Preschool to Grade 4: January, 2006
-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2006
Fiction
ASHMAN, Linda. Desmond and the Naughtybugs. illus. by Anik McGrory. unpaged. CIP. Dutton. Feb. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-525-47203-7. LC 2005003283.
PreS-Gr 2–Desmond is usually a "sweet boy" who tries to listen to his parents and be good, but when the Naughtybugs show up–look out! The youngster attempts to avoid these troublesome creatures, but to no avail. The Sloggies slow him down in the morning with Dawdle Dust; a Pesky prods him to make trouble at the market; the Squirmies invade during dinner at a restaurant; and the Whineys goad him into bothering his busy mother. Finally, the Snarlies initiate a splashing battle during bath time, and when Desmond's parents laughingly join in, the mischievous mites are soon chased away by the Gigglies. Ashman delivers a lively tale with some sparkling descriptions and dialogue, while McGrory's charming illustrations add a whimsical touch. Although a bit lengthy for storytimes, this tale has appeal for one-on-one sharing.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA
BANG, Molly. In My Heart. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-316-79617-4. LC 2003027819.
PreS-K–A cheerfully reassuring book in which a mother describes her day and that of her child, during which she unfailingly holds the boy in her heart. The cast of characters (family, colleagues, and friends) is multicultural. Mixed-media illustrations, as busy as the woman's day, are rendered in bright, saturated colors. Many of the beginning letters of the words are oversize and become a part of the artwork (e.g., the "Y" in a "You" is depicted as two crossed hands holding a heart in which the child floats). Hearts abound. Though the theme of a parent's devotion even in absence is consistent to the point of repetitiveness, the layout and design are not. From full-bleed spreads to neatly framed vignettes to two pages of illustrated building blocks, there is a lack of coherence in composition that seems to stand in opposition to the intended message. Not a real story, but for the child for whom separation brings anxiety, a warmhearted antidote.–Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT
BANYAI, Istvan. The Other Side. illus. by author. unpaged. Chronicle. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8118-4608-3. LC 2004063448.
Gr 3-6–There's nothing mundane or predictable about Banyai's wordless picture book. As in Zoom and Re-Zoom (both Viking, 1995), the illustrator takes his audience on a visual journey that begins with a nearly blank page that, when turned, reveals instructions for folding a paper airplane. On the next page, a girl in her high-rise apartment practices her cello and a paper airplane can be seen outside her window. Readers flip the page to see the girl's building from the outside looking in. Paper airplanes are everywhere, thanks to a young neighbor one floor up who has been practicing his folding skills. Each pair of pages, front and back, presents inside and outside views, and although the scenes are not obviously linked to a larger plotline, they are connected through reoccurring images, colors, and themes. This is a challenging book, one that allows for creative speculation. The graphite-rendered artwork is quirky as well as infinitely interesting. Not everyone will get the sly humor, or be prepared to indulge in a book that demands such work. However, those who give it a try will be drawn into a thought-provoking, whimsical world. It's a book that begs to be talked about, and teachers will find it a useful tool for discussions about point-of-view and perspective.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
BEE, William. Whatever. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. 2005. RTE $12.99. ISBN 0-7636-2886-7. LC 2004062939.
K-Gr 2–A cautionary tale with spare text and striking graphics. Billy "can be very difficult to please." Indifferent to his father's attempts to engage or impress him, the child responds to each try with an unenthusiastic "…whatever." Dad plays the "world's curliest trumpet," bounces Billy off the "bounciest castle," and even takes him on a trip to "the edge of outer space." Yet each effort fails to garner more than the same bored reaction. After the "world's hungriest tiger" fails to scare the impassive youngster, the animal swallows Billy whole. "Dad! I am still in here you know...." In a fitting turnabout comes Dad's reply, "…whatever." Bold, digitally created illustrations on stark white pages (except for outer space, which is on blue) engage the audience and mirror the humor in this slightly callous story that is reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's Pierre (HarperCollins, 1962). Children will enjoy the scrolls and curves of the "curliest trumpet" and the ridiculous image of Billy being bounced out of the "bounciest castle," and recognize that the large, orange tiger is a creature to be reckoned with, even if the unconcerned Billy does not. Children will take pleasure in the book and get a laugh as well.–Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CA
BERNASCONI, Pablo. The Wizard, the Ugly, and the Book of Shame. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Bloomsbury. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-58234-673-9. LC 2005042136.
Gr 1-4–Up "seventeen thousand, two hundred and nine" stairs lives Leitmeritz, a wizard who can grant people their innermost wishes by using the spells in his Red Book. He has often warned his assistant, a square-headed, blue fellow with mismatched eyes and a strange jaw, not to touch the book, for "Wizardry concerns wizards, and that's only me." But when Leitmeritz leaves the castle to help a unicorn in distress, Chancery opens the book and asks it to make him handsome. Letters and images fly out, and although he painstakingly replaces them before his master's return, disaster ensues. Suddenly, none of the spells work, and when a cure for sore feet causes a foot to sprout from the king's head, the wizard faces the ruler's wrath. Chancery finally confesses the truth, and Leitmeritz tells him that he can only set things right by making himself handsome without using magic. Bernasconi's collage illustrations are superimposed on letter cutouts and patterns, and the playful images that border the text invite close scrutiny. The sorcerer is a rotund, carrot-nosed individual with patched clothing, white curly whiskers right down to his fancy high-heeled shoes, and a pointy hat. Chancery's surprise resolution is a commentary on the true nature of beauty, and his behavior is reminiscent of that other bungling magician's assistant, Tomie dePaola's Big Anthony.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT
BLACKSTONE, Stella. Alligator Alphabet. illus. by Stephanie Bauer. unpaged. CIP. Barefoot. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 1-84148-494-6. LC 2004028589.
PreS–Parent-and-baby pairs from alligators to zebras playfully introduce the alphabet with a simple rhyme and snappy illustrations. Children will be delighted by the vivid colors and friendly animals, while adults will welcome the inclusion of both capital and lowercase forms to aid in letter recognition. One line of large text, which looks as if it had been printed by hand, fits neatly in a color block at the bottom of the page. "Aa is for alligator./Bb is for bear./Cc is for camel./Chase us if you dare!" Brilliant, fluid acrylics enliven the cheery verse. Large flat areas are dribbled with paint and accented with contrasting colors that create texture in the sloths' fur and the yaks' hair. An owl spreads its wings to expose a beautiful weblike design. Young eyes will eagerly spot other simple details, such as a small panda peeking through the "P." Patterned borders frame each page and are then repeated in the striped endpapers. The book concludes with two spreads of small blocks that show all the animals and letters. This is one of the most attractive new alphabet books. The simplicity of the text and art proves once again that less is more.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
BLACKSTONE, Stella. I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur. illus. by Clare Beaton. unpaged. CIP. Barefoot. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 1-84148-238-2. LC 2004030192.
PreS-Gr 2–Fantastical dinosaurs in a medley of plush hues are introduced in this charming picture book. The narrator begins by stating, "I dreamt I was a dinosaur./You should have seen me romp and roar!" Creatures created out of antique fabrics, felt, and other bric-a-brac cavort across the spreads; chomp on dyed yarn grass; forage for food among lacey flowers and ribboned stems; and swoop across the sky next to a sequined lava-spewing volcano. The sweet and simple text keeps the rhythm moving and works well with the art, always complementing and never competing for space. The pictures really do steal the show, though, with their incredible detail and inventiveness. Sequins have never looked so good. A small snail, hidden on each page, also entices readers to pore over the pages. At the end, the young narrator is seen in his bed, clutching his toy dinosaur. "Then everybody disappeared–the dinosaurs had fled./Just my baby diplodocus lay beside me in my bed." A turn of the page reveals a plethora of information that will hold the attention of dinosaur fans. Even better are the "Meet the Dinosaurs" pages that identify the reptiles from the story, offering pronunciation guides and brief facts on each. This is easily one of the most adorable dinosaur books out there for the preschool-primary crowd.–Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY
BRIANT, Ed. Seven Stories. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-59643-056-7. LC 2004024351.
K-Gr 2–It's evening in the city, and a girl is tucked into her bed in a cozy room filled with books and toys. However, her noisy neighbors, who all seem to be fairy-tale characters, keep her awake. At nine o'clock there is a loud "clomp" from apartment five, followed by a "Fee? Fie! Fo. Fumm?" Next, a witch in number three shrieks at two children to stay still while she tends the oven. And so it goes until the girl gets up to pick up her books, which are now scattered across the floor. In the clever ending, she recalls something that she learned from a princess and reaches under her mattress to remove the pea that has been keeping her awake. The characters, from tales such as "Jack and the Beanstalk," "The Three Bears," and "Hansel and Gretel," are never named, so children familiar with their stories will delight in identifying them. The mix of reality and fantasy will remind readers of the power of these timeless tales and the fact that these characters live most vividly in children's imaginations. The bright cartoons bring comfort and humor–not fear–into the nighttime setting.–Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore
BRODT, Burton P. Four Little Old Men: A (Mostly) True Tale from a Small Cajun Town. illus. by Luc Melanson. unpaged. CIP. Sterling. 2005. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-4027-2006-8. LC 2005008799.
Gr 1-4–Four old friends play an endless card game of bouree down on the Mississippi River levee through wind, rain, and cold. As each season rolls around, they adjust, first building a shaky roof frame for a tarp to keep off the rain, then four walls and a real roof so the cold can't come in, until finally they are playing in a snug purple house with window boxes and electricity. But then it's spring again and they move outside for the fresh air, and the purple house is forgotten and finally hauled away. Told in the manner of a tall tale, the story conveys the flavor of Cajun life perfectly and the distinctive cartoon illustrations add to the effect. The old men in particular are wonderfully rendered, as are their surroundings. Nothing much really happens, and readers may question some of the logic, but it sure is fun to "pass a good time" with Bubby, Dumbo, Cap, and Rigger Moritz.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
BROOKS, Erik. Slow Days, Fast Friends. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8075-7437-6. LC 2005003852.
PreS-Gr 2–This simple story conveys several complex messages about friendship, healing, and perspective. Howard the cheetah lives life fast–until he hurts his leg. He is humbled by his injury and must move slowly, more slowly than the slowest creature, Quince the sloth. Now moving with Quince at his pace, Howard learns the joys of dew on orchids, a splendid sunrise, and of pleasures gained from watching, listening, and thinking. As time passes, his leg heals, and he takes Quince on a whirlwind tour of the joys of being fast, such as wind in their hair and running circles around everything that moves. In the end, they achieve a balance together. The color cartoon illustrations, full of expressive animal faces, prettify the jungle animals and give a sense of the wilds of Africa as neat and clean. This quiet story is an additional purchase.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA
BYNUM, Janie. Nutmeg and Barley. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2382-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Nutmeg is a squirrel who loves to chatter with her friends and dance; Barley is a mouse who likes to grow flowers and relax in solitude with music. But when he gets sick, the two discover that they can be good friends despite their differences--and even find something that they both like to do. In a few brief sentences, Bynum describes the beginning of what looks to be a beautiful friendship. Her charming watercolor-and-pastel illustrations of the two creatures going about their daily routines portray each personality beautifully and create a lovely oversize book for storytime or a cozy one-on-one read-aloud.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
CAMPBELL, Ellen Langas. Raising the Roof. illus. by April D'Angelo. 121p. (Girls Know How Series). NouSoma. 2005. pap. $4.95. ISBN 0-9743604-1-4. LC 2005900348.
Gr 3-6–For years, the boys and girls of Coreyville, PA, have been trading ownership of a run-down clubhouse. A group of fifth-grade boys has current control, much to the disappointment of three fifth-grade girls. Then, a chance encounter with a construction company's female CEO challenges them to build their own clubhouse. With her encouragement and the support of their parents, the girls brave stormy weather, sneak attacks from the boys, and lots of squabbling in order to get their project done. Campbell's text demonstrates how girls can excel in nontraditional roles. Readers are taken step-by-step through the construction process. When the girls finish their clubhouse, a Habitat for Humanity summer program becomes their next undertaking. Though the characters aren't particularly well drawn or developed, valuable lessons are imparted in this empowering title.–Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
CASELEY, Judith. In Style with Grandma Antoinette. illus. by author. unpaged. Tanglewood. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-9749303-4-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–A little girl's visit to the hair salon where her grandmother works forms the basis of this book. While Rosie is initially reluctant to spend the day at her grandma's new workplace, she quickly discovers that she is anything but bored. Rather, she has the opportunity to be Grandma's assistant and is treated to a little pampering herself in the form of a manicure. She gains additional satisfaction when she is able to resolve the crisis of a client's errant child and another's missing wig. Caseley's detail-rich, colorful illustrations help advance the story. Useful for units highlighting employment and careers, this is also a novel twist on intergenerational picture books.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
CAZET, Denys. A Snout for Chocolate. illus. by author. 48p. (An I Can Read Bk., Grandpa Spanielson's Chicken Pox Stories Series). CIP. HarperCollins. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-051093-5; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-051094-3. LC 2004030197.
K-Gr 2–The Spanielsons, first introduced in The Octopus (HarperCollins, 2005), are back, and Barney is still down with chicken pox. Grandma thinks that the best treatment is cocoa and plenty of time to rest, but Grandpa has other ideas. "What he needs is another one of my famous anti-itch chicken pox stories." Instead of washing the windows, a task Grandma gives him, he sneaks up a ladder to tell his grandpup a ridiculous story–one in which he was a fire chief and answered the call to save Mrs. Piggerman's life. By the end of the tale, Barney's itches are getting better. One seldom sees a beginning reader with such strong characters and an equally appealing plot–Cazet has created both, added hilarious illustrations, and made a neat little package for all to enjoy.–Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
CHENG, Andrea. The Lemon Sisters. illus. by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. Jan. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24023-3. LC 2005002208.
K-Gr 2–An elderly woman watches from her window as three young sisters play outside in the snow. She reminisces about the times long ago when she did the same with her own siblings, Rita and Mae. After opening the door and offering lemon and sugar to the children, the woman tells them how to make lemon ice. Later in the day, Rita and Mae make a surprise visit for their sister's 80th birthday. The girls help celebrate by preparing a snow party complete with a snow cake, snow chairs, and the best lemon ices ever. Mai-Wyss's attractive illustrations, done in watercolor, gouache, and collage, are filled with colorful patterns, from woolen knit caps and other items of clothing to bright checkered tablecloths and various interior details. Endpapers featuring a sheet of notebook paper with a rebus recipe for making lemon ices extend the reading experience. Despite the snowy backdrop, this book leaves readers with a warm glow inside.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
COY, John. Around the World. illus. by Antonio Reonegro & Tom Lynch. unpaged. CIP. Lee & Low. 2005. RTE $17.95. ISBN 1-58430-244-5. LC 2004030801.
Gr 1-4–A pickup basketball game in New York City expands to similar scenes of kids and hoops in nine other locations around the world. Cartoon panels show a girl named Tanika leading a fast break, then a page turn shifts to a moonlit court in Perth at the same moment. The Australian kids complete their fast break and subsequent spreads take readers to China, Turkey, and other locations before returning to the finish of the New York game. Comic-book-style artwork captures the speed and motion of the sport with elongated figures and good use of small panels inset within larger views. Game details come through in dialogue bubbles, sound effects ("thwack!" and "swish"), and play-by-play description: "Vladimir finds Marko, who drives baseline." The language and look of the players convey their differences, as do the various venues, from an indoor Serbian gym to cool beachside hoops in Puerto Rico. Court action includes arguments, injuries, and rough play, along with fancy passes and finger rolls. This helps reaffirm the commonalities of the sport, regardless of the setting. Tanika's game of "around the world" that begins and ends the book is a slightly forced tie-in to the international theme but serves as a suitable framework for the more fast-paced scenes in between. This title helps fill the need for books about kids from different countries, with particular appeal to fans of comics or basketball or both.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
CRANDALL, Court. Hugville. illus. by Joe Murray. unpaged. CIP. Random. 2005. Tr $13.95. ISBN 0-375-82418-9; PLB $15.95. ISBN 0-375-92418-3. LC 2002153362.
PreS-Gr 1–In Hugville, every grade school teacher has a Ph.D.–Professional Hugging Degree. The cheerful man with a face like a mustachioed blue egg is the mayor, and he's conducting a hometown hug tour: "The Octopus Hug's where you wrap someone up,/As if each of your toes had its own suction cup./Take all of your limbs, multiply them by two,/And pretend you are hugging down in the deep blue." Murray's cartoon art is a feast of exaggerations. A goggle-eyed azure cat flies through the air during a Tornado Hug; a perplexed purple hound wields an umbrella against a downpour of fleas. People are orange, pink, gold, and green, as are animals, streets, trees, and sky. Unfortunately, the meter in the text can be bumpy and the phrasing gawky. Also, the parenthetical comments are hard to see. However, these are minor complaints in the larger context of irrepressible warmth.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
CRONIN, Doreen. Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: A Counting Adventure. illus. by Betsy Lewin. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Jan. 2006. RTE $12.95. ISBN 0-689-87716-1. LC 2004029020.
PreS-K–Some familiar faces from Cronin and Lewin's well-known series that began with Click, Clack, Moo (S & S, 2000) appear in this clever adventure. The farmyard crew is engineering a "fishy" rescue of sorts, releasing 10 fish in 10 buckets while the farmer slumbers. As the animals make their mischief, numbers from 1 to 10 are introduced, beginning with "1 farmer sleeping. 2 feet creeping." The cartoon illustrations have the same great appeal as the previous books and combine successfully with this very basic introduction to numeric concepts. A great tool for parents and teachers seeking to make learning fun.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
CUNNANE, Kelly. For You Are a Kenyan Child. illus. by Ana Juan. unpaged. glossary. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. Jan. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-86194-X. LC 2004017060.
PreS-Gr 3–Through vivid, descriptive text that highlights the Kenyan countryside and culture, this story about one day in the life of a Kalenjin boy unfolds. "Roosters crow, and you wake one morning in the green hills of Africa, sun lemon bright over eucalyptus trees full of doves." The boy's primary chore is to take his grandfather's cows to the pasture and watch them carefully. However, once he gets them there, he slips away to see who else is awake. From then on, he keeps getting distracted by one thing or another. When he finally looks to where the cows should be, they are not there. His expression is forlorn as he ponders, "Why did you wander? Why didn't you stay and do the job Mama gave you today?" When he meets his grandfather leading the cows on the path home–something he should have been doing–the youngster is contrite. Grandfather simply hands him back his cow switch and says, "Twende nyumbani sasa–Let's go home now." The brilliant, colorful, and humorous illustrations stand out against the white backgrounds and are large enough for group viewing. A gentle story about family, responsibility, and a curious little boy.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
DE BRUNHOFF, Laurent. Babar's World Tour. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Abrams. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8109-5780-9. LC 2005000965.
K-Gr 3–Babar and Queen Celeste decide to embark on a world tour with the children. They head to the airport and board "Elephant One," equipped with a library and language CDs. The first stop is Italy, followed by Germany, Spain, and Russia, where they learn to say hello and a simple phrase in the host language. They move on to India, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and across the Pacific to the Anasazi caves of the American Southwest, Machu Picchu in Peru, then across the Atlantic to Egypt. Here the story begins to feel like one of those 14 countries in 14 days package deals and readers, along with Babar's children, will get jet lagged. But they cannot forego Paris or Antarctica so they make two more stops before flying home. In contrast to the wild and unpredictable adventures in Jean de Brunhoff's The Travels of Babar (Random, 2002), this is a tame journey, with the elephants traveling in style and with a well-organized itinerary. Unfortunately, the adventure is lacking, and readers are dizzied by the pace of travel and will forget the foreign phrases. The illustrations are charming, classic Babar. Devoted fans might enjoy the continuation of the king's story. Stick with the originals.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
DELESSERT, Etienne. A Was an Apple Pie. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Creative Editions. 2005. Tr $18.95. ISBN 1-56846-196-8. LC 2004061174.
PreS-Gr 2–The familiar English nursery rhyme is modernized with vibrant fantastical figures that tumble across a stark white background. The brilliant contrast gives "pop" to the fun illustrations. Children will smile at the antics of the large-nosed creatures as the alphabet unfolds in both upper- and lowercase letters: "B bit it," "C cut it," "L longed for it," etc. Some of the figures have long ears, some have short ones; others have rhinolike horns. All pose in their red T-shirts for a group shot before setting off after the pie. Ironically, none really gets it–a lone mouse licks it off the floor. The text is simple, large, and easy to read; it complements the clean look of the art. With its humor and action, this revision of an old rhyme will definitely strike a chord with today's children.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
DIAKITÉ, Penda. I Lost My Tooth in Africa. illus. by Baba Wagué Diakité. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Scholastic. Jan. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-439-66226-5. LC 2004001933.
K-Gr 4–This story recounts a child's visit to Mali, where she loses her tooth. After she hides it under a calabash, she waits for the African Tooth Fairy to replace it with a chicken. When her patience runs out and she returns to the gourd to retrieve her tooth, a chicken and a rooster emerge. She is delighted. The strength and enduring warmth of her African extended family emerge fully through thoughtful detail. Grandma N'na gives her a blessing each morning: "May you rise high with strength and knowledge." When the child returns home to Oregon, Uncle Madou volunteers to take care of the chickens until her return. The vivid ceramic-tile illustrations expand the text, revealing a range of animals, houses, and greenery. At the end are the words to Grandma's "Good Night Song," the recipe for African Onion Sauce, and a glossary of Bambara words, all of which add to the authentic feel of the story. In his illustrator's note, Baba Diakité states, "Storytelling is a gift to me from my elders and I simply wanted to pass this gift along to my children." He has succeeded, as his artistry supports his daughter's storytelling beautifully.–Alexa L. Sandman, Kent State University, OH
DYER, Heather. The Girl with the Broken Wing. illus. by Peter Bailey. 150p. Scholastic/The Chicken House. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-439-74827-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–On a dark and stormy night, James and Amanda discover a white-winged girl knocking on their attic skylight. Claiming to have a broken wing, she introduces herself as Hilary and quickly makes herself at home in the twins' bedroom. Amanda is certain that they have discovered an angel, while James remains unconvinced. Sure enough, it soon becomes clear that though she has wings, Hilary's no saint. She ruins family outings, trails the twins on field trips and to school, and even steals James's spotlight in the local Christmas pageant. The author of the amusing The Fish in Room 11 (Scholastic, 2004) tells another tale of children caring for a mythical creature. Unfortunately, this one never makes it clear whether or not Hilary truly is divine. Worse still, the winged girl never endears herself to the audience. She's whiny, thoughtless, and self-absorbed. The story itself flits between her numerous escapades, ending without much in the way of conclusion or resolution.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
ELSCHNER, Géraldine. Fritz's Fish. tr. from German by Kathyrn Bishop. illus. by Daniela Bunge. unpaged. Minedition. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-698-40028-3. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Living in a small apartment with an allergic father, Fritz is not allowed to have a pet. One day, he finds a fish in a flooded street and takes it home. Despite his mother's belief that Fritz is too young to care for it, he places the fish in the bathtub and feeds him regularly. But after the floodwater recedes back into the river, Fritz realizes that the fish is unhappy and that it must return to its natural habitat. Mother also realizes that if Fritz can make such a mature decision, he can have a goldfish as a reward. Primitive-style artwork fills the pages, showing streets flooded with blue-green and bluish-gray water. Endpapers show the river's waters with many varieties of fish. Pair this supplemental offering with such stories as Kelly Bennett's Not Norman: A Goldfish Story (Candlewick, 2005) for a fishy theme.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
FERRERI, Della Ross. How Will I Ever Sleep in This Bed? illus. by Capucine Mazille. unpaged. Sterling. 2005. PLB $12.95. ISBN 1-4027-1492-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS–A slight, rhymed story about a child who feels lost in his new, big-boy bed. His solution is to have nearly all of his stuffed-animal friends join him. Predictably, once his companions are ensconced, there isn't enough room for him. After a good deal of rearranging and most of the toys jettisoned to the floor, the little guy snuggles down with his favorite lamb and drifts into dreamland. Expressive, warm-toned, kid-friendly spreads and a simple text make this title appropriate for sharing. While a number of books deal with this childhood transition, libraries may want to purchase this title because of its basic language and approach.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
FISHER, Jeffrey. The Hair Scare. illus. by author. unpaged. Bloomsbury. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-58234-672-0. LC 2005040987.
PreS-Gr 2–A scissors-wielding child is a master at cutting hair. Wonderfully silly pictures show the results of his talent, with dos that look like airplanes, backward faces, and kangaroos. When the King comes by and demands a new coiffure, however, he is unhappy with the results and bans all haircuts from the land. Suddenly, "locks hung heavy" everywhere, causing "Nasty hair accidents, hair sadness and hair riots." The satisfying resolution is as fluffy as some of the tresses that fly around the pages. The text is simple, with a mock formality that suits this tale of royalty and destiny. The illustrations, too, are simple, with soft colors and bold lines; overall, the understated artwork depicts well the many weird hairstyles shown. Not a must-have, but cleverly conceived and very appealing.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
FOREMAN, George & Fran Manushkin. Let George Do It! illus. by Whitney Martin. unpaged. CIP. S & S. 2005. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-87807-9. LC 2004010156.
K-Gr 3–This family story packs a humorous punch. Big George's five sons–all named George–agree to help their mother get ready for their father's birthday party. As if a house with five boys weren't chaotic enough, five boys with the same name as Dad's make for a comedy of errors. As the children rush to open each of three deliveries, eager to present their father with their gifts, they find a package of diapers for Baby George; a carton of dog food for bulldog George; and a pet bird, which Big George names–you guessed it. "You can never have too many Georges." At the party, one of them tells his dad, "Remember, any time you need help–Let George do it!" The watercolor, cartoon illustrations are hilarious, from the shirtless, skinny teen making muscles in the bathroom mirror to the mischievous baby tweaking his brother's nose and flinging food. Framed portraits in every room depict other famous Georges, including Carver, Orwell, and our first President. The whole family looks so happy and congenial that readers will want to visit with them again and again–or maybe change their own names.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
FORWARD, Toby. The Wolf's Story: What Really Happened to Little Red Riding Hood. illus. by Izhar Cohen. unpaged. Candlewick. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2785-2. LC 2004540937.
PreS-Gr 2–The wolf's interpretation of what happened in the "Little Red Riding Hood" story tries too hard and misses the mark. He tells how he did odd jobs for Grandma and one day, as the woman was reaching into her wardrobe, she "'accidentally" bumped her head and was knocked out cold. In a panic, he pushed her inside and donned her dress to fool the granddaughter who was knocking at the door. The text has several lapses in logic. In one situation, the girl says, "What BIG ears you have," and the response is "'Oh, these old things,' I said, and changed the subject.'" However, he didn't change the subject since the girl is the next to speak. Throughout the retelling, the wolf poses questions that are meant to exude innocence–"Would I LIE to you?" "I did nothing wrong. Would I?" "Not everyone likes a wolf, do they?" The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations reveal a shiny-faced young girl, a cozy-looking grandmother, and a scraggly gray wolf with sly yellow eyes. They offer interesting perspectives: bird's-eye views of the forest; looking into the wolf's eyes to see the reflection of a small red-coated girl; and a view of the child framed by the wolf's tooth-rimmed mouth. At story's end, the animal walks away with his shortened tail wrapped in a bloody bandage while telling readers that he's still available for hire. Stick with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (Viking, 1989) for a humorous, and involving, story of fabricated guilelessness.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
GILLHAM, Bill. How Many Sharks in the Bath? illus. by Christyan Fox. unpaged. Frances Lincoln. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 1-84507-288-X. LC number unavailable.
PreS–This colorful title gives children the opportunity to practice numbers 0 through 10. Each spread features two smiling youngsters interacting with creatures that are engaged in whimsical tasks, such as swinging from light fixtures, zooming down a slide, and getting their hair done at a salon. The book begins by instructing adults to read the questions posed by the animals that appear on the left margin (e.g., "How many lizards running round the table?"), help youngsters count them, and point to the corresponding numbers–both Arabic and written–that are presented on the right margin. With this effective layout, listeners always know where to look for the numbers. The scenes take place over the course of a day, beginning with breakfast and ending with bedtime. The brightly colored backgrounds and boldly drawn cartoons have lots of child appeal. There are so many details packed into each spread that readers can make up questions about other items to look for and tally up. It is refreshing to have a counting book that includes zero, which is often overlooked. A good purchase for concept-book shelves.–Linda Zeilstra Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, IL
GORBACHEV, Valeri. When Someone Is Afraid. illus. by Kostya Gorbachev. unpaged. CIP. Star Bright. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-932065-99-7. LC 2004017158.
PreS-K–This title has some positive attributes. Its modest structure–"When frogs are afraid…they dive into a pond. When crows are afraid…they fly away"–is easy to follow. After mentioning his kitten and his dog, the boy explains, "When I get scared, I call Mommy or Daddy." The illustrations are at once artistic and childlike. Sharply defined facial expressions appear on gentle, reassuring pastel backgrounds. These qualities make the book worth owning but are not compelling enough to make it a first purchase. The real strength is Gorbachev's whimsical art. However, many enchanting and even funny selections address children's fears, such as Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Dial, 1968) and Ed Emberley's Go Away, Big Green Monster (Little, Brown, 1993).–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
GRONER, Judyth Saypol & Madeline Wikler. My First Hebrew Word Book. illus. by Pépi Marzel. 32p. CIP. Lerner/Kar-Ben. 2005. PLB $17.95. ISBN 1-58013-126-3. LC 2004013504.
PreS-Gr 2–Students and teachers of conversational Hebrew, as well as families interested in introducing the language, will appreciate this picture dictionary. Basic Hebrew words for parts of the body, members of the family, clothing, the house, school, playground, city, grocery store, bedtime, bath time, a birthday party, the zoo, the seasons, numbers, and colors are included. All are written in block letters with English transliteration and translation. Each spread includes a large, detailed illustration with the individual items clearly identified along the bottom. The color cartoon art is cheerful and contemporary. At the back of the book, a word list is organized alphabetically in English and includes the Hebrew words and corresponding page numbers. All in all, this is a wonderful resource. It's more sophisticated than Schlomo Peterseil's Fun with My First Words (Pitspopany, 2001), more child-friendly than Howard I. Bogot's My First 100 Hebrew Words (URJ Press, 1993), and less intimidating than Heather Amery's The First 1000 Words in Hebrew (Usborne, 1985).–Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI
HARRIS, Robie H. I Love Messes! ISBN 0-316-10946-0. LC 2004025101.
––––. I'm All Dressed! ISBN 0-316-10948-7. LC 2004019961.
ea vol: illus. by Nicole Hollander. unpaged. (Just Being Me Series). CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $7.99.
PreS-K–In Messes, a girl enjoys dumping food items from the fridge and mixing them up on the floor. In Dressed, a boy insists on dressing himself but puts his clothes on upside down or on the wrong body parts. In both cases, the parents patiently and lovingly explain what is tolerable behavior and what is going too far. Both children happily accept these boundaries. The pen-and-ink cartoons are simple and bright. The texts and art are playful and cheerful, and the layouts are clear. The books are best suited for families dealing with similar problems. In each one, a professor of child psychiatry describes the characters' actions in the story and explains why children need to pursue them. Some parents and caregivers will find these trite and patronizing; others will find them reassuring.–Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK
HARVEY, Damian. Just the Thing! illus. by Lynne Chapman. unpaged. Gingham Dog. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-7696-4300-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS–While the premise of this tale is quite simple, its execution makes it worthy of consideration for most picture-book collections. Big Gorilla can't reach the mighty big itch on his back, so Mama Gorilla encourages him to seek out a scratching tree outside where he won't disturb slumbering Little Gorilla. The gummy tree doesn't assuage the itch, but worsens it instead. On the advice of a passing warthog, Big Gorilla next tries a mud bath. Once again, the cure is almost worse than the condition. His itch continues to worsen as Big Gorilla tries a number of remedies suggested by fellow jungle inhabitants. It's not until the great ape returns home that he discovers that the youngest family member had the solution all along. Wonderful comic illustrations featuring goggle-eyed critters and highlighted by vibrant coloration add significantly to the humor and sweetness of this silly story. Sure to be a hit at story hours.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
HAVEL, Geoff. Babies Bite. illus. by Shane Tholen. 143p. CIP. Fremantle Arts Centre, dist. by ISBS. 2005. pap. $13.50. ISBN 1-92073-187-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–This continuation of The Real Facts of Life (Freemantle Arts Centre, 2002) picks up the story as Max learns of his mother's pregnancy. When Fred is born, the older boy is less than thrilled with the idea of a new baby in the house and continues to be put out for most of the book. Having a new sibling means shopping for baby things, giving up his room, and going to school with spit-up on his clothes. Narrated by Max, with wry humor, the story is interrupted with three or four funny facts on each page, but these intrusions slow the plot down and become tiresome. Line drawings are exaggerated caricatures that add to the hilarity. Fans of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" (Scholastic) will respond to the use of bathroom humor and the obvious boy-centered viewpoint. Others may not find the book appealing.–Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
HILLS, Tad. Duck & Goose. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Jan. 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-375-83611-X; PLB $16.99. ISBN 0-375-93611-4. LC 2005010849.
PreS-Gr 1–In this goofy story, a duck and goose mistake a big spotted ball for an egg. Each one claims it and they fight over taking care of it. In the end, they realize their foolishness and become friends, enjoying their ball together. The themes of getting along, sharing, and settling one's differences come across loud and clear, and the author does a good job with the subject without becoming too didactic. While the narrative is fairly straightforward and has touches of childlike humor throughout, it's the bright and colorful artwork that will attract youngsters' attention. The cartoon-style oil paintings set against soft-focus, almost impressionistic backgrounds keep Duck and Goose center stage, and their expressions are priceless. A sweet addition.–Lisa S. Schindler, Bethpage Public Library, NY
HUGHES, Susan. Earth to Audrey. illus. by Stéphanie Poulin. unpaged. CIP. Kids Can. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-55337-843-1. LC C2005-900280-8.
Gr 1-3–Ray thinks that his new neighbor might be an alien. The girl is staying with her father for the summer and Ray is fascinated with her strange pursuits, such as training grasshoppers and "just lying down looking up." With a free spirit, antennae-like pigtails, and a fondness for kooky-patterned dresses, Audrey breathes a fresh perspective into Ray's sleepy small town. Together, they spend their days "seeing the Earth for the first time, new and astonishing." Musing on the complexities of the universe, they sit still "for a long time, trying to feel the Earth move." Poulin's lush, evocative oil paintings feature naively drawn characters that reflect the mysterious suggestions of the text. A cleverly written look at the powers of friendship and creative thinking.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
JEFFERS, Oliver. Lost and Found. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-24503-0. LC 2005013520.
PreS-Gr 2–"Once there was a boy who found a penguin at his door." From this opening line to the very end, this gentle story of friendship will capture young readers' imaginations. The child assumes that the penguin is lost, which is logical since the lumpy black-and-white bird does look awfully forlorn. Determined to help the creature find its way home, he discovers that penguins come from the South Pole, and the two board a rowboat. During their long sea voyage, the youngster passes the time by telling his companion many stories. However, when they finally reach their destination, he realizes that the penguin was not lost, but just lonely and looking for a friend. The soft watercolor paintings feature simple shapes and a palette that ranges from pale to bold. The boy has a square body, stick legs, and a round head with tiny dot eyes and an expressive mouth. For much of the tale, the characters are placed on crisp white backdrops, while colorful ocean scenes depict their journey. The text's subtle humor and the appealing visuals make this title a wonderful read-aloud.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA
JENSEN, Patricia. I Am Sick. illus. by Johanna Hantel. ISBN 0-516-24878-2; ISBN 0-516-24970-3. LC 2005004024.
REGGIER, DeMar. Good Food. illus. by David Austin Clar. ISBN 0-516-24879-0; ISBN 0-516-24969-X. LC 2005004021.
TAYLOR-BUTLER, Christine. Step-by-Step. illus. by Susan Miller. ISBN 0-516-24875-8; ISBN 0-516-24974-6. LC 2005004022.
ea vol: 32p. (My First Reader Series). CIP. Children's Press. 2005. PLB $18.50; pap. $3.95.
K-Gr 2–These predictable stories consist of about 47 words and feature characters engaged in activities familiar to emerging readers. In Sick, a girl with a headache and sore throat is apprehensive when her dad takes her to the doctor, but he is kind and prescribes medicine that immediately helps her to feel better. Hantel's cartoon watercolors fill spreads with appealing colors, expressive facial features, and appropriate contextual clues. The second title is narrated by a boy who shops for food with his dad and helps prepare dinner for Mom. Clar's realistic paintings in warm colors convey the joy of this shared experience and represent the words on most pages. In Step-by-Step, a boy dyes white flowers and presents his colorful creations to his grandmother. Readers who want to try tinting flowers can follow the easy steps. Miller's cartoon illustrations capture the fun. All three titles are adequate additions to collections.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
JONES, Jolie. Little Kisses. illus. by Julie Downing. unpaged. (The Julie Andrews Collection). CIP. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-058698-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-058699-0. LC 2004019107.
K-Gr 2–An amiable, rambling story that has more charm than plot. Narrated by a dog named Bejinhos, which means "Little Kisses" in Brazil, the tale takes children through a day in the life of a pet and his girl, Jolie. The two friends get up, talk, try on clothes, eat, brush their teeth, and take a walk. A cautionary refrain, "Those are the rules," is brought home when Bejinhos gets into a serious scrape while Jolie is at school. This would be a story to smile at and pass by if not for the eye-catching, cuddly watercolor illustrations. Downing captures the pup's adoring enthusiasm, and readers will want to take him home. The real Bejinhos, though, belongs to Jolie Jones, daughter of musician Quincy Jones and a singer/producer as well as a writer.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
KARNS, Marie. The Incredible Peepers of Penelope Budd. illus. by Amy Wummer. unpaged. CIP. Gibbs Smith. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58685-405-4. LC 2005007938.
PreS-K–Although Penelope is born with eyes the color of"midnight stars," when she is three months old, one eye turns "the color of root beer" while the other becomes "as blue as a lake." Her mother worries, but the doctor proclaims the infant healthy and says she's just the way she's supposed to be. As Penelope grows older, she uses her peepers to investigate her surroundings, often noticing things that other people miss. Where her stodgy aunt sees only a dirty mud puddle, Penelope envisions a pool with a rainbow edge, and where her uncle views ugly weeds, she observes lemon-colored flowers, perfect for a bouquet. The book concludes with the youngster stargazing from her bedroom and realizing that the world around her is amazing–"just the way it's supposed to be!" Cheerful cartoons capture the child's free spirit, the beauty in everyday objects, and the reactions of her family members. Subtle details add humor, such as the sand dragon she builds using apples for eyes (one green, one red). The story moves smoothly, providing examples of everyday wonders that will keep readers engaged. Unabashedly sweet, this book shows the world through a child's eyes, reminding readers that there is magic everywhere.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
KIM, Byung-Gyu & K. T. Hao. The 100th Customer. tr. by Annie Kung. illus. by Giuliano Ferri. unpaged. Purple Bear. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-933327-03-0; PLB $16.85. ISBN 1-933327-07-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–After resolving their rivalry in One Pizza, One Penny (Cricket, 2003), Ben Bear and Chris Croc decide to open a restaurant. The menu features two specialties: pizza and desserts. Their first customers are a boy and his grandmother, who asks, "Which is the least expensive?" and then orders a small pizza for her grandson, saying that she isn't hungry. Recognizing her unselfishness, the owners pretend that the child has won a free pizza and dessert because of his status as the 100th customer of the day, so that he may share the bounty with his grandmother. He decides to repeat the experience the next day by waiting outside the eatery to count customers as they arrive. Ben Bear and Chris Croc devise a way to help him learn what the old woman taught them: "a full heart is more satisfying than a full stomach." The warm, rich tones of Ferri's impressionistic illustrations complement the gentle message of the story. The customers are an eclectic group of humans and animals, all dressed in similar clothing and sharing the dining space companionably. Although not an essential purchase, the book is a worthwhile choice, especially where the first book has been popular.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
KINDERMANS, Martine. You and Me. tr. by Sasha Quinton. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-24471-9. LC 2005014348.
PreS–In this attractive book, a mother goose tells her little gosling: "All we need is you and me/to be as happy as can be./And no matter where we go,/I will always love you so." The two walk on a beach, cross the world, climb high and low, and return home. Lovely watercolor washes of corals, yellows, and pinks predominate, with the white geese tenderly playing and traveling together against a barely suggested milieu. Finally, they go off into the sunset, wing in wing, in an illustration a bit reminiscent of the final shot in Chaplin's Modern Times. In the same vein as Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, 1996) and others, this book could give single parents in particular a good one-on-one story to share with their toddlers. Slight, but made special by its delicate art.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
KING-SMITH, Dick. The Catlady. illus. by John Eastwood. 75p. Knopf. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-375-82985-7; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-92985-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–In this beginning chapter book set in 1901, Muriel Ponsonby, aka the Catlady, keeps a large number of felines on her large country estate. The eccentric woman is a firm believer in reincarnation; she examines each new kitten thoughtfully and can determine if it's someone she once knew or just an ordinary cat. As the story opens, her deceased parents are living with her. She is both surprised and pleased to find Queen Victoria among her latest arrivals. The royal guest is allowed to eat first, has a bed of honor, and receives all other special treatments befitting a monarch. Miss Ponsonby secures a village girl to help around the house and develops a strong friendship with Mary. When the elderly woman finally dies, the property is left to the Royal Society for the Protection of Cats, with young Mary in charge. Naturally, she has been thoroughly swayed to the idea when the reincarnated Miss Ponsonby shows up as a strange and confident cat six months later. Sprinkled with black-and-white sketches deftly portraying the tale's subtle British humor, The Catlady will appeal to King-Smith fans. A lighthearted glimpse into the feline world.–Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
