Preschool to Grade 4

K-Gr 2–A boy goes out searching for a smart animal to take to “The Amazing Pet Show” and bumps into a fly that is intelligent enough to say the child’s name, “Buzz.” Although his parents and the judges feel at first that a fly is only a pest, not a pet, the insect puts on a performance that astounds them all and wins an award. The cartoon illustrations showing characters with exaggerated wide eyes are delightful, but the text is somewhat weak and disjointed.–Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX

ARNOSKY, Jim. Grandfather Buffalo. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam Feb. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24169-8. LC 2005003535.

K-Gr 3–This is the story of an older buffalo that is no longer able to keep up with the rest of the herd. While the idea that the once-powerful old bull is growing older and unable to keep pace is sad, he is filled with serenity. In his travels behind the herd, he comes across a buffalo cow about to give birth. He stays with her throughout her labor and protects and cares for the calf, saving it during a dust storm. The book portrays the circle of life in a beautiful way, but it also shows the protective bond between young and old, as well as the important role Grandfather Buffalo continues to play in the herd dynamic. This book is a perfect interplay of poetic text and strong art that is full of love and empathy. Arnosky gives the impression of the harshness of the prairie environment without overdramatizing. Each spread features the majestic expanse of the tall grass and the other creatures that inhabit it. This is Arnosky at his excellent best.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 2–An adventurous boy investigates a new park in town and finds the usual slide, swing set, and sandbox but is excited to discover there is also a “mountain” to climb. After Maxwell states his intent to conquer the rock-covered hill, his father explains that he must first become a “great outdoorsman.” Following a trip to the library, the resourceful child reads and makes a list of what he must do to get ready for his climb. The big day finally arrives and Maxwell, his parents, and his trusty toy soldier arrive at the park. The young explorer, who appears to be about seven or eight, follows the yellow dots marking the trail, which begins on a gravel path and gradually moves upward into boulders. When Maxwell temporarily loses his way, he backtracks, finds the trail again, and successfully reaches the summit. Watercolor-and-ink illustrations, mainly in tan, yellow, and green, reveal a hill that appears larger in each successive picture. The child’s parents are shown standing at the base of the hill, keeping a vigilant eye on their intrepid son. A final picture reveals a triumphant Maxwell sitting on an outcropping high above the rooftops: this will thrill children while making parents a bit queasy. The toy soldier that mimics the boy’s every move adds a bit of whimsy to the tale. A good, solid story about making the necessary preparations for attempting to reach a goal and then achieving success.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2–Genevieve lives with her mother and younger brother in an English fishing village. When she was very small, her father was lost at sea, and she has hated the ocean ever since. She builds an imaginary world where she is a princess and never goes near the water (although she looks across the bay every day and wonders about the old castle on the other side). Eventually another sailor comes into her mother’s life and helps the child gradually make friends with the sea and find the courage to sail to the castle. The lovely watercolors mirror the feelings of each family member with sensitivity and quietly capture the feeling of coastal life. Because the book deals with a child confronting her fears, it might be useful for bibliotherapy, but it could also be read just as a gentle family story.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 2–Phil is a handsome duck with a glorious crown of feathers that he proudly preens and cleans. He is also a nice guy who brings food to his mate and helps others when he can. The Rockheads, a group of local “dirty ducks,” resent Phil’s feathers and his obsessive vanity so they gang up on him and pluck out his plumes. Phil is sad, but continues along dutifully and soon his crown grows back more lovely than before. Then one day, he uses his feathers to scare off a gator that is threatening one of his tormentors. Now the Rockheads appreciate his unique appearance and, in their newfound friendship, he gives them lessons on hygiene and looking their best. Although Phil is a likable fellow, the undertones about cleanliness and individuality are heavy-handed. The pen-and-watercolor illustrations are amusing and the stylized duck caricatures capture the fluctuating moods of the characters. An additional purchase.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Gr 1-3–As storm clouds gather ominously in the Irish sky, three diminutive leprechauns rouse themselves to dig up their pot of gold and place it at the end of the coming rainbow. Ari hurries Col and Boo along the country road, intent on accomplishing their task, but the friends can’t resist stopping to pull some mischievous pranks along the way, because “that’s what leprechauns do.” They paint the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunion’s cow bright scarlet, tie Old Jamie Bradley’s drying long johns into a knot, and plant a yellow tennis ball in the nest of Miss Maudie Murphy’s hen. At last, as the raindrops begin to fall, the playful tricksters reach Padddywhackers Bog, dig up their treasure, and set it in place. As the rainbow arches across the sky to touch the pot of gold, the trio settles down to wait, but nobody finds the gold, as usual. Ari cheers up his disgruntled pals, saying “That gold’s waiting for just the right person.” McCully graces this lighthearted story with her characteristically expressive and charming watercolors that eloquently capture the verdant beauty of the Irish countryside and the irrepressible personalities of the elves. An explanatory note about leprechauns is appended. A perfect choice for March story hours, this title can also be enjoyed all year long.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 1–On a spring morning, a bespectacled rabbit asks a chicken if she will lay him an egg because he needs “just one more.” Demurring that she’s too young for that particular skill, she takes him on a barnyard tour in search of an animal that will fill his request. Several residents are asked, including Horse, Pig, Sheep, Cow, and Mole but to no avail. Though unable to offer an egg, all of them explain what they do on the farm. After encountering a menacing wolf, Bunny and Chicken hightail it to the henhouse where more experienced female fowls encourage the young chick to lay an egg: “All you have to do is press really hard.” She makes the effort, succeeds, and presents her gift to Bunny. When she finally asks why he needs it, Bunny’s response is: “that is a secret.” If readers miss the endpapers, the point of the story is completely lost. This is easy to do since part of the illustration is hidden by the dust jacket. The watercolor and pencil paintings are the highlight of the silly story, showing the sweet or humorous actions of the farm animals, including the chicken holding her beak in the pigsty while the piglets romp around. A pleasant, additional Easter tale.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1–On each spread of this warm lapsit book, a baby animal asks its mother to “carry me please.” Each mother accommodates by transporting the youngster in that animal’s special way: lemur under its belly, kangaroo in a pouch, tiger in its mouth, crocodile in teeth, penguin on its feet, and so on until the cozy ending when a human child is carried in the mother’s arms. The art features Cabrera’s trademark breezy, blocky, and bold animals in bright and energetic colors that focus children’s eye and attention. This will be useful as a read-alone for beginning readers as well as a welcome addition to simple science collections for the toddler set.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1–Carlson’s lively characters are back with a message about exercise and what fun it can be. “Exercise can be relaxing” or “Exercise can help you make friends,” and “Exercise burns up the junky food you sometimes eat.” As in the author/artist’s earlier upbeat books, a positive message comes through without being preachy. Done in colored pencils and technical pens, the artwork features humanlike animals boldly exhibiting the joys and woes of exercise, and adds humor through visual cues full of cheerful and realistic expression. A heart-healthy fact runs across the top of most pages, with corresponding text below. With childhood obesity a hot topic for today’s kids, this book offers a playful yet helpful encouragement to those who may need extra incentive to get up and go.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

PreS-Gr 2–A mischievous boy with a wild imagination finds that his adventures don’t always turn out exactly as he planned. Readers follow Fun-Boy’s escapades in 12 brief vignettes, each introduced with a short phrase and presented in 4 comic-strip panels–think of this as a graphic novel for the younger set. In “Reading is a blast,” Fun-Boy consults a how-to book and builds a robot that immediately attacks him; the last picture shows him with hair smoldering, reading “How to Care for Baby Bunnies.” In another scenario, the child’s play fight between two action-figure monsters is interrupted when he spots a spider and gets spooked. The art features simple lines and bold graphic design rendered in muted colors. As in any series of short stories, some adventures are more successful than others. But pre-readers and new readers who are gaining skills in recognizing patterns and sequences will delight in poring over the pictures and noticing the detail that “makes” the joke in each sequence. Readers will laugh with and at the indefatigably imaginative Fun-Boy and his misadventures.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

Gr 3-5–Cussler’s first children’s book is a tribute to an airplane that crossed the United States in 1911. It is the tale of Casey and Lacey Nicefolk, who receive a gift from a hired hand that allows them to make their toys real and life-sized. First the twins make a tractor for their parents’ farm, and then they use the magic to create an airplane designed by the Wright brothers that they call Vin Fiz. They decide to fly across the country to New York. On the way, they rescue townspeople who have been turned into gold-mining slaves by an evil man, keep a steamboat from crashing into a barge, stop a runaway train, and rescue two girls from going over Niagara Falls in a boat. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a lack of characterization as well as problems with gender stereotypes. Lacey, the female twin, is never the hero in the adventures. The writing is stilted and the story fails to come to life even though the situations have the potential to be exciting.–Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI

Gr 1-3–Slim wants to be a cowboy but he can’t saddle a horse or lasso anything, and, worst of all, he writes poetry. When the other cowhands tell him that cowboys don’t “mess around with no fancy, perfumed words,” he reluctantly puts his writing away to concentrate on real cowboy stuff. He does his best to prove himself when the group takes the cattle out on the open range, but he gets sent to the dusty, lowly place at the back of the herd. The dispirited Slim, having given up his dream, is headed back home when the cattle, spooked by a storm, stampede and overtake him. His poetry calms the herd and saves the day. This tale is chock-full of Western slang, similes, and verbs missing the letter “g,” giving it a distinctive Western flavor that is fun to read aloud. Danneberg includes lush descriptions that give a poetic feel to the text and provide a nice segue into Cowboy Slim’s poetry, but also creates pacing that can be a little slow. Apple’s pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are done in muted desert shades that perfectly capture the feel of the open range and make the landscape an integral part of the tale. The people and animals have comic expressions. The poems, set apart from the narrative text by their font and placement, blend seamlessly with the illustrations. This book is a great introduction to poetry and would work nicely paired with the work of Baxter Black, Cowboy Poet.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 3–Mrs. Hartwell’s students are worried about how sad she’ll be and how much she’ll miss them when school lets out for the summer. They look for the perfect gift to help her remember them and decide to make a poster with a poem and drawings featuring all of the things that they’ll miss about school, especially their teacher. Bursting with color, the cartoon illustrations look at the experience from both sides with hilarious results. The characters’ faces are highly expressive and run the gamut of emotions throughout the book. As the children wrack their brains for the perfect present, a group of teachers can be seen in the distance planning their vacations with great excitement. A story with both child and teacher appeal.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 2-4–Given the number of anthropomorphized polar bears in picture books, it is important to have one that acknowledges the bears’ actual relationship with the people who share the Arctic north. There is no plot; pages are filled with tidbits of information in different font sizes about the animals. Texture from the canvas often shows through the color in the oil-and-pencil illustrations. This technique lends an ethereal, painterly quality that is often lovely, and occasionally distracting. Images are very realistic. One close-up shows the bear’s face smeared with blood after a seal kill. In the end, the unnamed narrator explains what the Inuit have learned from these animals. A quiet, thoughtful book.–Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

DICAMILLO, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. 228p. Candlewick Feb. 2006. Tr $18.99. ISBN 0-7636-2589-2. LC 2004056129.

Gr 3-6–This achingly beautiful story shows a true master of writing at her very best. Edward Tulane is an exceedingly vain, cold-hearted china rabbit owned by 10-year-old Abilene Tulane, who dearly loves him. Her grandmother relates a fairy tale about a princess who never felt love; she then whispers to Edward that he disappoints her. His path to redemption begins when he falls overboard during the family’s ocean journey. Sinking to the bottom of the sea where he will spend 297 days, Edward feels his first emotion–fear. Caught in a fisherman’s net, he lives with the old man and his wife and begins to care about his humans. Then their adult daughter takes him to the dump, where a dog and a hobo find him. They ride the rails together until Edward is cruelly separated from them. His heart is truly broken when next owner, four-year-old Sarah Ruth, dies. He recalls Abilene’s grandmother with a new sense of humility, wishing she knew that he has learned to love. When his head is shattered by an angry man, Edward wants to join Sarah Ruth but those he has loved convince him to live. Repaired by a doll store owner, he closes his heart to love, as it is too painful, until a wise doll tells him that he must open his heart for someone to love him. This superb book is beautifully written in spare yet stirring language. The tender look at the changes from arrogance to grateful loving is perfectly delineated. Ibatoulline’s lovely sepia-toned gouache illustrations and beautifully rendered color plates are exquisite. An ever-so-marvelous tale.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY

K-Gr 2–Jinnie Ghost appears at nighttime, flitting through children’s rooms and leaving dreams in her wake. The youngsters’ dreams are custom-fit to their desires: a boy with a monster action figure dreams of giants; a witchy girl flies to Mars on a broomstick; and in a room like the sea, a girl swims with dolphins as a mermaid sits on a coral chest, combing her hair. As Jinnie Ghost leaves each home, variations of the refrain are repeated, “Jinnie Ghost! Jinnie Ghost! the unicorn calls/but she doesn’t turn her head, if she hears him at all.” In the morning she is gone, leaving the children to wake “brushing wonder from their eyes.” The text switches between free and rhyming verse, creating a melodic feel. The haunting nature of the story is mirrored in the pictures, partially created through collage. Deep, vibrant colors saturate each page, contrasting with Jinnie’s ghostly white, translucent body and icy blue eyes. While most of the illustrations are rich in detail and color, the eyes are distinctly flat. This may be intentional since all of the children are dreaming and Jinnie is a ghost. Both the art and the story are unique and children who are not easily frightened may enjoy the idea of a ghost traveling through their rooms at night, leaving them with fanciful dreams.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 4–This Seuss sampler highlights seven tried-and-true titles with some nifty paper engineering. The Cat in the Hat (1957) and its sequel (1958), Green Eggs and Ham (1960), Fox in Socks (1965), The Sneetches (1961), I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! (1978), and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960, all Random) are each given an enthusiastically designed spread, as the familiar artwork is showcased with an inviting variety of pop-ups, pull tabs, foldouts that conceal hidden surprises, and other easy-to-maneuver treats. The movable scenes capture the spirit of these books, as the Cat steps through a door and then uses all of his limbs (which can be manipulated with a pull tab) to juggle numerous items. Sam-I-am pops up to use a fishing pole with a real cord to offer a plate of green ham with a stylish flourish. The Cat’s quote, “I can read in a circle and upside down!” is appropriately presented on a wheel that children can turn. However, despite all of the visual fireworks, the texts of the tales have been severely abridged, and readers unfamiliar with them will find it difficult to figure out just what is going on. Purchase this attractive volume for display, or to share with Seuss fans, who will enjoy revisiting old favorites through a fresh, action-packed presentation.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-K–Pippin, a young mouse, can’t find one of his yellow socks with the clocks on it anywhere, so Tog, a cat, steps in to help. They turn up socks stuffed in shoes, left in washing machines, and lost behind furniture. They pair them all up but the misplaced yellow one is still not to be found. Finally the friends agree to wear mismatched socks. When Pippin helps Tog take off his boots, they discover that Tog was wearing the missing sock all along. Dunbar tells this story in dialogue and in simple, fluid prose. However, while Rescek’s watercolors have a sweet and tender tone, the page spreads are overly colorful and busy. The characters, like the socks, are colored in blue, pink, or yellow patterns, and often get lost on the page. Still, hunting for the missing sock is an experience all children can relate to and they might enjoy the mystery with its surprising twist.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 2-5–Dunrea clearly enjoys depicting barnyard fowl. In this lengthy, illustrated narrative, the protagonist is the youngest Scaldy in the henhouse. When she and her companions learn that their beloved owner is going to lose the farm, Old Pegotty tells them of an ancient secret: that a hen born at the darkest phase of the moon and is capable of passing three trials might be chosen to lay three golden eggs. Only Hanne was born at this time, and the senior resident teaches her an ancient rhyme containing the clues she needs before she begins her arduous journey. After encounters with an otherworldly barrow-wight in the underground, the ancient power near the Standing Stones, and an enormous sea turtle in the “treacherous tides,” she successfully completes her mission and all is well. The combination of folksy barnyard animals and the bumbling Mistress Pockets with the weighty quest plotline doesn’t quite work. The rambling, predictable text, paired with one full-page gouache painting and cameo per chapter, also contributes to the sense that the book can’t quite decide what it wants to be. Dunrea’s hens and chickens are infused with charm; folk-art galleries would provide a better setting for his art than a chapter book.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 2–In this rollicking counting book, 10 little chimps sneak out of their tree house to go dancing at Mambo Jamba’s, where a pig band plays music all night long. One by one, each monkey jives with a different jungle animal, and a rhythmic verse describes that particular creature’s style (“Rhino hustles in/just to prove he’s got the groove./Shake it, Rhino! Shake it, boy!/Let’s see that body move”). Meanwhile, the remaining siblings boogie to the repeated refrain (“ee-ee-/oo-oo-/ah-ah-ah!/9 little chimps do the/cha-cha-cha”). The rhymes roll easily off the tongue, making the text fun to read aloud. However, there is no indication–either verbal or visual–of where each chimp goes as the book counts down from 10 to 1, but they all reappear at the end when Mama Chimp arrives to take them home. Once they are tucked in bed, she calls a babysitter so that she can put on her own dancing shoes. Done in watercolor and pencil, the illustrations are bright and lively, and each chimp is clothed in a unique and colorful outfit. The jungle animals are also fabulously costumed. All in all, the cha-cha-cha chant and upbeat artwork make this book a good storytime addition.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 3-5–Deep beneath the grand but dilapidated Sovereign on New York City’s Broadway, in a perfect miniature of the theater, a group of mice are furiously rehearsing for their own musical, due to open the next night, New Year’s Eve. However, the tempestuous leading lady, Adelaide, gets caught in a mousetrap, is abandoned outside the city, but with the help of a kindly stranger makes her way back in time for the performance. All’s well that ends well, but readers may not stick it out to the happy finale. So many stock characters are introduced so quickly–only a few of whom are fleshed out even to the smallest degree–that it is impossible to care about the fate of any of them. A long list of the characters at the front and a glossary of theatrical terms in the back add nothing to children’s appreciation of the magic of Broadway musicals.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 2–This story of a Hispanic boy’s birthday party starts with “A is for adornos (decorations) hung up by Papá.” and ends with “Z is for zorro (fox) from Dad with a kiss.” A glossary at the book’s beginning helps with the pronunciation and meaning of the Spanish words. Unfortunately, the rhyming couplets not only sound strained and awkward, but they also omit the definite articles. Karas’s illustrations definitely set the mood with reds, greens, purples, yellows, pinks, and oranges that are bright and bold but never garish. They also do a good job of giving clues to the meaning of the Spanish words.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-K–Ann Estelle wants a hat full of ribbons and flowers that would make her the Queen of Easter at the neighborhood parade. Instead, her mother buys her a plain straw hat. Disappointed, the child leaves it outside on the porch. Days later, when her family discovers a robin’s nest inside it, Ann Estelle seizes the opportunity to trim last year’s hat, decorating it with a nest and three blue candy eggs. The secular nature of an Easter parade is juxtaposed with the hatching of the robin’s eggs, making this a book that simply celebrates spring. The highly defined line drawings are filled with vibrant color and warmth. A border of Easter eggs runs across the top of each page, while the bottom border changes motifs–hats, birds, flowers, and hatching eggs. A card-stock paper-doll cutout of Ann Estelle is included.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Gr 2-4–Tuffy the cat stars in this lighthearted beginning chapter book. His narrative describes accusations against him during the course of a week, such as stalking a bird and leaving bloodstains on the carpet, ruining the flower beds, and (allegedly) killing the neighbors’ pet rabbit. From the first page, it is evident that he does not understand why his behavior upsets his family. After all, he is a cat. The family consists of an indifferent mother, a hostile father, and a loving little girl. Most of the action involves Tuffy and the father, who is determined to oust the feline from the household. The book is funny throughout because of the cat’s confusion about reactions to his natural behavior and his defensive narrative. In the end, the man learns a valuable lesson on judgment. The black-and-white sketches, some full page, bring movement and personality to the characters.–Diane Eddington, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 2–With lots of fun sound effects and multiple opportunities for voice modulation, this book begs to be read aloud. The story opens with an illustration of a boy snoozing in his bed. Suddenly, he sits up and clutches the covers to his chin. A night-light illuminates the room, revealing an open closet door. He explains, “I can’t sleep because there’s a tiger in my closet…” After hearing a “Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!” he adds, “…a tiger in my closet eating potato chips!” As the antics continue, the child takes charge, repeatedly telling the big cat to quiet down. Each time, the creature apologizes, promises to be silent, and then proceeds on to the next noisy activity. When the boy hears a “Boo-hoo,” he discovers that Tiger is afraid of the dark and invites the animal into his bed. This story about nighttime fears features a youngster who takes on the role of an adult, while the childlike animal playfully refuses to settle down. The heavily shadowed closet interior contrasts sharply with the colorful and exuberant images of Tiger doing multiple tasks simultaneously, and the narrator’s delightfully expressive body language continues the comic relief. Pair this tale with Mercer Mayer’s There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (Dial, 1968) for an empowering storytime.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA

PreS-K–Nipper the Crab hates his claws, which seem to get in the way when he is playing with the other sea animals. However, the appendages prove to be the only thing that can save Octopus when he gets tangled in seaweed. All of the creatures are friendly and welcoming, even when Nipper causes chaos in their games. Galloway has a smooth style–the story floats along without noticeable bumps; the onomatopoeia and alliteration, along with the brightly colored, attractive illustrations, make this a good choice for storytimes. And the final lesson–that everyone has a special gift–will be reassuring to youngsters who may feel a little clumsy, too.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

K-Gr 2–Penelope is excited when she receives an invitation from her friend Luther Crow to an “unforgettable surprise” that afternoon. She believes that he will be taking her to a performance of Swan Lake. Poor Penelope is hard pressed to enjoy herself, however, when Luther instead takes her to “Wet and Wild Water World.” She spends the visit worrying about ruining her new feather-do and nice outfit. When Luther realizes that Penelope is not having much fun, he offers to take her home. As they prepare to leave, an elephant doing a cannonball drenches Penelope and she resolves to stay and have fun. The colorful cartoon illustrations are populated with a variety of animals similar in style to James Marshall’s work. Children will find much humor in the details, especially in the signage at the water park. Readers will appreciate the story’s message that life is full of surprises–some more fun than others–and that it’s how one deals with them that really matters. A worthwhile purchase for libraries where additional books on friendship are in demand.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 2–Rhymed couplets explain the responsibility of the ring bearer in a wedding. Pastel watercolors enhance the details in the text down to showing the pink cheeks on the young participant. What initially appears to be too sweet and cloying for a young boy’s enjoyment visually comes to a clever conclusion as readers see the child crawling under the cake table and ignoring the photographer taking a picture of the bride and groom kissing. The companion to The Flower Girl (Hyperion, 2000) would make a good gift book.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-Gr 2–A school visit to an art museum turns into an extraordinary field trip when a boy jumps into the paintings. The child is rendered in black and white and stands out against the bright landscapes that he imaginatively enters. He journeys from Canada’s Pacific Northwest, across the mountains to the great plains, to the coastal Maritimes. His escape into the pictures literally changes his black-and-white world into one of color. The front endpapers and first few pages are in neutral shades of brown, gray, and black, but at the end of his trip, and on the back endpapers, elements of color appear. This is a striking, large-format book, with thick quality paper and beautifully designed. The paintings the boy enters are masterpieces of 20th-century Canadian art, which may not be familiar to American children (or adults). Unfortunately, no citations are given for the works included, only a list of the artists represented. Still, this drawback will not affect the book’s strong visual appeal, and more information can be found on the nicely designed Web site.–Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

PreS-Gr 3–To add some cheer to a lonesome winter afternoon, Bess and her doll have a “party with cookie crumbs and melted snow tea.” Suddenly, a bird named Bella lands (“FALUMP”) on the ground. When invited to tea, Bella opens one of her tiny suitcases and with great aplomb produces “babushkas for tablecloths” and tasty treats. More fantastical guests arrive, including five firefighting dogs that turn flames into flowers and a mouse family. Eventually, the child is called home and she wraps the bird in a woolly mitten and takes her along. When spring arrives, Bess stands at her window as Bella flies away, and she hears the promise of a new friendship in a child calling up, “Hi! Do you want to play?” Haas’s pastel-and-watercolor illustrations on cream-colored paper have a vintage appeal and capture the dreamlike quality of the text. The paintings are expertly composed, balancing bright colors and motion against quiet gray backgrounds, and the detailed scenes will encourage repeated viewing. Children will relate to Bess’s feelings of loneliness and enjoy her sense of wonder.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 2–What could have been a saccharine and didactic message book about accepting differences is, instead, a lovely and surprising story that will certainly be enjoyed as a read-aloud. Becca’s doctor discovers that she’s got a lazy eye and needs a patch and glasses to strengthen her eyesight. The five-year-old is worried that the other students will think she looks stupid so, to boost her confidence, her older brother lends her his favorite pirate costume to go with her purple glasses and bright pink patch (this girl is clearly partial to pink). The bold hues in the cartoonlike watercolors reinforce Becca’s and her classmates’ energy. The students are fascinated as she plays Becca the Ballerina Pirate, Private Eye, and One-Eyed Monster before admitting the real reason for her patch. The illustrations dance off the pages, and Becca’s exuberance shines through.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

PreS-Gr 1–Helakoski gives a new twist to the old story about a henhouse and a furry predator in this funny story. These four suggestible hens are “chicken” in more ways than one. When they first spy a wolf, they run off to hide in the woods, but are soon frightened by a ditch, and then by a peaceful-looking group of cows, and on and on, until they end up in a cave, where an encounter with actual danger leaves them feeling brave for the first time. Bright pictures convey the comic events with an exaggerated style just right for the story line. There’s a satisfying amount of silliness that will leave children giggling at the panic-stricken fowl and the chaos they produce wherever they go. Predictable patterns in the language and in the narrative structure add appeal as well. As fluffy as the hens’ tail feathers, this selection will be an enjoyable read-aloud for kids on a lap or in a group.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

K-Gr 3–After listening to her father read a story with a fairy-tale ending, Claire drifts off to sleep, wondering what would make someone happy forever. In her dreams, her stuffed unicorn comes to life and the two of them travel through the world of make-believe to find the answer to her question. The first creature she talks to is the Library Fairy, who requires only “a good book and some peace and quiet” to be happy. They also encounter a princess, a frog prince, a fairy godmother, and a wishing well. Each of the fanciful beings answers the little girl’s polite inquiries in a different way, and she realizes, “Maybe it’s one of those questions that doesn’t really have just one answer.” When Claire wakes up the next morning, she tells her father about her philosophical findings. He praises her sensible conclusions and makes his “little princess” happy with a big pancake breakfast. This imaginative tale is illustrated with lush, richly hued watercolors. Each picture is filled with romantic details that mirror the whimsical flavor of the story. This pleasant, if somewhat long-winded, journey to the land of imagination will delight fairy-tale fans, who will identify with its inquisitive heroine.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS–A classic nursery rhyme in a board-book format, with a twist. More text has been added to the simple rhyme to flesh out the story, and the concept is a great one. Unfortunately, the layout is problematic. The boldface original rhyme appears on running banners across the top of the pages while the accompanying text is at the bottom, narrated by Baby’s older brother, Billy. The nursery rhyme read alone, with the detailed cartoon illustrations, makes a wonderful baby storytime. The added text, read alone, also using the illustrative and detailed art, makes an interesting story for toddlers. The final page has an illustrated pat-a-cake finger play, a wonderful addition that encourages interactive play.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

K-Gr 2–Angela Throgmorton is perfectly happy living alone, until a very scruffy-looking kitten is left on her doorstep. She names her new “baby” Old Tom, and tries to bring him up to be polite and well behaved. Unfortunately, the cat quickly gets out of control–frightening guests, destroying furniture, and generally creating chaos. At last, she kicks him out of the house. At first, both are happy with their new freedom. Angela has a pristine house once more and Tom has many exciting places to explore. However, the outside world is cold and the roving feline is soon living in a trash can, hungry and alone. Angela, meanwhile, finds her orderly, empty house very lonely. When Old Tom is picked up by the animal pound, Angela sees his picture on the news and the two are happily reunited. Similar in theme to Jack Gantos’s “Rotten Ralph” series (Farrar), this title lacks the appeal of those more child-focused stories. Old Tom’s rowdy antics are amusing, but Angela is a stereotypical old woman, complete with beehive hairdo and obsessive tidiness. The sketchy black-and-white drawings of pop-eyed human and animal characters lack detail. Oddly skewed size relationships and crowded pages often make the action hard to follow. Transition readers may be attracted by the short text and graphic style, but there are better books on friendship and acceptance.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

K-Gr 2–The Lazybones bully their little orange cat into doing their chores. When these family members are cold, they talk about the warm clothing they could make out of its fur, until the critter goes out and returns dragging a sled piled with firewood. When hungry, they discuss “kitty-cat casserole” and “cream-of-cat soup,” and the feline leaves and comes back with take-out food. And when they are tired of working for a living, the kitty brings back bags of money. With each offering, they exclaim, “Look what the cat dragged in!” However, though their pet meets all of their needs, the humans are still dissatisfied and consider getting a dog instead. The unappreciated creature then teaches these ungrateful humans a lesson they won’t soon forget. Bright cartoon illustrations explode off the pages depicting the disheveled Lazybones family complete with missing teeth, patched denim overalls, mismatched socks, and clothes full of holes and stains. Some children may find humor in these exaggerated characters funny, but after a while the joke becomes tiresome.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2–A duck in a sparkling pond meets an owl in a birch tree. Though they try to get along, each one is repeatedly annoyed by the other’s perplexing habits. “You eat weeds from the bottom of the pond? Revolting!...And how can anyone eat in the middle of the day, anyway?” There’s not much to the plot besides the two arguing and making up, but the voice, even in translation, is full of character (reminiscent of the duck and the bird’s quarrel in Peter and the Wolf), and the finely detailed, black-and-white drawings are full of other creatures and invite close perusal. The creators of Henrietta and the Golden Egg (Godine, 2002) have crafted a simple, elegant, and beguiling story for early readers or family sharing.–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2–These delightful Australian imports blend natural science with stories. Illustrated throughout with color photographs of the animals in their natural habitats, the books are sure to circulate heavily. Pelican’s Secret is the humorous tale of a bird that seems to spend all his time preening and admiring his feathers when others are searching for food, but is always well fed. When he thinks no one is looking, he flies over to the boats where the fishermen toss him scraps. In Clever Plan, a newly hatched sea turtle faces dangers on her first trip to the sea and comes up with a plan to avoid being eaten. Tree Frog tells of the journey through the forest of a female frog searching for the male that is calling. The author has hit on the right combination of fact and fiction to make these titles winners with students.–Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CT

PreS-Gr 1–The crocodile that responds to the title question counts more than 20 ways and reasons for loving its child. Through all seasons and numerous shared activities, the parent enumerates how love stretches from the child’s chocolate cheeks to muddy feet. Whether romping through waves or counting stars, the large and small crocodiles obviously enjoy one another’s company. The perky reptiles exude plenty of personality, and the bouncy rhymes are reinforced by McCue’s brightly colored illustrations. The page layouts, including effective spreads, facilitate group sharing. Because the numbers relate to concepts, not objects, the book doesn’t offer much counting practice. However, the overriding theme of parental delight and unconditional love shines through the pages, making the book a solid choice for most collections.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 2–The Hoof Lane Art Club is preparing for an exhibition of their work, and it is Pablo the elephant’s dream to participate, but he is suffering from artist’s block. After trying his hand at every sort of painting from still life to abstract, he heads for an empty field to attempt a landscape. He paints a simple tree, eats lunch, and falls asleep. In his dream, Pablo is visited by various animals, each with a perspective that improves his painting. When he wakes up, he creates a masterpiece. The story lacks the humor of Kitamura’s previous books and is disappointing. However, the illustrations are strong and the expressiveness of the characters lends much to the telling. Pablo is an earnest fellow, and the fact that he can still paint with his trunk while his hands are shoved in his pockets in frustration is a visual device used to great effect. The message that art is not created in a void might be missed by younger readers. However, the book offers a good platform from which to question children about where our ideas and inspirations come from, and as such would be suitable for storytime or classroom reading.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1–Nellie, a stray cat, wishes on a star for a warm home and good food. A crow, wanting to have some fun at her expense, gives her a ball and tells her that it is a magic star that will make her wishes come true. As Nellie wishes on the ball, it rockets away with her chasing after it. It leads her through a river, past a dog, and to a faraway town where she meets a crocodile named Ernst who takes her home, feeds her, and becomes her friend. The text is written in a choppy manner, lacking the flow of a well-developed story. It is, however, enhanced by the vivid watercolor, ink, and cut-paper illustrations that lend warmth to the story. The small details in them will be especially intriguing to young readers.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

PreS-Gr 2–Anthony desperately wants to play with two girls in a sandbox, but they are quite happy without him. In fact, they don’t even notice him despite his numerous attempts to attract their attention with his hat, his car, and his shovel. It is not until he falls down and starts to cry that they are aware of his existence. They invite him into the sandbox, and Anthony is finally a happy chappy–until the arrival of Luke. This book reinforces the thoroughly negative maxim that tears reap rewards. Könnecke’s spare illustrations are reminiscent of early Peanuts cartoons; in fact the book could have easily been condensed into a comic strip. The dead-pan text builds genuine dramatic tension with each turn of the page and each attempt by Anthony to attract the girls. To see it end, literally, in tears, is a letdown, and readers are sure to expect more from the cool, resourceful Anthony. If crying is the best that he can do, he has no chance against Luke, who will most likely evict him from the play box with his bigger car, bigger hat, and bigger shovel.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

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