book. The bad-tempered creature snorts silver sparks, puffs fire, and farts purple smoke as he attempts to intimidate the child into handing over his treasure. Baby responds by gurgling, burping, and pooping, which the flustered dragon discovers "certainly isn't treasure." In fact, it is the baby who tames the dragon by crying until the monster plays with him and cradles him like a precious jewel. Cheerful watercolor pastels make the beast look friendly in spite of all his bluster. Stars, swirls, and humorous details in the pictures add to the fun. Preschoolers and children with younger siblings may enjoy this silly romp.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

FENTON, Joe. Boo! illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S. Aug. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7936-4. LC 2009017768.
PreS-Gr 1-A little ghost tries on different disguises, hoping to scare his family. He turns to a book of "Scary Things" for inspiration, but his Frankenstein, Dracula, and Mummy impersonations all fail to elicit screams. Ironically, when he stumbles into a white sheet left on a clothesline, he finally gets his desired response. Aside from the ghost's determined shouts of "BOOO!," few words appear. The story cinematically comes to life through Fenton's detailed oil paintings. The not-so-scary goblins have enormous round heads with pinprick eyes and small wispy bodies that seem to float against the velvety black backgrounds. The striking design also features a glow-in-the-dark cover. Spooky fun.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

FLEMING, Candace. Clever Jack Takes the Cake. illus. by G. Brian Karas. unpaged. CIP. Random
Schwartz & Wade Bks. Aug. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84979-4; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95697-3. LC 2009030030.
K-Gr 3-A poor boy named Jack who helps a princess is a familiar trope in folklore. In this original tale, Jack accidentally receives an invitation to the princess's birthday party. He resourcefully gathers ingredients and bakes a wonderful cake. On his way to the castle, the cake is slowly demolished by crows, a troll, a spooky forest, a dancing bear, and even a palace guard, until the only present Jack has to offer the princess is the story of the cake's demise. Of course, this gift pleases her much more than the boring rubies and tiaras brought by richer guests, and she declares that her new friend will have the honor of cutting the royal cake. This entertaining adventure is packed with action. Karas's scratchy gouache and pencil cartoon illustrations are as detail-rich as the text itself. From the sly bear to the bored princess, the expressions are priceless. The endpapers provide context not included in the text: a party invitation blowing from the messenger's bag and under Jack's door at the beginning, and Jack regaling a fascinated princess with more tales at the end. A solid choice for most collections, and a good storytime choice, despite the smallish illustrations.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

FLEMING, Denise. Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8126-8. LC 2009006151.
PreS-Fleming's pulp papermaking technique, with its soft edges, warm colors, and highly textured look, gives this book just the right tone. The repetition of "sleepy, oh so sleepy" pairs well with the repeated question, "Where's my sleepy baby?" as various animals are introduced. From the familiar panda and penguin to the lesser-known anteater and orangutan, the many creatures are depicted in their natural environments. The final spread features a tiny human baby, which, for any child still awake after this soothing read, will be a pleasing sight.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

FRAZEE, Marla. The Boss Baby. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S
Beach Lane Bks. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0167-9. LC 2009021991.
PreS-Gr 2-Boss Baby is here and he's just as capricious and demanding as any corporate CEO. From midnight meetings to made-to-order drinks, this little tyrant keeps his staff of two on the run until they finally pass out from exhaustion and fail to respond to his calls. He resorts to some out-of-the-box thinking and discovers two magic words that quickly bring Mom and Dad back to attention. Frazee's '50s-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations set the tone, beginning with the cover image, where Boss Baby appears stern-faced in his suit-and-tie onesie beside a smiley-face rattle that has clearly failed to amuse. The author again proves her storytelling chops and her artistic genius in this tongue-in-cheek tale in which text and image overlap seamlessly to deliver a perfectly timed punch line. Parents and older siblings will best appreciate both the visual humor and the new-baby blues presented here. Offer this read-aloud to families experiencing their own infantile corporate takeover.-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

GORBACHEV, Valeri. What's the Big Idea, Molly? illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25428-4. LC 2009032337.
PreS-Gr 2-Molly Mouse has writer's block. She loves words, but none seem to come. She and her friends are trying to come up with the perfect gift for Turtle's birthday. Rabbit, Goose, Frog, and Pig all decide to draw a picture for him, and they all go off to where they do their best thinking. Molly sits on the porch, thinking. When each one returns with a picture of a tree, Molly comes up with a great idea. Together they create a book about the seasons, complete with Molly's new poem. Children will love this sweet story of friendship in which very different individuals are genuine in their efforts to please one another and work out problems with smiles and cooperation. Gorbachev's familiar watercolor, ink, and gouache illustrations fill the spreads with soft, gentle artwork and priceless animal expressions and body language. Pig wears a pink frock, Goose favors a yellow and gray striped shirt, and Mouse is charming in red. A great idea for one-on-one sharing or a read-aloud.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

GREENE, Stephanie. Happy Birthday, Sophie Hartley. 128p. CIP. Clarion. 2010. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-547-25128-8. LC 2009023346.
Gr 3-5-Sophie Hartley is about to reach her all-important double-digit birthday. When she decides she wants a baby gorilla for her present, she researches how to care for it and starts planning and plotting. When her busy parents pay more attention to her brother getting a car for his 16th birthday, and her 13-year-old sister moving into her own room, Sophie's yearning for attention snowballs. With her birthday looming on the horizon, she tells friends and classmates that she is getting a gorilla and then is backed into a corner, needing to produce one or be branded a liar. Readers with siblings are sure to identify with Sophie and her siblings bickering and jockeying for attention. This title stands alone but will be celebrated by those following the protagonist's earlier trials and tribulations. Fans of Clementine, Judy Moody, and Ramona will also want to unwrap this gem of a story and savor the delicious conclusion.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

GUIDONE, Thea. Drum City. illus. by Vanessa Newton. unpaged. Tricycle. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-308-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-The creation of Drum City starts in the yard of one small boy beating on a large pot with a whisk and spoon. Other children quickly arrive, carrying a variety of items that converge into a "frolicking, rollicking ruckus of rumbling drums." As the band marches down the street, adults perk up their ears to listen. Soon young and old join the rhythmic parade that celebrates the multiethnic connections of people making music together. Newton's exuberant cartoonlike Photoshop illustrations capture the faces and movements of the participants. Guidone's jaunty text needs to be read aloud, although advance practice is recommended to master the tongue twisting required in some sections. Expect listeners to clamor for drums of their own.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

HÄCHLER, Bruno. I Am Who I Am. illus. by Iris Wolfermann. unpaged. NorthSouth. July 2010. BD $8.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-2299-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Four children explore their differences and preferences: "Am I thin? Or am I fat?
Am I a dog? Am I a cat?" On each page, two of the youngsters enact the rhyming couplets. They address physical appearance, emotional state, and various activities for play, "Shall I sing sweet like a bird/or be silent, not speak a word...." Ultimately, the message is a celebration of individuality. Short sentences make this board book appropriate for the very young, and the colorful cartoonlike illustrations are attractive. Unfortunately, the text at times feels stilted, making this title a supplemental purchase.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

HAYES, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in the Toy Breaker. illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Toon Bks. 2010. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-935179-07-8. LC 2009038066.
PreS-Gr 3-At last, Penny and Benny have a reason to get along. Cousin Bo has just arrived on the scene, which means that all of their toys are in imminent danger of being destroyed by their full-speed-ahead relative. They unite in an effort to hide or bury as many things as they can before he descends. Especially at risk is Benny's treasure map that leads to backyard "loot." Bo quickly discovers it and leads the two on a chase as he plays keep-away with it. When he engages in a tug-of-war over Penny's beloved monkey doll, a leg gets ripped off and Benny yells at him for his inability to "Play nice." Bo runs away in anger, but gets caught in a fence and can't free himself. By the end, all has been forgiven. Even Bo redeems himself when he presents Monkey with a get-well card. The cartoon expressions on the characters are priceless and easily "read" by nonreaders. Children will pore over the appealing illustrations and enjoy checking out the interactive website that is dedicated to the Toon characters.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

HEIDE, Florence Parry & Roxanne Heide Pierce. Always Listen to Your Mother. illus. by Kyle M. Stone. unpaged. Hyperion
Disney. Aug. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1395-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-Ernest, the milquetoast protagonist of this quirky tale, is a perfectly obedient son. He cleans, follows the rules, and never has fun-until new neighbors move in next door. Curiously reminiscent of the Munsters, Vlapid and his mother have a different idea of the work it takes to make a house a home. Zany antics like swinging from the chandelier in a red cape made from the drapes ensue, cementing the boys' friendship. Stone's mixed-media illustrations are slightly creepy, especially the characters' faces. However, children will love the details and Vlapid and Ernest's wild antics, which are depicted through a combination of well-placed text and jaunty lines. The juxtaposition of orderly equals boring and chaos equals amusement might irk some adults, but children will delight in a house in which there are no rules. Pair this joyful read-aloud with David Shannon's No, David! (Scholastic, 1998) for a laughter-filled, visual feast of children behaving badly.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

HENDRA, Sue. Barry, the Fish with Fingers. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Knopf
Borzoi. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85894-9; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95894-6. LC 2009009888.
K-Gr 2-Slug enjoys lying on the ocean floor observing the different fish as they swim by. He takes note of their diverse sizes, shapes, and colors and figures he has seen everything-until Barry arrives. Barry has fingers at the ends of his fins. He claims that his new appendages are "the answer to every fish's problem." The problem, it turns out, is boredom. Barry demonstrates all of the wonderful things he can do with his fingers, such as count, knit, type, paint, and play the piano. He even saves the others' lives when he points out a heavy object that is plummeting to the sea floor, and they can scatter before it lands on them. The box, it turns out, is filled with Pirate Jack's Tasty Fish Sticks, which enable the other fish to obtain fingers like Barry's. The book's pages are filled with bright, cartoonish, gouache illustrations. Children who enjoyed Marcus Pfister's "Rainbow Fish" books (NorthSouth) will enjoy Barry.-Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

HILLS, Tad. How Rocket Learned to Read. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Random
Schwartz & Wade Bks. July 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85899-4; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95899-1. LC 2008051015.
PreS-Gr 2-An endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He also loves napping under his favorite tree. Then his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student. Rocket wants no part of her lessons, but the bird is determined to teach him to read. She returns each day, hangs an alphabet banner from the trees, and gushes, "Ah, the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet." Then she begins to read a story, stopping at an enticing part. Overcome by curiosity to hear more, Rocket eventually enters into the bird's lessons, and the two have a grand time using the "mighty, gorgeous alphabet" to spell out all the things in Rocket's world. The bird leaves as winter approaches, but Rocket continues practicing, spelling everything in sight. And when Bird returns the following spring, a tail-wagging, eager-to-read student greets her with joy. The illustrations, rendered in oil and colored pencil, offer full pages, spreads, and oval vignettes. They depict Rocket in all his various moods, from diagonal brows raised in displeasure to delight at his teacher's return. Adults will love the bird's enthusiasm, her use of stories, and her ability to associate lessons with Rocket's everyday life to win over her reluctant pupil. Youngsters will find this addition to Hills's cast of adorable animal characters simply irresistible.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

HOWE, James. Brontorina. illus. by Randy Cecil. unpaged. Candlewick. Aug. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4437-6. LC 2009038052.
PreS-Gr 2-Howe weaves a well-spun tale about acceptance and pursuing one's dream. When Brontorina Apatosaurus appears at the door of Madame Lucille's Dance Academy for Boys and Girls, she faces what could be sure rejection. Young Clara and Jack tug at Madame to accept her, while naysayers jeer at her lack of proper shoes. Finally, Madame admits Brontorina, and humorous scenes show little boys and girls doing arabesques, relevés, and jetés, while enormous Brontorina gracefully crashes into the ceiling. Madame concludes that the new pupil is just too big. Brontorina turns to leave, a dinosaur-size tear falling from her eye. Then the teacher has a realization: "The problem is not that you are too big. The problem is that my studio is too small," and the academy gets relocated and renamed. A quiet fusion of pathos, comedy, and passion is echoed in the painterly, softly textured, muted oil illustrations. The final picture of the orange dinosaur perched like a bird atop a dancing triceratops, silhouetted against the setting sun, is priceless.-Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City

KELLY, Katy. Melonhead and the Big Stink. illus. by Gillian Johnson. 224p. CIP. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73658-9; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-90617-3. LC 2009020078.
Gr 3-6-Rising fifth graders Melonhead and Sam are determined to see the titan arum (corpse flower), a plant that weighs 100 pounds, emits a smell like rotting meat, and only blooms once every seven years. The only problem is that they need to get one of their parents to take them to New York City and they can't seem to stay out of trouble. They form the B.I.G F.A.R.T.S.S., a Boys' Improvement Guide for Acting Responsible Till Stink Sunday, to remind themselves to think before acting. Of course, it's not so easy, and they end up throwing curtain rods out of windows, swimming in public fountains, and destroying an elderly woman's prized plant. As a result, Melonhead's mother makes him work for Mrs. Wilkins. Predictably, she turns out to be quite a bit nicer and more generous than Melonhead originally thought. In the end, they do get to see the bunga bangkai, with Mrs. Wilkins. Some of the characters and their relationships are not fully explained, so familiarity with Melonhead (Delacorte, 2009) helps. Readers will enjoy the humorous adventures of a good-hearted boy who makes bad decisions. The short chapters, frequent dialogue, and pencil drawings generously dispersed throughout make this an accessible read for reluctant readers.-Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

KIPLING, Rudyard. The Boy and His Sled Dog. Bk. 5. ISBN 978-1-4027-6723-4.
----. The Brave Little Seal. Bk. 6. ISBN 978-1-4027-6724-1.
ea vol: adapt. by Diane Namm. illus. by Nathan Hale. 32p. (The Jungle Book Series). Sterling. 2010. pap. $3.95. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-Quiquern, a young Inuit boy, desperately wants to hunt and fish with the older boys. They laugh at him, but his father gives him a sled and a puppy to practice with. With his small, lightweight sled and the spirited dog, he braves a fierce snowstorm, scares away a ferocious wolf, and brings home a fish big enough to feed the entire village. Brave Little Seal features Kotick, a white seal that, with the help and guidance of a seagull, Wise Old Seal, and a sea cow, leads the other seals to safety. While there is no information about Kipling, The Jungle Book, or how these stories connect to the better-known tales of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Mowgli, the short, declarative sentences, simple dialogue, exciting and suspenseful plots, and appropriate typeface and spacing make these adaptations accessible and interesting for beginning readers. Cheerful computer-generated illustrations provide essential clues that will help children to decode difficult words and concepts. The message that with determination, courage, and will, even the "little guy" can triumph is inspiring.-Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

KIRSCH, Vincent X. Two Little Boys from Toolittle Toys. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Bloomsbury. Aug. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-428-3; RTE $17.89. ISBN 978-1-59990-429-0. LC 2009034583.
PreS-Gr 3-The secret to the success of the Toolittle Toy Company is the product testing. Young brothers Rudy and Ridley Toolittle spend their weekends making sure that each toy plays well with children. When the boys arrive at work on a particular Saturday morning, the toys are eagerly waiting to play, but Rudy feels that he might be getting too old for that. He decides instead to take them seriously. He sorts, counts, reads about, and takes them apart until he is surrounded by piles of parts with no idea how to put them back together. In the meantime, Ridley has been following his sibling and hoping to help, but Rudy thinks that his little brother can't be of any use. The Toolittle little brother saves the day, of course, creating a satisfying ending to this delightful tale. With cartoonlike illustrations done in colored pencil, graphite, and watercolor, Kirsch has created a magical world that any child would long to get lost in. A catalog at the end identifies the toys that can be searched for throughout the book.-Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

KRULIK, Nancy. Trouble Magnet. Bk. 2. illus. by Aaron Blecha. 128p. (George Brown, Class Clown Series). Grosset & Dunlap. July 2010. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-448-45368-2. LC 2009042078.
Gr 2-4-George Brown suffers from an unusual malady: burps get him into major trouble. After each enormous belch, the fourth grader loses control of his body and ends up involved in wild antics that his classmates find hilarious but that infuriate adults. New at his school, George tries his hardest to control the burps to avoid being labeled the class clown, but disaster strikes when he's giving an oral report with a friend and again while he's performing with the class bully's band at the school talent show. Krulik has a good feel for the humor that appeals to beginning-chapter-book readers, and Blecha's black-and-white illustrations on nearly every spread expand on the child's zany behavior. Though George hasn't solved his problem by the end of book, he has learned a little about speaking up for himself and making amends for his actions. Give this to fans of Captain Underpants and Horrid Henry.-Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

KURTZ, Jane. Lanie. Bk. 1. 108p. ISBN 978-1-59369-682-5.
----. Lanie's Real Adventures. Bk. 2. 106p. photos. ISBN 978-1-59369-683-2.
ea vol: illus. by Robert Papp. (Lanie Series). Web sites. American Girl. 2010. pap. $6.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5-In the first book, 10-year-old Lanie loves the outdoors, especially when she's exploring wildlife and recording facts in her science journal. She's always done the experiments with her friend, but now Dakota is in an Indonesian rainforest for six months, having real scientific adventures. Feeling envious, Lanie takes advantage of an unexpected visit by her outdoorsy aunt to convince her "indoor genes" family to go camping. She's turned down, however, because of her younger sister's fear of bugs, her older sister's compulsion to become a concert cellist, and her parents' fear of repeating previous camping disasters. In Real Adventures, life is looking up. Lanie gets to go on the camping trip, her garden is starting to bloom and attract butterflies, and Dakota should be home soon. Problems arise, however, when a neighbor doesn't use environmentally friendly gardening methods. Lanie is worried that the pesticides will hurt the butterflies and she comes up with alternate pest-control methods and implements them herself. Kurtz's characters are well developed, and the situations the protagonist faces are realistic. Colorful illustrations in various media depict the characters and Lanie's science-journal entries. Interesting animal facts add dimension without overpowering the stories, and closing nonfiction sections answer environmental questions (Lanie) and provide stories of child environmentalists (Real Adventures). Fans of "American Girl" novels, realistic fiction, science, and adventure will enjoy these books.-Kira Moody, Hunter Public Library, West Valley City, UT

LAFEVERS, R. L. The Basilisk's Lair. Bk. 2. illus. by Kelly Murphy. 142p. (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist). CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-547-23867-8. LC 2009049705.
Gr 3-5-Nate Fludd, budding beastologist, is back in an adventure even greater than his first. His Aunt Phil receives a telegram that a basilisk has escaped from the village of Bamako. The natives need her help, and soon Nate is racing on a camel, flying across the Sahara, and warding off crocodiles from a boat. Aunt Phil has two friendly weasels willing to do battle with the basilisk, and Nate's troublemaking pet, Greasle, accompanies him every step of the way. The basilisk is terrifying, with it's deadly venom and scales, and Nate musters all his courage to fight it and continues to wonder who freed the beast and what happened to his parents, who disappeared in Flight of the Phoenix (Houghton, 2009). Children who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by the sequel, and those new to the series can easily pick up the story line. The action is nonstop, and the elements of fantasy, mystery, and humor will appeal to a wide audience. Murphy's spot art and occasional full-page drawings carry the action along nicely.-Jane Cronkhite, Santa Clara County Library, CA

LAW, Felicia & Steve Way. Crocodile Teeth: Geometric Shapes in Action. ISBN 978-1-60754-816-4. LC 2009040149.
----. The Mystery of Nine: Number and Place Value in Action. ISBN 978-1-60754-819-5. LC 2009040157.
----. A Storm at Sea: Sorting, Mapping, and Grids in Action. ISBN 978-1-60754-815-7. LC 2009040148.
ea vol: illus. by Mike Spoor & David Mostyn. 32p. (Mandrill Mountain Math Mysteries Series). glossary. index. CIP. Windmill. 2010. PLB $22.80.
Gr 3-5-The implausible opening scenarios in these titles describe how monkeys-a howler, a bushbaby, a gibbon, a chimp, a macaque, a ringtail monkey, a slow loris, and a chacma-were crated together on a ship, lost at sea, and then washed up on an island. After that, each story stands alone. In Crocodile Teeth, the animals decode symbols and follow a trail of signs that Bushbaby saw in a dream. In Mystery of Nine, the characters learn to count so that they can divide their food equitably. Storm at Sea briefly retells the story of Robinson Crusoe. Through illustrations of the environment and descriptions of monkey characteristics and behaviors, some semblance of reality is created and some information is imparted. Most of the comic-book-style illustrations depict two monkeys talking to one another. Additional text beyond the dialogue bubbles is heaped onto the pages in asides that explain the action. The stories are long-winded, with writing that falls short and math concepts that are not developed.-Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

LEE, Suzy. Mirror. illus. by author. unpaged. Seven Footer. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-934734-39-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5-This dynamically illustrated, wordless book from the author of Wave (Chronicle, 2008) creates a very different mood. A small girl sits in the corner of a spread, her isolation and loneliness underscored by her head-down, hunkered-over posture as well as the austere palette (soft black and gray lines with a touch yellow for her dress) and stark white backdrop. Her mood, conveyed through her facial expression and body language, changes to surprise when she catches sight of her likeness in a mirror (represented by the book's gutter), and eventually transforms into playful exuberance as she makes faces at and dances with her reflected double. The colors warm with splashes of pumpkin orange and pale yellow as the girl and her symmetrical image gradually move closer together and ultimately blend into one. A blank spread provides a narrative beat, and when the action resumes, the child's reflection no longer parallels her movements, taking on a life of its own. Enraged, the protagonist seems to push at the mirror, which shatters to pieces, leaving her alone again and echoing the book's beginning. Lee's illustrations cut to the core to express deep-seated feelings, whether joyful or angry, and will evoke a strong response from readers. Kids will impatiently shuffle back and forth through the pages, trying to understand the happenings and fathom the mysteries of emotion and imagination, making this disquieting book a compelling discussion-starter. -Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

LERCH. Swim! Swim! illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic. July 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-09419-1. LC 2009020520.
PreS-Gr 1-Lerch, a goldfish wearing a red hat, tells of his isolated, solitary life. He talks in speech bubbles, reminding himself to "Swim. Swim," just to fill the quiet void. He asks the pebbles at the bottom of his aquarium if they will be his friends. No answer. So he attempts to start a conversation with a small underwater diver and with the bubbles from the aerator, to no avail. When a cat plucks Lerch from his watery home and calls him "Lunch," it appears to be the end for our finned friend, but the end turns into a beautiful beginning. Large, childlike illustrations done in ink and Photoshop, with everything outlined in thick black lines, have aqua, purple, and blue backgrounds. The large font and few words make this simple story of friendship accessible to early readers. As author and illustrator, "Lerch" is a pseudonym for James Proimos.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

LIN, Grace. Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! illus. by author. 44p. CIP. Little, Brown. July 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-316-02452-5. LC 2009028701.
K-Gr 2-Lin brings her talents to these charming stories about Chinese-American twins who like to stick together but are not as alike as everyone thinks. The six short chapters are the perfect length for beginning readers. In the first story, the girls get haircuts. Ting "moves her legs and her fingers. Ting can never sit still." When her snipped hair falls on her nose, she sneezes and the barber cuts a little too much off her bangs. The simple illustrations follow this mishap throughout the book, making the sisters easily identifiable. In the other vignettes, Ling and Ting make very different dumplings, Ling cannot eat with chopsticks no matter how hard Ting tries to teach her, and they visit the library. Each story ends with an amusing punch line that will make readers laugh. The last chapter ties all of the tales together, showing the fun and friendship that the girls share. This relationship, combined with the simple sentence structure, repetitive text, and straightforward illustrations that reinforce new vocabulary words, will put this easy reader in the same category as Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" books (HarperCollins).-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

LITWIN, Eric. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. illus. by James Dean. unpaged. HarperCollins. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-190622-0; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-190623-7. LC 2009928950.
PreS-Gr 1-A slight episode about a navy-blue cat, new white shoes, and maintaining a positive outlook. Pete the Cat strolls down the street singing, "I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes." Then he steps in (actually climbs up) a huge hill of strawberries that turn his pristine sneakers red. "Did Pete cry? Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song. I love my red shoes...." He proceeds to step in a mound of blueberries and then a mud puddle, each incident changing his sneakers to a new hue (the colors never blend). Unsmiling but placid, Pete takes it all in stride. After stepping into a "bucket"-more like a tub-of water, he notices that his sneakers are not only white again, but also wet. Even though they are back to their original color, the next illustration perplexingly shows Pete walking along with each shoe sporting one of the four colors highlighted in the book. Bright, childlike illustrations show the long-limbed feline regularly altering his footwear but continuing not to watch where he's walking. The moral of the story-keep going no matter what happens to you in life-may sound like good advice, but it doesn't instill any sense of power in children; it just tells them to accept their fate. The downloadable song might help spark interest, but there's not much here to get excited about.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

LONDON, Jonathan. I'm a Truck Driver. illus. by David Parkins. unpaged. CIP. Holt
Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2010. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-7989-0. LC 2009009220.
PreS-K-This is a wonderful picture book about trucks, from power shovels to street sweepers and more. On every other spread, a girl and a boy take turns driving each of the vehicles. The trucks are described in rhyming couplets; those that the boy operates feature onomatopoeia, making this book a must for storytimes and read-alouds. "I'm a BULLDOZER operator.
Growl, grumble, broom!/I'm a big earth mover./Growl, grumble, broom!" The alternating voices of the children help to enhance the rhythm and rhyme of the story and present a great opportunity for a reader's theater or dual-storyteller presentation. The acrylic illustrations are vibrant, cartoonlike, and friendly. In addition, the girl's pages feature a cat and the boy's, a dog. Children will quickly pick up on this pattern, and they will search out the animals. With expressive faces on the trucks, the pictures will draw young audiences into the story, reminding them of Jon Scieszka's Truck Town (S & S, 2008).-Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

LONG, Ethan. One Drowsy Dragon. illus. by author. unpaged. Scholastic
Orchard. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-16557-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-While an adult dragon tries to sleep, a growing crowd of little guys makes all kinds of noises to keep the tired one awake. Each page turn reveals a new scene of increased chaos, progressing from "ONE marching dragonclanging on a cup" to "NINE rockin' dragons/jam in a loud band." When "TEN tuckered dragons/think it's time for bed," the big dragon finally sleeps, but its deep snores wake up the youngsters. The rhymes are solid, though the rhythm isn't consistently strong. Interesting vocabulary adds variety to the patterned verse, particularly with the adjectives used to describe the young dragons ("feisty," "rambunctious") and the adult ("groggy," "weary"). The noisy activities go beyond the predictability of playing and fighting to include a shake in a blender and loudly tapping croquet balls. Fun sound effects move from "IEEEE!" and "BANZAI!" for wrestling to the "EEEEEEK!" and "YIKES!" of a "fright show." The digital art features clean lines and distinct colors, so the increasingly crowded pages never become too busy. Big round eyes and slightly goofy expressions lend an air of silliness to the cartoon figures, whose personalities seem equal parts dragon and child. Page layouts neatly reflect the increased chaos: the gutter separates the adult and the little dragons in opening scenes, but as the young ones grow in numbers they overflow onto both sides of the spread. A solid storytime choice that covers several popular picture-book topics, including counting, colors, dragons, and bedtime.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

MCALISTER, Caroline. Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief. illus. by Donald Hendricks. unpaged. bibliog. CIP. Charlesbridge. July 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-729-5. LC 2009026647.
Gr 1-3-Duke Cosimo de'Medici of Florence, collector of exotic plants, jealously guards the jasmine brought from India by Vasco da Gama and is known to torture those who displease him. Antonio, the youngest gardener, is "made bold by love" and cuts a small sprig for beautiful Donatella. The duke notices, discovers Antonio is the thief, and has him imprisoned in a distant town. When Donatella learns what has happened, she plants the jasmine in a clay pot and walks three days and two nights to Volterra. There she drugs Cosimo's guards with tea infused with poppy petals. She rescues Antonio, and they flee. At her wedding Donatella wears a sprig of jasmine for happiness and good luck. For this memorable love story, McAlister supplies historical background in an author's note. Hendricks uses colored pencils and a black fine-line marker for the illustrations, framing most of them with gold bands and featuring trailing vines and white jasmine blossoms in the borders. Pair this title with Paul O. Zelinsky's Rapunzel (Dutton, 1997), another love story with an unusual plant at its heart and the Italian countryside as its background.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

MACLACHLAN, Patricia. Word After Word After Word. 128p. CIP. HarperCollins
Katherine Tegen Bks. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-06-027971-4; PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-06-027972-1. LC 2009026708.
Gr 2-5-When a writer spends six weeks in a fourth-grade classroom, Lucy begins to understand the power of the written word. Colorful Ms. Mirabel introduces the students to the idea that writing can change their lives and inspires them to find their own stories and to write them. Lucy doesn't believe her life is interesting enough to write about, but Ms. Mirabel insists that everyone has an important tale to tell. She begins by reading passages from famous pieces of literature that eloquently describe places, characters, and moments in time. After school, Lucy and her friends Evie, Henry, and Russell discuss the tumultuous events that have shaped their own lives, including Lucy's mother's cancer, Evie's parents' divorce, and the death of Henry's dog. MacLachlan creates marvelous characters, children who can empathize with and support one another and who produce amazing poetry that captures their sadness and courage. The result is a tale that draws readers into a dichotomous world that is serious and lighthearted, sad and happy, real and unreal. Children will enjoy the lively characters and warm friendships depicted in this early chapter book, and it will make a memorable read-aloud to help teach the important story elements that will encourage young readers and writers to explore the world of words as they find their own voices.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

MCQUINN, Anna. Lola Loves Stories. illus. by Rosalind Beardshaw. unpaged. CIP. Charlesbridge. July 2010. PLB $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-258-2; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-259-9. LC 2009026885.
PreS-Gr 1-The lovable African-American preschooler from Lola at the Library (Charlesbridge, 2006) returns in this whimsical picture book. Lola and her daddy go to the library every Saturday to pick out books. The stories she reads with her family throughout the week lend inspiration to her playtime, stretching her imagination and physical limits. Lola becomes a fairy princess, a pilot flying to exotic places, a farmer, and even a "wild and wicked" monster. The simple and straightforward text is easy to read, and the bright acrylic illustrations are eye-catching close-ups of Lola absorbed in books and in play. This engaging depiction of a child's enthusiasm for being read to is an excellent choice for libraries.-Sara Figueroa, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA

MCQUINN, Anna. The Sleep Sheep. illus. by Hannah Shaw. unpaged. Scholastic
Chicken House. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-545-23145-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-Sylvie is the kind of child whose mind never stops. She demands stories, and water, and drives her mother to distraction in order to avoid bedtime. When her mother suggests she count sheep, Sylvia gives it a try, but they won't stay still. They dance, swim, and rollerblade, making it impossible for her to get a tally. It isn't until the herd pretends to sleep that the child can successfully count them and drift off herself. The cartoon pen-and-ink drawings paint vivid scenes of Sylvie's imagination and are flush with fun details. Readers will linger over each page, looking for Sylvie's pink stuffed elephant throughout the story or the sheep in the cowboy hat with bucked teeth. A counting tale sandwiched in the middle of a bedtime story, The Sleep Sheep moves along at a rapid clip and with enough humor to be a successful read-aloud. Libraries certainly aren't wanting for additional child-won't-sleep stories, but this silly romp through dreamland and wild take on the counting-sheep story offers a new bedtime option.-Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

MALASPINA, Ann. Yasmin's Hammer. illus. by Doug Chayka. unpaged. map. further reading. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Lee & Low. 2010. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-359-4. LC 2009028529.
Gr 1-4-Yasmin and her sister are brick chippers in the noisy, crowded city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Each day as Yasmin breaks up bricks to be made into concrete, and as her father pedals his rickshaw and her mother irons and sweeps in a rich man's house, she dreams of going to school. She resolves to swing her hammer extra hard and saves her meager coins to purchase a precious book, which no one in her family can read. Her determination inspires her parents; her father finds a second route, and her mother begins making baskets to sell for extra money. And at long last, Yasmin's dream comes true-one day her father pedals her and her sister to school. A bleak situation becomes a powerful tale of hope through Yasmin's passion and determination. Malaspina tells the tale in graceful, straightforward language, describing the overwhelming sounds of the city with the precision of a child's eye. Chayka's glowing oil paintings capture the bright colors of Dhaka and the cruelty of the brickyard where Yasmin and her sister work in the blinding sun as the boss lounges under an umbrella. Neither text nor illustrations gloss over the hardships the girls experience, but also do not dwell on them; instead, the focus remains firmly on Yasmin's dreams and her resolve to achieve them.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

MEADOWS, Michelle. Hibernation Station. illus. by Kurt Cyrus. unpaged. CIP. S & S. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3788-3. LC 2008042141.
PreS-Gr 2-The hibernation train, fashioned of hollow logs, is filled with all sorts of animals, including bears, snakes, chipmunks, frogs, skunks, hedgehogs, and mice. On its way to the station, it hits a few snags-crowded conditions, leakage from a stream, and a lack of snacks and pillows. As the snow falls heavier and heavier, the bears in charge manage to get everyone squared away just as the train enters hibernation station. The track is made of tree branches, and the season is clearly heading from fall into winter. The enjoyable rhyming text provides the perfect platform for the wonderful illustrations that accompany it. Cyrus blends realistic depictions of the animals with just the right anthropomorphic touches-they are all clad in pajamas. The best example is the snails complete with slime trails wearing pj's, while the snakes slithering in their nightwear is quite amusing. An author's note on hibernation is included. Good for storytime or one-on-one reading.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

MEDDAUGH, Susan. Martha on the Case. adapt. by Jamie White. 108p. (Martha Speaks Series). glossary. Houghton Harcourt. 2010. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-547-21055-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3-These two stories are based on characters from Meddaugh's "Martha" picture books (Houghton) and on the PBS series "Martha Speaks." An introduction explains that the pup is able to speak when she eats alphabet soup. In the first story, she is accused of eating part of a birthday cake before it is served. Guests at the party hold a hearing and provide imaginative scenarios for the crime, but when Nelson the cat spits up a bit of candle, the truth is revealed. In the second case, Martha hears two men plotting and is determined to stop them from committing a crime. She and her owner, Helen, learn that the men are actually undercover officers working to thwart a jewelry-store robbery. The thieves come while the police are gone, so Martha summons neighborhood dogs to help. Each page has ample white space and features an expressive, brightly colored cartoon. A few full-spread illustrations add information and drama. Word-search and -scramble puzzles follow the story. This engaging, contemporary tale will be welcomed by those making the leap from Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat's Nate the Great on the Owl Express (Delacorte, 2003) and Cynthia Rylant's The Case of the Desperate Duck (HarperCollins, 2005) to more advanced mysteries.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

MEROLA, Caroline. A Night on the Town. tr. from French. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. Aug. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-200-4. LC 2009938454.
K-Gr 3-A large, blue-striped horned creature named Pickles McPhee comes to town looking for adventure. She hooks up with young Martha, and they set out for a midnight romp in the park. The escapade takes a dark turn as an overtired Martha pressures Pickles to break into a candy store and the two are caught by the police, who assume Pickles is a savage monster. Martha defends her friend, and the mollified officers walk the pair home. Martha's unflappable parents set all to rights next morning, driving into the forest to take Pickles home (and unknowingly bringing Little Brother McPhee back to town in their trunk). This translation retains a foreign flavor, and the understated text and odd story line make for an intriguingly quirky combination. However, there is some disturbing moral relativism to Martha's apology scene, when she admits that it was wrong to go out at night, to talk to a stranger (Pickles), and to hide when the police first come instead of standing by her friend-but never mentions that it was wrong to break into a shop and steal candy. Her parents accept her apologies without question and merely send her to bed. Pickles seems not to have learned her lesson either, agreeing when her parents say "no more adventuring," but thinking that the fun had been worth it all. Whimsical and colorful pencil illustrations, an exciting story line, and a friendly monster will draw readers in, but they may leave confused as to the book's message.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

MONTIJO, Rhode. The Halloween Kid. illus. by author. unpaged. S & S. Aug. 2010. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3575-9. LC 2009939813.
K-Gr 2-"YEE-HA-LLOWEEN!" is the battle cry of the Halloween Kid, who rides his stick horse into suburban anytown USA and rids the place of all manner of Halloween-hatin' varmints. Text written in cowboy lingo enhances the rootin' tootin' fun as the Halloween Kid lassos toilet-paper mummies, leaf-pile ghosts, and the Giant Miami Werewolf. When the Kid meets his match in the greedy Goodie Goblins, the local children rescue him for a change, bringing the tale to a sweet and satisfying conclusion. This rollicking story projects a delightfully retro style and sensibility, aided by black, white, and orange brush-and-ink illustrations reminiscent of cartoons from the Eisenhower era. A treat for storytime as well as for independent reading and a must for Halloween picture-book collections.-Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY

MOORE, Elizabeth & Alice Couvillon. Ancient Mounds of Watson Brake: Oldest Earthworks in North America. illus. by Rick Anderson. unpaged. Pelican. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-656-6. LC 2009003957.
Gr 3-5-Reca Jones is a real person, and this story is hung on the fictional framework of her grandchildren's visit to Watson Brake, LA. Moore recounts the woman's personal history with this prehistoric oval of man-built mounds strung together with raised ridges. An amateur archaeologist, Jones was the first to recognize these early earthworks for what they were, a decision approved relatively recently by American archaeological experts. The artwork is colorful but the people are awkwardly rendered as Anderson depicts Jones showing her grandchildren artifacts found at the site and speculates on the lives and technologies of those who created the mounds. There is no map to pinpoint the Brake's location, and no photos of the actual site (despite a heavy overgrowth of vegetation, there are photos to be found on the Internet). Also sorely lacking is a diagram to allow clear visualization of this complex that predates the more spectacular pyramids of Egypt. An author's note gives additional information on Jones and the Brake, but the lack of maps, photos and diagrams, or websites leaves this interesting topic more useful to history classes in Louisiana than to the broader audience it might have commanded.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

MOULTON, Mark Kimball. The Very Best Pumpkin. illus. by Karen Hillard Good. unpaged. CIP. S & S
Paula Wiseman Bks. Aug. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8288-3. LC 2008046639.
PreS-Gr 1-Moulton and Good team up for a tender autumn story, written in well-turned prose. Peter has been taking special care of a lonely little pumpkin on his grandparents' farm. When bookish Meg, a fan of The Secret Garden, moves in next door, he befriends her and they share "the very best pumpkin." The gentle story is complemented by glowing, folksy illustrations rendered in watercolors and artfully enhanced with instant coffee and bleach. The simply drawn, wide-eyed characters; country setting; and warm palette echo Joan Walsh Anglund's and Mary Englebreit's cozy worlds. A final page, "Peter's Guide to Growing Your Own Very Best Pumpkin," is a welcome extension for at-home gardeners.-Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY

ORR, Wendy. The Princess and Her Panther. illus. by Lauren Stringer. unpaged. CIP. S & S
Beach Lane Bks. July 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9780-1. LC 2009034359.
K-Gr 2-Imagination is at the heart of this book as two sisters set out to camp in their backyard. Their red tent becomes a royal shelter, the wading pool a lake, and the sandbox is the desert they toil across. The princess is stalwart, but her little sister, the panther, is unnerved when night falls. Orr's steady refrain is, "The princess was brave, and the panther tried to be," and the timidity of the panther is purposefully revealed in the rich acrylic illustrations. After one too many scares by neighborhood animals, the girls do not predictably retreat into the safety of the house but, instead, stand up to the night and are brave-both of them. The final spread shows that all is well in the tent, with a bright moon shining and the sisters contentedly asleep. This is a clever twist on the usual camping story and the fears that accompany it, and it pairs well with Margaret Ruurs's nonfiction When We Go Camping (Tundra) and Kristine O'Connell George's Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems (Clarion, both 2001).-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PENNYPACKER, Sara. Clementine, Friend of the Week. illus. by Marla Frazee. 176p. Hyperion
Disney. July 2010. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1355-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-4-Clementine is back for another adventure as she is chosen to be "Friend of the Week." The honor has many important responsibilities such as leading the Pledge of Allegiance, collecting milk money, being line leader, and feeding the fish. At the end of the week, the third grader will get a friend booklet signed by all of her classmates telling her how much they appreciate her. Clementine's best friend, fourth-grader Margaret, advises her to give compliments to classmates all week so she'll get good comments in her booklet. The following day Clementine starts giving them to every person she comes in contact with, primarily based on appearance, which doesn't always work out as she planned. Just as she looks forward to the best week ever, things take a turn for the worse when her kitten goes missing. She forgets all about her promises to decorate her classmates' bikes for a bike rally and is afraid they will be disappointed in her. Little does she know how much they support and love her. Pennypacker's writing once again brings creativity, humor, and sensitivity to Clementine and her world. Black-and-white line illustrations grace the book, capturing the child's personality and varied emotions. A must-have for most collections. Fans will be in for another fun serving of their favorite girl named after a fruit.-Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR

POLACCO, Patricia. The Junkyard Wonders. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. July 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25078-1. LC 2009027145.
Gr 3-5-Based on true events, this inspiring story celebrates the extraordinary influence a teacher can have on her students. As Trisha enters a new school in Michigan, she hopes she won't be relegated to a "special" class. At her old school, she had trouble learning to read. On the first day, she is disappointed to learn that Room 206 is known as the junkyard. Fortunately, their teacher, Mrs. Peterson, doesn't allow her students to feel like misfits. She divides her "Junkyard Wonders" into tribes, creating a sense of unity among them. One day, the children visit a local junkyard where they discover "a place full of wondrous possibilities" and collect objects for a class project. Trisha and her tribe retrieve an old model plane, which they refurbish. The whole class looks forward to the science fair when they will fly the plane from the roof of the school in remembrance of a classmate who has died. The school bully tries to foil their plans, but in the end the Junkyard Wonders launch the plane and watch it soar up into the stratosphere. The touching story is accompanied by Polacco's trademark illustrations in which a motherly Mrs. Peterson presides over her busy classroom. The children's expressive faces convey their devotion to her and to each other. Pair this title with Lester L. Laminack's Saturdays and Teacakes (Peachtree, 2004), another nod to a fondly remembered past.-Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PORTIS, Antoinette. Kindergarten Diary. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. July 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-145691-6; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-145692-3. LC 2009006184.
PreS-K-Imaginative, spirited Annalina narrates a month of days in her life, beginning with the day before she starts kindergarten. What makes this book special is that the author doesn't deliver a long list of Annalina's misgivings, which often give young readers extra fodder to stress about. This child simply says that she likes preschool and thinks Big School might be filled with Big Kids ("What if they're mean?"). The next thing readers see, there she is in room 2K, where a diverse group of children smile, wave, and look a little sleepy. "Hardly anybody cried." In the following entries, the youngsters learn that the teacher isn't scary, that kindergarteners have their very own playground, that sharing is not only possible but also fun, and that nice things happen every day. The background for each page resembles the paper children use to practice their first writing-white with widely spaced, light blue straight and dotted lines. Realistic and gorgeously patterned collage items outlined in black are mingled with simple paintings to create an explosion of color, shape, and texture. The narrative and illustrations are gently funny and filled with little details and jokes, enabling children to find something new with each reading. Kindergarten Diary holds its own amid an impressive assortment of cheery salves for pre-K nerves.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

QUACKENBUSH, Robert. First Grade Jitters. illus. by Yan Nascimbene. unpaged. HarperCollins. July 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-077632-9. LC 2009007290.
K-Gr 1-In this newly illustrated title first published in 1982, Aidan worries about first grade. He hasn't seen his kindergarten friends all summer, and he's had plenty of time to imagine the worst about the upcoming school year. Will his friends be in his class? Will he be expected to read and do math problems? "And what if I can't understand anything the teacher says? She might say, ‘Oogly, boogly.' When I ask her what that means, she might answer, ‘Muncha, chumba, zeglipo.'" His parents notice that something is wrong, but he refuses to admit his fears. When his friend returns from her summer vacation with reassuring news of their new teacher, he jumps for joy and exclaims, "My jitters are gone!" The text and pictures explore this common anxiety effectively and with a touch of humor. Full-spread illustrations depict the grumpy protagonist with his perplexed and annoyed parents, and later, relaxed and jubilant. Aidan's loyal dog and teddy bear mirror his concerns throughout. When he holds up his leg in bed, insisting that he cannot walk and won't be better for the first day of school, his frowning teddy holds up his leg as well. Couple this story with Julie Danneberg's First Day Jitters (Charlesbridge, 2000) for another perspective on back-to-school angst.-Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY

RASCHKA, Chris. Little Black Crow. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S
Atheneum/Richard Jackson Bks. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-689-84601-4. LC 2009032110.
PreS-Gr 3-Illustrations and text work as one as a boy spies a bird and begins to ask questions. "Little black crow,where do you go?/Where do you go/in the cold white snow?/Where do you go?" The initially fact-based inquiries progress from solid to more ethereal. "Little black crow/in the white snow,/in the blue sky,/in the brown below,/do you ever wonder/about stars you see?/Might you ever wonder/about someone.../...like me?" Impressionistic watercolor landscapes perfectly set the mood and style for these awe-filled inquiries of a curious child. Spare brushstrokes leave large areas of white, and, much like the unanswered inquiries, encourage readers to suggest answers and ask more questions; the minimalist paintings create an opportunity to imagine more. Enjoy this beautiful book with a group or share it quietly with a single child.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

REIDY, Jean. Too Pickley! illus. by Geneviève Leloup. unpaged. Bloomsbury. July 2010. Tr $11.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-309-5; RTE $12.89. ISBN 978-1-59990-310-1. LC 2009034583.
PreS-Gr 1-As in Too Purpley! (Bloomsbury, 2010), Reidy and Leloup's story features a fussy child. This time, it's a boy who is an extremely picky eater. "I am hungry!" he declares as he sits at the table, bib in place. But he finds fault with every type of food put in front of him-"Too wrinkly,
too squishy,/too fruity,/too fishy"-although the little furry pal at his side seems game to try them all. With so many options being shot down (including desserts) one begins to wonder if the child will find anything worth eating. Finally, on the last page, he pronounces something, "So yummy! All done." Unfortunately, since his plate is clean, readers don't find out what that perfect food is, and this abrupt ending is somewhat jarring. Leloup's bright, digitally mastered illustrations keep up with the comic pace of Reidy's bouncy rhymes. Fans of the first book, as well as the Berenstains' Old Hat New Hat (Random, 1970), will enjoy the exaggerated humor of this hard-to-please youngster.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

ROBERTON, Fiona. Wanted: The Perfect Pet. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25461-1. LC 2009037766.
K-Gr 2-Henry is looking for the perfect pet. The ad he places in the classifieds reads, "must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue." Duck lives alone on a cold, windy hill where no one calls, writes, or emails. After reading Henry's ad, he makes a clever doggy disguise and journeys off to meet the boy. Henry is delighted with his new "dog" until its nose, tail, and ears fall off in a game of chase. Then Henry does some research in his Enormous Book of Incredibly Interesting Things and is delighted with his new pet, especially after he makes a list of the duck's skills, including underwater swimming, flying, nest building, excellent at disguises, and "can talk...rare, but not unheard of." Declaring the bird the perfect pet, Henry names the now-happy duck Spot. Roberton's line drawings have a palette of mostly of black and white, gray, and touches of green and yellow. They are very effective in conveying mood, action, and humor. The amusing text is placed in and among the illustrations for a seamless partnership between the two. An excellent tale about not getting what you thought you wanted but loving it anyway.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

SIERRA, Judy. Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf. illus. by J. Otto Seibold. unpaged. CIP. Knopf
Borzoi. Aug. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85620-4; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95620-1. LC 2009030778.
PreS-Gr 3-This brilliant retelling deserves a place at the head of the fractured-fairy-tale pack next to Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs (Puffin, 1995). Following Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf (Knopf, 2007), the notorious Big Bad Wolf and other fairy-tale characters of ill repute are hard at work fixing up the Villain Villa Senior Center when Wolf's cell phone rings and the local librarian invites him to tell the story of how he met the three pigs. Ashamed of his prior transgressions, Wolf tells a gentler version involving blowing on dandelions and saving pigs from matches. Heckling from the pigs in the audience finally prompts this reformed Wolf to ask for their forgiveness. His transformation is not complete without a new middle name, though (provided by the library's dictionary), and a fitting act of reparation. Musical segments send an already madcap narrative over-the-top. Seibold's vivid computer illustrations, replete with comic touches, are a perfect match for Sierra's zany tale. Reluctant readers familiar with the bold imagery and comic timing of after-school cartoons will be glued to this inspired collaboration.-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

STEIN, David Ezra. Interrupting Chicken. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. Aug. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4168-9. LC 2009017523.
PreS-Gr 2-In a picture book that is as charming and comic as Pouch! (Putnam, 2009), Stein again represents an affectionate parent's trials with a vigorous child. At bedtime, despite a rooster papa's best efforts to share classic fairy tales with his daughter, Little Red Chicken's soft heart means she can't help but jump into each story to warn Hansel and Gretel and then Red Riding Hood about impending danger, and to assure Chicken Little: "Don't panic! It was just an acorn." In each case, the story abruptly ends, wearying the father with what to do next. When he convinces his daughter to compose her own story, she fills four pages with preschool-style spelling and drawings about a chicken putting her papa to bed, but her tale is interrupted by Papa's snores. At the end, the pair cuddle together, asleep. Stein's droll cartoons use watercolor, crayon, china marker, pen, and tea. The rich colors of the characters perfectly contrast with the sepia pages of the storybooks. This is one of the rare titles that will entertain both parent and child.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

STEPHENS, Helen. Fleabag. illus. by author. unpaged. Holt. July 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-7975-2. LC 2009009196.
PreS-K-Fleabag is a homeless dog of indeterminate breed. He is dirty, lonely, and full of fleas, and desperately wants a person. One day a boy comes to the park with his "big person," and Fleabag finds a friend. Bob's mother wants nothing to do with the animal, but the pals are always happy to see one another. When the boy comes to the park looking sad because he and his family are moving away, Fleabag follows him home. Bob tries to run away with the dog in the middle of the night, but Fleabag stays put and alerts the family. All ends well, of course. The illustrations are bright and happy, picturing an appealing little mutt with fleas flying over his head. He looks like just the right sort of dog for a boy. An enjoyable story for groups or bedtime sharing.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

SULLIVAN, Sarah. Once Upon a Baby Brother. illus. by Tricia Tusa. unpaged. CIP. Farrar. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-34635-5. LC 2008016791.
K-Gr 4-This title provides a creative twist on the new-sibling theme. Lizzie, a passionate, gifted storyteller and writer, receives a lot of attention until her brother is born. As Marvin gets bigger, he messes up her bedroom, spills her oatmeal, and decorates her favorite stuffed bear with golden glitter. The second grader finds an outlet for her jealousy and anger by writing stories: about a beautiful princess who banishes an ugly prince to a desert island, a scary Marvinosaurus, a dangerous Marvinfish. She entertains her teacher and class by acting the stories out while telling them. Everyone is captivated by confident and prolific Lizzie's abilities. Miss Pennyroyal's new assignment is to create a comic-book character "who will have lots of adventures." With a deadline looming, Lizzie develops a serious case of writer's block-"something was missing." Then an unexpected dose of inspiration comes from her little brother when he returns home from visiting Gramma. Expressive watercolor and ink cartoon illustrations done in soft hues have humorous elements, such as young Marvin standing on a stack of books in his crib. This is a good choice to share with children coping with and learning to accept a new sibling.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

TAXALI, Gary. This Is Silly! illus. by author. unpaged. Scholastic. Aug. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-439-71836-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K-The story starts with a warning on the inside jacket: "This book may cause uncontrollable giggling in children." Taxali fully embraces this caveat as readers fall down the rabbit hole with Silly Sol and are immediately lost in a surreal world of 1930s-like Saturday-morning cartoon characters and toys. A bit Alice in Wonderland, a bit Dr. Seuss, this short, rhyming story takes Silly Sol tumbling over cliffs, driving through clouds, and meeting characters such as Willy (who resembles a flying Nutter Butter), a baby Shriner, and a blue creature aptly named "Manic Monkey." The rhyming text is not plot-driven but revels in phonemic silliness, with lots of action and playful turns of phrase. The self-proclaimed "tumbling tomfoolery" ends with a mirror, giving readers the license to develop their own silliness. The combination of vibrant illustrations with rollicking rhymes will engage young readers and art buffs alike. More than just a nod to vintage typography and animation, the book presents characters that seem familiar but by their own admission are silly beyond recognition. Taxali successfully melds a fun story with a design aesthetic rarely seen in children's picture books.-Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

TAYLOR, Sean. The Ring Went Zing!: A Story That Ends with a Kiss. illus. by Jill Barton. unpaged. CIP. Dial. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3311-4. LC 2008001718.
PreS-Gr 2-This story opens on a whimsical note: "Once upon a time...
once and never again.../just once.../a frog and a chicken fell in love." A cumulative tale ensues as the frog presents his beloved with a lovely golden ring and it skips away, bouncing by a jogging swan, a skateboarding rabbit, a goat on a tricycle, and a singing dachshund who's leaning on his motorbike. Each animal tries to catch the elusive ring and invites the previous group to jump on its vehicle. The ending is happier than happy. Taylor is an accomplished poet, and the ring isn't the only thing that goes "Zing!" here. The illustrations are every bit as fizzy as the writing. Barton uses a white background to set off gently colorful and lightly outlined shapes and a font that sometimes changes color for emphasis. The animals' expressions are hilarious and the action is hyperkinetic. The image of the frog, goat, chicken, swan, and rabbit precariously piled onto a speeding trike are both harmonious and sidesplitting. There are hordes of cumulative stories around, and this type of narrative strengthens memory, offers opportunities for prediction, and is entertaining to boot. The Ring Went Zing! should bounce its way to the upper tiers of the genre.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

TEAGUE, David. Franklin's Big Dreams. illus. by Boris Kulikov. unpaged. Hyperion
Disney. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1919-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2-One ordinary night, during his bedtime routine, Franklin gets a huge surprise: a construction crew comes crashing through the wall of his room. A foreman informs the surprised boy that he should be asleep, then continues with his work, laying tracks. While Franklin watches from the safety of his bed, a train comes whistling through, carrying some familiar faces. After it trundles away, the crew breaks up the track, leaving Franklin to a dream of rushing along train tracks through a moonlit forest. A week later, the same thing happens, only this time with a plane and later, a huge cruise ship. With each episode, Franklin spots a recognizable face onboard the vehicle, then has a dream of traveling to fantastic lands on wings or ocean waves. The next time his wall is breached, he finally catches on. He dictates where he would like to go in this dream sequence: a big round moon peeking through his window gives his destination away. While this is an interesting concept, it takes several readings to understand exactly what is going on in the bedroom. The illustrations, however, are quite beautiful, and the cool palette and soft lines add to the dreamy feel of the story. Each spread is more magnificent then the next, helping to build to the out-of-this-world conclusion.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

TEAGUE, Mark. Firehouse! illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic
Orchard. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91500-7. LC 2009012100.
K-Gr 2-Teague is known and loved for his '40s-style acrylic paintings with hilariously odd perspectives, wry facial expressions, and a heavily ironic disconnect between text and pictures. Here, the nattily dressed, citified bulldog introduced in Funny Farm (Scholastic, 2009) visits the firehouse in hopes of becoming a real firefighter. The station's mice laugh as "Edward tries on a shiny red fire hat," but the text fails to indicate that the pup has put it on backwards and is struggling to extricate his face. Nor can you tell from the impassive professional firefighters-all Dalmatians, of course-what wild blunders Edward makes as the team goes out for a drill. Still, when a real emergency occurs, Edward is the hero, and the story ends with a parade in his honor and, anticlimactically, a sound sleep. Children will enjoy Firehouse! for its mild humor, winsome and colorful illustrations, and depiction of firefighters at work. While it's not as funny as many other Teague books, it should attract a wide audience.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

TEGEN, Katherine. The Story of the Jack O'Lantern. illus. by Brandon Dorman. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Aug. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143088-6; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-06-143090-9. LC 2008046150.
PreS-Gr 2-In this poorly executed story that is based on Irish folktales, greedy Jack meets a strange man whom others say is the devil. Thinking only of his hunger, he gorges himself on fine foods after agreeing to repay the debt on the day he dies. Years later, on Halloween, the devil comes to collect the money and finds the man carving a pumpkin for soup on his doorstep. With murderous intent, the devil throws a burning coal at Jack, who catches it in the freshly carved pumpkin. Surviving the attack, he is condemned to wander the Earth after death. He carries his glowing pumpkin with him on his travels, and so is named "Jack of the lantern." Dorman's Photoshop painted illustrations are appropriately creepy and extremely imaginative; the devil's feet alone are enough to bring on a case of the shivers. The text, however, is awkward and confusing. With so many quality Halloween picture books available, most libraries can skip this one.-Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

VERNON, Ursula. Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs. illus. by author. 206p. CIP. Dial. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3365-7. LC 2009012273.
Gr 2-4-Danny Dragonbreath's love of ninja comic books and movies not only fills his imaginative play, but also assists him when he is confronted in real life with ninja frogs that attack his friend Suki, an exchange student from Japan. This attack causes Danny and his friend Wendell to take her on a bus ride to mythological Japan to seek out Danny's wise great-grandfather to assist with their situation. The spirited illustrations, done in green and black with touches of red, capture the humor of the characters' adventures. This delightful easy chapter book could tempt reluctant readers into turning another page.-Nancy D. Tolson, Mitchell College, New London, CT

WARGIN, Kathy-jo. Scare a Bear. illus. by John Bendall-Brunello. unpaged. CIP. Sleeping Bear. 2010. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-430-5. LC 2009037416.
PreS-Gr 1-The creative team behind Moose on the Loose (Sleeping Bear, 2009) has produced another humorous animal escapade. The text begins with a notice pinned to a tree: "Do you know how to scare a bear?" and continues with bouncy rhymes acted out by children: "Would you bang pots and pans?
Would you rattle some cans?/Would you shout?/Would you yell?/Would you ring a loud bell?" The bear becomes bolder and the text accelerates until finally the youngsters scare it into running off the page. The colorful cartoonlike pictures are energetic and full of detail, such as a moose on the loose on several pages. A fun read-aloud.-Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

WELLS, Rosemary. Yoko's Show-and-Tell. illus. by author. unpaged. Hyperion
Disney. July 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1955-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2-Wells's adorable Japanese-American kitten introduced in Yoko (1998) and Yoko Writes Her Name (2008, both Hyperion) continues to share her Japanese heritage with her classmates in this culturally realistic and touching picture book. Yoko receives an antique doll dressed in a kimono from her Japanese grandparents with instructions to care for it until Girl's Day, a holiday that celebrates dolls and daughters. In her eagerness to share this special holiday with her classmates, Yoko, against her mother's explicit instructions, takes the doll to school for show-and-tell where it gets tossed back and forth in a game of keep-away on the bus. Yoko is heartsick over its destruction and realizes that she was wrong to take it to school. Her mother's calm reassurance that she loves Yoko even though she made a mistake is a heartwarming message. Wells's charming cut-paper collage illustrations are full of Asian decorations and patterns, including a Shoji screen, low tables, and beautiful kimonos. The Japanese terms for grandmother and grandfather are deftly introduced into the simple, conversational text. Children will identify with Yoko's excitement and heartbreak over having something special ruined.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

WHEELER, Lisa. Ugly Pie. illus. by Heather Solomon. unpaged. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. July 2010. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-15-216754-7. LC 2008004535.
PreS-Gr 2-"Sweet molasses, my-oh-my. I'm itchin' for some Ugly Pie!" sings Ol' Bear as he sets out in search of one. Grampa Grizzle, Ma Hickory, and Sweet Cicely have all baked some good-looking treats-pumpkin, rhubarb, and heavenly honey pie-but not one is what Ol' Bear has a hankerin' for. However, they do provide him with some ugly leftovers from their kitchens-wrinkled red raisins, bumpy brown walnuts, and sour green apples. Ol' Bear goes home and realizes that he now has the ingredients for a wonderful Ugly Pie and sets about making one, and his neighbors all come to help him eat it. Large, bright watercolors, acrylics, and collage trace the bear's search as he goes from house to house. Tucked in every corner of the pictures are little woodland creatures that accompany him on his way, help him bake, and eat the final result: "My-oh-my-oh-my! Some Ugly Pie!" The recipe is appended with clear directions and the admonition that "cubs in the kitchen should always have a big bear around while cookin'." This humorous tale should appeal greatly to little cubs everywhere.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

WILBUR, Helen L. Lily's Victory Garden. illus. by Robert Gantt Steele. unpaged. (Tales of Young Americans Series). CIP. Sleeping Bear. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-450-3. LC 2009036937.
Gr 2-4-During World War II, Lily collects tin cans with her brother to help with the war effort. Their last stop is always at the house of the Bishops, whose son was the first soldier from their town to die in battle. Lily takes note of the beautiful flowers in the untended yard and longs for a garden of her own. It seems that her dream might come true when she hears that the town park will be turned into Victory Garden plots, to be given to winners of a lottery. Lily applies but is told that she doesn't qualify, so she obtains Mr. Bishop's reluctant permission to create her own garden in his yard, on the condition that she doesn't bother his wife. Lily spends several days planting seeds, hoeing, and watering, and soon Mrs. Bishop begins to help. Everything goes well until the woman slips in the mud and her husband becomes angry. Lily races home in disgrace, but later Mr. Bishop comes by to apologize. He hadn't realized how happy his once-grieving wife had been when she was working in the garden. The lovely, realistic watercolor paintings capture the text well, and back matter explains other aspects of the American home front. This story, told from Lily's point of view, is beautifully rendered, emphasizing how tragedy can be surmounted.-Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

WILLEMS, Mo. Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep! illus. by author. unpaged. (Cat the Cat Series). HarperCollins
Balzer & Bray. July 2010. Tr $10.99. ISBN 978-0-06-172847-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1-Instead of the expected bemoaning of an often-dreaded activity, Cat's friends are amenable and already in the process of getting to bed. Each spread shows her announcing, "Time to sleep," which is followed by a character's name. Cat's pals all appear midway through a familiar step in the process. Sheep is reading, Pig is in the tub, Giraffe is brushing her teeth, Crab is getting a glass of water, Horse is on the toilet, and Shark is choosing a stuffed toy. Only Owl is not ready to go to bed, and young readers will delight in letting everyone know why. As the animals drift off, Owl is left on a perch, watching over them. The real magic of this title is in Willems's illustrations. The spread with Cat and Horse in the bathroom has Cat with a pink blush on her cheeks, toes pointed inward with her right foot stacked on top of her left, and her tail is in a knot. The message of embarrassment is simple and clear. On the spread with Shark, piled among the stuffed animals is Pigeon. These are the details that children will relish and will lead them to invest in the characters and in the series.-Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City

WILLIAMS, Treat. Air Show! illus. by Robert Neubecker. 40p. Hyperion
Disney. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1185-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 3-Less a story than an excuse to expound on different types of planes and helicopters, this paean to flying machines will resonate with young transportation lovers. Ellie and her brother travel to an air show in their dad's plane, where Ellie gets a ride in a stunt plane. The facts about helicopters, jet engines, and the Blue Angels are clumsily loaded into the text, but young airplane aficionados are unlikely to notice among the bold, busy illustrations and foldout pages. The oversize picture-book format and Neubecker's bright, carefully detailed cartoon illustrations combine to provide the expansive, exciting feel of an air show, and the artist makes use of multiple perspectives to show planes from every angle.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Nonfiction

AMOROSO, Cynthia & Robert B. Noyed. Drums. ISBN 978-1-60253-353-0. LC 2009030205.
----. Guitars. ISBN 978-1-60253-354-7. LC 2009030206.
----. Trumpets. ISBN 978-1-60253-357-8. LC 2009030209.
ea vol: 24p. (Music Makers Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. The Child's World. 2010. PLB $22.79.
K-Gr 2-Having fun while making music is the stated goal of these brief introductions to commonly used instruments. Simple sentence structure, generous white space, and an unusually large font alternate with engaging full-page color photographs. On the first page, onomatopoeic text approximates the sound of the featured instrument and gives readers a description of how it is created; succeeding pages present the shape and materials used to make the featured instrument, describe its parts, and give a brief overview of its use in the past and present. As introductions, these titles adequately present sound production and encourage youngsters to experiment with playing an instrument. General purchases for libraries in need of topical research materials in an easy-to-read format.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX

AMOS, Janine. Death. ISBN 978-1-60754-478-4.
----. Divorce. ISBN 978-1-60754-481-4.
----. Going to the Hospital. ISBN 978-1-60754-484-5.
ea vol: photos by Howard Davies. 32p. (Changes Series). further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Windmill. 2010. PLB $22.80. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3-In each book, readers are introduced to four different children through a series of letters and stand-alone stories, and spreads with bullet points offer suggestions, tips, and practical advice. In Death, the author acknowledges that it is normal to feel angry at the deceased person, or to worry that someone else in your family might die. Tips on how to cope are listed, such as talking to someone, collecting special photos, and keeping a journal. In Divorce, Tom writes a letter to his grandma worrying that his life will change for the worse with his dad moving out. His grandmother's response reassures the boy that while his life will change, his parents both still love him, and are there to help him through this transition. While the books tackle difficult topics in a commendable way, they feel chaotic at times. The characters change from page to page, which can be confusing. Hospital opens with letters between a boy who is waiting for an operation and his friend, and then jumps to the story "What's the Matter?" which describes what happens when a different child's family is afraid to tell him that he's going to be hospitalized. All three titles feature color photos of children of various ethnicities. Additional.-Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

AMOS, Janine & Annabel Spenceley. Let's Be Kind. ISBN 978-1-60754-493-7.
----. Let's Help Out. ISBN 978-1-60754-490-6.
----. Let's Share. ISBN 978-1-60754-508-8.
----. Let's Take Turns. ISBN 978-1-60754-512-5.
ea vol: 32p. (Best Behavior Series). photos. further reading. CIP. Windmill. 2010. PLB $22.80. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 1-Each title features two vignettes that deal with a specific issue. In Let's Be Kind, youngsters are shown being empathetic to a newcomer in their school setting and comforting a friend who becomes fearful during creative play. In Let's Help Out, two boys clean up the toys in their classroom, and a girl helps her mother take care of her baby sister. The texts are brief and simple, and the color photo on every page is large and bright. These books would be most useful in a classroom setting.-Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

BAKER, Nick. Bug Zoo. 64p. diags. illus. photos. index. DK. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-6166-3. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 4-This is a colorful, informative, and engaging book about keeping insects–if not as pets, then as creatures worthy of intense study. The introduction, "Welcome to the Bug Zoo!!" promises cannibalism, murder, and chemical warfare, all to take place in a common jar. The book is well organized; after an initial inventory of "Zoo tools" ranging in sophistication from a plastic spoon to a USB microscope, Baker introduces the different insects most youngsters are likely to encounter. He then details the best way to create an appropriate habitat, which should also provide optimal observation opportunities. Key symbols appear throughout, alerting readers when the information pertains to finding the bugs or feeding them, and whether parental assistance is needed. The author also provides instruction on ways to tag the creatures for observational and note-taking purposes. Baker's enthusiasm for the subject is evident throughout. Because it provides interesting facts about insects as well as how-to tips, this title will find an audience with curious readers and would-be zookeepers alike. It may even intrigue avowed entomophobes.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

BELTON, Robyn. Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4741-4. LC 2009046538.
PreS-Gr 3-Tim's dog Herbert was well loved by the people in Nelson, New Zealand. After he was washed overboard during a storm at sea, Tim insisted on searching for him even when all of the adults lost hope. Miraculously, the animal withstood the rages of the open water for 30 hours. He was rescued by Tim and his fisherman friends and was awarded the "Iron Dog Award" for bravery. This book is beautiful from cover to cover. Endpapers are a scrapbook of maps, photographs, letters, and newspaper articles related to this event, and loose pencil and watercolor illustrations, reminiscent of the work of Robert McCloskey, evoke a gentle time and place. That the story is true makes it inspirational, and the simple telling makes it ideal for reading aloud or one-on-one, over and over.-Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

BRODERICK, Setsu & Willamarie Moore. Japanese Traditions: Rice Cakes, Cherry Blossoms and Matsuri: A Year of Seasonal Japanese Festivities. illus. by Setsu Broderick. 48p. CIP. Tuttle. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-4-8053-1089-2. LC 2009032927.
Gr 2-5-The authors regale readers with memories from Broderick's childhood in rural Japan 50 years ago. Two spreads per month describe activities such as the New Year celebrations in January, and feature felines rather than humans in the illustrations. The picture for November shows how to set up a futon and keep warm while sleeping on it and explains the traditions involved in Inoko Matsuri, a celebration of children's good health and prosperity, and in Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3), a festival celebrating girls who are seven, boys who are five, and boys and girls who are three. While the text includes factual information about customs, food, games, festivals, and other cultural topics, the narrative is conversational. Soft, appealing cartoon illustrations of the cuddly, expressive cats dressed in traditional Japanese clothing are full of detail and humor. Each month is represented by a full-page illustration, with the name of the month written in Japanese characters. The last page gives a list of items to look for in the pictures, and poses related questions. Though this is an enjoyable work, most of the cultural information can be found elsewhere, making it an additional purchase.-DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

BROWN, Margaret Wise. Goodnight Moon ABC: An Alphabet Book. illus. by Clement Hurd. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. July 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-189484-8. LC 2009023976.
PreS-K-Familiar objects in the classic story are arranged in alphabetical order and accompanied by upper- and lowercase letters in the original style and palette. "Ii In the great green room
Jj Jump over the moon." Letter "X" appears as the crossed arms of a pole dryer that holds pink mittens from clothespins and "Zz Zzzz..." is accompanied by the line "Goodnight noises everywhere." Endpapers show the entire alphabet being investigated by two mice. The book conveys the timeless appeal of the original, and the literacy skill building will appeal to adults.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

BURNS, Kylie. What's Going On?: Collecting and Recording Your Data. ISBN 978-0-7787-5155-7; ISBN 978-0-7787-5170-0. LC 2009044173.
CHALLEN, Paul. What's Going to Happen?: Making Your Hypothesis. ISBN 978-0-7787-5157-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-5172-4. LC 2009044174.
ea vol: 32p. (Step into Science Series). illus. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Crabtree. 2010. PLB $26.60; pap. $8.95.
Gr 3-6-Sharing a common introduction that defines the six steps of the scientific method, these books provide clear definitions and kid-friendly explanations. What's Going to Happen? covers step two of the method. Topics include the definition of a hypothesis, why it is important to make one, how to find information that will help formulate it, and what happens when your hypothesis is incorrect. What's Going On? is about the fourth step. It explains how to make observations using all five senses (when appropriate); the importance of "reporting data truthfully" and in a timely, clear, and specific manner; the importance of pictures and diagrams; and different ways data can be represented (charts, computer software, photographs, journals, etc.). Each book includes two experiments. Photographs and illustrations representing a diverse population enhance the texts. There are few books for this age group that cover the scientific method, and these do a solid job of presenting the material. However, one must also buy What's the Problem?: How to Start Your Scientific Investigation; What's the Plan?: Designing Your Experiment; What Just Happened?: Reading Results and Making Inferences; and What Do We Know Now?: Drawing Conclusions and Answering the Question in order to cover the entire method. Otherwise, these are good choices.-Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

ELLIOTT, David. In the Wild. illus. by Holly Meade. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Aug. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4497-0. LC 2009008244.
Gr 1-3-Elliott and Meade follow the attractive pattern of their On the Farm (Candlewick 2008). A lion standing alone on a grassy plain leads off the assortment of 14 mammals introduced in short, reflective poems and bold, energetic woodblock scenes. Elliott's spare verses vary in length and form with bits of humor, some lovely use of language and imagery, and an occasional thought-provoking reference. The poet addresses the orangutan as a cousin–"How nice to have someone like you
sitting in our family tree"–and he reminds readers that the mighty and long-suffering buffalo "once was sixty-million strong." Meade's woodblock prints, striking dark forms washed in watercolor, have just a hint of humor and capture the powerful wild nature of the creatures as well. The poems are read-aloud gems, and the book is versatile in both audience and potential uses.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

ENGLE, Margarita. Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian. illus. by Julie Paschkis. unpaged. CIP. Holt. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8937-0. LC 2009005267.
Gr 1-4-In the Middle Ages, insects were thought to be evil, and to generate spontaneously in the mud. Born in the 1600s, 13-year-old Maria Merian had a passion for butterflies (and other insects), and she describes her study of their habits and their life cycle in this first-person narrative. Her activities are suspect and punishable. Fortunately, her artistic family provides her the training and time to study, collect, and paint insects and their habitats. Maria alludes to her adult life as she dreams of a future publishing a book and traveling the world. The flowing vines, jewel tones, and imaginary creatures in the illustrations all evoke artwork from the time. Occasional black backgrounds provide backdrops for her imagination. As an adult, Merian's groundbreaking work caught Carl Linnaeus's attention, and copies of her published prints are now housed in art museums around the world. A historical note shares some of the context of her life. Although a little slight on content, this fascinating glimpse of a woman far head of her time and unknown to most young readers offers a fresh perspective on the study of insects.-Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

GEORGE, Jean Craighead. The Buffalo Are Back. illus. by Wendell Minor. unpaged. bibliog. Web sites. Dutton. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42215-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5-This picture book is a hybrid of nonfiction and fiction, as George tells the story of how the buffalo made a comeback in the American Midwest after being nearly decimated in the late 1800s. Beginning with the symbiotic relationship that the buffalo had with the American Indians and the land itself, she goes on to explain how westward expansion and poor decision-making on the part of the American government led to the animals' near extinction. As a result of those actions, the land became barren and inhospitable to any real crop growth, which contributed to the dust storms of the 1930s. With care and protection by a few key individuals, the native grasses and the buffalo were able to make a renaissance, bringing their numbers back up. Eloquent and affecting, the writing transports readers onto the plains and into the past, making the devastation sobering and real. And when the resurgence of both the buffalo and the land is described, it is with jubilation and relief. Accompanied by beautiful, single- or double-page watercolor illustrations that are rich with detail, the prairie comes to life. Excellent for sharing aloud with a group, this title provides a unique perspective on an integral time in American history. A must-have for most libraries.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

GLASER, Jason. Colorado: The Centennial State. ISBN 978-1-4358-9344-3. LC 2009024999.
----. Kansas: The Sunflower State. ISBN 978-1-4358-9395-5. LC 2009029406.
ea vol: 24p. (Our Amazing States Series). maps. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen
PowerKids Pr. 2010. PLB $21.25.
Gr 2-3-Victims of oversimplification, these titles have little content and an abundance of misconceptions and misinformation. The first sentence of Colorado refers to it as an American state. Should it not be a U.S. state? The Rockies are said to "lie in waves across Colorado," which is a very unusual description. Companies are described as mining "strong metals," but it is anyone's guess as to what they are. Kansas is an even bigger disaster. The pre-Civil War attack by Jayhawkers at Pottawatomie Creek is accurate in that five Bushwhackers were killed, but the one-sentence explanation of its cause is totally inadequate. The attack was, as stated, in retaliation for the attack on Lawrence, KS, but the text fails to mention that Bushwhackers had attacked and virtually destroyed the city, murdering approximately 150 people in the process. The author continues to promote the myth that Kansas is as "flat as a pancake." It is obvious that he has not visited the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas or the Gyp Hills of south central Kansas. The amount of rainfall is not the only factor that determines the height of the prairie grasses. Different locales have different kinds of grasses. To say that oil and helium are mined is a misnomer. Though it is an important part of U.S. history, it is unclear as to why the author chose to include Brown vs. Board of Education. It appears that Kansas was the only place that had school segregation. There is nothing in these books that cannot be found in many superior series.-Eldon Younce, formerly at Harper Elementary School, KS

GOLDSTONE, Bruce. 100 Ways to Celebrate 100 Days. illus. by author. 48p. photos. CIP. Holt. Aug. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8997-4. LC 2009029320.
K-Gr 3-Bright color photographs that pop from white backgrounds invite youngsters to celebrate the first 100 days of school by doing things: "Recycle 100 cans"; "Walk 100 steps in any direction." "Make a snake with 100 beads"; and even mop. Highlighting the ideas shown on each spread is a number line in 100 hues, which are also backgrounds for saying "hello" in 100 languages. By measuring 100 inches or 100 grams, counting eyes on 50 owls or legs on 25 elephants, and predicting the most frequent number to appear when a die is rolled 100 times, youngsters explore a variety of math concepts. Whether reading 100 books, composing a poem with 100 letters, or writing a short story with 100 words, these ideas add literacy skills to the children's math awareness. Various collections are artfully arranged, as are designs incorporating 100 circles, 100 triangles, and 100 hearts. Finally, children can celebrate by hanging up 100 streamers, blowing up 100 balloons, and blowing out 100 candles. Activities requiring adult supervision are noted on the last page, as are additional ideas. A more clever collection of 100 ideas is hard to imagine. A must-have for schools celebrating this special day.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

HARRIS, Tim, ed. Amphibians. ISBN 978-1-4339-3441-4. LC 2009037192.
----. Crocodiles and Alligators. ISBN 978-1-4339-3435-3. LC 2009037159.
----. Lizards. ISBN 978-1-4339-3426-1. LC 2009039215.
----. Nonvenomous Snakes. ISBN 978-1-4339-3432-2. LC 2009039216.
ea vol: 32p. (Slimy, Scaly, Deadly Reptiles and Amphibians Series). diags. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2010. PLB $26.
Gr 3-5-These brief, randomly arranged introductions present intriguing facts about dozens of cold-blooded creatures. Each page addresses one topic in a question-and-answer format. The question is followed by a short column, or block, of text describing major characteristics shared by all of the featured animals or distinctive physical andor behavioral characteristics of particular species. Amphibians, Lizards, and Snakes focus primarily on about two dozen species with unusual characteristics, including, respectively, a frog that becomes smaller as it matures; a skink that "swims" in loose sand to escape enemies; and snakes that reproduce asexually. Most of the entries in Crocodiles offer general information, asking such questions as, "What's the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?" and "How do crocodiles kill their prey?" Other topics include locomotion, senses, feeding habits, egg-laying, and natural enemies. The books include a sharp color photograph or drawing of each creature, along with an illustrated sidebar offering additional facts about the featured animal or information about related species. Daniel Gilpin's Dwarf Geckos, Rattlesnakes & Other Reptiles (Compass Point, 2005) offers more detailed, better-organized information but Harris's colorful, accessible books will attract browsers and spur them on to further reading.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

LANDAU, Elaine. Beluga Whales: Animals of the Snow and Ice. PLB $22.60. ISBN 978-0-7660-3459-4. LC 2009006478.
----. Emperor Penguins: Animals of the Snow and Ice. RTE $22.60. ISBN 978-0-7660-3462-4. LC 2009006479.
ea vol: 32p. (Animals of the Snow and Ice Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow Elementary. 2010.
Gr 2-4-Basic facts are presented on two animal species inhabiting the coldest regions on Earth-the Arctic and Antarctic, respectively. In each title, a succinct text briefly describes the animals' distinctive characteristics, emphasizing those adaptations that enable them to survive the extreme cold. The animals' natural habitats; diet; birth, care, and development of young; threats to their survival; and conservation efforts are also included. Throughout most of each title, a full-page, or page and a quarter, sharp, color photograph of the featured creatures alternates with a page of text. An addendum of miscellaneous facts, a short list for further reading, and some websites are appended. Landau's smoothly written, well-illustrated titles are right on target for the intended audience.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

MACK, Lorrie & Penny Smith. Big Babies, Little Babies. 64p. photos. glossary. index. DK. 2010. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-6165-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3-This offering is big on pictures but small on content. It maintains all of the visual appeal of DK's popular "Eyewitness" and "Watch Me Grow" series, but the information is simply worked around pages of color photographs. A different animal is introduced on each of the 29 spreads. How parents care for offspring, whether as a team or separately; what the baby eats; and how long it requires adult care are mentioned. Sidebars and speech bubbles provide further information, some of which is not relevant to the topic. While the title suggests that this might be a concept book, the animals are introduced randomly, with no attempt to arrange them by geography, climate, or, indeed, size. This is a book that youngsters might enjoy browsing through, but it provides little more than a scattershot look at a popular topic.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

ORGILL, Roxane. Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald. illus. by Sean Qualls. unpaged. bibliog. further reading. Web sites. Candlewick. Aug. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-1733-2. LC 2009047407.
Gr 3-6-As the title cleverly indicates, this book describes how the poor, "raggedy cat" scat-sang her way into jazz history. Orgill begins with Fitzgerald as a child dancing to her mother's records and closes with the 21-year-old woman joining the Chick Webb Band in Harlem. The interim includes frank, but not frightening, descriptions of Fitzgerald's tenure in an abusive orphanage and of the impoverished days when she slept where she could and sang on the streets for money. The prose account of Fitzgerald's life often includes sound effects that recall her unique vocal style. For instance, she does not run away from the orphanage, she dashes off in a "skit-scat skedaddle." Snatches of her famous songs are woven throughout the narrative. Meanwhile, Qualls firmly establishes himself as a leading illustrator of jazz biographies for children. He uses rich reds and blues to illustrate the history of this quintessentially American art form, just as he did for Jonah Winter's Dizzy (Scholastic, 2006) and Carole Boston Weatherford's Before John Was a Jazz Giant (Holt, 2008). His mixed media of acrylic, collage, and pencil capture the richness of Fitzgerald's life and song. The back matter provides plenty of resources for further reading, listening, and Web exploration.-Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

PELÉ. For the Love of Soccer! illus. by Frank Morrison. unpaged. CIP. Hyperion
Disney. 2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1538-0. LC 2009015890.
K-Gr 2-In this picture-book autobiography, readers see a young Pelé playing soccer alongside a boy who has the same love and enthusiasm for the sport. Morrison's illustrations are filled with dynamic action shots, showing the boys' legs stretching to incredible angles in order to execute a perfect shot. Readers witness dramatic scenes such as one painted with a soccer ball sailing high in the air against the backdrop of a vast blue sky, as Pelé, now appearing as a teenager, and the young boy look on. A spread near the end shows an adult Pelé autographing the child's soccer ball. The pinnacle of the short text is represented with a vibrant spread showing a ball reaching the net-"GOOAALL!" The book is more general in nature than Lesa Cline-Ransome's Young Pelé: Soccer's First Star (Random, 2007). Only the back notes provide some detailed facts about the athlete's life, his family, and the origins of his nickname leading up to his big break on a professional team and the World Cup. Nonetheless, new soccer fans will welcome this addition.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PRELUTSKY, Jack, sel. There's No Place Like School. illus. by Jane Manning. 32p. HarperCollins
Greenwillow. July 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-082338-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-082339-9. LC 2009020373.
K-Gr 3-This collection of 18 short and funny poems by 13 different writers covers topics like riding the bus ("Sixteen boys-
fourteen girls-/Thirty pairs of sleepy eyes") to the struggles of learning cursive ("Who decides?/Who gets to choose?/Who dreams up these curlicues?"), all dear to the hearts of their intended audience. Prelutsky's "Grasshopper Gumbo" lists the offerings in the school cafeteria: "Grasshopper Gumbo/Iguana Tail Tarts/Toad À La Mode/Pickled Pelican Parts...." Manning's watercolors add colorful splashes of humor; her round-faced children are comical and cute. While this book has a lot in its favor, it's unfortunately an addition to an already crowded field of light verse about school. Libraries that have Carol Diggory Shields's Lunch Money (Dutton, 1995) or Prelutsky's What a Day It Was at School! (HarperCollins, 2006) might want to consider this title as a fun but nonessential purchase.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

SEIP, Shannon Payette & Kelly Parthen, & Carisa Dixon. Bean Appétit: Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food. illus. by Russell Dietrich. 194p. photos. index. Andrews McMeel. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7407-8517-7. LC 2009923915.
Gr 2-5-Fifteen bean-themed chapters (for instance, "Peanocchio: Book-Themed Food and Fun" and "Sweet Pea: Delicious Desserts") make up this playful mix of recipes, games, songs, and activities. Based on ideas used at Bean Sprouts, the authors' café and cooking school, the book has a commendable emphasis on healthy eating and using natural and organic ingredients. However, it suffers in other ways. Some of the directions are vague and require an experienced adult to fill in the details. A page listing ingredients for "Sweet Sippers" gives great ideas for making smoothies but doesn't suggest any specific (or even general) quantities. Elsewhere, readers are told they can grow herbs from seed by planting them in pots and simply "tending them." The graphics, mostly cartoons in varying shades of green, set a whimsical tone but serve little other function. There are some color photos throughout but few show the finished dishes. Overall, this could be a useful resource for adults who, like the authors, work with groups of children. It also may be more suited to personal rather than library use, since there are places where readers are told to mark the book (play "Bean-go" by crossing off pictures of fruits and vegetables as you taste them).-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

SMITH, Charles R., Jr. Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson. illus. by Shane W. Evans. unpaged. bibliog. Roaring Brook
A Neal Porter Bk. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-473-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5-Art and text work powerfully together to tell the story of the first African-American heavyweight champion. Smith begins by telling readers that "Black Jack was his OWN man." These bold words skillfully set the tone for the tale of how a shy, fearful young man learned to fight back and become one of history's more compelling personalities. Books play a role in the young man's development; biographies of Napoleon and Isaac Murphy (an African-American jockey) inspired Johnson to become a great man himself. Smith's brisk, rhythmic text captures the boxer's energy and vigor. For example, "But what Jack wanted most
was to be a great man/so he challenged the times./But it was Jack who was challenged/when he faced the color line." Evans's illustrations perfectly complement the text, using bold colors and strong brushstrokes to convey the athlete's larger-than-life personality. An endnote entitled "And Then What Happened?" provides an overview of the rest of Johnson's life. This book is sure to be championed by reluctant readers with energy and restlessness just like Johnson's, but it is a strong selection for library and classroom read-alouds as well.-Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

STERLING, Kristin. Black Everywhere. ISBN 978-0-7613-4591-6. LC 2009017986.
----. White Everywhere. ISBN 978-0-7613-4592-3. LC 2009017952.
----. Yellow Everywhere. ISBN 978-0-7613-4589-3. LC 2009017951.
ea vol: 32p. (Lightning Bolt Bks.-Colors Everywhere Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Lerner. 2010. PLB $25.26.
K-Gr 2-Animals and flowers, household objects and clothing, food and paint illustrate color in these easy-to-read concept books. Sharp, simple stock photos are set on bright backgrounds and accompanied by a few sentences on each page. Natural and manmade use of each color is demonstrated, as well as emotional and cultural interpretations of the hues ("Fashion designers think black is a glamorous color") and fun facts. Children and families are shown reading or playing, eating, making art, or listening to music. Pets and farm animals keep things lively. Pleasant additions to the easy-reader shelf.-Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

VENEZIA, Mike. Daniel Hale Williams: Surgeon Who Opened Hearts and Minds. ISBN 978-0-531-23729-8. LC 2009030221.
----. Jane Goodall: Researcher Who Champions Chimps. ISBN 978-0-531-23731-1. LC 2009030213.
----. Steve Jobs & Steve Wosniak: Geek Heroes Who Put the Personal in Computers. ISBN 978-0-531-23730-4. LC 2009030214.
----. The Wright Brothers: Inventors Whose Ideas Really Took Flight. ISBN 978-0-531-23732-8. LC 2009030222.
ea vol: illus. by author. 32p. (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Inventors & Scientists Series). photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. Children's Press. 2010. PLB $28.
Gr 3-4-These large-font, chatty biographies are easy to read and will fulfill most basic report requirements. The illustrations range from period photographs with excellent captions to humorous cartoons. Venezia's tone is casual, almost to the point of being distracting. The adjective "super" (e.g., "super wealthy," "super successful," etc.) is overused. Also, in some titles, there are gaps of unexplained white space. There are few juvenile biographies about Williams, who performed one of the first successful open-chest cavity surgeries. His legacy of fighting segregation in the medical community deserves a wide audience. The title about Jobs and Wozniak is useful, as it is one of the few recent biographies about two people who revolutionized the world through their work with computers. Goodall and Wright Brothers are serviceable additions. With the exception of Williams, the books do an excellent job of relating how childhood passions led to life- and world-changing discoveries and inventions. Since Williams worked throughout his childhood, little time existed for development of childhood interests.-Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

YOLEN, Jane. Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan. illus. by Steve Adams. unpaged. CIP. Dutton. Aug. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47886-7. LC 2009024697.
Gr 3-5-By opening her biography with the magic words "Once upon a time," Yolen gives the story of J. M. Barrie's life a fairy-tale tone that perfectly suits its subject. This approach certainly does not gloss over the many tragedies he endured, such as the loss of a sibling or homesickness at boarding school. Instead, the framework is used to shed light on how Barrie used imagination and fantasy to entertain himself and others, especially during hard times. Yolen also provides a detailed account of Barrie's friendship with the Llewellyn Davies family, and how their escapades helped give birth to his masterpiece, Peter Pan. The book's illustrations and layout brilliantly capture the spirit of the text and its subject. A full-page painting faces a page of text, which also features an inset image reflecting the larger one opposite. In addition, each page of text features a quote from Barrie's own works, all of which are carefully chosen to capture the main idea or feeling of the spread. Adams's luminous, carefully composed paintings feel old-fashioned, making them perfectly suited to the text. He also uses light to indicate the key figure in a scene, much like a spotlight in Barrie's beloved theater. A beautiful tribute.-Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

E-Mail This Link

Enter recipient's e-mail:

Close

Email

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

Share