School Library Journal» Holt

Pick of the Day: That’s a Possibility! A Book About What Might Happen

SLJ — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 09:00:08 +0000

GOLDSTONE, Bruce. That’s a Possibility!: A Book About What Might Happen. 32p. illus. photos. Holt. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8998-1.
K-Gr 4–As he did in Great Estimations (Holt, 2006), Goldstone takes a mathematical concept and makes it easily understandable for children and great fun as well. Using a question/answer format, he explains possibility, impossibility, probability, improbability, and certainty. Each concept is accompanied by photographs that are not only sharp and clear, but that also employ colors that make the pictures really pop. Varying sizes and fonts add interest, and the subjects that Goldstone has chosen to illustrate the concepts have a great deal of child appeal. The pages featuring combinations have adorable Squidgy the Bear dressed in the 100 outfits made possible by his possessing 10 shirts and 10 pairs of pants. It’s “bearly possible” to predict which outfit he will wear because of the 1 in 100 odds. This book will be a boon to teachers working with these concepts, and it will attract browsers as well. A first purchase.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Pick of the Day: Frog Song

SLJ — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:43 +0000

GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. Frog Song. illus. by Gennady Spirin. 40p. bibliog. websites. Holt. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9254-7. LC 2011041940.
K-Gr 4–Guiberson has carefully chosen and researched 11 varieties of frogs whose habitats are scattered across six continents. In the spare text, she provides a transliteration of each species’ song and describes how its young are incubated and hatched. For example, the male Darwin’s frog scoops his tadpoles into his mouth and–after seven weeks of incubation–spits out his little froglets. On a spread at the end, the author notes where each frog can be found, its size, and an interesting fact or two. Each of Spirin’s exquisitely detailed, larger-than-life illustrations, created with tempera, watercolor, and pencil, provides a two-page close-up of a species in its native habitat, with a large, pale-hued area set aside to house the large-print text. There is just enough information to interest older children who can read the book themselves, but the realistic pictures and fascinating facts can be shared one-on-one with younger children as well. A thought-provoking author’s note mentions species-endangering changes in the environment caused by pollution, global warming, and paving of natural pathways. “A frog song is a celebration of clean water, plants, and insects to eat,” Guiberson cautions. A bibliography and list of outstanding informational websites are appended to this beautifully presented nature lesson.–Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Pick of the Day: Necromancing the Stone (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:00:05 +0000

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

Pick of the Day: Zero the Hero (CD)

SLJ — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:05:45 +0000

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

Pick of the Day: Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

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