Preschool to Grade 4 Continued

PreS-Gr 2–Momma has a whole list of errands to run so she tells her daughter to “Giddy up.” Cowgirl, an exuberant child with lots of imagination and energy, is determined to be helpful. As the two proceed through their tasks, several problems occur. Sometimes Cowgirl is successful in solving them (she sings to compensate for the broken car radio); at other times, disaster ensues (she scatters letters to be mailed on the sidewalk). At the grocery store, Cowgirl lets go of the list, which blows away in the wind. She assures her mother, “I remember EVERYTHING on that list,” and then fills the basket with candy and treats. Even though Momma visibly loses patience by the end of the trip, the story finishes with hugs all around. The spare narrative is peppered with cowboy drawl. The bright cartoon illustrations really shine: they fill in the text’s broad outlines by using facial expressions to add humor and warmth. Krosoczka does a good job of selecting situations that both children and adults will find funny. The lively language and colorful artwork make this tale a “Yippeee Yi YEEEE!” choice for reading aloud.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 3-6–Entering America from China will be difficult for 12-year-old Sun because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, even though he will be traveling with his father. He studies hard so that he can answer all of the questions the American officials will ask upon his arrival; he will be alone because his father, a returning merchant, will not have to be interrogated. When he arrives on Angel Island, where Asian immigrants are held for sometimes up to a year, he waits four weeks to be called. The only questions that he can’t answer are about directions, and it seems that he might fail the test and be sent back to China. Finally, with the help of a compass, he passes the test. Based on the experiences of the author’s father-in-law, the book recounts a story from a neglected and shameful era in United States history. An author’s note gives readers more information about the history of Chinese immigration and suggests resources for further research. Choi’s soft illustrations, reminiscent of those in Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey (Houghton, 1993), capture the spirit of the time with beautiful visual detail. This is a significant book; from it, students will learn much about this chapter in U.S. history.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 1-3–In this sequel to The Three Javelinas (Rising Moon, 1992), Josefina dreams of being a ballerina, so she sets off for Pasadena (right next to Hollywood!). At the talent agency, she meets White E. Lamb who, it turns out, is a coyote. During the ensuing chase, she impresses everyone with her fancy footwork and she is famous, starring as the Sugar Plum Hairy in the Nutcracker. The art is delightfully clever, and the cartoon animals are funny. However, the text is sophisticated and filled with swine and pig puns and tongue-in-cheek references to famous Hollywood actors and performers, such as Frank Swineatra and Hairilyn Monroe, that will be lost on a young audience.–Polly L. Kotarba, Gordon Elementary School Library, Bellaire, TX

Gr 3-5–This fractured fairy tale tries to squeeze in a math lesson about ratios, but it isn’t successful. Jack wakes up to discover a beanstalk outside his window, climbs up, and befriends a lonely giant boy at the top. The two go off to play but quickly realize that the difference in their size is going to make most games difficult. Trying to play hoop ball, for example, proves to be impossible until Jack realizes that “I need a hoop that’s as high for me as your hoop is for you.” A few measurements later, the boys realize that Ray’s hoop is three times his height, so they figure out how tall Jack’s should be, and fashion one for him. Once home, Jack decides to make a checker set for Ray and figures out what size to make it. The story ends with the two friends eating lunch outside with Jack’s mother, who wishes for a word to describe “the relationship between the size of two things,” since the boys dealt with their differences so wonderfully. Jack decides that they should call it a “Ray show”, since Ray showed Jack that their things were the perfect size for each of them. The author sums the story up by explaining that today it is spelled ratio. The illustrations are colorful but flat. Teachers wishing to jazz up their lesson plans can utilize the original story and plug in their own numbers for students to create ratios, or they can introduce the topic with David M. Schwartz’s If You Hopped Like a Frog (Scholastic, 1999).–Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

PreS–Tabby is an older cat who likes her life of sleeping and eating. If she wants to get up onto a chair to sleep, she waits for little Polly to carry her there. Finally, she is too flabby to get through the cat door. Her family takes her to the vet, where they learn that their pet needs more exercise. The vet’s suggestion is that the family should get a kitten. When the new addition gets to the food bowl first, one too many times, the older animal decides to institute “Tabby’s Secret Feline Fitness Plan.” Once Tabby is fit again, she is able to race around the house with the kitten, and they eventually become friends. The illustrations are colorful and engaging and the cats are appealing. However, the story is contrived and not very imaginative, and the ending predictable.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

MCLEOD, Bob. SuperHero ABC. illus. by author. unpaged. HarperCollins Feb. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-074514-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-074515-0. LC 2004022180.

PreS-Gr 2–An alphabet’s worth of superheroes, from Astro-Man to the Zinger. There’s strong appeal here for the youngest comic-book fans, with many doses of humor along the way. Each figure has special powers, of course, which readers learn about through alliterative captions and action-packed illustrations. Danger Man, for instance “Does Daring Deeds Every Day.” A spread shows how “He Duels with Dragons” against a futuristic landscape filled with bright greens, reds, and pinks. The added information that “He Doesn’t Have a Dog!” contributes to the lighthearted tone while extending the alliteration, which effectively emphasizes letter sounds. Many of the characters possess traditionally heroic powers, like Ms. Incredible’s ability to become “Invisible In an Instant.” Others are sillier, such Laughing Lass and Upside Down Man (who “wears his Uniform Under His Underwear”), while the Odor Officer and the Volcano (he “Vomits on Villains”) add just the right touch of grossness. There are several females in the bunch, along with one child (Sky-Boy), one animal (Power Pup), and two teens (The Tiny Teen and Tony Terrific, who are Twins). The cartoon illustrations show the figures in action with bold colors, word balloons, and block letters in an attractive comic-book style. Imaginative readers might be inspired to imagine their own alphabetical creations to add to the ranks of Goo Girl, Huge Man, and Multiplying Mike.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

PreS-K–Young Nancy, like her literary predecessors Eloise and Olivia, is a glamour queen dropped into a boring world–”Nobody in my family is fancy at all. They never even ask for sprinkles.” She determines to rescue her relatives from their humdrum existence by giving them lessons and accessorizing their mundane wardrobes. A situation that is charming when observed by adults in real life doesn’t translate into a successful picture book. Children pretending to be fabulous creatures is appealing when it is innocent and unforced. This book, despite Glasser’s wonderfully energetic artwork, is ultimately a story told by adults for adults.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-Gr 2–Shelly is not ready. Although his three sisters are out of their shells–and have been for quite some time, judging by their various talents and activities–this duck is simply not ready to emerge. Adelaide likes to skate, swing, and slide; Miranda is an artist, and Tallulah enjoys dancing. Though they encourage their brother, albeit in a bossy manner, he stays put. When the girls finally leave him alone, Shelly does come out of his shell. His interests, however, are a bit quieter–he likes puzzles, reading, and cards. Reminiscent of Robert Krause’s Leo the Late Bloomer (HarperCollins, 1971), this is a story for all children who march to a different drummer. Francis’s comic illustrations capture a wide variety of emotions in this loving family. Humorous, playful, and tender, they are a good match to the witty text. The introverted Shelly and his somewhat overwhelming siblings will be a fun addition to picture-book shelves.–Robin L. Gibson, formerly at Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH

PreS–Two titles that lack internal logic and contradict the factual information included in the back matter. Sarrazin’s brightly colored illustrations are mildly appealing with lovely backgrounds, but the soft-focus animals are overly cute with a greeting-card style about them. In Leonardo, the lion cub has an ocean adventure with Turnip the turtle. He meets a number of real animals, yet has no problem swimming underwater or reaching the ocean. In Lucky, the young leopard is an orphan looking for a family and a home. His friend, Zander the zebra, takes him to meet a variety of animals, including rabbits, a kangaroo, and some birds, and ultimately the cub realizes that the zebra is the one who truly loves him and should be his family. The ending is abrupt and the fact that these books seek to impart information about the animals is severely problematic. Both stories are slight at best and somewhat didactic. The writing is cloying and pedestrian, and lacks transition. Good stories involving the sea abound, and for a title about finding a family, go with Keiko Kasza’s A Mother for Choco (Putnam, 1992).–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-Gr 2–Robberecht takes a novel approach to the issue of sibling rivalry by telling the tale of a youngster who wishes to return to her mother’s womb. As the protagonist explains: “Grown-ups like babies in tummies more than they like five-year-old girls.” Therefore, she reasons in her truly childlike way, going back into Mommy’s stomach is the most sensible solution. And besides, that would mean she could live in the adult world (“I’ll stay up as late as you…I’ll even watch TV through your belly button!”) and remain close to her mother. The pregnant mom quickly determines that her daughter is jealous of her not-quite-ready-to-be-born little brother and reassures her that she loves her just as much as the new baby. Through the cartoon-style oil paintings and the easy conversational tone of the text, this imagined view of the world adds humor and lightness to real anxieties that many children encounter but are often unable to express. In this modern age where older siblings are routinely taken to doctor’s appointments and attend baby showers, this perspective seems timely.–Holly T. Sneeringer, University of Maryland, Baltimore

PreS-Gr 1–A fresh, lighthearted look at sibling relations. What could be slimier than a slugapotamus, noisier than a greater-spotted howler bird, and stranger than a whatchamacallit? One by one, Hieronymus introduces the fantastical creatures that he keeps as pets, then promises that he knows of something even worse than these unusual animals. “Dare you turn this page to find out?” It’s his little brother (complete with devil’s costume and pitchfork). Colorful, slightly retro cartoons capture the energy of the text. Stinker the bog hog is impressively disgusting and Cuddles the porcupython is satisfyingly creepy. The artwork leaves no question about the younger child’s behavior: he is shown impaling a teddy bear on his pitchfork, biting his brother on the bottom, and kicking over a full potty. While these depictions may give adults pause, older siblings are likely to sympathize with Hieronymus and enjoy reading about a younger sibling more treacherous than their own. As the story ends, the two boys chase away a fierce grizzly hare, and Hieronymus concludes that despite all his flaws, his brother is more fun than any pet could ever be. With its repetitive language and imaginative names, this book is great for reading aloud. It’s sure to be popular with older siblings everywhere.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 1–Thrifty she’s not, but no one is more generous than Honey Bunny. After gathering “lots and lots” of cash in her piggy bank, she goes on a shopping spree–first buying a few items for herself, then acquiring gifts for her friends and family. She purchases a chair for the bear, a trunk for the skunk, “And oh, what luck/for the duck!/She spent a buck/and got a truck!”. Believe it or not, when she is done, she still has some money left to save. With its light and bouncy text and colorful and humorous cartoons, this book is a fun choice. The rhyming words and picture clues make it easy to decipher. Sure to be a winner among first-time readers.–Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX

PreS-Gr 2–Stanley Birdbaum’s delight over his designation as star of the week–his turn to share his favorite things–fades quickly. His classmates don’t like his tofu bologna, cream cheese, and pickle sandwiches. His toy robot falls apart as Stanley tries to display its tricks. Polly Seedeater’s negative comments so unnerve him that he almost can’t demonstrate his artistic talents. Fortunately, some heartening words from his best friend give Stanley the encouragement he needs to turn a squiggle into a funny drawing and start a class fad. Saltzberg’s amusing illustrations and clean design enhance the book’s read-aloud potential. The spread of Stanley’s panicked expression before he has to draw in front of the class perfectly captures the stage fright that almost everyone has experienced. Those who enjoyed Stanley’s first outing, Crazy Hair Day (Candlewick, 2003) will welcome this return visit to Mr. Winger’s classroom. However, this new book can also stand on its own as an exploration of familiar school interactions.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS-Gr 1–A child’s teddy bear has reached the ultimate limit for his mom–he’s “World Class Dirty.” After a trip through the washer, the toy emerges clean but missing an ear and not smelling right. In an effort to save him from any more indignities, the boy takes him under the willow tree where the two launch into a series of imaginative feats of derring-do: battling bad pirates, being tossed off bucking broncos, rounding up bad guys out West, doing construction work, and spying. Hilariously and hopefully, an explanation of Bo’s loss of an ear becomes part of most of these play scenes as the dirt, dust, and mud clings once again to the bear and he looks again “like my Old Bo Bear.” The full-color, acrylic-and-pen illustrations feature a wild-haired boy and floppy bear against white backgrounds when the story is set in real time and lush full-color spreads with the bear as adventurous partner in the imaginative scenes. This tale will resonate with all kids who have much-loved stuffed animals facing the washing machine–and give them hope that their buddies will once again look and smell right.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3–This entry in the alphabet genre takes an inventive approach, highlighting words in which letters appear twice in a row. So “Aaron Aardvark” plays with “Isaac Aardwolf” for “AA,” while “TT” features a “little kitten.” Some letters are easier to double up than others, which adds to the fun. The “EE” page includes “peep,” “beep,” “peeking,” “speedy,” and several others. “WW,” on the other hand, requires a bit more stretching for a URL (“www.kitty.cat”), plus a “bowwow” from the dog that views it. Many of the examples are printed, usually as signs or labels, or within the word bubbles of the talking animals. This allows prereaders to spot the double letters even if they are not quite ready to read or understand all of the words. Some scenes include double-letter items without a written clue, such as the squirrel with a carrot in “RR,” which provides an extra challenging element for older readers. The playful watercolor illustrations depict a large cast of characters interacting in a variety of humorous settings. Colorful figures like the vacuuming horse and the “happy, hippie hippo” lend the right touch of wackiness to the visual presentation. There’s challenging letter-related fun throughout, with the final page bringing readers back to the aardvark that has completed a puzzle, a pizza, and a fizzy cola and now sleeps with a “Zz.”–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

PreS-Gr 2–From the moment he hatches, a duckling celebrates his “duck-ness”–his webbed feet, his perfect waddle, his strong quack, and his flapping wings. As he grows, he meets a mate, becomes a father, and continues his zestful take on life. Sloat’s rhymed text captures the exuberance of this eternal optimist and gives a glimpse into the life cycle of a mallard. The full-color art is rendered in pastels and has bold lines and a variety of perspectives and page layouts. Libraries looking for stories featuring a natural wetlands setting will appreciate this ducky tale.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

PreS-K–Lettice, a sweet bunny, is asked to be the flower girl at her human dance teacher’s wedding. Except for the slight and expected tension that occurs when Harry, the human ring bearer, temporarily misplaces the ring, all ends well. As Lettice’s family merrily parades home from the festivities, Lettice sleepily claims, “It’s been…the most perfect day of my life.” Whether she’s picking flowers for her wedding basket or proudly displaying her fluffy white dress, delicately trimmed in pale orange, the protagonist is adorable. Her interactions with Harry work as they both exude the same diminutive innocence. The bride, on the other hand, is somewhat stiff and overly idealized. No matter, from the subject matter to the tactile sparkle on each page, this is a book that will have great appeal to wishful little girls.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Gr 1-4–This is the tale of a small girl, a house filled with otherworldly creatures, and a clock that strikes the “exceedingly eerie number 13!” The well-delineated and detailed pencil illustrations, which are predominantly in black and white with touches of green, burgundy, rust, and gold, are intriguing, and the text–in a variety of typefaces and sizes–is innovative but the two together don’t mesh into a real story. The shadowy pictures, which are Tim Burtonesque in style, would appeal to grade-school children but there’s not enough of a plot to capture their interest. There is a rhyme scheme of sorts, but it doesn’t flow easily and makes the book difficult to read. Also, the number 13 is unlikely to strike terror into the hearts of children as the author/illustrator presumes. Quirky and offbeat, this story is unlikely to find an audience.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2–It is springtime and Minerva Louise, the feathered equivalent of Amelia Bedelia, becomes aware of several colorful, unattended eggs. She is also quite taken with the small “farmers” and how lovely they look in their fashionable attire. She doesn’t know that she is observing an Easter egg hut; she is also unaware that her new “hat” is an Easter basket. She quizzes a chocolate Easter bunny, and she questions a marshmallow chick, but neither reply. Finally, Minerva Louise calls her fellow hens to her aid, but they are just relieved to see all the small farmers picking up the eggs, something they were used to seeing. In the end, Minerva Louise is also relieved and happy, and she selects a lovely egg-filled Easter basket for her nest. Preschoolers will delight in the commotion caused by the chicken’s merry meanderings, depicted in bright, clear colors in large, uncluttered scenes. An excellent, lighthearted lark that will charm readers and listeners alike.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

Gr 1-5–This playful book visually extends the stories behind fine-art paintings. The phrase “upon a picture we might wonder...” precedes an expansion of ideas about the subjects in each painting. Illustrations on the following several pages then reveal a fantasy sequence done in a style that imitates the original art. For example, a tumbling figure of a little girl from Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s The Umbrellas rolls her hoop to play in the mud. From Paul Klee’s The Twittering Machine, a tree, alive with twitters and tweets, is cut down by an errant gardener until he realizes the error of his ways and rescues a sprig. Swain’s version of the story behind Van Gogh’s The Starry Night provides a dramatic view of a boy and his cat gazing first at the stars, then surrounded by the blazing warmth of a golden moon. The angled swirls with striking gold, orange, and blue perfectly complement the original painting. Henri Rousseau’s Tiger in a Tropical Storm (Surprised!) has a big cat transformed by the rain from a striped creature to one bedecked with flowers under a cloudless blue expanse. Four additional pictures by the same artists appear at the end and challenge readers to create their own extensions. A feast for the eyes and a creative teaching tool, this slim volume is a welcome addition for any library.–Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 1–As day breaks, five newly hatched and hungry chicks run around the farmyard looking for something to eat. Each one finds a possible meal–a worm, a ladybug, a strawberry, a butterfly, a trout–but none is just right until wise Mama Hen leads her hatchlings to the corn patch where they learn to “scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch.” Told rhythmically and partially in rhyme, this simple story ends with the babes cuddling up near their mama as the moon comes up. Done in brush pen, watercolor pencils, and ink, Tafuri’s endearing illustrations sweep across the pages, presenting an intensely close-up view of the chicks and the action. Though the tale is slight, the youngest listeners will delight in the art featuring almost life-size fowl, and beginning readers will find the text easy to manage.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

PreS-K–In this fourth entry about an adorable duck, Little Quack and his four visually distinct siblings meet Little Ribbit. While the other ducklings are wary of him at first–he’s too little, too green, and a FROG!–Little Quack has no such hesitations, and “quack, quack, ribbit, ribbit!” off they go. As it turns out, the frog’s sense of fun perfectly matches that of the ducks. He loves to splash, squish in the mud, bounce on a log, and dunk in the water. As their play moves from one activity to the next, the other ducklings join in the fun one by one. The text uses repetitive phrasing, lively wordplay, and entertaining sound effects (“Plunka, splunka, plunka, splunka, plunk!”) to move the story along. The acrylic artwork is filled with bright close-ups that depict the endearing characters. The large colorful pages, heartwarming message of friendship and acceptance, and contagious enthusiasm will attract readers. Filled with unequivocally positive energy, this exuberant tale shows children the joy of making new friends.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

PreS-Gr 2–It’s evening, and in a cozy house on a hill, “there’s a wild little child/not ready to close her eyes.” Tucked in her bed, the little girl hears the sounds of the nearby animals, as birds, raccoons, frogs, and deer settle their babies down and the crickets sing the creatures and the child to sleep. This slight bedtime tale is told through simple, rhymed language, and it might calm fears about nighttime noises. The delightful animals, painted with soft edges, are the main feature here, and youngsters will enjoy nodding off with these gentle, twilight-hued images in their heads. There is a slight inconsistency between text and illustration, as the “wild child” looks quite serene. A supplemental purchase for larger collections.–Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

PreS-Gr 3–Four sheep search for fulfillment and a place for themselves as they explore life in the big city. The friends feel out of place at the opera (despite their tuxedos), they get carried away at their first job with Lloyd’s Lawn Care, and they are rejected by a hospital administrator, who explains that the knitted sweaters they are offering can’t be worn by two-legged babies. In a last attempt to fit in, the intrepid entrepreneurs enter a contest advertised on a slightly ripped sign (alluded to in the book’s title). Expecting quartets of singing sheep, they discover their mistake just in time to add stripes, moustaches, and hats to their costumes to imitate their competitors, “barbershop” quartets. Wry humor emanates from scenes depicting sheep posturing in a wide variety of human clothing and situations. Four distinct personalities suit up to sit at the diner counter, don T-shirts and overalls to decorate a sophisticated apartment, and appear in argyle sweaters to bowl with seniors. This quiet story of a wool blend would make an interesting contrast to a picture-book version of “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.”–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-K–After being cooped up all winter, Freddy, a scruffy-looking tabby, is enjoying the outdoors on a beautiful spring day. He’s unpleasantly surprised when neither a mole nor a sparrow is frightened by his attempts to intimidate them. Indeed, the animals and birds all are acting strangely. A helpful hedgehog explains that they are so in love that their thinking is off and they aren’t worried about danger. Freddy decides that maybe he should “try it” and runs off to find Mew, a female cat with whom he has an acquaintance. They rub up against one another, tails curved into a heart-shape and the story ends on a happily-ever-after note. The art is the highlight of the book. Soft pencil-and-watercolor illustrations reveal spring yellows and greens and adorable creatures bitten by the love bug. However, a story about falling in love seems a bit premature for the preschool set, and this title may be beyond their sensibilities.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3–Wick serves up yet another search-and-find delight about the toy boy. On the title page, Seymour is reading a book called The Seesaw Bunnies and leaves home in search of some new pals. Readers are asked to spot visual items (“Can you see…?”) as they follow him on his adventures through various toy scenarios until he makes a seesaw (from a craft stick and a block) and two new rabbit friends (out of beads and pipe cleaners). Children will enjoy the activity and may be inspired to construct some fanciful toys of their own. Filled with rhyming words and vocabulary builders, this story adventure is a winner.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2–Ruby has a great imagination and a full life with a job (selling lemonade), twins (mismatched dolls), a talk show (broadcast from inside a cardboard box), and a horrible neighbor. Bratty Hatty and her sidekick, Mean Maureen, exclude Ruby from their activities and bully her with rude comments. They make fun of her best buddy and pet bird, Bubbles, who can’t fly. Ruby looses her confidence and joyful spirit until she realizes that the true value of friendship is not in perfection, but in sharing and caring about one another. Done in pencil, ink, and watercolors, the illustrations capture the girl’s exuberant and independent style, highlighting her dramatic fashion sense. Text and illustrations take the eye up, down, and across pages filled with color and movement. Black-and-white street scenes create textural patterns that contrast with Ruby’s colorful outfits. Suggest this book for sharing one-to-one as a lesson in friendship and bullies or as a fun story for youngsters who are into high drama and fashion.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 1-3–Everyone in Rink Bowagon’s family is a little different. His uncle trains rattlesnakes and his siblings and cousins are all shape-shifters. The boy has a special quirkiness all his own. On nights when there is a full moon, he sprouts beautiful, perfect, fragrant flowers from his body. At school, he is quiet and shy, and the other children keep their distance from him. One day, Angelina joins his class and all of the students vie for her attention. She has her own gift and recognizes what a special boy Rink really is. Together, their story is one that celebrates individuality and self-acceptance. The illustrations are done in acrylics on board and the way the texture of the wood shows through gives the lovely paintings a folksy quality. The luminous scenes and soulful relationship between Rink and Angelina make this story a joy to read.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

YOUNG, Ed. My Mei Mei. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel Feb. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-399-24339-9. LC 2005008097.

PreS-Gr 2–There are other picture books about traveling to China to adopt a child, but what sets this one apart is the relationship between the first adoptive daughter, Antonia, and her Mei Mei, or younger sister. Based on Young’s experience, the text follows Antonia’s story beginning with her arrival from China and her early years, to her request for a Mei Mei, to her disillusionment with her less-than-perfect sibling, to the girls’ evolving closeness and love for each other. The narrative is told gracefully in Antonia’s expressive, childlike voice: “When we returned, I found out that she was not what she ought to be. She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t play. She took all the attention away from me.” Young’s illustrations in gouache, pastel, and collage are irresistibly beautiful and filled with feeling. A significant page turn takes readers from Antonia’s anticipation about their first meeting to Mei Mei’s crying baby face filling an entire page. Most spreads achieve a serene unity through the use of varying wallpaper-like designs. A definitive composition shows the sisters lying together, legs intertwined, sharing a book, their form echoed against a gently curving floral background. A simple story of family bonds unerringly told.–Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

Gr 3-6–Well-crafted books about field trips that show the detailed workings of each facility. Each title starts with a series of questions. For example, Mint asks, “Why do coins have raised edges?” The question then is answered in the subsequent story, as a tour guide escorts a group of children through the mint: “Rims protect coins from scratches and make them easier to stack.” Each book includes a related activity, such as creating a personal medical chart in Hospital. Shea walks readers through a public library from utilizing the computerized catalog to find materials to asking reference questions and borrowing items. The only weakness of this series lies in the generic-looking illustrations that are digitally produced and do not match the sophistication of the texts.–Tanaz Sutaria, John Gomes Elementary, Fremont, CA

Gr 3-4–Bakker, a notable paleontologist, launches into a read-a-bration of pterosaurs that will have young dinophiles dreaming of dactyl-hunting at his side. His breezy, first-person narrative is full of sound effects (“Fffffwoooooop! Splash! Zippity-zip!”) and his vocabulary includes chatty words like “airheads” and “pinkie-toes.” His information is current and his enthusiasm obvious. The illustrations present an array of “flying dragons” with colorful crests and beaks (the author provides sensible reasoning for these pigmentations), catching fish, filtering shrimp, skittering on the ground, and soaring through the skies. For those not ready for Caroline Arnold’s more demanding Pterosaurs (Clarion, 2004), this is a fun-to-read, fact-filled choice.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 1-3–These titles cover life in the wild, including parents’ roles in protecting their offspring from predators and finding food. Fun tidbits about adaptation are included, such as the fact that hippos eat at night and bite off the grass with their lips. Questions posed under the heading, “What do you think?” are answered on the following page, which will keep readers engaged. Lots of clear, color photos of adorable animal youngsters will provide entertainment, awe, and amazement. These books will be perused, but do not supply enough material for reports.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-K–In this newly illustrated version of the classic song, the ducklings become distracted by creatures in their environs and wander away from their mother. When fewer and fewer of her offspring return, she looks increasingly forlorn and anxious. When the sad mother duck goes out for her final “Quack, quack, quack,” all of the youngsters return, each one bearing her a gift from their adventures. Bates’s muted watercolors bring a lively energy, reminiscent of Robert McCloskey’s ducklings, to this beloved song. The artist’s sweet and nostalgic adaptation is unique for its gentle and warm tone. Some young children may confuse the brown markings on the ducklings for mud, but this bit of realism will also help them tell one yellow duck from another.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 2-4–A girl becomes apprentice to a great magician and healer. Growing weary of her menial household tasks, she yearns to get on with learning spells. Predictably, she tries out a spell in secret, creating the central chaos of the story as the broom she orders to fetch water goes out of control. Her terror in the resulting situation will captivate readers. The concluding lesson, stated by her returning master as he sets things to rights, is a bit anticlimactic: “Through hard work and practice, you can learn to have the patience to do anything….” And, of course, she understands that many years later when she has become a sorcerer herself. The retelling is competent and smooth, and the attractive acrylic paintings add drama and bits of fun. Single-page illustrations face text pages that are occasionally adorned with smaller vignettes and surrounded with rich blue borders decorated with objects of the sorcerer’s trade. The girl appears as a young adolescent, while the sorcerer is blonde and blue-eyed; both are beautifully costumed, she in Elizabethan-style dress and he in a fur-trimmed aqua robe and deep blue cape and hat. Begin provides no source notes, but with few renditions of this tale currently in print, her handsome rendering will be welcome in most libraries.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 2-5–Colorful and inviting, these books introduce young artists to some interesting and expressive materials and techniques including art foam, paper folding, papier-mâché, and salt dough. Each slim volume begins with a two-page introduction that outlines the basic properties and processes involved in working with the materials, followed by several appealing projects. Illustrations are bright and plentiful, with full-color photographs accompanying thorough written instructions in most instances. However, each volume is written by a different author and there is some unevenness and abruptness in the resulting texts; for example, the introduction in Salt Dough starts off with a recipe, failing to mention that the dough is meant to be molded like clay. In Paper Folding Fun, the complex set of folding diagrams rather than photographs for each project makes following directions a challenge; the result is a volume not really suitable for absolute beginners. Still, these titles have lots of child appeal, with projects that are both challenging and fun. In particular, Papier-Mâché includes nine versatile and creative ideas including a “Creeping Crocodile,” paper beads, and gigantic candy party decorations.–Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles

K-Gr 2–Through simple sentences and black-and-white photographs, readers are given snapshots into the lives of three notable African-American women. Coleman was the first woman of her race to earn a pilot’s license, Jemison was the first African-American astronaut, and Rudolph was the first American woman to win three gold medals at the Olympics. Short chapters, with a time line at the bottom of the page, give basic biographical information and show how these women continue to be an inspiration for all. On each spread, a photograph faces a paragraph of large-print text. The concise information is perfect for the intended age group.–Tracy Bell, Eastway Elementary School, Durham, NC

Gr 1-4–A collection of 26 prayers assembled under the headings, “Prayers for the Morning,” “Mealtime Graces,” “Prayers for Nighttime,” and “Blessings.” A brief introduction and comments at the beginning of each chapter reflect on the place of prayer in our lives. Written in simple, easy-to-read language, the entreaties are recited by children in a variety of lands. From a prayer of thanksgiving, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest/And let these gifts to us be blessed” (Germany), to a request for strength and guidance (Israel), to “O God,/Help me never to judge another/Until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins” (Native American, Sioux), each selection addresses universal issues and emotions. Dreamlike, decorative paintings that reflect the various cultures greatly enhance the selections and emphasize the book’s message of inclusiveness. Although such compilations as Lois Rock’s My Very First Prayers (2003) and Rebecca Winter’s Prayers for Children (2005, both Good Bks) are more comprehensive, this offering is a fine addition.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

DOOLING, Michael. Young Thomas Edison. illus. by author. unpaged. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Holiday House 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1868-5. LC 2004049345.

Gr 2-5–Dooling has brought Edison’s boyhood into focus through careful attention to visual detail and a readable text. What emerges is a story of a determined, focused young man who, despite significant hearing loss and other setbacks, continued to experiment and create inventions that we still benefit from today. His questioning nature and creative genius were recognized and supported early on by his mother, who pulled him out of school to teach him at home when his teacher called him addled and sat him in a corner. The writing style is understated: “Eventually…Al set up a laboratory in the baggage car of the train. Soon the young scientist was experimenting with everything: chemicals, gadgets, test tubes, beakers, doohickeys, and thingamajigs.” Dooling’s somber oil-on-canvas illustrations use a dark palette and are extraordinarily beautiful. Each page exhibits an artistic mastery that perfectly draws out the subject and fills the space with objects that reflect the period. This inspiring book honors a brilliant inventor and belongs in every library.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 5–Doyle has turned his fluent pen to the retelling of 12 folktales: five from Germany, and one each from Spain, France, Ukraine, China, Argentina, and what he calls “Native America” and “Arabia.” Unfortunately the language he employs in his narrations is no more culturally specific than the broad labels on the table of contents. So the Ukrainian Fool of the World looks down from his flying ship and says to the man below, “Sure, you’ve a basketful of it on your back already!” And the heads of the terrifying man-eating fish in the Chinese story “The Jeweled Sea” are described as being “twice the size of a football.” Such turns of phrase do not actually injure the plots of the tales, but they detract from the ethnic atmosphere that might have enhanced them further. The playful, colorful acrylic-and-pastel illustrations likewise err on the side of a comfortable lack of specificity. Ceccoli’s human figures, with their minimally rendered expressions and rounded shapes, resemble interchangeable figures in a dollhouse set. Taken as a whole, the collection may serve as a read-aloud, but it should not be relied upon as an accurate representation of the folklore of any of the cultures from which Doyle drew the stories.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 2-4–Barton was a shy child who became a teacher and then a nurse during the Civil War. Later, she founded the American Red Cross. Parks’s refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger was the catalyst for the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. Ochoa was an excellent student and flutist who became an engineer, inventor, and astronaut–the first Hispanic woman to travel in outer space. The books’ beginning chapters offer compelling accounts of the importance of the subjects’ work. The clearly written texts are enhanced by relevant photographs and illustrations on every spread. Children may require assistance with the Web sites; although they are well chosen, they are designed for adult use. Good purchases for libraries searching for biographies about heroic women.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

K-Gr 3–Ji-Stu the Rabbit can’t stand it when Si-qua the Opossum dances and sings to show off his beautiful bushy tail. Ji-Stu (an annoying boaster himself) goes to Terrapin and then Cricket for help to stop Si-qua’s boasting. The opossum loses the magnificent hair on his tail, much to his dread. In an additional, original ending to this otherwise traditional Cherokee tale, Si-qua finds uses for his newly naked, prehensile appendage and ends up saving Ji-Stu’s life with it. “Do you see how you have changed?” Terrapin asks. “Once you sang songs about yourself, but now your friends sing songs about you.” This ending alters the rhythm of the story; it feels tacked on and makes a questionable purchase out of an otherwise lovely book. The tale is illustrated with beautifully elaborate and intricate white-on-black drawings and white-on-orange endpapers in style similar to Jacob’s paintings in Joseph Bruchac’s The Boy Who Lived with the Bears (HarperCollins, 1995’ o.p.).–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA

Gr 3-5–Eye-catching covers, smoothly written and informative chapters, and numerous clear, close-up color photographs are the hallmarks of these titles. Comprehensive in scope, each volume describes the animal’s characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. Useful comments are included on the preservation of these species. Organized charts list facts that students commonly need for reports such as height, weight, and life span. Colorful maps show where these species can be found. Illustrations of the skeletal structures also enhance the content. Moose has a larger format and is more current than Annie Hemstock’s The Moose (Capstone, 1998). Porcupines is more informative than Peter Murray’s Porcupines (The Child’s World, 1994; o.p.) and is written at a higher reading level than Shannon Zemlicka’s Prickly Porcupines (Lerner, 2002). Buffalo has a different scope and easier style than Beverly Brodsky’s Buffalo (Marshall Cavendish, 2003), which focuses on the buffalo’s place in Native American culture. The two titles complement one another nicely. Fine, quality additions to libraries of all sizes looking for more material on these animals, these volumes are good for reports as well as for browsing.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

Gr 3-5–This rather unfocused title attempts to place the life of sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi in a global context. However, without any explanation, readers will wonder why they are reading about the end of slavery in North America, sheep farming in Australia, and Impressionist painters, and what these seemingly disparate elements have to do with the monument and its construction. The text is small and crowded with many drawings and photos. Unfortunately, not all of them relate to the text and some seem out of context and inappropriate. A photo of the Statue of Liberty with the Twin Towers as a backdrop reads, “Although she looks almost diminutive against New York’s modern skyscrapers, Lady Liberty stands as proudly today as ever.” Many fine books tell the statue’s wonderful story, describe the engineering feat of her construction, and detail her place in history; this title is not one of them.–Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

FISHER, Valorie. How High Can a Dinosaur Count?: And Other Math Mysteries. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Feb. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-375-83608-X; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93608-4. LC 2005010851.

Gr 1-4–Anyone who thinks that a math-activity book can’t be fun hasn’t seen this one. The text for each of the 15 problems is presented on the left, using a large, clean font on a spectrum of soft pastel backgrounds. The problems are clearly explained, but lots of alliteration and some unexpected vocabulary make for interesting reading. The illustration on the right features Fisher’s unique photographic technique. Richly textured patterns and hand-drawn objects are cut out and arranged, then photographed in such a way as to create whimsical tableaux with a three-dimensional feel. The characters are charming, from Ogden the orderly man who lives in a watering can that he keeps spick and span, to Daphne, the sweet blue dragon who dines on daisies. At the back of the book, Fisher presents four more problems for each illustration, with solutions provided for all. Appropriate for group discussions and attractive to browsers, this creative combination of text and art is a first purchase for most collections.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

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