Audio

-- School Library Journal, 6/1/2006

Foreign Languages

Gr 9 Up–This revision of the 1994 program offers pronunciation drills in Spanish and is intended to give students practice in speaking the language. The content is not substantially different from the original audiocassette release except for format. It is designed to aid in mastery of the sounds of Spanish, training the ear to detect normal variations in Spanish pronunciation. There are five parts. The first segment contains lists of Spanish place names and cognates familiar to American students, priming the ear to the differences in Spanish and American sound verbalization. The next two parts present each Spanish letter, as well as variations on the sounds of each in specific instances. The accompanying textbook has diagrams of tongue placement to achieve the correct pronunciation. Examples of words and sentences using the sound of the focus letter are presented, with ample time for listeners to repeat the word, phrase, or sentence and to listen for confirmation. Part four covers Spanish stress and intonation patterns, with words and phrases included for practice. The fifth segment features dialogues that illustrate the most used Spanish verb tenses. The pace is slow at first but increases in speed until students are speaking at almost a normal rate. The paperback textbook duplicates the material on the CDs, and the initial sections allow for dictation practice as well as pronunciation drills. The CDs can be used with the book or independently. The voices of the male and female narrators are easy to understand and to duplicate and demonstrate a range of regional accents. The aural quality and pacing are excellent. This series will enhance high school language programs and could be used in language labs or at home for reinforcement .–Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Language Arts

Gr 5-8–Sophie Masson carries listeners back to 18th-century England to witness the birth of two children who are destined to be connected throughout their lives. Aurora is born into royalty, while Clementine is the daughter of the local woodcutter. However, their births have brought fairies to each of their cradles to bestow gifts. Although the girls will be friends throughout their first 16 years, there are secrets surrounding them, especially the legend of the sleeping castle of Joli-Bois. The novel is a spellbinding reworking of the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty. Reader Mikaela Martin brings her acting skills to this retelling and delivers a beautiful performance. This is a complicated story, presented in three parts and three different time periods. Middle school librarians will want to include this in their audio collections.–Joyce Rice, Crestwood Middle School, Royal Palm Beach, FL

PreS-Gr 3–Told in the first person (or is that “first spider?), this is a clever peek into the life of an adolescent spider. Doreen Cronin’s book (HarperCollins, 2005) offers an engaging protagonist who just happens to have eight legs. Through his diary we learn about spider school, molting, friendship travails, and important life lessons. There’s a generous helping of wit here, and a lot of kid appeal. Harry Bliss not only created the hilarious watercolor illustrations, but also provides the narration for this production. He reads everything, including the back cover and the end papers, with tongue-in-cheek humor and excellent pacing. Occasional sound effects and music enhance the text. This is a delightful book that will charm listeners in this auditory format.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 3-5–Penelope Lively’s 1972 tale (Egmont Children’s Books, pap. 1993) about siblings Paul and Sondra is brought to life through the meticulous narration of Hannah Gordon. The two children have run away from their new stepmother and are trying to get to their grandmother’s house which is several miles away when they encounter Old Bill driving his horse and cart along the Driftway. The Driftway, an ancient road that runs from Banbury to Northampton, England, was used by many country folk to move their animals from pasture to pasture and has seen many battles over the centuries. Old Bill gives the children a ride, and Paul experiences some of the events that occurred along the road hundreds of years ago. He imagines encounters with a young boy who was orphaned in a Norse raid, a Robin Hood-like robber who is proud of his deeds, and a forlorn young girl who wanders aimlessly in the area. Each of these imaginary encounters helps Paul understand and appreciate his rocky relationship with his stepmother. By the time the trio reach their destination, Paul is ready to go home and resolve his problems with his stepmother. This old-fashioned story with a strong message is skillfully handled by Gordon. Her tone and pacing shift perfectly to indicate time and mood changes.– Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Gr 4-6–Michael Buckley starts off with a bang in this energetic book (Abrams, 2005). Daphne and Sabrina Grimm have been tossed from one bad foster home to another after the disappearance of their parents. Now the grandmother they had been told was dead has sent for them. Naturally there’s a measure of distrust, and it only increases when their new home of Ferryport Landing starts getting stranger and stranger. The girls soon learn they are from THE family Grimm, and their new home is full of “Everafters”—fairy-tale and other literary characters who are held in this town by the existence of the Grimms, and who are not necessarily happy with the situation. When Grandma is kidnapped by a giant, the girls must suspend their disbelief and go to her rescue, using whatever magical tools come to hand. But in a world of pixies, witches, and giant-killers, finding a trustworthy companion might be a problem. This is a wild ride with a corrupt Prince Charming, the Three Little Pigs in charge of the police department, and a wise-cracking Puck who may or may not be on their side. Facing problems together stretches the girls’ ingenuity, and brings all the Grimms closer, while setting the stage for the next book in the series. L.J. Ganser reads the story with good pacing and a lot of verve, creating different voices and accents for the characters and bringing Buckley’s story to vivid life. Listeners will enjoy the fast-paced action and grin at the humor, while delighting in the chance encounters with characters they should recognize from other stories. This definitely bodes well for the rest of the series.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 6-8–The 1960’s and the Great Smoky Mountains come to life in this tale of family and friendship by Kerry Madden (Viking, 2005). Eleven-year-old Livy Two (named for her dead sister Olivia) lives in Maggie Valley, NC, with seven brothers and sisters. Life is hard and Livy often goes to bed hungry for food but full of love from her practical Mama and her dreamer of a Daddy. Livy spends the summer climbing trees, writing songs in her head, and walking miles to the visiting bookmobile. She longs to see the world, and is furious when her brother trades the family for a job in town and a full stomach every night. To make matters worse, her cranky grandmother comes to visit and her baby sister, Gentle, is blind. When her father is in a coma after an accident, Livy discovers how a loving family can pull together and thrive. The performance of narrator Kate Forbes is flawless. She beautifully interprets Livy’s voice and the delivery is as gentle and warm as a summer breeze. Move over, John-Boy Walton—the author has plans for two more books set in Maggie Valley.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 6-8–Known for her picture and chapter books, I, Coriander (Dial, 2005) is Sally Gardner’s first venture into YA fiction. Written in the first person, Coriander Hobie describes both the ordinary and extraordinary events that occur in her life in 17th-century London. The unexplained appearance of a beautiful pair of silver shoes that fit Coriander perfectly set into motion an inexorable chain of events. Traveling via her silver shoes between the puritanical time of Oliver Cromwell and her mother’s mystical fairy kingdom, Coriander’s voice is strong and true. The juxtaposition of Puritan and fairy, fear and fantasy, make this detailed tale come to life. A strong sense of setting pervades the novel; London Bridge and the Thames River are lovingly described, as is the Summer Palace of the fairy king. Truly a book meant to be read aloud, British stage actress Juliet Stevenson does the story justice with her wonderful sense of timing and cadence, easily differentiating between the characters with different inflections and tones. An interview with the author rounds out this audiobook that’s sure to be a hit with fantasy as well as historical fiction lovers.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 6-9–Life is never the same for twins, Carrie and Conrad, when Rosie enters their life the autumn of their 12th year in British author Robert Swindells’s novel. Rosie is the daughter of “travellers,” who are similar to gypsies in their nomadic life style. Her parents make and sell leather goods in the fall and move on to a camp for itinerants in the winter. Rosie befriends the twins and their two friends, Peter and Charlotte, and teaches them her secret—how to become invisible. The kids learn that there are rules and ethics attached to becoming invisible (you loose the ability at age 13, and you should not use invisibility for ill-gotten gain). When Rosie’s father becomes a suspect in a robbery just because he is a traveller, the kids use their invisibility to try to catch the real thieves. The story reveals many moral truths about prejudice, redemption, friendship, injustice, and letting go, all while unraveling a good old fashioned mystery, filled with danger and intrigue. The story is read in a clear, straightforward manner, with age-appropriate voices, by British actress Kim Hicks, who sounds amazingly like Lynn Redgrave. Adults will enjoy finding the literary references in the characters names (Mama Bear, Peter Rabbit, and Charlotte Webb), and middle schoolers will like that the kids outwit the bad guys.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

Gr 4-6–Sixth-grader Greg Kenton has a knack for finance. He’s figured out many lucrative ways to make money since he was very young—by loaning it to his family, mowing yards, doing odd jobs. He notices that there is money to be made at school and decides to go for the gold by selling small comic books that he produces. All goes well until his neighbor and rival, Maura Shaw, tries to horn in on his action by copying the idea and selling her own comic books. A confrontation between the two results in a ban of comic books from the school by the principal. An uneasy partnership forms between Greg and Maura as they develop a comic book to sell together and pursue how to market it legally. Andrew Clements’s novel (S & S, 2005) is charming, humorous, and poignant. Character actor John H. Mayer does an outstanding job of bringing the text to life. He uses subtle nuances in his voice to differentiate between the characters and the emotions each experiences. A good choice for the author’s fans.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2–When an explosion wakes up the farm, Farmer George is concerned to find that Moo Cow is missing. Unknown to the farmer, the benevolent bovine has been cow-napped by a space cowboy and is on her way to be part of the Inter-Galactic Rodeo! This idea, however, is an udder disaster as Moo Cow, pushed too far, milks the wild cow role for all it’s worth. Soon she’s on a space ship heading home, and all ends well. This is a rollicking flight of fancy where the cow really does go over the moon, and beyond. John Beech reads the humorous story (HarperCollins, 2003), written and illustrated by Thacher Hurd, with great enthusiasm, personalizing each character. Cool background music and fun sound effects enhance the presentation. This auditory delight will tickle young readers.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 5-8–This is the sequel (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2005) to Hilary McKay’s Indigo’s Star (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2004) and Saffy’s Angel (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2002), featuring the Casson family. The summer that Indy’s friend Tom leaves for New York to care for his baby sister in America, the family grows up and makes some mature decisions. Cassy vacillates between wanting to marry Michael and breaking off the engagement. Saffy and her friend Sarah turn to the Internet to find Saffy’s biological father, and Rose’s shoplifting habits intensify as she tries to fill the void of Tom’s absence. Indigo uses Le Morte D’Arthur as therapy for Rose, but surprisingly, it’s redeemed ex-bully and gang member David who effectively dissuades Rose from a life of crime by sharing his past experiences. Sophie Aldred’s narration is engaging and energetic. Vocal interpretations of characters are spot-on, albeit stereotypical in boorish David’s case, while Rose and Saffy’s characters border on shrill but remain vivacious and witty. The rainbow of experiences and the quick-moving plot will enthrall listeners who will eagerly await the next installment.–Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 3-6–Poppy is back in Avi’s fifth book (HarperCollins, 2005) in the popular The Poppy Series. Now middle-aged, Poppy and Rye are dealing with a rebellions teenaged son. Summoned home to Gray House, Poppy decides the journey might be a bonding experience, so she invites Junior along. His skunk friend, Mephitis, comes with them and, though uninvited, Ereth the porcupine tags along as well. The visit is enlightening. Junior is surprised to hear of his mother’s adventurous past, and Poppy’s current independence is challenged by the needs of her extended family. The family problems Poppy is asked to solve are too large for one deer mouse. Still, an accident resolves everything, perhaps a little too easily, and all ends well. Narrator John McDonough brings the characters to life, showing obvious enjoyment in the dialogue, especially Ereth’s expressions. He makes this an auditory treat by letting the author’s words, rather than excessive theatrics, carry the story. Although the plot is rather adult, younger listeners will be caught up in Junior’s delightful rebelliousness and Ereth’s colorful language, and fans of the previous books will probably find this an acceptable addition to the series.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 5-8–Twig is back in the second book (David Fickling Books, 2004) in The Edge Chronicles series by British author Paul Stewart. In the first book, Beyond the Deepwoods (David Fickling Books, 2004), Twig discovered that he was the son of the famous sky pirate, Cloud Wolf. Now Twig is onboard the Stormchaser, Cloud Wolf’s renowned sky ship, and he is aiming to impress his stern father. Of course, things go terribly wrong. Twig accidentally dumps the cargo and Cloud Wolf refuses to take him on the next trip. Twig manages to stowaway only to find he has become a bargaining chip for ruthless enemies of his father. Throughout the book, Twig bungles his way into and out of trouble, meeting unusual and truly weird characters along the way. The most interesting character is the Stone Pilot, who befriends Twig and, to Twig’s astonishment, turns out to be a girl. Narrator John Lee does a fine job of distinguishing each character and the story is nicely paced. The book’s illustrations by Chris Riddell are brilliant and provide the humor for the story. Without them, Stormchaser is very dark indeed—complete with a masochist and a toe-stealing serial killer. Make sure the book is available to listeners. This fantasy is filled with outlandish characters and terrifying creatures, and fans of the series will be enthralled.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 1-3–Samantha S. Van Dorf is the new girl in the class in this beginning reader written by Kathryn Cristaldi and illustrated by Denise Brunkus (Random, 1994). One of the other children in the class, the narrator of the story, immediately dislikes Samantha, who is wealthy and wears fancy clothing, and decides that the “S” in her name stands for snob. When the entire class is invited to Samantha’s birthday party, the narrator and Samantha becomes partners for the party games. In the end, they get to know each other and become friends. This simple story is narrated clearly and slowly by a young narrator who uses different voices for each character with varying success. There are occasional faint sound effects, like children laughing or playing, and instrumental background music at times. The story is read with and without page-turn signals. The accompanying paperback has bright and expressive illustrations on a white background. A good choice for newly independent readers.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

Gr 4-6–Willa’s greatest wish is for her mother to remarry so she can finally have a father in this tale by Coleen Murtagh Paratore (S & S, 2005). Things seem to be falling into place when they finally move back to Cape Cod, where Willa develops a loving circle of friends and family. Her days are full of school, walking on the beach, discovering great books, and making friends. Her mother, a wedding planner, is busy planning spectacular parties as usual. The summer before Willa turns 13 is full of love and the usual preteen dilemmas. Her grandmother is seeing wonderful Mr. Tweed and Willa has her first double date—and her mother seems to be falling for Sam, Willa’s English teacher and their next door neighbor. As the summer ends, everything begins to fall apart and they abruptly leave town, but Willa knows she must do something to avert disaster. Girls will understand Willa’s hopes and anxieties in this satisfying novel that is full of thoughtful quotes, realistic feelings, and likeable characters. Actress Stina Nielsen narrates the story with expressive voices for each character. She conveys the feeling that Willa is telling her story to listeners like a secret best friend in a way that fits the story perfectly.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

Gr 3-5–Wilma, daughter of the Queen of Night(mares), sister to the Queen of Mirrors who poisoned Snow White, niece of the debauched Bacchus, needs to pass her upcoming grade four magic exam. The problem is that she doesn’t have the work experience necessary. Since Wilma is a bit of a trial to her family, she is sent to her Great Aunt Angria for some training in this novel by British author Kaye Umansky. Stark Acre Hall is as eccentric as its owner and visitor. Angria has been cranky ever since her relatives sabotaged her humiliating attempt to doom Sleeping Beauty. She wants Wilma to join her on working on a secret magic project. There are many references to fairy tale characters and plots in this rollicking good story superbly narrated by British actress Clare Higgins. Her peevishness when voicing Wilma’s mother is vastly entertaining. Combine an unusual heroine, a very strange and immortal family, and slapstick comedy and you get a great audiobook. Children familiar with the magical comedies by Eva Ibbotson as well as the works of Roald Dahl are sure to fall in love with the not quite-so-wicked Wilma.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Literature

Gr 8 Up–Mann and his friend Kee-lee have grown up in the inner city where poverty and crime are rampant in this novel by Sharon G. Flake (Jump at the Sun, 2005). Two years ago, his seven-year-old brother was killed in a drive-by shooting. Mann’s father wants to toughen up his son so that he can stop grieving, learn to control his temper, and stop smoking and skipping school. The father takes both teens out into the woods and leaves them to manage by themselves, reminiscent of African tribal coming-of-age rituals. After the boys make their way home, Mann’s father wants to make sure that his son is still not too soft to survive on the city streets and throws him out of the house to manage on his own. Mann learns much about himself as he matures to adulthood. The story is written in the first person, and actor Dominic Hoffman becomes Mann, realistically reading the dialogue and depicting emotions ranging from anger to grief. He uses pauses effectively to heighten the suspense and maintain the mood. A short interview with the author concludes the recording. An excellent choice to initiate lively discussions.–Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Gr 9 Up–This quirky fantasy by Annette Curtis Klause (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2005), set at the turn of the 20th century, finds Abel Dandy, a “normal” teen, living in Faeryland. This circus-like colony of performers includes his own parents—one with no arms, the other with no legs—and many other of nature’s most dramatically different people. Klause quickly establishes an unusual perspective. These people, who have unusual physical appearances, are just the same on the inside as any other people, and they have found a way to earn a living and maintain their own self-respect through their unusual acts. Abel yearns for adventure and to make his own fortune in the world, so he ventures off to another circus hoping to showcase his knife-throwing act. Having been followed by his 12-year-old friend, the Dog Boy, Abel feels that he is responsible for rescuing the youngster from the evil confines of a true Freak Show run by the nefarious Dr. Mink and a cadre of sadistic thugs. An assortment of affected children have been kidnapped by Mink and held along with a few adults similar to the performers Abel has lived with all his life. A thrilling chase, dramatic rescues, and an other-worldly love story involving a beautiful dancer trapped for centuries as an Egyptian mummy make this a thoroughly off-beat and enjoyable tale. Narrator Ramon de Ocampo provides a stellar reading, giving each character a distinct voice. At the end of the tale, there is an author’s note about the historical basis for the setting and characters. A gripping tale that combines fantasy with reality.–Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY

Gr 7 Up–Pete Hautman’s novel (S & S, 2005) is brought to life in Norm Lee’s performance. Doug and Andy, best friends since childhood, developed a careless—if not downright unhealthy—interest in fire as they entered adolescence. In other ways they seemed to grow in different directions: Andy was outgoing and successful in school and socially, while Doug’s proclivities seem to lie with detailed handwork and listening to Andy’s exploits. At 17, Doug builds a model train, town, and replica (in matchsticks) of the Golden Gate Bridge in his basement, one of his many obsessions that intensifies when he stops taking his prescribed psychopharmaceuticals. Then Doug and Andy phone in a bomb threat to the high school and Doug’s world unravels in a calamity neatly foreshadowed by the tree house fire the boys experienced three years earlier. Hautman’s characterizations are realistic, making Doug both credible and barely sympathetic. The adults are presented from Doug’s vantage and so, while they seem to say mostly the right things, they inspire distrust on the listeners’ part. Because of its brevity and well-shaped plot, this audiobook will have wide appeal among teens who need their stories delivered quickly in order to stick with them.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Music

PreS-Gr 3–Buck Howdy’s second album of cowboy music is every bit as terrific as his award-winning Skidaddle! (2003). Seven of these gems are Buck Howdy originals, the other seven include two traditional songs arranged by Howdy. Laurie Berkner and Trout Fishing in America contribute vocals to some of the songs. The Prairie Dogs help provide the wonderful background music on fiddle, dobro, mandolin, guitar, jaw harp, and upright bass, while Buck plays a mean guitar. Songs include a celebration of “S’Mores,” “Giddyup!,” “Ride, Cowboy Ride,” “Baked Beans” (and the resulting flatulence), “Pecos Bill” (from the Disney animated film), “Baa, Neigh, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo,” “Hayride,” “My Favorite Kind of Bugs” (“…are dead!”), “Big Bad John,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Hokey Pokey,” “Almost Home,” “Happy Trails” (Dale Evans), and “Get Off of My Cow” (to the tune of the Rolling Stones’ “Get Off of My Cloud”). Adults will be as entranced with this album as kids. It deserves a place in every library’s music collection.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3–This is the fifth release by Daddy A Go Go, fronted by John Boydston. The collection of 13 kid-friendly rock ’n’ roll songs includes mostly original tunes written by stay-at-home dad Boydston, and covers of a few classic tunes (“Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones, an instrumental version of “To Sir with Love,” and “Listen to the Flower People” from the movie This Is Spinal Tap). The songs are primarily guitar and drum driven, with a distinct rock feel to them. Two of the pieces are instrumentals. The catchy, upbeat songs will appeal to adults as well as children. The title song is a testament to encouraging children to eat healthy foods. “Irritation Man” is an ode to the annoying younger sibling which includes the lyrics, “He’ll bother you more than a 25-pound mosquito. He’ll scare you more than a broccoli burrito.” Parents will appreciate the humor on tracks such as “Dads Who Rock” and “For Those About to Walk, We Salute You.” This collection, sure to be a hit, is a must have for public libraries.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS–Twenty lovely compositions by internationally-known, award-winning Dutch composer Raimond Lap grace these two albums. Most of the songs are soft and soothing, in a classical music style; a few are more bouncy and contemporary. Lap uses his synthesizer to create the sounds of piano, harpsichord, xylophone, chimes, and organ. Each of the compositions also has baby-like voices cooing or singing “la-la” or nonsense syllables, the peaceful noises of nature, and toy sounds. The purpose of these compositions is to help babies learn the elementary characteristics of music—melody, harmony, and rhythm—to give them a learning advantage when they are older. Parents will appreciate these wonderful albums which can be used both for daytime fun and bedtime soothing.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 3–This production teaches young children about basic music concepts. There are two 30-minute segments—”What Is Music?” and “The Language of Music”—hosted by Mr. Stephens and his canine puppet friend, Keys. Consisting primarily of live-action footage with some animation, the style is reminiscent of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. In “What Is Music?,” viewers are introduced to topics such as musical dynamics, including loud music (forte) and soft music (piano). To supplement the lessons, Mr. Stephens and Keys sing many engaging and educational songs. To convey the concept of rhythm, Mr. Stephens is shown paddling a canoe to a slowly changing and then rapidly changing computer-animated background while he sings “Rhythm River.” In “The Language of Music,” viewers are introduced to the treble and bass clef, music notes of differing counts, and the concepts of legato and staccato as presented by Larry Legato and Stanley Staccato. Throughout the production, Mr. Stephens plays a variety of instruments including the piano and guitar. The explanations of the various topics are simple, clear, and accessible to children. The accompanying CD features all of the songs performed on the DVD. A good vehicle to teach children about basic music concepts.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 3–Former Montessori preschool teacher and three-time Parents’ Choice Gold Award-winner Justin Roberts’s latest release is a fresh, funny celebration for families. His easy style and clever lyrics appeal across generational lines. Children will identify with 13 songs featuring familiar topics such as monsters under the bed, sibling rivalry, sidewalk-chalk artistry, and getting a first pair of glasses. The title cut, destined to become a classic, addresses those contagious temper-tantrum moments occasionally experienced by family members of all ages. Siblings start the meltdown process over a tiff while coloring, and even Mom melts down when her antique chairs wind up “decorated with colored lines. I guess she’s not a fan of those rainbow designs! She’s having a m-m-m-eltdown, I didn’t know that she felt down.” All is well by the end of the song. Another favorite, “My Brother Did It,” presents a witty solution to accusations of wrong doing: “Well I stand here all the while, a full-grown kid on trial, I’ll be the first one to admit it…my brother did it.” Energetic and witty, Roberts’s original songs have a polished sound adults will enjoy, but his biggest fans will be youngsters who will be singing and dancing along with this rocker. The closing piece, “Song for You,” is peaceful and reflective, proving once again that this artist’s repertoire is quite broad. An essential purchase for general listening collections.– Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

K-Gr 4–This second CD of original music released by Washington-based Eric Herman and the Invisible Band comes across as a studio recording of concert material, leading to mixed results. Some material departs from traditional children’s music recordings, such as “Prune Juice” (a 30-second “radio spot” advocating drinking the juice) and “The Math Game” (a nearly 6-minute skit poking fun at radio and television game shows). Most of the songs cover events or topics that interest school-aged children, making this the target audience. Musical styles range from pop (“In the Box” and “Ten Times Fast”) to ballads (“Don’t Bother Any Butterflies” and “Hero of Your Dreams”) to techno pop (“I Am a Robot”). Outstanding tunes include the sea chantey “Blackbeard, Bluebeard, and Redbeard” (this sure-fire winner for all ages includes a twist of color at the song’s end) and the polka “Bounce and Flap and Twist” (which demands audience participation). It’s disappointing that Herman used a Caribbean beat rather than a 1960s pop beat for “The Monkeys,” a riff paralleling the Monkees’ history. Sure to be popular with his fans, but for most this is merely an additional purchase.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 3–The Nebraska-based trio, The String Beans, score again with this follow-up recording to their Gophers in Loafers (Nov. 2005, p. 77). The nine songs penned by brothers Curtis and Randy Bright and the one by Todd Francis are bright, cheery, infectious, and easy sing alongs. The musical styles range from rockabilly (“I Think I Need a Bath,” with verses sung in harmony and the refrain unison) to polka (“Oodles of Noodles”) to soft rock (“Cat Hair”). A choir of children chimes in during “Fireworks!,” a great tune to use during a 4th of July story time. Other standouts include “I Think I Need a Bath” (details just how bad the boy smells and adds a hilarious twist at the end), “Look in a Book” (lists many of the possible topics that can be found in books, useful during Children’s Book Week), “Right Here in Nebraska” (describes inventions and sites for which the state is famous, an excellent tune for a state geography unit), “Beans” (teaches about different kinds of beans as well as the letter “B”), and “Here Comes the Bus” (a Jerry Lee Lewis-inspired tune to encourage kids to get ready to catch the school bus). Oodles of terrific tunes.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 4–Listeners will want to sing along with these 13 upbeat story songs recorded by Ira Marlowe. Children will like the fun lyrics and catchy tunes while adults will appreciate the musical variety and occasional motivational themes. The kid-friendly subjects of the songs include kangaroos, flying bagels, teasing, and wishes for a genie. A few pieces are educational with facts about the planets, animals, or getting along with others, while others are just pure fun. Some tunes are quiet, with soothing lyrics that lend themselves to unwinding at bedtime. Musical styles vary from rock and reggae to folk and jazz with vocals by adults and children. All the songs are supported by various instruments, including keyboard, percussion, guitar, trumpet, and clarinet. The result is a quality mixture of original songs that kids will want to hear over and over again.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

PreS-Gr 2–This collection is the debut CD for Debi Derryberry, who is also known as the voice of Jimmy Neutron and Playhouse Disney’s host, Clay. The collection includes 12 songs, a combination of original tunes by Derryberry as well as original arrangements of classic children’s pieces. Derryberry performs all of the songs and is accompanied by a full band that includes guitar, bass, piano, drums, and more. Some of the classic tunes include “The Wheels on the Bus” and “This Land Is Your Land.” The title song encourages children to play nicely, clean their room, and eat their lunch. The CD opens with a tribute to the family dog, “My Dog’s My Buddy.” Children and parents will be especially entertained by the lyrics in “Raisin Fingers,” an ode to what happens when you spend too much time in the bathtub. Derryberry also performs a jazzy version of the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” that includes the rhyme performed in Spanish and Hebrew. There’s also a swinging version of “The ABC Song.” Children will enjoy these fun and catchy tunes. This collection features engaging and encouraging songs and would be a welcome addition to public library collections.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 4-9–The young teens that make up the band Creation are amazing musicians. Their rockin’ songs offer messages about diversity and multiculturalism. Three of the members—Raechel (sic) Rosen, Molly Mehlsack, and Thomas Guttman—have written the ten songs, several of which are in a classic hard rock style, akin to Led Zeppelin and Iron Butterfly. These 12- and 13-year-olds (two girls, four boys) sing “World without Windows,” “Ghost,” “Curiosity,” “I Miss You,” “Only for You,” “Peer Pressure,” “Pool Game,” “Whatcha Gonna Do,” “One Last Dance,” and “We Are All the Same.” They also perform extremely well on all the instruments: guitars, keyboards, and percussion. Renowned saxophonist Clarence Clemons (former member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band) joins the group on “Only for You.” The proceeds from this album benefit the We Are Family Foundation. The band has already raised over $55,000 to build a school in Mali, Africa. Young rock fans (and their parents) will enjoy this rockin’ album.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Social Studies

Gr 5 Up–Author/narrator Diane Eickoff brings a lesser-known leader of the 19th-century women’s rights movement to the attention of students. Based on the author’s Revolutionary Heart (Quindaro, 2006), a biography of Clarina Nichols, the CD opens as Nichols reaches out to shake the hand of presidential candidate Ulysses S. Grant. That’s just one of the bold moves made by this Vermont native. At a time when a woman didn’t even own the clothes on her back, Nichols overcame the difficulties of caring for three small children while dealing with an irrational husband and, finally, a failed first marriage. A second, happier union, with editor George Nichols, was troubled by illness, hard work, and relocation. Traveling to emerging states such as Wisconsin and Kansas, Nichols became a recognized leader in the battle to change the laws that oppressed women. The first child of community-minded Baptists, she was unflinching in her determination and often traveled alone to participate in rallies. Acquainted with notable social activists such as Horace Greeley, she included Susan B. Anthony among her correspondents. Even in semi-retirement in California, Nichols continued to support the Temperance movement and her last letter warned of the dangers of second hand smoke. Eickhoff’s straightforward narration matches Clarina Nichols’s direct but caring personality. Well-chosen music, carefully placed throughout the recording, adds just the right emotional tone. Extensively researched with many quotes from Nichols’s writing, Frontier Freedom Fighter offers middle and high school students information about a lesser-known figure in the women’s rights movement. The CD will be even more effective combined with Eickoff’s book.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT