http://www.slj.com The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:23:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-zero-the-hero-cd/ http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-zero-the-hero-cd/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:05:45 +0000 SLJ http://www.slj.com/?p=28757 Zero the Hero. By Joan Holub. CD. 12:45 min. with hardcover book. Spoken Arts. 2012. ISBN 0-8045-4242-2. $29.95. Gr 1-3–Zero dons superhero garb and tries to change his reputation because he’s tired of feeling like nothing. It’s clear that he makes no impact in addition, subtraction, or division. And in multiplication he sends the other numbers fleeing in fear of extinction. Finally, in despair, Zero rolls away. However, once he’s gone the other numbers miss him. They can’t make 10. They [...]]]> Zero the Hero. By Joan Holub. CD. 12:45 min. with hardcover book. Spoken Arts. 2012. ISBN 0-8045-4242-2. $29.95.
Gr 1-3–Zero dons superhero garb and tries to change his reputation because he’s tired of feeling like nothing. It’s clear that he makes no impact in addition, subtraction, or division. And in multiplication he sends the other numbers fleeing in fear of extinction. Finally, in despair, Zero rolls away. However, once he’s gone the other numbers miss him. They can’t make 10. They can’t round up or down. They start to regret the way they treated him. Then bigger problems arise. They are attacked by toga-clad Roman numerals! Zero hears their cries for help and saves the day by demonstrating his awesome ability to make things disappear by multiplying with them. The invaders flee in horror and Zero takes his rightful place among the other numbers. Joan Holub’s fun, light-hearted book (Holt, 2012) teaches important math concepts regarding zero. Jim Brownold and Cie Peterson create unique voices for all the different numbers, who are very talkative participants in the story. Listeners can enjoy the conversations while perusing Tom Lichtenheld’s hilarious illustrations. Original background music by Bruce Zimmerman enhances the experience. This fun and enjoyable package would make a great listening center.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

]]> http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-zero-the-hero-cd/feed/ 1 http://www.slj.com/2012/12/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-won-ton-a-cat-tale-told-in-haiku-audiobook/ http://www.slj.com/2012/12/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-won-ton-a-cat-tale-told-in-haiku-audiobook/#comments Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000 SLJ http://www.slj.com/?p=23674 Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. By Lee Wardlaw. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4565-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4571-4: $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-8050-8995-0: $16.99. Gr 1-4–A cat sits in a shelter. There are other cats around him, yet he is alone. Will anyone choose him? Yes! But adjustments must be made…mostly by his new owners because, after all, he IS a cat. Wardlaw’s book (Holt, 2011) strikes just the right notes. Written in clever [...]]]> Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. By Lee Wardlaw. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2012. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4640-4565-3, CD: ISBN 978-1-4640-4571-4: $15.75; hardcover book, ISBN 978-1-8050-8995-0: $16.99.
Gr 1-4–A cat sits in a shelter. There are other cats around him, yet he is alone. Will anyone choose him? Yes! But adjustments must be made…mostly by his new owners because, after all, he IS a cat. Wardlaw’s book (Holt, 2011) strikes just the right notes. Written in clever and evocative haiku, this delightful story follows Won Ton as he settles into his new home and neighborhood. This cat clearly has personality, and James Yaegashi puts a subtle purr in his voice as he brings the cat to life vocally, changing the pacing of his performance to match the mood changes of the text. Listeners will smile in recognition of the vicissitudes of catdom, and come away feeling as if an errant tail has just flicked past their ankles.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

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