Preschool to Grade 4 Reviews: October, 2005
-- School Library Journal, 10/1/2005
See SLJ's December 2005 Holiday Book Reviews
Fiction
ADLER, David A. Bones and the Dinosaur Mystery. illus. by Barbara Johansen Newman. 32p. (Bones Series). Viking. 2005. RTE $13.99. ISBN 0-670-06010-0. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–In this fourth Jeffrey Bones mystery, the young detective visits the museum with his grandpa and Grandpa's friend Sally. They explore the dinosaur exhibit and then move on to the gift shop, where Grandpa buys Jeffrey a blue plastic T-rex. After a snack, they go to the moon exhibit, where the boy realizes that he no longer has his dinosaur. The plot and narration are simple and straightforward, and attentive children will find it easy to solve the mystery of the missing toy. Bones is a junior parallel to Adler's Cam Jansen but without the photographic memory. He is reminiscent of Nate the Great and, similarly, he narrates his own tale. Appealing cartoon caricatures are colorful and infused with humorous details like funky clothing, groovy glasses, and exaggerated expressions. A good choice for beefing up beginning-reader sections.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
AHLBERG, Allan. The Children Who Smelled a Rat. illus. by Katharine McEwen. 80p. glossary. notes. CIP. Candlewick. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2870-0. LC 2004062938.
Gr 2-5–This fourth book about the Gaskitts is genuinely entertaining. Horace, the family's cat, describes it as "unputdownable," and it is. Several threads occur simultaneously: Dad chases the baby in a runaway stroller; taxi driver mom finds unusual packages left in her cab; and the children try to solve the mystery of their teacher's strange behavior. McEwen's quaint, cartoon illustrations are integrated throughout the chapters and have captions that tell yet additional tales. Teachers will find useful Ahlberg's inclusion of literary devices in addition to the multiple adventures of the Gaskitts. The book has 16 easy-to-read chapters, a glossary, a table of contents, and footnotes referencing events that occurred in the previous adventures–all devices to teach children about intricate and detailed story reading and writing. This is a gem of a book: funny, riveting, absorbing, unputdownable!–Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH
ALL AROUND TOWN. ISBN 1-58087-098-8.
AT THE AIRPORT. ISBN 1-580897100-3.
LEARN TO BUILD. ISBN 1-58087-099-6.
ON CITY STREETS. ISBN 1-58087-101-1.
ea vol: 21p. (Billy & Baxter Series). illus. glossary. Stampley. 2005. PLB $8.95. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Preschooler Billy and his fluffy white canine pal are recurring characters in these marginal picture books. In Town, the two tour a business center, a school, a farmer's market, a hospital, an athletic field, and a cruise ship. (The text explains that a ship is a city of its own.) They visit a terminal and a hangar in Airport. In Build, they observe the construction of a home, boat, car, skyscraper, bridge, railroad, and road, and in City Streets, Billy and Baxter travel through a city via foot, truck, and car. All of these titles have the same format. A bland paragraph of text is found in the upper left corner of each spread. For example, one portion of a passage reads: "Next year Billy will go to school. Baxter will stay at home. At school you read and do math" (Town). The full-spread illustrations are strong in bold primary colors; elements such as people and objects are outlined in black. Underneath each paragraph is a subset of smaller pictures. There are no directions to search for them within the larger scene, but children should pick up on the idea and look for these details. However, the smaller subset pictures are not always facing the same directions as those in the larger picture. All of the books have art that is lost in the gutter. The glossaries don't always include words that need definitions; for example, the one in Airport includes cockpit and fuselage but not stabilizer. Additional purchases.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH
ANDERSON, Derek. Over the River: A Turkey's Tale. illus. by author. unpaged. score. CIP. S & S. Oct. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-689-87635-1. LC 2004018305.
PreS-Gr 3–Anderson's amusing acrylic artwork provides a new twist on a favorite holiday song. The book contains the familiar lyrics, but the illustrations show that in this version, it's a turkey family on the way to Grandma's house. As a young bird carrying a Pilgrim doll and his parents walk through the snowy woods, they meet a horse that "knows the way/to carry the sleigh" and does so–literally, trotting up a hill with a sled tucked under one arm. Meanwhile, a young hunter and a barely ferocious-looking hound are going over their plan to catch a gobbler for dinner. They give chase as the birds come into view, but an odd scarecrow (the turkeys in disguise) temporarily stops the pursuers in their tracks. Then the horse screeches downhill on the sled right into the middle of everything, and the pie is ruined. But, this is Thanksgiving, after all, and everyone sits down for a nice meal–except for the boy, who is still outside hunting down his hunting hound. This is a fun, humorous addition to Thanksgiving collections. Children will enjoy looking at the entertaining illustrations and comparing the chaos pictured there to the words of the old song. The lyrics and music are included on the endpapers.–Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA
ARKIN, Alan. Cosmo: A Cautionary Tale. illus. by Jon Richards. 34p. Azro. 2005. Tr $19.95. ISBN 1-929115-12-1. LC 2004115961.
Gr 2-4–This tale starts out on a promising note but ultimately disappoints. Cosmo's job is to ensure that the wall surrounding his island country remains intact, since this particular island is so much lower than the sea. He can only do his job by repeating the words that tell him how: "Hammer in a stick from the Billabom Bush, Then smear it with the tar from the Ticamo Tree." But when a genius observes him, he convinces the mayor to throw a celebration in Cosmo's honor. Cosmo just wants to work, but when he doesn't show up for his own party, the Mayor sends the Chief of Police to get him. When he continues mending holes instead of participating, he is thrown in jail. Of course, by the time Cosmo is released and tries to fix the leaks, the situation is beyond hope–and he is blamed. With the island flooded, a disgusted Cosmo finds another island and settles down with a nice woman, refusing for a long time even to speak of past events. When the mayor's son sends a note saying that Cosmo should have been left alone to do his job, he is comforted to some extent. Although written with a light and humorous touch, and supported by amusing, brightly colored illustrations, this is essentially a silly tale that has a lot to say, has a lot of action, but never makes its point clear.–Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
ARMSTRONG-ELLIS, Carey. Seymour Slug Starts School. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Abrams. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-8109-5779-5. LC 2004029158.
PreS-Gr 2–Seymour Slug, who has just moved into a new house near a compost pile, is anxious about starting school. His Fairy Slugmother appears the night before to reassure him that she will show him the way. Seymour is more relaxed as he slithers to class, but his guardian angel turns out to be far less helpful than promised. She draws all over his writing paper, makes a mess of his planting project, and causes him to trip over the jump rope at recess. Finally, he lets her know that he can manage without her. On his own for the rest of the day, the youngster has a great time and gets on with his new friends. While this tale has some clever humor in the text and colorful illustrations, there is little new here except for the use of slugs as protagonists. However, they look odd rather than endearing jumping rope or dressed as fairies. For more successful stories of the everyday life of garden critters, try Doreen Cronin's Diary of Worm (HarperCollins, 2003).–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
AVI. Poppy's Return. illus. by Brian Floca. 227p. CIP. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-000012-0; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-000013-9. LC 2004030054.
Gr 3-6–In this latest installment in the series, Avi gives his animal characters an uncomfortable humanity. Poppy, now the mother of 11, faces middle age with sighs and regrets while her troublesome son Ragweed Jr. suffers the pangs of adolescence. When humans threaten to destroy Poppy's parents' home, she and Ragweed make the journey together, developing respect for one another's courage. This book lacks the delightful charm of the previous books. The deer mouse's midlife crisis and her son's adolescent rantings aren't well suited to their animal natures and won't be understood by the target audience, and the dialogue ranges from trite to grating. Avi devotes over half the book to the family conflict and very few pages to the attempted destruction of the farm, which, when it does come, is too facilely resolved. While Ereth the porcupine's colorful metaphors will please readers, there is little else to hold this book together. Unless series readers demand it, look to other titles such as M. I. McAllister's Urchin of the Riding Stars (Hyperion, 2005) for animal adventure.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
BAA BAA, BLACK SHEEP! ISBN 1-904550-41-X.
ITSY BITSY SPIDER. ISBN 1-904550-43-6.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR. ISBN 1-904550-42-8.
ea vol: illus. by Annie Kubler. unpaged. (Sign & Sing-Along Series). Child's Play. 2005. BD $4.99. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Festive watercolors show endearing toddlers singing and signing each well-loved song. Black arrows and squiggles depict the motions that their hands should make. Motions that show actual American Sign Language for words such as sun or spider have captions while those that are traditional fingerplay movements are uncaptioned. While this approach could be confusing to ASL speakers, the books should appeal not only to families with hearing-impaired children but also to those following the current trend of teaching prespeakers basic sign language.–Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CT
BAGULEY, Elizabeth. Meggie Moon. illus. by Gregoire Mabire. unpaged. CIP. Good Bks. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 1-56148-474-1. LC 2004019529.
PreS-Gr 2–Digger and Tiger are "rough-and-tumble boys, spiky-haired, hole-at-the-knee boys" who spend all their time in the Yard. When Meggie Moon enters their turf, the boys sneer, "We don't play with girls." Undeterred, she rifles through the broken broom handles, garbage-can lids, and light bulbs and creates a magnificent race car. Her clever ideas and spunky nature win the boys over and she leads them on imaginary journeys through haunted castles and snake pits. Digger and Tiger realize that before they met Meggie, "the rubble was just rubble." When their new friend leaves, they build a spaceship in tribute to their "lost captain." Mabire's watercolor cartoon illustrations invite a closer look. The fantastic creations are chock-full of cast-offs and broken bits, and show two rats enjoying their own adventures. A good choice to discuss gender stereotypes as well as the powers of imagination.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
BARNES, Laura T. Ernest and Elston. illus. by Carol A. Camburn. unpaged. Barnesyard. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-9674681-6-7. LC 2005900628.
PreS-Gr 2–A moralistic tale about a rooster and a miniature donkey. Elston worries that the other animals don't like him because his loud "cockle doodle do" wakes them up every morning. Ernest's awareness that he is different from the full-size donkeys makes him more sensitive and sympathetic to his friend's concerns, and he assures the rooster that his crow is what makes him special. Nevertheless, Elston, who wishes he had four legs and a furry coat instead of feathers, decides to repress his urge to crow. When the animals sleep until noon, Ernest reassures him that he really is needed and that he is perfect as is. Whimsical watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the longing of the rooster and the steadfastness of his friend. Although derivative of other picture books about trying to be something one is not, this title may reassure some children that their differences are what make them special. Additional fare.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
BAUER, Jutta. Grandpa's Angel. tr. from German. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. 2005. RTE $12.99. ISBN 0-7636-2743-7. LC 2004057038.
Gr 3-6–An exquisite re-creation of an old man's life. The book begins as a boy visits his grandfather in the hospital ("Grandpa loved telling stories. He told me stories whenever I went to visit him…") and then moves into the man's narrative of his charmed life, a life, as the wonderful gouache-and-ink illustrations emphasize, protected by the actions of the stone angel that stood in the town square. His boyhood included encounters with Nazi storm troopers ("I was never a coward, although I didn't know how dangerous times were back then") and unimaginable losses ("One day, [his Jewish friend] disappeared. I never saw him again, which made me very sad"). Still, the elderly man concludes, "All in all, it's been a beautiful life." The book is very difficult to classify–the starkly poetic text is perfectly paired with illustrations that gently add details to the story. The artwork has the loose but accurate compassion of Quentin Blake's work, and, like Blake, Bauer expresses both humor and pathos. Michael Foreman's War Boy (Pavilion, 2000) describes an English childhood during World War II; Grandpa's Angel captures part of the German wartime experience. It is a book to savor for its magical humanity.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME
BLANKENSHIP, LeeAnn. Mr. Tuggle's Troubles. illus. by Karen Dugan. unpaged. CIP. Boyds Mills. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59078-196-1. LC 2003026877.
K-Gr 3–Mr. Tuggle wakes up on a spring day and cannot find his hat in his messy apartment. He goes to work bareheaded, but later regrets his decision when a bird makes a mess in his hair while he eats lunch in the park. Back at the office, he folds and dons a newspaper hat and people stare at his odd attire. Each morning, another piece of clothing goes missing, only to be replaced by a homemade item: instead of shoes, he ties boxes to his feet; he fashions a shirt out of curtains; and he uses a picture from his office as an umbrella. When he sees his reflection in a shop window, he realizes how silly he looks. That evening, he straightens up his home and puts his clothes away so they will be easy to find. On Friday morning, he looks forward to a great day; the final illustration shows him cheerfully heading down the street, unaware that he is not wearing pants. Dugan's watercolor illustrations cleverly play up Mr. Tuggle's silly predicaments, and clean white backdrops keep readers' attention focused on his exploits. The sight of a thin, balding man with a small mustache who seems so fastidious and proper wearing newspapers, boxes, and curtains will elicit lots of laughs.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH
BROWN, Susan Taylor. Oliver's Must-Do List. illus. by Mary Sullivan. unpaged. CIP. Boyds Mills. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 1-59078-198-8. LC 2004029086.
PreS-Gr 2–Oliver, a rhino wearing a striped T-shirt, wants to play with his mother, but she has a long list of chores to do. Lonely and bored, he creates his own "Must-Do" list. His mother recognizes Oliver's need and they spend the day together. The plot is satisfying and many children will identify with Oliver and his need for a playmate. Unfortunately, the digitally rendered artwork is often cluttered and overwhelming, showing the protagonist surrounded by his many possessions. Although some of the details are charming (such as the facial expressions of the youngster's Boston terrier), more often the pictures pack in too many images for viewers to take in. The illustrations are sometimes from Oliver's point of view (for example, only showing the belt of his mother's apron) and sometimes more general, and the switch in perspective is distracting. The endpapers include a neighborhood map that does not relate to the story, adding to the confusion.–Susan Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ
BRUEL, Nick. Bad Kitty. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. Oct. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59643-069-9. LC 2004024456.
K-Gr 3–This four-part alphabet book will appeal to youngsters who like their stories more naughty than nice. The tale opens with Kitty learning that her owners have run out of cat food and that her only options are healthy and nutritious edibles that run the gamut from "Asparagus" to "Zucchini." She reacts by doing an A-to-Z list of mischievous things, like "claw[ing] the curtains" and "hurl[ing] hair balls at our heads." When her owners return with food that ranges from "An Assortment of Anchovies" to "Baked Zebra Ziti," Kitty realizes she must atone for her bad behavior with a final list of alphabetical deeds such as cleaning the cat box and washing the car. Some actions and items are a bit of a stretch, in particular "sQuashes" for "Q" and "rhUbarb" for "U." While the story is packed with colorful cartoon illustrations that introduce each object, it is Kitty who steals the show with her slyly drawn feline expressions. Intended for slightly older alphabet-book fans, this offering will attract readers with a taste for the ridiculous.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
CARTWRIGHT, Reg. What We Do. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt. 2005. Tr $7.95. ISBN 0-8050-7671-9. LC 2004010134.
PreS-Gr 1–This engaging picture book with perky paintings associates a variety of animals with their typical forms of movement. The rhyming sentences are short and to the point. For example, "We are worms and we wiggle. I'm a caterpillar. I creep. I'm a fish and I swim. We are lambs and we leap." One or two sentences are placed either at the top or bottom of the full-page artwork. As the book moves on, children see a monkey swing, penguins waddle, a kangaroo jump, ants march, and so on, until children play. The appealing illustrations depict the cheerful creatures and children frozen in the motions suggested by the corresponding action verbs. Great for building youngsters' vocabularies, this selection can be used as a prompt for motivating preschoolers to jump, march, hop, stretch, etc. Try integrating it into a storytime.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH
CAZET, Denys. Minnie and Moo: The Case of the Missing Jelly Donut. illus. by author. 48p. (An I Can Read Bk.). CIP. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-073007-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-073008-0. LC 2004022468.
Gr 1-3–Cazet offers another strong entry in this beginning chapter-book series about two lovable cows. Minnie believes her jelly donut has been stolen and Moo is determined to catch the thief. Finding a blue feather nearby, she decides that a blue chicken must have committed the crime. Wearing poultry disguises, the bovines hide out in the henhouse, to the surprise of Elvis the rooster and a fox on the prowl. Readers will chuckle at the ending as the true culprit is discovered. The cheerful illustrations depict the action and contain details that are sure to elicit even more laughs. Fans of Minnie and Moo and readers new to the series will enjoy solving this mystery.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
CAZET, Denys. The Perfect Pumpkin Pie. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/A Richard Jackson Bk. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86467-1. LC 2003017086.
K-Gr 3–The talented and prolific Cazet scores again. It's Halloween night, and when Mrs. Wilkerson tells her grouchy husband that there won't be any pie in the afterlife, he declares, "Then I ain't goin'!" Then he keels over face down in the pie pan, dead with a fork in his hand. His wife buries him in the pumpkin patch, moves away, and that's that. Or is it? Of course not. A boy and his grandmother move into the house and are visited on the next Halloween by a wonderfully earthy ghost (with a fork sticking out of his brain and a removable eyeball) who is in search of the perfect pumpkin pie. This tale makes a great read-aloud, complete with the catchy refrain: "Pumpkins, pumpkins,/pumpkin pie!/I must have one/before I die./It must be round/and brown as toast,/or I'll haunt this house/a hungry ghost." The watercolor cartoons are dynamic and funny, bursting with details that kids will love (the ghost makes his exits in a swirl of chaotic lines filled with baking utensils). Even if your holiday shelves are crowded, make room for this one.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
COMORA, Madeleine. Rembrandt and Titus: Artist and Son. illus. by Thomas Locker. 32p. bibliog. CIP. Fulcrum. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 1-55591-490-X. LC 2004030229.
Gr 2-5–In this fictional biography, Rembrandt's son tells how his father chose to become an artist. Titus highlights events in the famous artist's life–his marriage, his wife's death, the rise and fall of his popularity, and his wealth. Most importantly, he learns how his father sees the world. The light, shadows, and reflections help him to discover that there is beauty in everything, from old beggars to landscapes. Rembrandt proved this over and over. The richly painted illustrations are inspired by specific works, which are listed with the bibliography. The illustrator has worked in Rembrandt's own style to produce portraits and landscapes. He masters the chiaroscuro technique and the dramatic effect that Titus mentions in his narrative. Locker is particularly skillful in creating the Dutch landscapes–not so very different from his own. The text and art fit well together. Full-page paintings face full pages of large-print text. Warm earth tones are both background to the text and frames for the illustrations. The result is a total package that transports readers into Rembrandt's world. An author's note offers a brief summary of the master's life and works.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
COX, Judy. Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie! illus. by Joe Mathieu. unpaged. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-7614-5166-8. LC 2004019320.
PreS-Gr 2–Silly Mrs. Millie delights her kindergarteners with such humorous phrases as "Don't forget your lunch bunny," "don't cut in the lion," and "hang up your goats," which they rush to correct. Cox's simplistic wordplay successfully sets the stage for Mathieu's vibrant, full-spread illustrations. When gorilla cheese sandwiches are offered, Mathieu's energetic drawing shows a disconcerted primate stuck between two sticky slices of bread. Moreover, the artist's lively and imaginative cartoons aid in understanding the sometimes slightly forced text. When Mrs. Millie wants the class to come in after recess, she yells, "It's time to chameleon," and the students are portrayed running alongside lizards, with each one cleverly reflecting the clothing of the nearest child. The repetitiveness and frequent rhyming of Mrs. Millie's obvious substitutions make this story an appealing read-aloud. –Erin Senig, Bronxville Public Library, NY
CURIOUS GEORGE LEARNS TO COUNT FROM 1 TO 100. illus. by Anna Grossnickle Hines. unpaged. CIP. Houghton. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-618-47602-4. LC 2004015766.
PreS-Gr 1–Curious George is back in this counting adventure that is chock-full of activities such as grouping, mapping, and sorting questions, prompted by a little blue bird that travels with him throughout the book. Readers will enjoy exploring with the monkey as he and the man with the yellow hat go from home to school to the town's Centennial Celebration. Hines's color illustrations in the style of H. A. Rey contain many things for young learners to count, including a parade of ants, leaves blowing in the air, and rungs on a ladder, so this title may be best for sharing one-on-one. Ideas for using the story to enhance learning as well as ways to explore numbers are included at the end of the book.–Tracy Bell, Eastway Elementary School, Durham, NC
CUTLER, Rowan. Stop This Birthday! illus. by Elizabeth McClellan. unpaged. CIP. Chronicle. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-8118-3765-3. LC 2004002861.
PreS-Gr 1–This slightly off-kilter take on the "be careful what you wish for" adage suffers from a lack of internal logic. Zephyr can't wait another hour, minute, or second for her birthday. Finally the big day arrives and at the end of it, when the birthday fairy asks what she wanted, she wishes that it were her birthday every day. Next, she wishes for it to be every minute, then every second, and, finally, things get so frenzied that she asks for it to stop, and goes back to having one every year. The slight story is simply told, with nice repetition and good read-aloud potential, but there is limited plot and some of the language is awkward. Also, the issue that once it is her birthday every day, it is already her birthday every minute and second is likely to frustrate literal-minded youngsters. The mixed-media cartoon art is brightly colored and interesting, and gets increasingly wild as the story unfolds. While libraries needing more books on birthdays may find this an acceptable addition, most others can pass.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
DANZIGER, Paula. Orange You Glad It's Halloween, Amber Brown? illus. by Tony Ross. 48p. CIP. Putnam. 2005. RTE $13.99. ISBN 0-399-23471-3. LC 2003026637.
Gr 1-3–Danziger has done it again. This multilayered easy-to-read book, set before the Browns' divorce, lays the groundwork for their split, as Amber notices that Mom and Dad are not getting along. The straightforward text balances her worries about her parents with the excitement and enjoyment of a day packed with special Halloween activities, combining serious issues with the humor and fun readers expect from the series. Justin's knock-knock jokes will appeal to funny bones, as will Amber's secret Halloween costume, revealed on the last page. Ross's fluid, colorful illustrations add to the holiday excitement. A must-have for this feisty character's legion of fans.–Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CT
DAY, Alexandra. Carl's Sleepy Afternoon. illus. by author. unpaged. Farrar. Oct. 2005. Tr $12.95. ISBN 0-374-31088-2. LC 2004103062.
PreS-Gr 1–That lovable canine and his adorable preschool companion return in another winsome picture book. As the story opens, the pup is supposed to stay home for an afternoon nap while Madeleine and her mother go shopping. Instead, the dog hitches a ride on a thrift-shop truck and jumps out in front of a bakery where Madeleine and her mom are buying sweets. Without Mom noticing, Carl enters the store and Madeleine feeds him a cookie. He then heads for the pharmacy, where he's enlisted to deliver a prescription to the vet. With his errand successfully completed, he continues on and winds up participating in an outdoor magic show and rescuing a dog and her puppies from a fire. He even stops in front of a bookstore with a poster mounted in the window–advertising a Carl book. The entertaining story is told through the gently detailed, warmly realistic paintings. There's a bit more text here than in previous books, but it flows well with the illustrations. This is a must-read for fans, and it stands well on its own.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH
DE DÉU PRATS, Joan. Sebastian's Roller Skates. illus. by Francesc Rovira. 32p. photos. Kane/Miller. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-929132-81-6. LC 2005923347.
K-Gr 3–Sebastian always has a lot to say, but he is too shy to speak up. He won't answer in class, tell the barber that he doesn't like his haircut, or talk to his neighbors. He is especially shy around the curly haired girl he likes at school. Then one day, Sebastian finds an abandoned pair of roller skates and tries them on. At first, he falls down and decides that skating is not for him. However, these mysterious skates won't go away and eventually he is gliding through the park. Soon, with his newfound courage, he is talking in spite of himself–after all, he has always had a lot to say. The cartoon illustrations tell what the text cannot, as a collage of torn-paper "thoughts" spills from Sebastian's head whenever he wants to talk. The collages start out in black and white but as Sebastian grows more confident and begins to share his thoughts aloud, they erupt into full color. Careful observers will notice that details from previous spreads reappear a few pages later in Sebastian's thoughts and that any text in his mind and in the art itself are in Spanish as this book was originally published in Spain. There is much to be savored in this story of self-discovery, and young audiences will find something new with each rereading.–Julie Roach, Watertown Free Public Library, MA
DEPAOLA, Tomie. Angels, Angels Everywhere. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-399-24370-4. LC 2004026987.
PreS–In this sweet tribute, dePaola has created a visual story of the important role these celestial beings play in our everyday lives. Beginning with "the wake up angel" and concluding with "the goodnight angel," a host of heavenly friends accompanies a variety of children to school, to the playground, and to a tea party. The children also enjoy visits at home from "the kitchen angel," "the pet angel," "the popcorn angel," and "the babysitting angel." The charming images, deftly drawn in rich pastel shades, convey a sense of happiness and well-being. The smiling, round-faced youngsters cheerfully go about their activities while the hovering angels lend a helping hand. Each picture is framed by a stylized border and includes the name of the appropriate angel at the bottom. A pleasant addition to most collections.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
DERBY, Sally. The Wacky Substitute. illus. by Jennifer Herbert. unpaged. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-7614-5219-2. LC 2004019452.
K-Gr 3–Mr. Wuerst ruins his glasses when they fall into his frying pan as he is cooking bacon. A minute later, he is called to teach a kindergarten class, and he agrees to do so despite his visual impairment. Wrapping a dish towel, instead of a scarf, around his neck, he heads for the school. His vision remains problematic throughout the day, so he can't distinguish milk from orange juice at snack time and falls asleep in class from his exhausting efforts to see. At dismissal time, he leads the children to a fire truck and wonders at the red color of the new "school bus." At the end of the day, Mr. Wuerst says, "I'm off to the eye doctor's…" as he opens the door to the girls' bathroom. The humor lies in the fact that Mr. Wuerst makes so many innocent mistakes that have no serious consequences. The colorful cartoon illustrations in gouache paint support the text well. Children who have had experience with substitute teachers will appreciate this wacky story about a Mr. Magoo of the education world.–Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ
DICAMILLO, Kate. Mercy Watson to the Rescue. illus. by Chris Van Dusen. 68p. CIP. Candlewick. 2005. RTE $12.99. ISBN 0-7636-2270-2. LC 2004051896.
K-Gr 2–Mercy Watson, a disarmingly charming pig adopted by a loving human family, makes her debut in this new series of chapter books for beginning readers. After the Watsons tuck Mercy into bed with a sweet song and a kiss, she feels "warm inside, as if she has just eaten hot toast with a great deal of butter on it." However, afraid of the dark, she snuggles into bed with the couple. Moments later, all three are rudely awakened from their lovely dreams with a "BOOM!" as their bed falls into a hole that has opened in the floor beneath them. In hot pursuit of buttered toast, "the porcine wonder" inadvertently gets help and saves the day. Along the way, she causes great, humorous distress to the next-door Lincoln sisters. Van Dusen's bright gouache illustrations have a jovial exaggerated style and capture the sometimes frantic action and silliness of Mercy's "heroic" escapade.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
DONALDSON, Julia. The Giants and the Joneses. illus. by Greg Swearingen. 215p. glossary. CIP. Holt. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-8050-7805-3. LC 2004060727.
Gr 3-5–Most giants in Groil disregard the fairy tale about the tiny thief who once climbed a plant up to their land, but young Jumbeelia is sure that the pocket-sized "iggly plops" must exist. She drops a mysterious seed over the cloud edge, and, sure enough, a "bimplestonk" grows in the night. She climbs down to the miniature world where she collects some souvenirs, including three children–Collette; her brother, Stephen; and their baby sister, Poppy. The humans attempt to communicate with their huge captor, but, like all giants, Jumbeelia speaks only Groilish, and, in any case, she is too large to hear them. She installs the children in her dollhouse and plays nicely with her new "toys," but her brother is jealous and wants the iggly plops for his own. When he gets hold of them, he plays cruel, dangerous games with them, even forcing Stephen into deadly combat with a colossal wasp. The children resolve to escape, but the giant world is filled with dangerous objects and enormous creatures, including a very hungry cat and a mad old giant with a grudge against humans. The use of Groilish adds the appeal of a secret code to the story. All dialogue among the giants is written strictly in their own language. In-text translation is rare, although almost everything is clear in context. Dictionaries are provided so that young readers can become proficient in the lingo. An exciting story with a subtle message about respect and cooperation.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
DURANGO, Julia. Dream Hop. illus. by Jared Lee. unpaged. S & S. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-87163-5. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–This rhyming tale suggests a novel coping mechanism for dealing with bad dreams as a young boy evades his nightmares by "dream hopping" to less-scary environments. Chased up a tree by frightening monsters, he calls out, "DREAM HOP," and ends up in a grand castle. However, a large knight soon rides out calling for a duel, and the youngster must again switch locales. This back-and-forth interplay between bad and good dreams forms the structure of the book. Rendered in ink and dyes, the cartoon illustrations somewhat diminish the more intimidating scenarios, some of which entail being set upon by pirates or possibly eaten by a witch. Comic relief such as the familiar dream in which the character appears before his class in his underwear lightens the mood. This title could also be used as bibliotherapy for children who are plagued by this nocturnal dilemma.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
EDWARDS, Michelle. Stinky Stern Forever. illus. by author. 49p. (A Jackson Friends Bk.). Harcourt. 2005. RTE $14. ISBN 0-15-216389-1. LC 2004003141.
Gr 1-3–This fourth book in the series focuses on a potentially scary and emotionally charged theme: the death of a classmate. Pa Lia Vang doesn't like Stinky Stern, the bully of her second-grade class. But late one day, on his way home from school, he is hit by a van in full view of the child. She learns later that evening that he has died. When the students take turns remembering him, Pa Lia is unsure of what to say. In an honest and sensitive series of remembrances, the author never allows her characters to sugarcoat or gloss over the boy's past injustices. The children acknowledge the truth about their relationship with Stinky, but also express their sadness and confusion about his death. Edwards's expressive black-and-white computer-sketched illustrations provide additional details about the characters and setting. The author handles the topic with skill and sensitivity, a significant accomplishment given the vocabulary and structural constraints of the easy-to-read chapter-book format. While the subject matter is indeed serious and the tone, for the most part, somber, children who have experienced the loss of a classmate or friend will find hope in this honest presentation.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
FREEMAN, Don. Earl the Squirrel. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Viking. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-670-06019-4. LC 2005003929.
PreS-Gr 2–A posthumous publication of a manuscript by the creator of Corduroy (Viking, 1968). Earl's mother thinks that his friend Jill (a little girl) is spoiling her son when she gives him an acorn, a nutcracker, and her doll's red scarf, so Earl sets out to prove that he can find acorns on his own. The red scarf becomes a sack, a hat, and a bullfighter's cape, and the young squirrel comes back with a harvest of acorns and returns the scarf. The scarlet scarf leaps out of Freeman's otherwise black-and-white scratchboard illustrations. The pictures are full of energy and detail, and Earl is both cheeky and endearing. Kids will laugh when Conrad the bull gets stuck in the tree as Earl indignantly and fearlessly snatches the precious scarf from his horns, only to be plonked on the head by an acorn. The story is gentle, innocent, and funny, and although it was written many years ago, Freeman's ability to capture the artless adventures of childhood is of the moment.–Jane Barrer, formerly at Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City
GLASER, Shirley. The Big Race: Starring Tommy Tortoise and Harry Hare. illus. by Milton Glaser. unpaged. Hyperion. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-1821-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–This slight addition to the body of work based on Aesop's "The Tortoise and the Hare" features a sassy rabbit that challenges his competitor to a race around the world. Starting from New York City and zigzagging around continents, the hare dashes through 12 countries depicted across the top half of each spread. Then readers turn the book over and continue the whirlwind trip through 11 more locales and back to the Big Apple to begin the competition again. For each nation, an icon or two (kangaroos; pyramids and camels; a Royal Canadian Mountie and a totem pole; tulips and windmills) is featured in the background as the hare whizzes past. Unfortunately, the tortoise is barely seen throughout the contest and his absence from almost all of the scenes gives the impression that the rabbit is racing against himself. With a narrative and endpapers that contain flip, generalized remarks about each country, the book seems more intent on being a travelogue rather than a retelling of the classic tale. Though the electric colors may draw readers to the starting line, the confusing format and weak writing will soon cause them to drop out of the race.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
GLASS, Beth Raisner & Susan Lubner. Noises at Night. illus. by Bruce Whatley. unpaged. CIP. Abrams. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-8109-5750-7. LC 2004015455.
PreS-Gr 1–A bedtime story with a new twist, told in jaunty rhymed couplets. A boy describes the noises he hears at night, but instead of being frightened by them, he dreams up wild adventures for himself and his teddy bear suggested by the various drips, taps, and creaks. The hiss of the heater is a snake that he has charmed, the vroom of a truck is the roar of his plane, and the boom of thunder becomes the drum roll for his circus trapeze act. The last sound is the "SHHH, SHHHHHH" of the quiet that puts him to sleep. Instead of a fearful and anxious protagonist, the authors present a boy who handles scary situations with a clever coping strategy. Whatley's spirited acrylic spreads incorporate delightful bits of humor, such as the nervous pet dog that acts as a comic foil to the brave boy. While this tale does not have the calming verse and quiet reassurance of standard bedtime fare, it is a welcome departure from the formula. Pair it with Laura Simms's The Squeaky Door (Random, 1991) for a storytime featuring bumps in the night.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
GREENE, Stephanie. Moose's Big Idea. illus. by Joe Mathieu. 51p. (Moose and Hildy Series). CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-7614-5212-5. LC 2004022536.
Gr 1-3–Greene departs from the popular, reality-based "Owen Foote" series (Houghton) to offer lots of laughs in this easy chapter book. Moose is sad upon losing his very large antlers, but cheers up a bit when his pig friend, Hildy, is now able to observe his pretty eyes and muscular legs, and notes the troubles his antlers brought. In the next chapter, he stays inside during hunting season, spending his time reading, doing puzzles, and drawing impressive pictures, modestly telling the less-talented Hildy that "'There's no good or bad in art…just different styles.'" When cabin fever ensues, Moose gets the idea to sell doughnuts, coffee, and original artwork to hunters, hoping they won't recognize him in a blue hat and white apron, making a sale to a naive hunter. In another chapter, this same man finds Moose's old antlers but won't give them back. Finally, Moose's new antlers begin to grow. Fans of Cynthia Rylant's "Poppleton" (Scholastic) and other readers stepping up to chapter books will laughingly turn these pages and clamor for more. Mathieu's frequent black-and-white illustrations expand on the fun.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
GRINDLEY, Sally. The Perfect Monster. illus. by Erica-Jane Waters. 46p. (I Am Reading Series). Kingfisher. 2005. pap. $3.95. ISBN 0-7534-5858-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Mungus Bigfoot is the perfect monster from birth, screaming, biting, and "weeing" on his mother. Because of his abilities, the Head Monster at school asks him to help Emily Twinkletoes. Mungus tries, but she continues to sing, smile, and tell the truth. As he tutors her, he becomes kinder and begins to adore Emily just as she is. In turn, she demonstrates terrible behavior to keep him out of trouble. Of course, the plot is stereotypical–"naughty boy" meets "nice girl" and changes for her because she has touched his true self. Definitions of "bad" and "good" are reversed in this setting, but Pat Hutchins's The Very Worse Monster (1985) and Where's the Baby? (1999, both HarperCollins) are much better presentations of the same idea. Watercolor cartoons offer childlike illustrations in this short, five-chapter book aimed at early independent readers. While the text serves up good practice for children learning to read, it won't satisfy students looking for a good, scary book. With pages sprinkled with stars, flowers, and pleasing pastel colors, it's more of a humorous look at how people influence one another in a relationship and an examination of naughty behavior.–Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI
GROSGEBAUER, Clare Ham. Snickerdoodle™!: A Tall Tale about a Powerful Pee-Wee! ISBN 0-9741888-2-4. LC 2004099796.
––––. Snickerdoodle™! And the Roller-Skating Horse! ISBN 0-9741888-4-0. LC 2004099797.
ea vol: illus. by Karen Rissing. unpaged. Small Wonders. 2005. Tr $12.99.
K-Gr 3–Grosgebauer uses these trite narratives to launch a conspicuously trademarked product line. Her diminutive hero, Snickerdoodle™–nephew to Yankee Doodle, cousin to Polly Wolly Doodle–travels America in a peanut car, performing feats of strength and resourcefulness and helping people out of various jams, all in awkward rhymed couplets. The author explains that the protagonist was first conjured up by her grandfather, Otis Ham. Then she launches into her wholesome, feel-good stories, relating one fantastic anecdote after another. Each tale concludes with an inspirational message, "Snickerdoodle's™ BIG Message for Little Guys," just in case the moral somehow failed to sink in during the 34 pages that precede it. The texts are accompanied by Rissing's serviceable but inconsistent illustrations, in which facial features, color, and scale vary from page to page. A visit to a listed Web site affords access to numerous Snickerdoodle™ products and licensing opportunities, and information there and in the dust-jacket copy suggests tacit endorsement from Pete Seeger and the late Dr. Seuss, among others. Authentic American tall tales are abundant; disregard these wholly unnecessary efforts to revitalize the genre.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC
HALFMANN, Janet. Dolphin's Rescue: The Story of a Pacific White-Sided Dolphin. illus. by Steven James Petruccio. 32p. (Smithsonian Oceanic Collection Series). glossary. Soundprints. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59249-426-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–In this story, readers spend a day with a group of Pacific white-sided dolphins as they swim along the southern coast of California, chasing anchovies. In a mildly instructional tone, the author describes how the animals use "click" sounds to detect the location of nearby fish and circle them to form a feeding arena. When Dolphin hears the sound of a research ship, he quickly follows. He clowns around for the scientists onboard and in his excitement accidentally jumps onto the deck. They soon get him back into the water where his fellow creatures help him recover. Illustrated in an attractive, naturalistic style with atmospheric grays and blues, the spreads give a wonderful view of life under water. However, the text feels forced as it weaves a tale around a single incident, based on an actual occurrence. Also, the use of the name "Dolphin" for the main character is a bit confusing. Nevertheless, this attractive and informative book will find an audience among marine-life enthusiasts.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
HART, Alison. Anna's Blizzard. illus. by Paul Bachem. 141p. photos. reprods. CIP. Peachtree. Oct. 2005. Tr $12.95. ISBN 1-56145-349-8. LC 2005010825.
Gr 3-5–Anna Vail, 12, lives in a sod house on the Nebraska prairie in 1888. She enjoys farm chores and riding her beloved pony, Top Hat, but feels clumsy and out of place at school. When an unexpected blizzard traps her class in their one-room schoolhouse, it's up to Anna and Top Hat to lead everyone to safety. But will they make it through the blinding snow before they freeze to death? Anna is a strong, appealing heroine, and the story is suspenseful. A short afterword with black-and-white illustrations tells more about the 1888 "Schoolchildren's Blizzard" on which the story is based and discusses details of life on the Nebraska prairie. Fans of the "American Girls" series (Pleasant Co) or Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books (HarperCollins) will also enjoy Anna's Blizzard.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ
HILL, Susanna Leonard. Punxsutawney Phyllis. illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1872-3. LC 2003067641.
K-Gr 3–Phyllis, a brightly clad groundhog, loves to be outdoors in all types of weather. Her uncle is Punxsutawney Phil, and she dreams of one day taking over his job, even though everyone tells her that she can't because she is a girl. One February morning, she wakes up and sees that the snow is melting, the brook is running, and the air smells sharp--all indicators of an early spring. When her sleepy uncle is reluctant to get out of bed, she volunteers to make his prediction for him. Uncle Phil objects, thinking that one of his sons will take his place when the time comes. Still, he invites her to accompany him outside, where he sniffs the air and forecasts six more weeks of winter. However, Phyllis insists there will be an early spring, pointing out all of the signs. Uncle Phil admits that he is wrong, decides to retire, and turns his job over to his niece even though she's a girl–because rules can be bent once in a while. Details about the origins of Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil are appended. Ebbeler's full-bleed acrylic illustrations show an exuberant Phyllis skipping through a brook, sunbathing, and munching on berries. The woodland landscapes are bright and lush. The burrow scenes are rustic, cozy, and filled with patchwork quilts and comfy furniture. A welcome addition, especially when Groundhog Day is close at hand.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH
HOBBIE, Holly. Toot & Puddle: Wish You Were Here. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-316-36602-1. LC 2004009897.
PreS-Gr 3–Fast friends Toot and Puddle, along with cousin Opal, are off on another delightful adventure. Toot travels to "Wildest Borneo" to hunt down exotic plants, sending home his customary, amusing postcards, which Puddle and Opal enjoy while they work on their garden in Woodcock Pocket. Unfortunately, Toot is stung by a bee and develops an alarming case of "the violet virus." He turns a disturbing shade of blue, and his friends do their best to take care of him when he returns home. While researching the disease on the World Wide Web, Opal learns that a mushroom that grows under "very, very old bushes blooming with purple flowers" might cure him. She locates the rare fungus under some nearby ancient lilacs and Puddle brews a restorative tea for their ailing friend. Once Toot regains his pink complexion and is fully recovered, he decides to confine his explorations to "Wildest Woodcock Pocket." The lovely watercolors sparkle with spring sunshine. The pigs' endearingly expressive faces, which convey myriad emotions, add much humor to the story. Fans will line up to check out this tale.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
HOLABIRD, Katharine. Angelina at the Palace. illus. by Helen Craig. unpaged. (Angelina Ballerina Series). Viking. 2005. RTE $12.99. ISBN 0-670-06048-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–In this installment in the series, the young mouse's dance teacher invites her and Cousin Henry to the Royal Palace of Mouseland, and when Miss Lilly falls ill, Angelina must teach the three young princesses a special dance. The story is simple and a bit facile. Although the language is uninspired, it provides a good backdrop for Craig's artistic expression. The artist revels in the sumptuousness of mouse palace decor and lavishes her talent on turrets, ballrooms, and bedchambers, not to mention knights in full armor and costumes and scenery for the princesses' performance. Like its predecessors, Angelina at the Palace will evoke sighs of delight from young ballet enthusiasts.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
HOPKINSON, Deborah. From Slave to Soldier: Based on a True Civil War Story. illus. by Brian Floca. 44p. (Ready-to-Read Series). CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Oct. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-689-83965-0. LC 2004026933.
Gr 1-3–In simple sentences for those who have just begun to read proficiently, Hopkinson tells the story of a slave boy who runs away to join the Union army. Short chapters and detailed watercolors aid the transition to more difficult text, while an exciting plot based on a true Civil War story keeps readers interested. No fighting is portrayed; the story centers on a harrowing trip Johnny makes to take supplies to a team of soldiers. A worthwhile addition to beginning chapter-book collections.–Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
JOCELYN, Marthe. ABC x 3: English, Español, Français. illus. by Tom Slaughter. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. Oct. 2005. Tr $12.95. ISBN 0-88776-707-9. LC 2004103919.
PreS-Gr 3–This alphabet book has an interesting twist: each letter is presented with text in three languages. What a terrific way to show the similarities among English, Spanish, and French, especially when the words are exactly the same in each case for jaguar, kiwi, quetzal, radio, and zigzag. Not only does it help children (and ESL students) make language connections, but they will also feel mastery of the recognizable words. In a few instances, Jocelyn has included alphabet combinations that are specific to Spanish, which is confusing. A page for "ch" presents the word "chaqueta." Another page illustrates "ll" with "lluvia." Unfortunately, the text is not labeled with the language represented, which might make these single examples particularly puzzling. But these distractions do not significantly detract from a stimulating and interesting approach to learning about languages. The illustrations are simple, painted paper cuts done in vibrant primary and secondary colors, accented with black. This style is very effective in highlighting the text and maintaining interest. Slaughter has used a simple technique and combined it with careful placement and perspective to create movement and keep readers turning pages. ABC x 3 is a good choice for both school and public libraries and lends itself to discussions of other countries and cultures.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
KIMBALL, Linda Hoffman. Come with Me on Halloween. illus. by Mike Reed. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8075-3132-4. LC 2005004091.
PreS-Gr 1–A father and son encounter goblins, mummies, zombies, and a host of other creatures while out trick-or-treating. While Dad's terrified expressions provide strong hints, it is only when both are back home getting ready for bed that readers discover that the fearless narrator is the son and not the father: "Just stick with me. No need to fear./I'll take you, Dad, again next year!" The bubbly cartoon illustrations on brightly colored spreads are slightly blurry and not at all scary. With so many more captivating Halloween titles available, this is an additional purchase.–Julie Roach, Watertown Free Public Library, MA
KLOSKE, Geoffrey. Once Upon a Time, the End: (Asleep in 60 Seconds). illus. by Barry Blitt. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. Oct. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86619-4. LC 2004025756.
K-Gr 2–Here's a fresh approach to fractured fairy tales: take one small child's insatiable demand for "Just one more story" and add a sleepy parent's wish to get the bedtime ritual over with as quickly as possible. The result is this collection of eight condensed folktales. For example, "Goldilocks and the Bears" begins, "There were some bears;/It doesn't really matter how many./There was a bunch./Let's get to the point:" and ends, "When the bears came back,/They found her asleep./She woke up, screamed, and ran home/So she could sleep in her own bed./Just like you." A few nursery rhymes ("Hickory, dickory, dock,/A mouse ran up the clock./The clock struck eight./Oh, my, it's late!/So the mouse went straight to bed") and jokes round out the book. Blitt's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are amusing, with fine lines and soothing colors underscoring the comedy in the characters and situations. The cover shows an intensely alert toddler on the lap of a sleeping father, surrounded by several dozing characters (Goliath sucking his thumb, for example, and Red Riding Hood conked out next to the wolf dressed as Grandma). The sometimes sly, sometimes outrageous, sometimes simply silly humor will go over the heads of most preschoolers, but it's right on target for their older siblings (and tired parents, of course).–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
KUSHNER, Lawrence & Gary Schmidt. In God's Hands. illus. by Matthew J. Baek. unpaged. CIP. Jewish Lights. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 1-58023-224-8. LC 2005001669.
K-Gr 3–Jacob, a rich man, always falls asleep in synagogue, but one day he wakes up just in time to hear the words of Leviticus read: "'You shall bake twelve loaves of challah, and set them before Me in two rows, six in each row.'" He is certain that God is talking directly to him, so he hurries home and quickly bakes 12 loaves of bread. He brings them to the synagogue and places them in the Holy Ark. David, the poor caretaker, discovers the loaves and believes that they were sent from God to answer his prayers for food to feed his family. Over the years, "Jacob's giving and David's receiving" become routine. When the rabbi discovers the two men and reveals to them what has been happening, they both learn how their hands have become God's hand in creating a miracle. Based on a traditional folktale, Kushner and Schmidt's retelling is greatly enhanced by Baek's detailed illustrations in deep blues and earth colors. Similar to Aubrey Davis's Bagels from Benny (Kids Can, 2003), this version follows the original more closely and has a slightly more sophisticated message.–Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI
LESTER, Helen. Tacky and the Winter Games. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. 32p. CIP. Houghton/A Walter Lorraine Bk. Oct. 2005. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-55659-1. LC 2005002282.
K-Gr 2–Fans of this endearing penguin won't be disappointed with his latest adventure. Tacky and his friends are training for the Winter Games and when the competition finally arrives, the other animals are worried that he will ruin their chance at a medal. The illustrations are very funny. For instance, on one page the text reads, "They did one hundred sit-ups a day" and the art shows all of the other penguins doing sit-ups while Tacky is sleeping on his mat in the back. On another page, the text reads, "They ate special training meals"; while the other penguins eat spinach, Tacky is shown stuffing his beak with chips, doughnuts, and pizza. Furthermore, the drawings are detailed and full of life. All in all, this is a fresh, lively, and totally engaging read-aloud from start to finish.–Lisa S. Schindler, Bethpage Public Library, NY
LEVERT, Mireille. Eddie Longpants. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Groundwood. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-88899-671-3. LC C2005-900425-8.
K-Gr 1–A story told with gentle innocence. Eddie Longpants is so tall that this book has to be read vertically. (Children are sure to enjoy the unconventional format.) He is taunted every day at recess; the other kids call him "giraffe," "ostrich neck," and "skyscraper." The unusually sweet boy isn't spurred to anger until his mother visits for report-card day and is also ridiculed. However, Eddie and his very tall parents demonstrate the power of charity and compassion--without a hint of saccharine sentimentality or didacticism. This is achieved through the subtle simplicity of language as well as the appealing, folk-art quality of the color-saturated illustrations. There's something timeless about this tall tale. Eddie Longpants is about appreciating differences and, as such, it stands out in a crowd.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
LEVINE, Gail Carson. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. illus. by David Christiana. 208p. Hyperion. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-3491-9. LC 2004112598.
Gr 2-4–Unbeknownst to many, the fairies of Never Land have an intricate community in which everyone is useful to society. And, sadly, the newest arrival, Prilla, just doesn't fit in, for she appears without knowing what her particular talent is. Is she a tinker who likes to fix pots and pans like Tinker Bell? Or should she play with water like sweet Ree? Prilla's problems quickly become moot when the source of all magic on Never Land, a mysterious egg belonging to motherly Mama Dove, is destroyed in a vicious hurricane. Now Prilla and two other fairies must embark on a quest to save the egg and, with it, Never Land's secret of youth before it is too late. This book isn't going to bowl anyone over with its originality, and Levine isn't afraid to employ a little deus ex machina when the fancy strikes her, but overall it's an engaging tale. The story is exciting, the characters accessible if stock, and Christiana's lush, full-color illustrations breathtaking. Children already enamored of the Disney Princess line will be clamoring for it.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
LEVINE, Heather F. Sophie's Castle. illus. by J. K. Drummond. unpaged. Sterling. 2005. PLB $9.95. ISBN 0-7607-6692-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Soft, sun-washed seascapes and affectionate portraits are this book's highlights. The story has inherent value: a girl who lavishes time and attention on building a sand castle ("a palace of dreams") is devastated when the tide washes it away. While this is a refreshingly nonviolent metaphor for the things life takes from us, the text is awkward and trite: "She knew castles may fall,/but must not stop her dreams./She should build once again/when life's not as it seems." The artwork is lovely but the rigid versifying robs the story of its emotional impact and child appeal.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
LITHGOW, John. Marsupial Sue Presents "The Runaway Pancake." illus. by Jack E. Davis. unpaged. with CD. CIP. S & S. Oct. 2005. RTE $17.95. ISBN 0-689-87847-8. LC 2004010990.
PreS-Gr 3–Marsupial Sue and her friends are presenting their version of "The Gingerbread Man." Sue has the role of Auntie May, who cooks a pancake in the oven. As soon as it is done, it jumps out of the pan and rolls away, singing as it goes. It meets a variety of animals until it is finally outsmarted by a fox. Because the story is set as a play, Davis has the challenge of depicting animals dressed as other creatures. Some of them are hard to decipher and could be confusing to children. Also confusing is the fact that as the play begins, the colored-pencil, acrylic, dye, and ink illustrations depict a stage with an audience, but as it progresses, the setting changes to the countryside. The text is printed on top of the bright, full-page cartoon art, an effect that is busy but readable. The book reads like a transcript of a storyteller's performance and follows closely Lithgow's own words on the accompanying CD. His performance is animated and highly entertaining. Almost as delightful are the background comments by the young "live" audience. Despite the shortcomings of the book, the CD is worth the purchase price. Note, however, that Marsupial Sue is never mentioned by name; she is simply "Auntie May," which may disappoint readers expecting her to have a bigger role in the book.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
MCDONOUGH, Yona Zeldis. The Doll with the Yellow Star. illus. by Kimberly Bulcken Root. 90p. CIP. Holt. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8050-6337-4. LC 2002027554.
Gr 3-5–Eight-year-old Claudine is a Jewish girl living in occupied France during World War II. Her loving parents try to keep her life as normal as possible, and even manage to buy her a lovely new doll for her birthday. But after the Germans decree that Jews must wear a yellow star, things begin to change for the worse, and soon Claudine's parents decide to send her to America to live with her aunt and uncle. She convinces them to let her take Violette, on whose clothes she has also sewn a tiny yellow star. But at the end of the voyage, her toy gets lost, and Claudine wonders if she will ever see it or her parents again. Her journey, adjustment to life in America, and eventual reunion with her father make up the bulk of this story, but what is missing is any true sense of what it feels like to leave behind everything that you know and face an uncertain future in a strange new place. Although nicely written and generously illustrated with watercolors, many events in the book feel contrived, and the reunion of Claudine with her doll in the end seems less of a miracle than merely a device to wrap things up. Vera W. Propp's When the Soldiers Were Gone (Putnam, 1999) is a better choice for showing the impact of the war on children separated from their parents. A well-meaning yet additional purchase.–Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles
MCELROY, Lisa Tucker. Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom. illus. by Diane Paterson. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8075-4777-8. LC 2005003892.
K-Gr 3–Lizzie's mom is a soldier with an overseas posting. The location is not mentioned, but the woman is shown in combat uniform, wearing a helmet and goggles and holding binoculars. The story is told as a series of letters from Lizzie to her mom, from the time she leaves until she returns home. Childlike crayon, marker, and watercolor illustrations and what looks like hand-written print make Lizzie's letters appear as though a child really did write them. The illustrations depict the youngster's activities and often include a map she has drawn. Written especially for military families, the book includes an introduction by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein thanking military families for their sacrifices and a page of suggestions for adults such as taking advantage of the programs that the military offers, keeping one's routine as regular as possible, and connecting with other military families. Most readers will appreciate the authentic feel of Lizzie's letters as she asks all those inevitable "whys" about Mom's separation from the family. A worthy addition on a topic about which little has been written.–Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
MCKISSACK, Patricia C. Where Crocodiles Have Wings. illus. by Bob Barner. unpaged. CIP. Holiday House. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1748-4. LC 2003067640.
PreS-Gr 2–In this muddled picture book, readers are told that "There's a once-upon-a-place/in time and space/where surprises grow on trees/And crocs have wings." Unfortunately, the text never makes clear exactly what this place is, or why anyone would want to go there. The book simply lays out a bizarre and plodding description of a land where "Coyotes sneeze/And chickens wheeze/Whenever the seasons/change--/And bears lay eggs/With two good legs/For running in marathons." At the end, there is a brief nod to the power of the imagination, as youngsters are instructed to "Touch your toes/Wiggle your nose/and open a favorite book…." Unfortunately, the world that this book depicts is one in which bouncy rhyme schemes are picked up and inexplicably dropped in the space of a single page, and in which meter is halting, jolting, and inconsistent. Also, some of the busy, cut-paper collage illustrations do not depict what is described in the text. Stick with McKissack's more successful titles, such as Precious and the Boo Hag (S & S, 2005), and skip this offering.–Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA
MARINO, Gianna. Zoopa: An Animal Alphabet. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Chronicle. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-8118-4789-6. LC 2004063449.
PreS-Gr 2–A bowl of tomato soup is the vehicle for introducing the letters of the alphabet and their corresponding animals. Beginning with a playful ant and an orange-and-purple butterfly, two to three animals and their first letters are introduced on each spread. As the menagerie multiplies, the creatures move around the pages, sometimes interacting with humorous results. The frog extends its long pink tongue toward the tasty ant; a few spreads later, the iguana's tongue angles lustily after the same unsuspecting insect, which is trying to hide behind the lizard's front leg. While many of the critters are obvious and familiar, some, like the quail, vulture, xenops, or yak, may need to be identified on the final pages, where each animal is labeled. Readers will also have to hunt for some that are cleverly hidden, like the elephants that suddenly appear as a border pattern around the edge of a bowl and the unicorn etched on a spoon. The playful gouache illustrations depict the colorful crew having as much fun as readers will surely have identifying them. A lively choice for group or one-on-one sharing.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
MARKHAM, Beryl & Don Brown, adapt. The Good Lion. illus. by adapt. unpaged. Houghton. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-618-56306-7. LC 2004025121.
Gr 2-4–Markham included the story of her childhood encounter with a lion in her autobiographical West with the Night (Farrar, 1982). Brown's adaptation of it begins with a tantalizing premise that doesn't actually get much play as later events move in a slow, dreamlike sequence. "My father and I settled in East Africa in 1906….And it was where, as a small girl, I was eaten by a lion." The child and her father ride out to an estate where a tamed lion roams free, and she goes off exploring. Brown's sketchy, homely watercolor views include a few animals and trees against an otherwise barren landscape of earth melding into orange sky. Beryl soon encounters the resting lion, calmly stares him down, and goes on her way, unaware that he is now following her. Help miraculously arrives from a Sikh tending horses in the deserted terrain. Brown switches color tones for the anticlimactic attack, rescue, and loss of freedom for the animal. The enlarged face of the prone child, her eyes and mouth tight shut, painted in shades of purple, is the only close-up view of her–otherwise she appears as a small, crudely sketched figure. Markham goes quickly to the message of the tale, saying that this was a good lion, who did his best at being tame, and that perhaps he shouldn't be blamed for his one mistake and caged for the rest of his long days–a simplistic summation since the lion had gone on to kill a horse, a bull, and a cow the same evening.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
