Preschool to Grade 4: January, 2006 continued
-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2006
Fiction Continued
KLEIN, Adria F. Max Goes to School. ISBN 1-4048-1179-6. LC 2005003787.––––. Max Goes to the Barber. ISBN 1-4048-1180-X. LC 2005003851.
––––. Max Goes to the Dentist. ISBN 1-4048-1181-8. LC 2005003853.
ea vol: illus. by Mernie Gallagher-Cole. 24p. (Read-it! Readers Series). CIP. Picture Window. 2005. PLB $18.60.
PreS-Gr 1–These beginning readers present everyday situations that children will recognize. Simple, repetitive texts with one sentence per page describe an African-American boy's day at school: "Max likes to read and write./Max goes to school./He meets the teacher." In a similar fashion, the other two books follow him on a visit to the dentist and on a trip to the barber. The artwork, created with watercolor and colored pencil, is appealing and helpful to readers trying to decode the texts. Children will enjoy the images of Max's spotted dog brushing his teeth and smiling in the mirror along with the child. These books will be welcome where additional readers are needed.–Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL
KROLL, Virginia. Forgiving a Friend. illus. by Paige Billin-Frye. ISBN 0-8075-0618-4. LC 2005002743.
––––. Jason Takes Responsibility. illus. by Nancy Cote. ISBN 0-8075-2537-5. LC 2005003866.
ea vol: unpaged. (The Way I Act Bks.). CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. Tr $15.95.
Gr 1-3–Two character-education lessons incorporated into stories. In Friend, Jacob crashes into Seth's toy dump truck while the two are racing their bikes and Seth is furious. Then, while visiting his grandmother, he accidentally breaks her lamp. She is not angry with him, and he realizes the importance of forgiveness, which leads him to Jacob's house seeking to renew their friendship. In the next book, Jason is asked to mail invitations to his grandmother's birthday party but on his way to the post office, he loses one down the drain grate. When Grandma's best friend does not show up on the day of the party, Jason realizes what happened and runs to Mrs. Wang's and asks her to come. Color cartoons fill the pages and enhance the mood of the texts. Young readers will relate to the simple plots, which will generate discussion.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
LAREAU, Kara. Snowbaby Could Not Sleep. illus. by Jim Ishikawa. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-316-60703-7. LC 2004003644.
PreS-Gr 1–On a cold winter night, Snowbaby is unable to sleep. His father suggests that he tries counting snowflakes, but that doesn't work. Then he complains that he is too hot, so his mother adds a blanket of snow. Then he is too thirsty and too lonely. After a glass of ice water and singing to Snowbaby does not do the trick, the determined parents make a fluffy white Snowdoggie to keep him company. Then the baby is happy but now the dog can not and will not sleep. Snowbaby offers him a drink, a song, and his earmuffs to guard against the wind. Finally, the story comes full circle as Snowbaby and Snowdoggie count snowflakes until everyone is sound asleep. Children will join in LaReau's rhythmic refrain and will be entertained by the reluctant sleepers. Ishikawa's gouache and watercolor paintings create a snowy, windy scene outside while framing a cozy and loving home on the inside, making this a well-paced and delightful bedtime story.–Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY
LENDROTH, Susan. Why Explore? illus. by Enrique S. Moreiro. unpaged. CIP. Tricycle. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58246-150-3. LC 2004030088.
K-Gr 3–Throughout history, humans have explored everything from land to sea to space to pond scum, and this picture book asks readers to think about why anyone would leave the safety and comfort of home to experience the danger of the unknown. Rendered in oils, the illustrations show somber scenes of people embarking on various kinds of explorations while others question why. The questions and responses are offered in rhyming couplets: "Why explore old stuff dug from the ground?/Everything good has already been found….The archaeologist looked up from her pile./'Even trash grows intriguing after a while....'" An author's note adds depth to the different fields featured in the paintings, including Polynesian navigators, early astronomy, ocean voyagers, sharecroppers and homesteaders, microscopic research, archaeology, particle physics, and space. The emotions and questions of explorers pre-journey can generate terrific discussions; however, the singsong rhymes detract from the thought-provoking topic and serious art. A supplemental purchase.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
LETHCOE, Jason. Amazing Adventures from Zoom's Academy. illus. by author. 151p. Ballantine. 2005. pap. $12.95. ISBN 0-345-48355-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Summer Jones is just a typical kid–until her father realizes that she might have super powers. He then reveals that he is a professor at Zoom's Academy for the Super-Gifted. Mr. Jones proceeds to take Summer through a secret room behind their entertainment center and down a pole to reach a rocket that takes them to the school. She meets her fellow students and Principal Zoom, an alien who has searched for humans with super powers to help keep the race from destroying itself. As Summer tries to figure out what special powers she may possess, Zoom is in great danger of being conquered by its mightiest foes, the nefarious Mr. Graves and the evil denizens of Grave's School for the Villainous Arts. The book touts itself as "soon to be a major motion picture" and the writing feels more like a film treatment than a novel. It also suffers from unfortunate timing, following the films The Incredibles and Sky High, both about superhero families, which make this seem all the more familiar and derivative.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
LOOK, Lenore. Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. illus. by Yumi Heo. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. Jan. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-84458-1. LC 2002010740.
K-Gr 3–Jenny, who first appeared as an energetic big sister in Henry's First-Moon Birthday (S & S, 2001), is back, participating in her uncle's nuptials. The child loves being his "special girl" and is having difficulty with the idea of sharing him with a new aunt. Look perfectly captures the child's envy and jealousy as the bride becomes the center of attention. As the family gathers to celebrate, readers learn about many of the traditions associated with the ceremony, including bargaining for the bride, wearing red for good luck, and bed-jumping. The busy day has a sweet resolution as Stella chooses Jenny to release a box full of butterflies and thanks her for sharing her uncle. The child responds with a hug and welcomes the bride into the family. Heo's child-inspired illustrations contribute to the story's strong appeal with lively colors, perspectives, and details that accentuate both Jenny's feelings and the wedding traditions. A delightful invitation to learn more about Chinese traditions.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
LORBIECKI, Marybeth. Jackie's Bat. illus. by Brian Pinkney. unpaged. CIP. S & S. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-84102-7. LC 2001049353.
Gr 2-4–A fictionalized account of Robinson's first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, as seen through the eyes of Joey, a batboy. He has attended games with his father since he was a toddler, and he's been a fan of "dem bums" for years. He meets the star player in the locker room on Robinson's first day as a Dodger, and though the man is friendly, Joey remembers that Pops says, "it ain't right, a white boy serving a black man." He gives the first baseman the cold shoulder and refuses to clean his shoes as he does for the other players. As Joey watches Robinson endure the prejudice of fans and players on other teams, he comes to admire him both as a ballplayer and a man. Eventually, both the boy and Pops admit that he "earned his place in history." An afterword gives more information on Robinson's career and legacy. Pinkney's watercolor illustrations, awash in bright hues and expressive details, enliven the characters with sinewy, curvaceous lines. The slight story is saddled with a simplistic ending, but it merits praise as a thoughtful lesson in tolerance; teachers, in particular, will appreciate it as a jumpstart for discussion.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
MCCAUGHREAN, Geraldine. The Jesse Tree. illus. by Bee Willey. 93p. CIP. Eerdmans. 2005. Tr $20. ISBN 0-8028-5288-2. LC 2004020227.
K Up–This collection of celebrated Bible stories, often read in the days leading up to Christmas, is presented in an engaging and refreshing format. A cantankerous carpenter is distracted from his work of carving a Jesse tree in the local church by a talkative youth who isn't bothered by the man's gruff nature. John is fascinated by the craftsman's task, wanting to learn all about the Jesse tree, a traditional symbol of the Advent season. Mr. Butterfield whittles away at the family tree that traces Jesus's spiritual lineage, adding representative icons corresponding to particular stories to each branch. The curious boy encourages the old gentleman to relate the series of stories leading from the Garden of Eden directly to the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem. Along with the holy family, many well-known Old Testament characters, including Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Ruth, David, and Elijah, appear in the carpenter's narration. The sacred stories are recited in the folksy speech expected of someone like Mr. Butterfield and are skillfully interwoven with the parallel tale of the blossoming friendship between the two unlikely companions. Charming illustrations of the narrator and his young friend, as well as biblical scenes, accompany the text. A spread showing the finished Jesse tree is featured at the beginning and end of the book. McCaughrean explains its origin in an introduction.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
MACDONALD, Margaret Read, retel. The Squeaky Door. illus. by Mary Newell DePalma. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Jan. 2006. Tr $12.99. ISBN 0-06-028373-4; PLB $13.89. ISBN 0-06-028374-2. LC 2004030641.
PreS-Gr 3–When staying with his grandparents, a boy is frightened by the squeaky door to his bedroom. To comfort him, Grandma puts various animals in bed with him. In MacDonald's retelling, she tries a cat, dog, pig, and horse. When the bed breaks, the boy gets to sleep with his grandparents. The next morning Grandma oils the door, repairs the bed, and the child sleeps soundly after that. Other retellings include Laura Simms's The Squeaky Door (Random, 1991), Judith Mathews and Fay Robinson's Nathaniel Willy, Scared Silly (S & S, 1994), and Pat Thomson's The Squeaky, Creaky Bed (Doubleday, 2003). This one is very similar to the language in Simms's version. All of the retellings are funny, and children enjoy the absurdity of the situation. DePalma's bright and colorful cartoon illustrations are full of humorous details, but are not large enough to share with a group. This book is best suited for one-on-one sharing and is also a great choice to add to storytelling repertoires.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
MCDONNELL, Patrick. The Gift of Nothing. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-316-11488-X. LC 2005002584.
Gr 1-4–This story features characters from McDonnell's comic strip "Mutts." Mooch (a cat) wants to give Earl (a dog) a gift, but he already has a bowl, a bed, and even a chewy toy. In fact, "he [has] it ALL." In a flash of inspiration, Mooch decides to give him nothing, and sets out to find it. Though the kids say there is "nothing to do," they always seem to be doing something. And even though Millie says "there [is] nothing to buy," Mooch finds plenty in the stores. In the end, he wraps a big box with nothing in it and presents it to his friend. "There's nothing here," says Earl. "Nothing…but me and you," Mooch replies. And that's the point. The text is minimal and the small cartoon drawings are executed in black and white with touches of red and surrounded by plenty of white space. As Mooch ponders over his dilemma, he is engulfed by question marks. The picture of the two friends sitting wrapped paw-in-paw as they enjoy "nothing and everything" is charming. A fine vehicle for a one-on-one discussion of the meaning of friendship and gift-giving.–Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
MAYER, Pamela. The Grandma Cure. illus. by John Nez. unpaged. CIP. Dutton. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-47559-1. LC 2004056182.
PreS-K–When a cold keeps Becky home from kindergarten, her grandmothers jump at the opportunity to make her feel better. On the first day, Grandma Sophie comes over with her cure of orange juice and chicken-noodle soup. The second day, Grandma Rosalie brings tea with lemon and rice pudding. On the third, both women show up and competition ensues. Using lessons learned at school, Becky rises to the occasion and teaches her childish relatives to take turns and share. The candy-colored cartoon illustrations are somewhat busy but still manage to enhance the text with comical details. Though the narrative occasionally gets heavy-handed, children may enjoy seeing adults get a refresher course in the kindergarten curriculum. An additional purchase, this is still a reassuring read for those who know something about being the object of competing affections.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
MONTEJO, Victor. White Flower: A Maya Princess. tr. by Chloe Catan. illus. by Rafael Yockteng. 36p. CIP. Groundwood. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-88899-599-7. LC C2005-901082-7.
Gr 3-6–A version of the Spanish folktale "Blanca Flor." A young prince has lost everything, including his memory. He meets strong-willed White Flower, daughter of the powerful, magical King Witz Ak'al, and the two young people fall in love. When her father opposes the union, White Flower uses magic and trickery, transforming into a thorn hedge, a foaming lake, a maze of seven paths, and more, to aid in the couple's escape. When she is finally discovered and returned to the palace, her parents relent to the marriage with very little resistance. Softened watercolor and graphite pencil illustrations aid in the telling of the story. They convey fantasy, yet maintain an almost flat, hieroglyphic quality that suggests an inscription on a Mayan temple wall. Although the wordy text sometimes seems to drift, the story is still worthy as an example of Mayan folklore.–Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
MORGAN, Michaela. Dear Bunny: A Bunny Love Story. illus. by Caroline Jayne Church. unpaged. Scholastic/The Chicken House. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-439-74833-X. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Valentino and Valenteeny, two timid bunnies, admire one another from afar, but their shyness keeps them from speaking. Then each one decides to write the other a letter and mails it in the local hollow log. Later, rain forces a mouse family to take refuge in that very log. To make the spot more comfortable, they shred everything they find, including the two letters. It is only when the bunnies are reduced to tears because they have received no replies to their correspondences that the mice realize what they have done. The sweet resolution to the problem results in a happily-ever-after ending. This is a charming story, perfect for Valentine's Day, though the holiday is never mentioned. The rabbits and mice are endearing characters, drawn in an appealing manner. The double-page picture of the sleeping mice surrounded by paper fragments of "Love and Warmth and Exceptional Tenderness" is especially enchanting. The large, colorful illustrations and delightful story make this a wonderful storytime selection.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
NEUBECKER, Robert. Beasty Bath. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic/Orchard. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-439-64000-8. LC 2004011797.
PreS-Gr 1–It's bath time and the chase is on: "The evening's come, I hear a roar,/it's time to catch my dinosaur." Once the wild child is caught, it is time to clean up and settle down. Horns and claws are polished, fangs are brushed, the wee beasty is tucked in with a pile of stuffed toys, and it's off to dreamland. Parents having trouble with bath- and bedtime may find this interlude the perfect way to settle their own wild beasts. Plentiful white space shows off the illustrations well for storytime. The youngster and her antics are portrayed in colorful, playful, and imaginative watercolor-and-ink cartoon illustrations. Fans of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (HarperCollins, 1988) might see some resemblance in the beasts and dream jungle at book's end. Pair the two titles for a fine beastly bedtime romp.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
NEWMAN, Marlene. Myron's Magic Cow. illus. by Jago. unpaged. CIP. Barefoot. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 1-84148-496-2. LC 2004028590.
K-Gr 3–When Mama starts to make pancakes, she realizes she's out of milk, so she sends young Myron to the store. Out the apartment building and up the city street he goes, until he hears a call from the alley. It is from a girl who has a cow tied to a rope. She tells Myron that she traded the cow for some beans and grabs the five-dollar bill from his hand before he can decide whether he wants to make a deal. He pulls the reluctant cow home and finds that this is no ordinary animal: she can talk and grant wishes. This fractured fairy tale is a fun read, placing Myron's story in an inner-city setting, where the oversize cow stands out. Using a mixture of cartoon-style frames and full spreads, Jago deftly employs shadow and perspective to bring the story to life. His folklike, digitally prepared, mixed-media illustrations complement the telling well, but there are some inconsistencies. For example, on the next-to-last page, Myron is supposedly smiling from head to toe, but he looks perplexed instead. There is plenty here for units on folklore, and libraries should have no trouble moving the book off the shelf.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
PARADIS, Susan. Snow Princess. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Front St. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-932425-31-4. LC 2005012684.
PreS-Gr 2–A little girl gives free rein to her imagination as she waits for her father's return on a snowy day. While other neighborhood children engage in snowball fights, she imagines a grand castle filled with courtiers attending a feast in his honor. Later, she conjures up a ballet, and, still later, rides a white horse to meet him and has a fire-breathing dragon light his way home. The final scene shows their happy reunion, while Mom waits in the doorway. Text and paintings alternate between snowy reality and the young narrator's fantasy, and Paradis carefully links the two. The paintings add fanciful details and elevate this rather saccharine story. An aquamarine dragon snakes its way across a spread, and the colorfully dressed courtiers consist of white bears, elephants, and so on. Pleasant, but insubstantial.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
PARKER, Toni Trent. Sienna's Scrapbook: Our African American Heritage Trip. illus. by Janell Genovese. 61p. photos. reprods. Web sites. CIP. Chronicle. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8118-4300-9. LC 2004026426.
Gr 3-6–A combination of scrapbook and journal, this refreshing retrospective of African-American history is engaging and entertaining. Sienna is skeptical at best when her parents announce that they will do a tour of black historical sites on their drive from Hartford, CT, to a family reunion in North Carolina. She feels strongly that "summer is supposed to be about fun, not about learning!" As they visit places such as the Amistad, the Apollo Theater, the homes of Louis Armstrong and Frederick Douglass, the National Air and Space Museum, the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, and the Woolworth's/civil rights museum (plus many more), Sienna includes humorous notes and personal comments, making this scrapbook seem authentic. Her voice is strong and real. The chosen sites are both significant and fascinating. Endnotes include addresses, phone numbers, Web sites, and additional places to visit. Engaging illustrations include childlike drawings and doodles, photos, paintings, and replicas of ticket stubs and other ephemera. Pages with journal entries appear to be written on yellow lined paper. This charming book would lend itself easily to classroom projects on black history, journal writing, or map study. It should also pique interest in visiting some of the sites described.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
PENDZIWOL, Jean E. The Red Sash. illus. by Nicolas Debon. 40p. charts. map. glossary. CIP. Groundwood. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-88899-589-X. LC C2005-900657-9.
Gr 2-5–An interesting account of the Canadian fur trade in the early years of the 19th century as seen through the eyes of a Métis boy. The youngster lives with his family just outside Fort William, which was the major trading post linking the fur trade of northern and central Canada to the North West Company's main headquarters in Montreal. Voyageurs, easily identified by the red sash they wore, were the men who worked in the fur trade, traveling along the trade routes by canoe. The boy, who longs to be a voyageur like his father, describes his family's life and the role that Fort William played in the opening of the Canadian interior. Historically accurate, this story is full of interesting details that add to its authenticity. Sharp-eyed readers may also catch the native name for Lake Superior, Gitchee Gumee. A brief history of Fort William and the North West Company is appended. The map on the inside cover provides geographic context and the beautiful gouache and mixed-media illustrations work well to support the text. A fine addition to historical picture-book collections, particularly in Canada.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
PHILLIPS, Sally Kahler. Nonsense! illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Random. Jan. 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-375-83306-4; PLB $16.99. ISBN 0-375-93306-9. LC 2004024089.
PreS-Gr 2–This well-intentioned effort attempts to draw parallels between fanciful notions such as dogs growing on trees or chickens laying cheese and the cruel comments that all children have to endure at one time or another. The text reasons that if one is able to judge such improbable notions as pigs sewing quilts and label them "nonsense," then readers should also be able to make that retort to absurd comments made about their character or appearance. However, this leap of logic may be lost on youngsters whose feelings have been hurt. The colorful, child-friendly, collage-style illustrations are fetching and with the adult help, children may grasp the bibliotherapeutic benefit of the book. An additional purchase for collections needing more materials on self-esteem.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
PILGRIM, Elza. The China Doll. illus. by Carmen Segovia. unpaged. CIP. Sterling. Jan. 2006. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-4027-2223-0. LC 2005008797.
K-Gr 2–In this sweet fantasy, a doll sets out to find a tea set for her owner's fifth birthday. Familiar plot elements include an all-knowing rat that demands a reward for helping her and scary encounters with a cat and a dog. She is assisted by a goose and a cow that, while friendlier than the rat, also expect a gift. The doll returns dirty and broken but Jessica's mother fixes her. "You must have been through quite an ordeal," she says. The doll is named Sarah, but the author frequently refers to her also as "the china doll," which makes her seem more like an object than a character. Unfortunately, the artist's palette is too dark and limited to a few colors, giving the paintings a somber and eerie quality. Given this shortcoming, the book is a limited purchase.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA
PILKEY, Dav. Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from Uranus. illus. by Martin Ontiveros. 125p. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-37646-7; pap. $3.99. ISBN 0-439-37647-5. LC 2004022710.
Gr 1-3–In this installment in the early chapter-book adventure series, Ricky and his robot battle villains from Uranus. When the little mouse finds himself weary of the problems associated with having an awkwardly huge robot friend, he wishes that the Mighty Robot would find a pal his own size. Ricky's wish comes true when the evil Uncle Unicorn creates a giant Ladybot to steal the Mighty Robot's affections. It's all part of Uncle Unicorn's plan to take over the Earth. Ricky enlists the help of his cousin Lucy and her Jurassic Jackrabbit pets to break the Ladybot's hold on his robot and to save the planet. The author delivers another plot-driven, action-packed tale complete with rock 'em-sock 'em battle scenes illustrated in gimmicky "Flip-O-Rama." Ontiveros's black-and-white cartoons add to the fun and provide additional character details. The text is easy to read, with manageable sentences and short chapters. The package is designed to attract reluctant readers, especially boys, and it will do just that. The book even includes a mini art lesson so fans can draw their favorite characters from the story.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
PINKNEY, Sandra L. Read and Rise. photos. by Myles C. Pinkney. unpaged. Scholastic/Cartwheel. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-439-30929-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–In this second book in the Read and Rise initiative cosponsored by the National Urban League, the focus is clear: read in order to achieve. The uplifting message begins with a foreword by Maya Angelou: "Reading is the pathway/From the dungeon/To the door/Freedom." Colorful photographs on bright backgrounds capture exclusively African-American children, but all youngsters can relate to the dreams they share: of soaring–as do astronauts; creating–as do chefs; rescuing–as do firefighters. Surrounded by supportive adults, children are read to and read by themselves. The photographs that support each stanza of the poetic text show reading taking place; for example, two sisters absorbed in a book about ballerinas are then showcased in pink dresses and tiaras, ready to dance themselves. Powerful verbs match the vivid portrayal of children succeeding. Like Pinkney's Shades of Black (Scholastic, 2000), this is a must-have.–Alexa L. Sandman, Kent State University, OH
POWELL, Consie. The First Day of Winter. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8075-2450-6. LC 2005002742.
K-Gr 2–An introduction to various aspects of winter, using the pattern of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Each verse faces an oval illustration of children engaged in different activities, along with a suggested action, e.g., "Identify seven sorts of leafless trees, dormant for the winter." The illustrations lack spontaneity and charm, and the characters' facial features are awkwardly drawn. The exercises, called "challenges," on each spread are difficult to accomplish, but fun to attempt. Determining an audience for the book is difficult. The text indicates that it is for young children: "On the sixth day of winter,/as snowflakes fill the air,/six warm and woolly mittens/are just the thing to wear." But the accompanying "challenge," to "Find six different kinds of snowflakes," is problematic. The names of the snowflakes are set in minute type in the oval frame of the picture. An appendix, "What Happens on Winter Days?" provides the information. By attempting too much, this title accomplishes too little.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
RANSOME, Arthur. Little Daughter of the Snow. ed. by Shena Guild. illus. by Tom Bower. unpaged. Frances Lincoln. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-84507-297-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 4–An old man and woman build a snow girl, hoping that she will come alive and relieve their sorrow at being childless. At twilight, she begins to sing and dance, promising that she will continue to "laugh and…play," unless she learns that they do not truly love her, and then she will "melt away." Their days pass happily until spring, when the snow girl becomes lost in the woods. A red fox brings her home safely, but the couple begrudges him a fat hen as his reward. Feeling that they love her less than a hen, the child melts away and returns to her parents, Frost and Snow. Taken from Ransome's Old Peter's Russian Tales (Puffin, 1975; o.p.), this folktale has been abridged and updated, making the text more concise and easier to understand. The modern language is juxtaposed with the snow daughter's songs, which have been quoted from the original (e.g., "No warm blood in me doth glow,/Water in my veins doth flow"). The textured, folk-style illustrations invest the story with new energy and depict details of traditional Russian peasant life. Cool blues and whites capture the snowy outdoors, contrasting with the warm oranges in the old people's loving home. A well-told and colorfully illustrated version of a story about love and priorities.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
REYNOLDS, Peter. My Very Big Little World: A SugarLoaf Book. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-87621-1. LC 2004030705.
PreS-Gr 2–SugarLoaf, a precocious kittenlike child (or childlike kitten), eagerly introduces readers to her family. Her world is one that listeners will recognize as she shares with them what she considers to be important: how she got her name, where she falls in the family order, her favorite color, her parents' occupations, etc. Her running monologue is reminiscent of many children's egocentric conversational style and allows Reynolds to throw in a handful of lines that will tickle the funny bone of both young and adult readers. "My mom is a dentist for boys and girls. I'm growing teeth for her to take care of." The genial story can be shared with youngsters or read by beginning readers since the text is comprised of short, easy-to-read sentences with plenty of visual clues provided by the art. The cartoon illustrations contribute to the fun, expanding on SugarLoaf's statements and often painting a picture entirely different than her words alone imply.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
ROWE, John A. Moondog. illus. by author. unpaged. Minedition. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-698-40031-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Moondog's peaceful existence on the dark side of the Moon is threatened by the arrival of a rocket ship. The space-mission monkey explains, "'The people on Earth need more room to build things.'" The clever canine thwarts expansion plans by delivering a dog biscuit instead of a Moon rock sample. Bald, bulging-eyed scientists wail at the negative results from their "multi-million-dollar rock-testing machine" and eventually conclude, "'We must stop cutting down all the trees, poisoning all the rivers, and digging up the mountains before it's too late!'" Rowe's watercolor illustrations offer a satiric punch. A tongue-in-cheek newspaper page recounts the "latest trend for everything K9" and endpapers show dog biscuits worn as fashion accessories. This witty fable is great for environmental units.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
RUMBLE, Chris. Moby Stink. illus. by author. 89p. (The Adventures of Uncle Stinky Series). Tricycle. 2005. pap. $5.95. ISBN 1-58246-145-7. LC 2004030091.
Gr 3-5–Uncle Stinky may smell like onions and old fish, but the citizens of Hootenholler count on him when there's trouble afoot. Or, in this case, afin. Celebrity angler Barry Cooter is arriving for the town's annual Catfish Rodeo, seeking fame, glory, and the legendary giant fish, Ol' Whiskers. Uncle Stinky wants the catch, too, but he is more interested in keeping the competition square. Cooter, on the other hand, is willing to cheat–even if it means harpooning the whole town. This tall tale features wildly exaggerated plot action that careens from rural adventure to literary parody, with dollops of horror and travel-guide commentary along the way. (The wicked skewering of Moby Dick must have Herman Melville spinning dizzily in his grave.) The text is loaded with comical regional dialogue and truly horrendous puns. Black-and-white cartoons are splashed throughout, often in comic-book-style panels with dialogue balloons and sound-word graphics. Underneath all the zaniness, there is a subtle message about honesty and cooperation. Although the dialect may be a bit of a stretch for reluctant readers, they will appreciate the short text and off-the-wall humor.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
SAMUELS, Barbara. Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. Jan. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-32844-7. LC 2004040463.
K-Gr 2–Dolores snoops in her older sister's room and finds a valentine box with a singing-frog necklace inside. She knows she shouldn't touch Faye's belongings, but temptation and curiosity get the better of her. After various escapades involving the necklace and her cat, Duncan, the story ends happily, proving that sisterly love conquers all. Samuels's humorous cartoon illustrations are more attractive than those in Faye and Dolores (S & S, 1985). Dolores's features are more charming and inviting, and the feline, complete with droll expressions that enhance the mood of the plot, has become a member of the family. Readers will ask for repeated readings in order to further examine the details on the pages. Add this one to your holiday repertoire.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
SAYLES, Elizabeth. The Goldfish Yawned. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8050-7624-7. LC 2004022178.
PreS-Gr 1–This calming story begins in a child's room: the lighthouse night-light is on, the cat is settling in, the goldfish is getting sleepy, and as the youngster drifts into dreamland, she sails a toy boat through the night. Soft pastel illustrations, dominated by twilight blues and greens, match the dreamy quality of the text. While this is yet another in the "toys become real in dreams" genre, it is a gentle, sweet story that works well as a bedtime read-aloud. With its simple language, large print, and highlighted verbs, it's also a good choice for budding readers.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
SCHROEDER, Lisa. Baby Can't Sleep. illus. by Viviana Garofoli. unpaged. CIP. Sterling. 2005. PLB $12.95. ISBN 1-4027-2171-4. LC 2005008796.
PreS–A tired father counts sheep in an attempt to lull his baby to sleep. These are no ordinary sheep, however. Rather than merely jump over fences, they strum guitars, ride jeeps, and swing from maple trees. After counting to 10, the father yawns, but the baby is still wide awake. The mother takes over, but drifts off herself before the infant can be coaxed into slumber. Finally, the dog brings a toy sheep to the child, who is last seen asleep in a crib. With its lilting rhyme and brightly colored, humorous cartoon illustrations, this book will resonate with parents of active babies. For the most part, the rhythm bounces merrily along without mishap. The pictures reinforce the story's light, fun tone, and older toddlers may enjoy counting the sheep.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
SHANNON, George. The Secret Chicken Club. illus. by Deborah Zemke. unpaged. Handprint. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59354-118-X; PLB $16.50. ISBN 1-59354-128-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–The Secret Chicken Club at Wise Acres is only for chickens, but Debbie, the only cow on the farm, feels so lonely and left out that she is finally permitted to join and taught the secret word: "Oh." Well, obviously with a secret word that is so often said by unsuspecting animals, confusion and inclusion are sure to follow and, after episodes involving Doug the rooster learning what's really in chicken noodle soup and Debbie being convinced that her shadow has been stolen, everyone on the farm is a member of the club. The bright and colorful cartoon illustrations match well with the zany story, which is divided into three mini-chapters; a tableau of the featured characters prefaces each one. The motif reappears on the endpapers. Children who can follow the birdbrained logic of the members of the Chicken Club will certainly have a few laughs.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA
SHULMAN, Mark. Louis & the Dodo. illus. by Vincent Nguyen. unpaged. Sterling. Jan. 2006. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-4027-2872-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS–This fantasy about a little boy who saves a dodo suffers from awkward writing and a lack of transitions. Louis doesn't have many human friends, but he is friends with the birds, so when they discover that a dodo is being kept captive in a circus, they enlist the boy's aid to release it, and the two take a balloon to a secret island where the dodos live. There is a special door that leads back to Louis's bedroom, which he uses to return home and then to visit the island every night. The colorful illustrations are interesting, with squat Louis in a green bird suit and lots of clearly recognizable creatures. The clowns in the circus scenes are appropriately creepy; the use of dark and light is effective, and the sketches of Louis and his house on the endpapers are wonderful. However, the story has an abrupt beginning, stilted writing, and a lack of internal logic. For a better fantasy of a child finding a magical place, there is always Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (HarperCollins, 1988), and stories of children rescuing an underdog abound.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
SIMON, Annette. Mocking Birdies. illus. by author. unpaged. Simply Read, dist. by PGW. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 1-894965-29-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Two birds, one blue and the other red, engage in a nonsensical argument mimicking one another over and over. The repetitive words appear in corresponding blue or red lowercase type. The squabbling begins with the single syllable, "you!" and escalates to "see, my song is blue./like the sun's song is blue" and "but the sun's song is red./and my song is, too./i sing red as the dawn,/when the sun peeps hello." At last, the birds reach an agreement and they burst into harmonious purple warbles and whistles, at which point they are joined by a violet bird as well as two orange-and-green cats. The intrusive presence of the felines brings the birdsong to an abrupt conclusion. The stylized, geometric illustrations, which subtly convey the various attitudes of the birds, are the best feature of this scattered concept book. The main characters, with their round heads and triangular tails, perch under a large disc of yellow sunshine. The telephone wires on which they balance are strung across a field of white space to resemble a music staff. Although beginning readers may enjoy the back-and-forth of the "sunny-side song," this book is a supplementary purchase.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
SPINELLI, Eileen. The Best Time of Day. illus. by Bryan Langdo. unpaged. CIP. Harcourt/Gulliver. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-205051-5. LC 2004005747.
PreS-Gr 3–In a smoothly flowing text and pleasingly rhythmic rhymes, Spinelli describes the favorite moments of various animals and people who live on a farm. For example, "The best time of day for the rooster is when/the sun rises high over barnyard and pen./He wakes up the farmer, the animals, too,/with his rowdy-dow 'Cocka-doodle-dee-doo!'" The farmer's wife enjoys making breakfast for her family, their son eagerly awaits recess at school, and Granny looks forward to a five o' clock visit from her friend Gus. The watercolor cartoons are colorful and laugh-out-loud funny. Presented on appealing spreads that are expertly laid out, the illustrations are also detail oriented, giving children much to look at as they enjoy the language. This offering would work well in storytimes with a barnyard theme or for one-on-one sharing. Weed out your tired old farm stories and add this winner to your collections.–Lisa S. Schindler, Bethpage Public Library, NY
STAUFFACHER, Sue. Bessie Smith and the Night Riders. illus. by John Holyfield. unpaged. photos. CIP. Putnam. Jan. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24237-6. LC 2005010399.
Gr 2-5–On a hot July day in 1927, the townsfolk of Concord, NC, gather to greet "the most famous blues singer in all the South" as she disembarks from her touring train. Emmarene Johnson, a youngster who longs to attend the evening's tent show by "Bessie Smith and her Harlem Frolics," can't afford a ticket and must be content with peeking through the tent flaps for a look at her idol. From this vantage point, she notices Ku Klux Klan members removing the tent stakes and alerts the singer to the danger. She marches outside, draws herself up to her full six feet, sends the Night Riders packing, and then continues her performance. While Smith's hard-drinking and often-violent lifestyle are not mentioned here, Holyfield's brilliantly colored acrylic spreads aptly depict a larger-than-life individual. Clad in red with feather boa flying, she takes center stage whenever she appears. The horizontal shape of the book affords a wonderful view of Bessie's decorative red train; seen atop a hill, the train and the Blues Queen seem to dominate the town. Klan riders, torches blazing, extend across a subsequent spread. The book is based on a true event, "dressed up a little for dramatic effect"; Stauffacher replaces the musician who actually sounded the alarm with Emmarene and tells the story from her point of view. This tale of courage would make a fine addition to units on the Civil Rights movement.–Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
STOHNER, Anu. Brave Charlotte. tr. from German by Alyson Cole. illus. by Henrike Wilson. unpaged. Bloomsbury. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-58234-690-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Charlotte the sheep is anything but sheepish. She likes to climb trees and swim in fast-running rivers. Even the dog can not keep up with her. The older sheep shake their heads in disapproval, but their opinions change when the shepherd breaks his leg and Charlotte is the only one brave enough to make the long journey to the farmer's house to get help. The language is simple and the text is short enough for reading aloud. The lighthearted acrylic spreads give the characters personality. Wilson does a good job of suggesting the softness of the sheep's wool and the steepness of the mountain crags, making the art almost seem tactile. The illustrations are the best part of this otherwise average picture book.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
SWALLOW, Pamela Curtis. Groundhog Gets a Say. illus. by Denise Brunkus. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-399-23876-X. LC 2004027545.
K-Gr 3–It is February 3 and Groundhog has decided that his holiday should last longer than one day. While telling the facts about his species to crow, squirrel, and a hog reporter, he reveals that groundhogs "can move about seven hundred pounds of dirt and rocks in one day," and that they are clever builders of burrows, they run, climb trees, and are studied by scientists. Convinced of the creature's talents, the reporter declares, "You're the Hog! Operation Groundhog will start immediately. The world will know the Hog truth." The humorous text is completed by Brunkus's finely executed, animated, watercolor-and-colored-pencil drawings.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA
THIESING, Lisa. A Dark and Noisy Night: A Silly Thriller with Peggy the Pig. illus. by author. 32p. Dutton. 2005. RTE $13.99. ISBN 0-525-47388-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Peggy the Pig tries not to get scared, but spooky noises get the better of her. First there is a tapping on her window, followed by a creaking on the stairs. And just as she calms down and is about to fall asleep, a white object in the window yowls. Poor Peggy is afraid, but she's brave enough to open the door when the bell rings, and lo and behold, she realizes that it is Halloween. Emerging readers will love reading sounds like "clunkity-clunk" and "creak" with expression and will enjoy the joke at the end. Amusing illustrations showing the fearful piglet with dark shadows looming add to the humor.–Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
VIORST, Judith. Just in Case. illus. by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/Ginee Seo Bks. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-87164-3. LC 2003026068.
Gr 1-3–Viorst's talent for voicing childhood anxieties is evident once again. Charlie likes to be ready for any emergency, so he makes outlandish preparations for whatever might befall him. If someone "bossy and mean" instead of his favorite sitter comes, he'll make her "not glad" by "washing his feet in the toilet bowl" and "painting his face a most horrible shade of green." Just in case all the food stores close, he makes "a hundred and seventeen peanut-butter sandwiches" and stockpiles goodies for everyone in the family. Readers will enjoy his antics to protect himself from being swooped up by a bird on the way to school or escaping a mermaid who might grab his big toe. And they will relish the special surprise for which Charlie is completely unprepared. In full-page and vignette mixed-media cartoon illustrations, Bluthenthal depicts a determined kid, accompanied by his ever-faithful dog, as he goes about his preparations. One hilarious spread shows the boy outstretched in exhaustion after packing food to last "through to the middle of May." Along with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (HarperCollins, 2000) and Helen Lester's Something Might Happen (Houghton, 2003), this book offers some reassurance to readers preoccupied with their fears.–Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
WAHL, Jan. The Enchanted Sled. illus. by Monique Felix. unpaged. CIP. Creative Editions. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-56846-187-9. LC 2003061746.
PreS-Gr 2–Although Wahl's poem seems to be about a winter excursion, Felix abandons visual references to snow after the first spread. Instead, viewers are whisked away to balmy imaginary lands where a girl is transformed into a "puffed-up toad," a mermaid, a queen, "a gypsy asleep in camp," and other incarnations. Tendrils of her long, orange hair wind through the soft-focus landscapes. Her pale skin and languid poses add to her remoteness in this self-consciously "artsy" volume. For a winter book that employs artistic creativity to foster multiple readings, turn to Lynne Rae Perkins's Snow Music (HarperCollins, 2003). Hope Vestergaard's Hello, Snow! (Farrar, 2004) offers a much better choice if you need a straightforward, rhymed romp. Unfortunately for Wahl, the illustrations in Sled don't give his words much traction.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
WALES, Dirk. Penny House. illus. by Diane Kenna. unpaged. Great Plains. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-9632459-1-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-4–It's Mr. Dunphee's 100th birthday, and he decides it's time for some changes. He gives his dog a new name and resolves to clean up his home and get rid of the stuff that has accumulated over the years. As he puts boxes and books out in the yard, his snobby neighbors are not pleased, but two of the local children are intrigued. They help him repair his roof with his license-plate collection and re-plaster the outside of his house with his penny collection. The snooty neighbors disapprove, but the Town Council declares the dwelling a monument. The writing is fair and the ending seems a bit contrived. Illustrated with mediocre, computer-enhanced line drawings, this intergenerational story of downsizing and individualism may be useful for curriculum purposes, but will have limited appeal to general readers.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
WEEKS, Sarah. Be Mine, Be Mine, Sweet Valentine. illus. by Fumi Kosaka. unpaged. HarperCollins/A Laura Geringer Bk. 2005. Tr $9.99. ISBN 0-694-01514-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–A guessing game for the very young. On each spread, an adorable animal and a four-line love poem that omits the last word face another creature of the same species and an appropriate gift. For instance, the text for the otter sweethearts reads, "Be mine,/Be mine,/I'm yours, I am./Sweet Valentine, for you a… clam." Weeks's rhythm and rhyme are flawless. The upbeat pastel illustrations contribute a color-packed, eye-catching gentleness that is just right for the audience. The art is reminiscent of Kosaka's work in Cynthia Rylant's similar (though more whimsical) If You'll Be My Valentine (HarperCollins, 2004). This title is likely to be high on the preschool hit parade. Children will immediately get the gist of the rhyming game and may also learn some simple facts about the animals featured. Readers won't need any help in guessing what the boy at the end of the story is offering his girlfriend: it rhymes with "dandy," as good a word as any to describe Sweet Valentine. It's all heart.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
WELLS, Rosemary. Carry Me! illus. by author. unpaged. Hyperion. Jan. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7868-0396-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Sweet, signature watercolors highlight three poems told from a small bunny's point of view. "Carry Me!" "Talk to Me!" and "Sing to Me!" express the animal's desires: to be held close by a loving parent, read to, sung to, and told stories. Each picture, mainly in soft pastel hues, exemplifies a moment of shared happiness between child and parents. The paintings, generally one to a page, are on a background of white and are framed with a simple blue line. The book speaks for all young children who yearn to be included in their parents' lives. The lucky bunny in this book is well loved by patient, caring adults and appears to be the center of their world.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
WHEELER, Lisa. Hokey Pokey: Another Prickly Love Story. illus. by Janie Bynum. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. Jan. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-316-00090-6. LC 2004007840.
PreS-Gr 1–Cushion, a porcupine, is in love with Barb, a hedgehog who loves to dance. But Cushion is totally inept at his friend's favorite activity. No matter how hard he tries, he always messes up. When Tally-Ho tries to teach him the fox trot, he trots right over the fox's bushy tail. While learning the bunny hop from Clover, he hops onto the rabbit's foot, and while attempting the funky chicken, he manages to shoot quills all over Biddy Hen's bottom. Finally Barb solves the problem by teaching him to dance herself, and they end on a note of triumph, dancing the night away with the Hokey Pokey, "'Cause that's what [friendship's] all about!" This upbeat story with very affable characters is enhanced by whimsical illustrations that carry out the humor.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
WOOD, Nancy C. How the Tiny People Grew Tall: An Original Creation Tale. illus. by Rebecca Walsh. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7636-1543-9. LC 2004052143.
K-Gr 2–In this original creation myth, the Tiny People emerge from the center of the Earth, led by the bravest and tiniest of them all, who surges on ahead of his wary compatriots. Over time, the forest denizens teach them a number of lessons, such as bravery, patience, and how to hunt. As they learn, the Tiny People grow a little taller, until finally they have absorbed so much that they become human, dancing around a bonfire as the animals watch. Watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations, some quite beautiful, help carry the story and compensate for some of the weaknesses in the text. The Tiny People, with their potbellies and sticklike arms and legs, are juxtaposed against lush, realistic creatures and the forest, and smaller paintings break up blocks of type. Unfortunately, the artwork and story often diverge. The Center of the Earth is described as "hot and crowded," but the illustration shows a large, cool cavern with only a handful of Tiny People. Scant motive supports their actions, and the story's concluding observation, "Sometimes animals even learn from people," seems to come from another story altogether. Perhaps Turtle "knew that it was true," but children have to accept that on face value as the text does not demonstrate how. The tale is based on a Native American emergence myth, but readers are left wondering if the actual myth would be more satisfying.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
ZIEFERT, Harriet. The Biggest Job of All. illus. by Lauren Browne. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59354-100-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Lulu wants a really big job when she grows up. Her mother offers some possibilities: Lulu could look after a baby, hold a party, or wash an elephant. Then the woman suggests teacher, doctor, nurse, or big-rig driver. Lulu rejects all of those options and asks, "Mommy, what's...the biggest job you know?" Her response is, "taking care of your brother and you." Lulu decides that she wants to be "a mommy." As an afterthought, the child does ask, "…could I also be an author, just like you?" which slightly redeems this disappointingly predictable, clichéd tale. Browne's appealing, double-page cartoon watercolors depict happy domestic scenes. This book will have a following, but complement it with a reading of Barbara Cooney's delightful Miss Rumphius (Viking, 1982) for a more balanced worldview.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
ZIEFERT, Harriet. William and the Dragon. illus. by Richard Brown. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2005. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-59354-089-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–In an alien world peopled with little green figures, a dragon named Alexander Ahh Chooey comes to town. The mayor calls in the fire chief and the police, complete with tanks and a "booming machine," but young William talks to the intruder and, in a rather abrupt ending, tells him he has to leave. This simple tale is delivered in rhyme that is occasionally clunky, but otherwise singsongy. "William was small./William was smart./He was sure the dragon/had a kind heart." Brown's saturated paints create a brightly colored world complete with four-armed aliens, orange skies, and a friendly blue dragon. The cadence and the childlike illustrations will appeal to youngsters, but the message seems aimed more toward adults and feels a bit overdone–the man in charge pulls out the big guns when something he doesn't understand appears on the horizon. However, children who love adventure and action are likely to enjoy this title, and it could be used to generate discussions about conflict resolution.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
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