Preschool to Grade 4 Cont.

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-- School Library Journal, 06/01/2006

Fiction Cont.

MACK, Todd. Princess Penelope Takes Charge! illus. by Julia Gran. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-439-67380-1. LC 2004000794.

PreS-Gr 2–Princess Penelope, an only child who likes to wear a crown, has everything she wants except a younger sibling. When her parents tell her they are expecting a baby, she is convinced that she will finally have a sister. Then Dexter arrives, and she refuses to have anything to do with him. Fortunately, her patient parents allow her to come to terms with the changes in her own way and time. One day, she notices that her brother has hair, and she can’t wait to play with it. From this point on, she enjoys her position as big sister. The energetic cartoons are done in washed-out watercolors with heavy ink lines. Pink bubbles define Penelope’s imaginary world: all of the objects and people inside take on a royal appearance (e.g., her green shirt becomes a fancy brocade gown and her chair looks like a throne). Brighter colors dominate this pretend realm, while everything outside of it is more monochromatic and definitely less exciting. The last illustration shows Penelope in her imaginary world gazing into Dexter’s crib where he sleeps wearing a crown and surrounded by his own blue bubble. While not as charming as Kevin Henkes’s Julius, the Baby of the World (HarperCollins, 1990), Mack’s tale can be used to deepen new-baby collections.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 3-5–In this second chapter book about the irrepressible nine-year-old, Mary Margaret has a rival for praise from her teacher. But Ellie is difficult to dislike. According to Mary Margaret, the girl’s only flaw is that she’s perfect. Still, when Mr. Mooney picks her for the part of Cinderella, it grates on Mary Margaret. When her mother suggests that she volunteer to be an understudy, Mary Margaret agrees, convinced that she’ll end up as the lead. The story ends happily, with the protagonist learning that being perfect isn’t easy and Ellie learning to relax a bit despite an overly critical mother. The scenes that Mary Margaret shares with her 13-year-old brother ring especially true. Although she appreciates him, she’d sooner annoy him than admit it. While this is not an exceptional book, it is engaging enough even for reluctant readers.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

K-Gr 3–This rollicking, rhyming, rags-to-riches story begins when Dad loses the keys to his beat-up car. As the young female narrator points out, “No car, no work! No work, no pay!” and so the day begins quite grimly for the family that is “growing poorer day by day.” But then the narrator’s two-year-old sister suggests that her father should do what she does when she loses something: search “down the back of the chair.” And then the fun really begins. Dad’s first reach into the easy chair’s recesses yields a bit of hairy string, and then the first sign of reversed fortunes–a diamond ring. From there the seemingly magical armchair produces a seven-inch-long spider, a clown, a string of pearls, two tea-sipping elephants, “a pirate with a treasure map,/a dragon trying to take a nap–,” and other delights. But when Dad pulls out the “long lost will of Uncle Bill” and his money hoard, the family’s financial woes are over. Dunbar’s flower-patterned chair is wonderfully ordinary, and its plainness is in perfect contrast to the zany creatures and objects that spring forth from it. The watercolor and cut-paper illustrations are expressively detailed and whimsical, a superb match for the buoyant and breezy verse as it, too, flies this way and that. A delightfully optimistic, entertaining crowd-pleaser.–Carol L. MacKay, Forestburg School Library, Alberta, Canada

K-Gr 2–Dream Town is a love letter to the eclectic architecture of Los Angeles. On a snowy day, a boy discovers that his nana grew up in a place that was neither too cold nor too hot. He thinks this sounds boring, but she assures him that her Dream Town was never dull. She talks of a giant tamale, an ocean liner docked around the corner, and “a stack of records high as the sky.” None of this makes much sense until the final pages, where a series of photographs and a rather lengthy author’s note provide some information about the city’s unusual architecture from the 1920s to the 1960s, and how it reflected the changing culture of the United States. Sadly, children will have lost interest by this point. Despite the mention of a prevalent magic in the air, the grandmother’s story is not engaging enough to explain how these extraordinary sights inspired her. Reese’s illustrations are cluttered and overwhelming and do nothing to anchor the text, which suffers greatly from too much whimsy and a lack of plot. This is strictly a special-interest book for fans of L.A.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2–Justine doesn’t ever seem to get any taller. She is frustrated by her size, crying that “the whole world doesn’t fit!” In a scene reminiscent of the movie Big, Teenie approaches mysterious Madame Flora’s booth at a carnival with one wish: to grow. When the woman gives her a box, she is disappointed to discover that it only holds a plant. But the plant begins to grow uncontrollably and begins to display a fondness for wrapping the youngster in a tangle of vines, lifting her up to the sky, where she can see things a little bit differently. Children will identify with the small protagonist’s plight and will appreciate her elevated status as she uses the large vines to help all of the neighbors. This story of empowerment takes Teenie from being too small to be noticed to being an important part of her community. The artwork is classic Meddaugh–bright color washed into sharp outlines of people and things. The story begins with illustrations in tight boxes centered cleanly on the page. As Teenie’s plant begins to grow, it overwhelms the boxes, eventually expanding onto spreads. A tender story of growth in more ways than one.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

K-Gr 1–Youngsters will be delighted with this story about an enormous dog and the small boy who owns him. The two plan a camping trip, pack some food, and head out to pitch their tent. After it is set up, the child builds a fire for cooking hot dogs (which sets a questionable safety example, to say the least). When it is time for bed, the not-so-tiny pooch attempts to join his friend in the tent, with disastrous results. But misadventures do not diminish the campers’ enthusiasm. The illustrations make a significant contribution to the story. The silliness of the dog is made funnier by his exaggerated size. A little bluebird appears in most pictures, adding a reassuring light touch. Although Tiny and his human haul a red wagon full of supplies to their camping area, there are hints along the way that they are not traveling far, and the final page shows that they are in their own backyard. Meister is careful with her word choices, providing repetition and context clues for those that are more difficult. There are additional clues in the art, making this book an excellent choice for beginning readers.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 3–Little Wolf longs to howl at the moon, but his parents are too busy to teach him. He turns to the forest animals for help, but Owl can only teach him to hoot, Frog’s talents are confined to croaking, and Whippoorwill’s to singing. Finally, Grandfather Wolf awakes and shows the youngster how to call forth a good howl. “Lift up your head…stretch your neck…think of all the things you love…find the howl inside of you.” Having done these things, Little Wolf lets loose with a tremendous howl that shakes “the branches in the trees” and splashes “the water in the lake.” Muñoz’s watercolor paintings are suffused with white moonlight and humorous heartwarming scenes. Youngsters who long to accomplish a “grown-up” skill will readily identify with Little Wolf. Moka in Keiko Kasza’s The Dog Who Cried Wolf (Putnam, 2005) is another charmer inspired by a full moon.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 2–Bobby, a bonobo, lives with the chimps in the zoo, but they don’t understand or play with him. In fact, they make fun of him because he is smaller and hairier than they are. But the bonobo is no chump; he figures out how to leave and begins an adventure, much like one would expect of Curious George, which involves a bus ride and a new haircut–a Mohawk. When he returns to the zoo, he’s greeted with shrieks of admiration. No longer an outsider, he finds himself grooming the chimps and being lovingly groomed himself. Pen-and-ink illustrations dance across the pages as Bobby swings and frolics. This well-written picture-book story about acceptance and being true to oneself should find a home on most library shelves.–Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 2-4–Sarah Simpson, who made her debut in Anyone Can Eat Squid! (Marshall Cavendish, 2005), is out of great ideas, despite her nickname “idea girl.” After observing two pigeons outside her apartment window, she decides that she is going to keep them as pets. However, when they begin spending more time on a balcony next door and start to nest, Sarah becomes jealous of the girl and boy who live there. Soon after, she and her brother befriend the children, and her concern shifts to other pigeons that are intent on taking over the nest of the first two birds. After an egg is lost, the girl comes up with a solution that saves another egg and provides a home for the aggressive creatures. Sarah is a likable character who lives in a diverse neighborhood. Both setting and plot ring true, but the chapter “Making Faces,” in which Sarah and her friends discover that skin colors are neither pure white nor pure black is a bit didactic. Full- and half-page pencil illustrations break up the text for children new to chapter books.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

PreS-K–Annie has had a favorite chair ever since she was a baby, and she is the only one allowed to sit in it. When she finds her dog comfortably snuggling there, she gets very angry. Benny will not budge, even after she yells at, begs, and bribes him to move. When she starts to cry, Benny howls in sympathy and jumps down to give her a cheer-up lick. Annie reminds him, “Never ever sit on my chair again...without me.” The gouache and digital art is fluid with round lines and multiple soft patterns on clothing and decor that echo the form and feel of the chair. The book’s pink cover and flowery endpapers may turn boys off, which is too bad since most youngsters could relate to Annie’s predicament. While adults may be searching for books that show children learning to share unequivocally, Annie’s solution to her problem is closer to the truth of a young child’s experience.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS–Although William is excited about beginning preschool, he is not yet confident enough to let his mother leave. Starting on a rainy Monday and ending with a sunny Friday, the boy cautiously moves toward feeling more comfortable and independent in his classroom. He is motivated and encouraged by his interest in a fellow shy student, David, whose uncertainties mirror his own. Although William is not always ready to participate in all of the activities, the drive to make friends is natural and is as simple as walking up to David and offering him some play dough. Slow and steady gets the job done, and this gentle book presents a point of view that children will immediately recognize. The illustrations capture the cheerful jumble that is preschool, full of color and joy and, sometimes, a moment’s pause for courage. This satisfying book will reassure children in facing their own new-school adventures.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS–A singsong rhyme documents a toddler’s going-to-sleep rituals. After dinner, Mom, Dad, and the little girl say good night to toys and a busy day, and a “splash-a-bye” stanza accompanies bathtime. “Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye,/baby mine...” is for singing, clapping, and hugging before she quiets down for a bedtime story. “Lull-a-bye, lull-a-bye,/tucked in tight./Lull-a-bye, lull-a-bye,/sweet dreams…/Good night” brings the book full circle. The childlike illustrations done in fuzzy pastel colors depict a gentle family enjoying this special time together. Though the book’s rhythm and images are appropriately sweet and quiet, they also seem somewhat distant. With the plethora of bedtime books available, this one is additional.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2–Bobo is a big white dog who “tried hard to be a good.” He loves to hear his owner praise him, and he anticipates the tasty treat that follows. Unfortunately, he also reads with his feet on the table, makes a mess while eating on the sofa, and leaves paw prints all over the house, so he is sent outside to the doghouse. To work his way back inside, he takes lessons from the cat on how to “shake,” “fetch,” and “heel.” When Mrs. Birdhead returns from grocery shopping, Bobo, excited to show her his tricks, bounds down the stairs, sending groceries flying. The angular lines of Cat and Mrs. Birdhead are contrasted with Bobo’s soft roundness, while pastel hues dominate. The large acrylic paintings with cartoon figures and the simple text make this a good choice to share with groups of young children.–DeAnn Okamura, San Anselmo Public Library, CA

PreS-K–Following on the heels of Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea (2004) and Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree (2005, both S & S), Peck and Petrone feature a pith-helmeted boy visiting the animals of the African savannah. Each spread focuses on one animal with six rhythmic, patterned lines of text featuring an action the creature is taking (sloshing, spying, roaring, zigzagging, etc). In the end, the animals are revealed to be cookies baked by Grandma. The full-color illustrations are digitally rendered in bold lines and bright colors. Although there is little dramatic action, readers looking for books with a safari theme or for African animals will find adventure enough in the cozy cadences of these vignettes.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI

K-Gr 3–In this breezy rhyming text, a little girl and her dragon friend enter a fairy-tale world and meet up with villains such as the big bad wolf, the queen from “Snow White,” and the fox from “The Gingerbread Boy.” In each instance, the stranger attempts to entice the girl and her friend to go somewhere with them, or to eat something. While the dragon sometimes wants to give in, the child is always adamant, such as when the queen attempts to give it an apple. “Dragon!…/You don’t know it’s safe; it could make you quite sick./Don’t fall for that evil Queen’s horrible trick.” The book also shows children how seemingly helpful strangers, like the footmen from Cinderella, shouldn’t be trusted if they don’t know them. The illustrations depicting the different fairy-tale characters help move the text along and allow younger readers to identify the stories. This is a solid addition to most collections, and a wonderful title to include in a safety kit or bibliography.–Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

K-Gr 2–Two young mole brothers are sitting in a field arguing about what to play. They can’t agree on whether to make a hill or a hole and, before long, they are arguing and wrestling on the ground. Tim stomps off and begins to dig a hole. Matt starts building a hill. Both moles come to realize that the work is lonely and hard, and their anger slowly fades away. When they peek at the other’s project, they discover that digging a hole creates a hill. They laugh and decide to work together. The warm, earth-toned illustrations with touches of bright flora and fauna have child appeal. The moles have humanlike hands and feet (with sharp, talonlike nails) and walk upright; one of them wears spectacles. While this story of brotherly cooperation isn’t stellar, it is suitable for larger collections, for one-on-one sharing.–DeAnn Okamura, San Anselmo Public Library, CA

K-Gr 4–Told with humor and verve, this rollicking tall tale is about a wooden boy named Peggony-Po who promises to catch the monster whale that bit off his daddy’s leg: after all, he caught his first whale when he was only four years old. When he goes off to capture Cetus, he eschews having a boat: a masterful illustration shows him riding a wave as he chases the whale, who ingeniously exudes attitude. Cetus rams through a school of fish, so Peggony-Po “did underwater cartwheels to keep those fish from crying. He never slowed down.” As Peggony-Po rides Cetus “from tropical waters to icy coasts,” he crows, “What a way to see the world!” Richly descriptive similes–“as feisty as a kettle of just-caught fish” and “Like a pressing iron flattening a shirtsleeve”–and phrases such as “He [Cetus] loved to smash boats with a single slam of his tail” convey dynamically both the absurdity and thrilling adventure of this story, and the illustrations brim with activity and energy. Peggony-Po dances a jig from the lookout mast, he becomes alive and starts talking to his father as he is sculpted, and Cetus blows boats into the sky and rails off a fence. Every library will want to buy at least one copy of this exuberant “story that begins with a whale, ends with a whale, and has a whole lot of whale in its middle.”–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA

K-Gr 3–That delightful polar bear who is employed as a lifeguard at the Hotel Larry is back. His matter-of-fact, sensible approach to life is evidenced in the explanations of daily events that he offers the Frobishers, the hotel owners. Here, he accompanies young Mildred to her dancing lesson and joins the class. He sees nothing wrong with a polar bear dancing as, he explains, there was plenty of it in his Arctic home. However, Madame Swoboda refuses to let him participate. Mildred gives him ballet lessons at home, which he then shows the other polar bears at the zoo where his brother works. The wacky story is clever, genial, and full of the droll humor found in other books about Larry. Energetic pictures of the active bears, done with simple lines, are particularly funny. This imaginative, lovable polar bear will be welcomed back by young readers.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3–Mayumie is excited about going someplace special with her grandmother. As they set off on their journey, she cannot guess where they are headed. It isn’t to the zoo, or a museum, or shopping. They travel by train, and she realizes that they are going to Tokyo. After one failed guess after another, she begins to sulk. Finally they arrive at a small park where rows and rows of beautiful cherry trees are blossoming in a symphony of bright pink. Her grandmother says that when she was a girl, her own grandmother brought her here, and she returns year after year during the week the trees are in bloom. Mayumie goes home with a few blossoms as reminders of the special place, and goes to sleep dreaming of the falling flowers. The pale blue boxes of text, set along the outer edge of an otherwise blank white page, resemble lovely scrolls. The soft watercolors that complete the spreads have a dreamlike quality. The pink blossom-filled trees resemble cotton candy rather than individual flowers in all but one scene, and the ethnicity of the characters is not obvious from the undefined, hazy art. Purchase as needed.–DeAnn Okamura, San Anselmo Public Library, CA

PreS-K–In yet another “good night” book, a mother talks her small son gently down to sleep. She describes the evening activities that have already taken place (bath, song, story) and the night-time world outside the bedroom window. Favorite toys are loaded into bed, and “out goes the light that is shining too bright” Finally, she tiptoes out the door and down to the kitchen, where the family dog is ready to go to sleep as well. The soothing cadence of the language, along with the familiar bedtime routine, makes for a comforting litany that toddlers will enjoy. The hand-printed ink illustrations are peaceful and cozy-looking, with blues and greens dominating the color scheme. The text is slightly awkward at times, with inconsistently applied meter and rhyme. Overall, though, this is a pleasant book that should find a place in larger collections.–Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA

PreS-Gr 2–Mittens spends most of the book looking for a safe, quiet place to hide in his new home. Frightened, the kitten cries, bringing Nick, his owner, to his rescue. The controlled vocabulary in this gentle, unassuming story is made up primarily of one-syllable words, and the sentence structure is very basic. The soft pastel illustrations are simple and uncluttered and enhance the quiet tone of the text. This title would be good for easy-reader collections and could be used in toddler storytimes.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 1–The small brown-and-white dog and his owner who appeared in Breakfast for Jack and Jack and the Missing Piece (both Front St., 2004) are back. Through pictures, Schories relates how a spaceship lands on the roof one night and a host of tiny robotlike visitors climbs into the window of the boy’s room. To his surprise and delight, they make themselves at home, playing with his toys and enjoying a snack. But when he captures one in a jar, the others flee. When the pup pulls the lid off of the container, the captive quickly rejoins the rest of the crew and the ship blasts off into the starry sky. Single- and double-page paintings in muted nighttime hues convey the action without need for text. They express the excitement of the youngster and his dog when they receive the aliens, and their wistfulness as the creatures depart. This wordless offering makes a good vehicle for children to tell a story in their own words, helping them to develop pre-reading skills such as sequencing and employing descriptive language.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2–The opening scene invites readers into the bedroom of three best friends: Susie, Cottontail, and Oscar. After the somewhat scattered girl heads off to school for the pet show, rabbit cage in tow, Oscar finds the key. Realizing that Susie needs it, the intrepid, pint-size sock monkey charts his first trip alone into the city. He delights in extra turns in the revolving apartment door, dancing to music on the subway platform, and landing in a passenger’s bag of cupcakes. He arrives at school in time to distract a bully, but becomes his next victim. Viewers are pulled into the dark world of the boy’s pocket, where Oscar, in his burnt sienna splendor, manages a burst of bravado and a series of acrobatics to provide the key in the nick of time–surreptitiously, of course. The authors blend just the right amount of tension and good fortune to engage and satisfy young audiences. The brisk pacing, uncluttered compositions, and clear, descriptive language make this a first choice for groups or individuals. A cheerful palette and a multicultural cast depict a world that is full of interest and ripe with adventure–especially for those who are open to opportunity.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-K–In Sun, Farmer Claude and Farmer Maude take a trip to the beach with the dog, goat, rooster, and pig. The animals walk west and get caught in a “monsoon,” but the farmers, who had walked east, return home happy about their day in the sun, unaware that the others did not have fun. In Roof, rain falls on the farmers’ bed; they head for the leaky shed and end up drying off in the front of their truck while the animals sit in the back, getting soaked. In Rooster, the cock crows too early on a Sunday morning, so the farmers make him a comfy bed, where he’s found snoring on Monday. In Sunday, the farmers take the animals on a drive, oblivious of the fact that the creatures are the target of a passing storm. In addition to a rhyming text, each book contains facts placed on illustrations of wooden posts scattered throughout the pages, intrusions that contain information that is often too sophisticated for the intended audience. In Roof, for example, a sign states, “Some kinds of goats can weigh up to 300 pounds (135 kilograms).” Back matter in each title includes questions and answers based on the text. Readers are also invited to visit the Web via special codes; none worked. These books, at first glance appealing in their large size and brightly colored spreads, do not contain real stories, and the instructional efforts are weak at best.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

Gr 1-4–Poor Bob! When his teacher discusses palindromes, he realizes that he is surrounded by them. He frantically tries to elude such words and phrases, but encounters more at every turn. In all, Shulman cleverly weaves over 101 palindromes into the text. They are set in a variety of fonts that differ in size, color, and shading to highlight their presence. However, they are also present on signs, as asides, etc., and so offer some challenges to finding them all. The mixed-media cartoon art amplifies the zany situation. Pair this book with Jon Agee’s Palindromania! (Farrar, 2002) for an enjoyable lesson on wordplay.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 1–This tasty love story is told by an African-American boy who shares his love for his grandfather and lemon cake. It captures a sweet memory of a child baking with his elderly relative and the wonder and love that go into the recipe. The rhyming text seems forced at times and is somewhat uneven, e.g., “Sniff sniff the lemon whiff/Peel peel I love the lemon feel/Pish pish the lemon till it’s squished.” However, the mood is cheery, the temperature is toasty, and the illustrations keep the story moving along until the cake is done. Johnson’s art swirls from page to page, using humor and changing perspective to add spark and sparkle to the story. This book would be a good choice for teaching young children about onomatopoeia and for discussing extended families and gender roles.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-K–This tale of an accommodating horse and his eager passengers elicits smiles from the get-go. Its cast of animals is a lot like a group of small children. When Cat gets a ride on Mr. Horse’s back, Dog wants one, too. “'Up you get,’ says Mr. Horse.” Pig and Duck follow suit, and soon they’re off and…hmm, “'Can you go a little faster, Mr. Horse?’ ask Cat and Dog and Pig and Duck.” As their friendly vehicle complies (“clippity-clop”), the riders look blissful and then (“clippity-cloppity”) uneasy as they desperately hang on. “Whoa! Stop! We’re falling off!” Concerned for their safety, the horse comes to a screeching halt. Oops: the animals go flying through the air. “Plop! Plop! Ploppity-plop!” As his friends struggle out of the haystack in which they landed, the horse hears the last word he expected from them: “Again!” With its simplicity of plot and design, lovable characters, repetitive sound effects, and captivating color illustrations, this laugh-out-loud picture book is first-rate.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 2–These animal pirates decide that they need more than the letter “R” (“R’s not enough./We need other letters/to help make us tough”), so they set off to find the remaining 25. Led by a crocodile captain (with a hook, no less), the band of buccaneers searches far and wide to complete their mission. Some letters are found near items that begin with that letter, e.g., an anchor, gold, or a parrot. Others are in situations that involve the letter in action–”Q” is questioned, “U” is underwater. Still others are described, as in the case of the “nimble N.” Some alphabet books struggle to incorporate “X,” but as any young pirate knows, “X” marks the spot on a treasure map. The rhyming text is more suited to reading aloud as it includes a number of words that would have beginning readers asking for assistance. The colorful cartoon illustrations encourage children to participate by finding the sought-after letters, which appear in bright red uppercase in each scene. This alphabet adventure is sure to capture audience attention at a pirate-themed storyhour, and it will be enjoyed by individual borrowers.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 3–Even though there are nearly as many seaside books as the proverbial grains of sand, this offering is still a welcome addition. St. Pierre’s words paint pictures of a beachside ecosystem, from the dunes to the water’s edge to the ocean itself, as seen from different points of view: “What the sea saw was sky above./What the sky saw was sea below./The sea saw/a gull shoot from the sky/leaving the wind empty...The gull saw/fish in the sea swimming in schools,/scales shimmering silver.” The text is evocative, but Doyle’s double-page paintings are the stars of this collaboration. Done in airbrush on illustration board, they stunningly capture the light on water and sand, the colors of sea and sky, and the peaceful calm of moonlight. From whale and fish, to gull and sandpiper, to fox and spider, the images of the animals are both realistic and enchanting. Like Robert McCloskey’s Time of Wonder (1957) and One Morning in Maine (1952, both Viking), this book will transport readers to a favorite beach. The experience concludes with a three-page section that provides more information about this ecosystem. What the Sea Saw brings a habitat to life through magical words and artwork, and is worth visiting again and again.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

Gr 1-5–The creators of “The Edge Chronicles” (Random) are back with an auspicious beginning for a new series. When a mysterious flying box, complete with wings, arrives at Fergus Crane’s window with a message from his long-lost Uncle Theo, the boy learns that he is in danger and that his uncle is sending help. Help is what he needs when the clipper ship Betty-Jeanne that serves as his school disappears with all of the students but Fergus still aboard. The headmaster and his staff are more than just vaguely reminiscent of pirates, and Fergus will need Uncle Theo’s technology, and his own bravery, to rescue them. What make this book especially appealing are Riddell’s pen-and-ink drawings that appear on almost every page; they capture the tone of the story as well as the personalities of the characters. They also add a great deal of variety to the design of the book, ranging from traditional full-page illustrations to portraits of the main characters to smaller drawings spread over the pages. The combination of witty art and compelling text make this a perfect choice for early chapter-book readers.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

PreS-Gr 1–Large, flat representations of basic hand tools are introduced as a family makes a birdhouse. The colorful, cheerful art and simple text lay out the steps in the process. The rhyming text works well, using the names of the tools and what they do, and the senses are evoked in references to the smell of the sawdust and the noise of the hammering. However, the last part of the rhyme, “Place you’ll ever build a nest!” is set off by itself on a separate spread and seems awkward. Still, fans of Sturges’s I Love Trains! (2001) or I Love Trucks! (1999, both HarperCollins) will enjoy this title, too.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

K-Gr 2–The humorous and slightly bizarre McNilly family jumps right off the pages in this delightful romp. During her pregnancy, Milly eats Cream of Chameleon soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When baby Camilla arrives, she has the characteristics of a chameleon–obvious to readers but not to her parents or teacher. She camouflages herself whenever she wants to avoid things, like liver and onions or assignments at school. The plot gets even wackier when Milly starts eating Cream of Pterodactyl soup, and soon Camilla has a brother. Terry looks just like a pterodactyl, but his parents think he is perfect, just like Camilla. The art is vibrant and original, showing Camilla morphing into other colors. A fresh story about an unusual child who gets into some bizarre situations.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

PreS–This board book can be used to teach preschoolers the proper way to interact with pets. They will learn that it’s OK to scratch, nuzzle, or cuddle an animal, but not to squeeze, tease, or pull tails. The book also advises them to watch and listen for warning signals when an animal might be saying, “Hands off.” The text is brief and to the point. The broad illustrations use a thick black outline to create characters that are friendly and expressive. Two concluding pages offer further tips for caregivers on how to share the book and encourage children to treat animals kindly.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

PreS-Gr 3–Scaredy Squirrel has a catalog of creatures and things that frighten him. His life in his nut tree is comfortably predictable, and he has an emergency kit and escape plan to cover every danger. One day one of his fears is realized when he encounters a “killer bee.” Panicking, he drops his emergency kit out of the tree and jumps after it without his parachute. To his surprise, he learns that he is actually a flying squirrel, and he adapts his routine to include a daily “jump into the unknown.” With his iconic nervous grin and over-the-top punctiliousness, Scaredy Squirrel is an endearing character. Thick-lined cartoons with bold patches of color, quirky charts and graphs, and clever asides provide humor that will appeal to children. Like other successful worrywarts before him, such as Kevin Henkes’s Wemberly Worried (HarperCollins, 2000) and Rosemary Wells’s Felix and the Worrier (Candlewick, 2003), Scaredy Squirrel needn’t fret about finding readers to cheer him on.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 1-3–Early each morning, with her orange-striped cat at her side, Sally opens up her pizzeria. Before her customers arrive, she chops, stirs, and simmers her sauce; measures, mixes, and kneads her dough; and then assembles the delectable pies. Once they are in the oven, they fill her shop with a mouth-watering aroma. Soon hungry children surround her. Neighbors begin to call in their orders, “but eating pizza right here at Sally’s Pizzeria is best of all.” At the end of a long, busy day, Sally and her cat enjoy a slice themselves. Cheerful, precisely composed gouache paintings accented with photo collages of fresh ingredients add warmth and humor to the story. Sally is a jolly, rosy-cheeked woman with an unwavering smile on her open face. Her amusing cat is depicted kneading and tossing the dough along with her, which will make readers chuckle. Children who like to help out in the kitchen will enjoy trying out the recipe included in the back.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 2–The creative team behind Old Cricket (2003) and Sailor Moo (2002, both S & S) has come up with another winner. The action begins on the front cover as 15 soggy moggies are tossed from their sinking ship. By the time the story starts, they have reached the safety and uncertainty of a deserted island. The cats are of varying ages, breeds, and personalities and must overcome their differences as they attempt to build a boat and return to civilization. However, by story’s end, the castaways are no longer strangers; through their adversity, they have become a family, and they choose to stay on the island. This delightful book is told in verses that become smoother as the cats cooperate and find their groove. The cast of characters includes a wisecracking marmalade tom, an angora diva, and a tough alley cat with a heart of gold. Goembel’s illustrations, done in acrylic and ink, are fantastic and provide wonderful insight into the side stories developing as the book progresses. This animated, witty book is a wonderful selection to read aloud or for one-on-one appreciation of the marvelous art.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 3–A rhyming, rhythmic, and lyrical charmer about zoo animals going on strike. It all starts when the elephants complain, “We’re paid only peanuts!” All of the animals follow suit, reminiscent of Doreen Cronin’s Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (S & S, 2000). The monkeys demand, “We want a nice pool in our pen!,” the zebras demand root-beer floats, and the giraffes are wearing turtleneck sweaters “from their heads to the floor...” as camouflage. All is chaos as the zookeeper must pacify the animals, and there appears to be no end in sight until a first-time visitor burst into tears. It is only then, in a loud hush, that it becomes apparent to the residents just how important their job really is. The pages are bursting with color, whimsical expressions abound, and loads of laughter will be shared by all.–Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL

PreS-Gr 2–This playful twist on a familiar theme finds the creative couple busy cooking up a storm. First out of the oven is a giant orb, bright and hot. “'I’m going to call it the sun,’ Mr. God said.” Then it’s his wife’s turn, naming the next fiery ball Earth, which she cools down by pouring some clouds over it. Now for the creatures, but the first are “enormous, ghastly things,” a mistake, Mr. God decides, exploding them with a red-hot coal. “It’s time for something beautiful,” says Mrs. God and, filling a bowl with fins and tails and her favorite colors, she pours a multitude of sea creatures into Earth’s blue waters. But her husband’s next project, a huge flying thing, dives to the ocean and devours her handiwork in one gulp. “Mrs. God did not speak to Mr. God for a thousand years.” Trying to get back into her good graces, he makes the biggest and most magnificent creature of all–a blue whale. And so it goes until, almost as an afterthought, the chefs form and bake a two-legged couple, who wander off into the world, leaving the bakers to wonder just how they’ll turn out. Wood’s text is clever and pleasant, though lacking the cadence of Phyllis Root’s Big Momma Makes the World (Candlewick, 2003). The ink-and-acrylic illustrations are both soft and dynamic, with line drawings against a painted background that provide a good balance of the concrete and the amorphous. Tones of gray and blue predominate, but the richly colored picture of the sea creatures pouring from the bowl is a knockout.–Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

PreS-Gr 2–The boy and the dog introduced in Joey and Jet (S & S, 2004) are back for another adventure. Jet flies off into the far reaches of outer space to chase a bone, and Joey can’t find him. He asks space ships, moons, satellites, and planets if they have seen Jet. On one especially wonderful spread, Joey asks four robots if they have seen the dog and the text is playfully positioned to reflect robot-speak. Then he hears “Earth to Joey! Earth to Jet!” It’s Mom calling them to lunch, and readers see them in their yard playing with robots and space ships. This clever story is visually engaging, and the digital pen-and-ink cartoons have appealing and humorous retro imagery. The text is simple, the concept holds interest, and the narrative is right on target for the intended audience. This is a fun book to share with children who love trucks, trains, and more far-flung gadgets.–JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

PreS-K–An irresistible yellow duckling wakes up, brushes her fuzzy feathers, dives into the pond for breakfast, and spends a pleasant day frolicking with her friend Frumity Frog. As evening approaches, Dimity’s tail begins to droop and she heads for home, where she dons her nightgown, plumps her pillows, and settles comfortably into her cozy nest. Yolen’s simple rhythmic language will have young listeners bouncing in their seats: “Dimity Duck waddles,/she toddles off to eat./Wiggle-waggle goes her tail/and pump! go her feet.” The text curves gracefully across the pages, and the words are cleverly arranged to reflect the actions they describe: “whoosh!” arches up as if propelled by a strong breeze and “dips” angles down to mimic Dimity’s body position (tail to the sky and head beneath the water). The charming illustrations smoothly blend textures and muted pastel hues to create a soft-as-down quality that brings the duckling–and her world–vividly to life. Single- and double-page paintings alternate with smaller vignettes and sequenced images of Dimity in action. White backdrops keep the layout crisp and inviting and make the warm yellows and deep greens seem all the more luminous. A delightful storytime choice.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-K–Everyone has seen the sweatshirts and house signs, “Grandchildren spoiled here.” These titles are little more than book-sized restatements of that sticky-sweet sentiment. For example, “If I want pizza and Grandma would rather have Chinese food, she will eat pizza. That’s what grandmas are for.” “If I am dressed in jeans and an old shirt and Daddy wants me to put on clean clothes, or stay home, Grandpa will say I look fine and take me out to lunch anyway. That’s what grandpas are for.” Haley’s paintings of cheery children (why shouldn’t they be cheery, they always get their way) and adults reinforce this hymn to complete grandparental devotion. Platitude follows platitude. Try Kate Lum’s What! Cried Granny (Puffin, 2002) or Douglas Wood’s What Grandmas Can’t Do (S & S, 2005) for a little humor to cut all the saccharine.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

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