Preschool to Grade 4 Cont.

-- School Library Journal, 10/1/2006

Nonfiction

Gr 2-4–From “Crows in Rows” to “Obese Geese,” this title presents a flock of bird-themed rhyming word problems. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables conveniently cover the endpapers, and a brief introduction to each mathematical function is provided on the first spread. Miller’s festive, computer-generated illustrations give the book a retro look and jazz up the sometimes-forced, occasionally bland rhymes. The word problems are also somewhat repetitive. While this book is undoubtedly more enticing than worksheets, other titles do more to inspire and teach children. Jon Scieszka’s Math Curse (Viking, 1995), for example, is a much better choice for making math fun and stretching kids’ critical-thinking skills, while Greg Tang’s The Grapes of Math (Scholastic, 2001) seamlessly embeds problem-solving strategies right into the (much more fluid and funny) rhymes. Still, Adler’s offering is a suitable addition to collections in need of another math picture book.–Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 1-4–Fourteen artists present their mostly visual answers to the age-old question in two-page illustrations done in various mediums and styles. Words are at a minimum; the pictures speak for themselves. Marla Frazee’s solution is simple, showing a brown hen hurrying from a plain wooden coop pelted by rain to a colorful, palacelike haven surrounded by blue sky (a thought bubble reads: “duh”). In Mo Willems’s scene, a nervous fowl responds to a grilling by angry police officers by swearing that she crossed “just…to get to the other side! Honest!” Meanwhile, the heat is on, as a cop prepares a barbecue in the background. Judy Schachner’s plump black chicken that foolishly heads to a dinner date with two hungry foxes, “…wasn’t just free-range…she was de-ranged!” Jerry Pinkney’s familiar Little Red Hen goes over to attend a tea party with her friends, while Harry Bliss’s cartoon critter runs away from “mutated zombie chickens from Mars!” An equally funny section entitled “Why Did the Artist Cross the Road?” provides the illustrators’ responses along with brief lists of their works. It’s not often that one title is filled with such talent and such child appeal. This book will have readers cackling with glee and crowing for more.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 3-6–This book identifies instinctual behaviors in wolves, such as pack living, licking and biting at one another, and howling, and describes how they are manifested in the common house dog, even though the species changed thousands of years ago. Bidner touches on myths as well, citing references to the Big Bad Wolf of “Red Riding Hood” fame and Aesop’s fable about the wolf and the dog. Clear color photographs beautifully illustrate the text. This informative, entertaining title is suitable for reports and for general reading.–Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 2-4–With pop-up effects that, appropriately enough, tend to be long, narrow, and placed in parallel tracks, this history of railroading opens with outside and inside views of a small steam locomotive and closes with a full-spread, double-tiered train station. In between, the book covers methods of propulsion, the development of passenger cars, speed and other records, tunnels, bridges, and other engineering feats. A mix of boldface titles and brief remarks, the text is printed both between and on or under moving parts–the latter adding another element of discovery for eager flap-lifters and tab-pullers. Crowther simplifies technological details in his neat, brightly colored collage illustrations, so this outing will draw a younger audience of trainiacs than the likes of Fiona Conboy’s Ten Terrific Trains (Dutton, 1998).–John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 3–This clever and sophisticated tribute to two icons of nonsensical rhyme, Dr. Seuss and Edward Lear, will surprise and amuse. From the “Angry Ack” who eats dirty clothes to the “Zanderiffic Zibble Zook,” who loves to read dictionaries, these fantastic creatures defy expectations. The Bloobytack, who collects objects on his sticky back, assures, “I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not a BOOT, it’s a SHOE so no B’s here.” In fact, none of the illustrations seem to have anything to do with their respective letters. Each spread features a letter, a corresponding Seuss-like “creachling” and its rhyme, and a comical cartoon portrait of the author. Several pages into the story, the Teedle-Weenie Woo, potatolike, brightly colored digits, join the fun. They insist on counting, be it “7 stars,” “90 laps,” or, in the case of the “Uggle-Unk,” “3 stripes in his underwear./Thank goodness, none are brown.” Amid the laughs, children are ingeniously exposed to colors, numbers, and letters. The pen-and-ink illustrations of the creachlings are colored digitally, each in a different hue, in imitation of picture books of the ’40s and ’50s. The author and the Woos are painted in gouache with prismacolor-pencil details. The former–skinny and boyish with jeans, yellow T-shirt, sneakers, round glasses, and unruly red hair–imitates and interacts with his creations on every page, clearly having just as much fun as his readers. Handsomely designed, this wacky wonder will wow Woos of all ages.–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

K-Gr 3–Alternating pages show an oil painting of an animal family that is almost totally obscured by a birth announcement. These announcements offer clues as to the creatures’ identities, such as the baby’s weight and height and other attributes. On the flip side, the illustration is revealed in its entirety, along with another fact about the baby. The art is simple, but realistically rendered. The parts that peek out around the edges of the announcement include feet, tails, and the creature’s native environment. The book concludes with additional facts about the featured subjects and an activity that helps children visualize their actual sizes. Interesting material presented in an unusual way.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 2-5–This title is partially successful in its attempts to describe the events that occur throughout the year on the Navajo Reservation. The text follows Coyote as he introduces each month, given in English and Navajo, but with no pronunciation guide. It contains a great deal of information and some truly lovely verbal descriptions, but occasionally it’s too long to hold a young audience. Cultural traditions mentioned are not explained. Navajo artist Whitethorne’s illustrations, however, are quite effective. The desert landscape comes alive with bright, stunning colors. Coyote sometimes seems a little out of place, looking more cartoonish than realistic, but the overall impression is one of a beautiful desert home.–S K Joiner, Brazoria County Library System, Angleton, TX

PreS-Gr 3–Frampton’s exuberant pictures match well with an equally vivacious poem. A few introductory pages set the scene, showing a bit of what life was like in New York City long ago, including such novelties as doctors making house calls and children lying on the floor listening to the radio. Then, a short poem by the beat icon Lawrence Ferlinghetti appears, an account of “that summer in Brooklyn/when they closed off the street/one hot day/and the/FIREMEN/turned on their hoses….” A joyous gathering then takes place, with kids running out and practically flying into the air on the cold streams of water. Or is the narrator’s memory helped along by a healthy imagination? How many youngsters were really there? Did it just seem like a big party, or was it really just the one boy and his friend Molly sailing paper boats in the water that’s spilled into the gutter? Frampton’s signature woodcuts are wonderful, balancing cool and warm colors, and also managing to look both blocky and fluid at the same time. An artistic tribute by an obvious fan of the poet.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 1-3–A baker invites readers to savor a year by starting at any chosen date and assembling a fanciful (or real) birthday cake to celebrate the Earth’s journey and their own. The recipes begin by having children collect the first sunrise after their birthdays and gather a host of nature’s ingredients such as the sounds of a returning red robin, 12 full silver moons, a south-flying bird’s shadow, and the sound of snowflakes falling. After collecting 364 more sunrises, the baker adds traditional cake ingredients. Pop-off-the-page, vibrant-colored cut-paper collage illustrations capture the fanciful and factual concepts. The back matter includes recipes for both cakes and frosting. The last page gives information about “Counting Circles,” and Frasier suggests that counting the rings of a tree’s cross section is like counting birthday candles on a cake. This unique book blends a melodic, metaphorical look of nature with scientific topics. It is perfect for one-on-one sharing and is sure to prompt discussion. Frasier’s many fans will appreciate this thoughtful offering.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Gr 1-4–In 20 clever poems, Miss Information, a colorfully clothed character wearing blue-framed half-moon glasses, provides children with some new and unusual rules for “modern” manners. As she explains, “…the etiquette of olden days/Takes endless, boring study./Children need an etiquette/Far less fuddy-duddy.” Framed with quotes from the likes of Emily Post and Miss Manners (appropriately credited in the back of the book), the selections merrily turn traditional advice upside down. Dressing properly? “Tuck your tie into your belt/And wear it as a tail./Put your undies on your head/And wear them as a veil.” Table manners? “When drinking from a gravy boat/Hold it by the lip/And delicately sip from it,/Careful not to drip.” There are offerings about babysitters, bathroom behavior, going to sleep (or not), disagreeing with adults, and, of course, belching. Westcott’s pastel-hued watercolors are filled with verve, charm, and humor as mischievous youngsters interact with other kids, parents, and teachers. This book will tickle children’s funny bones on its own, or it could be used as part of a discussion about appropriate social behavior.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2-4–Readers will learn quite a bit about the 10 classifications of clouds from this picture-book biography of 18th-century English meteorologist Luke Howard. Historical portraits and reproductions of his original painted cloud studies are mixed in with Billin-Frye’s attractive ink-and-watercolor cartoons. The text also contains entries in a weather journal created by a present-day student doing a science project, which interrupts the narrative flow of the biography and cloud information. Weather jokes at the bottom of the entries are distracting and seem out of place. Overall, though, this book can be used to supplement materials on cloud classification or to introduce a little-known scientist.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 1-5–Each of these 27 offerings was inspired by a photograph of a sea creature, and Harley employs a variety of poetic forms–including rhyming couplets, haiku, a list poem, and an acrostic–to capture the mood of the images. The poems are short; most are four or five lines. On the whole, they are well crafted and accessible to young readers, but clever enough to hold the interest of older children. Butschler’s photographs are interesting and expressive and have rich, clear colors. They generally feature one or two animals in close-up and are set against backdrops of biomorphic shapes that match their colors and lines. Quality poems and attractive graphic design make this title a solid addition to most collections.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 1-3–These nicely formatted titles offer a paragraph or two of information per spread, plenty of colorful illustrations, and frequent sidebars. The texts are well written, although there seems to be an excess of exclamation marks sprinkled throughout. There are no photographs, which, particularly in the case of Mardi Gras, detracts from the interest considerably. Both artists have distinctive and appealing styles. A recipe and craft, as well as a short glossary and suggestions for further information in print and on the Web, are included. These books do not offer anything specifically new but they do present the material for this audience in an attractive, accessible way.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 1-4–Hilliard follows up his Neil, Buzz, and Mike Go to the Moon (Boyds Mills, 2005) with another sketchy but heartfelt tribute to a space-program milestone. Combining brief, general overviews with details presented in smaller type on side panels, he traces Glenn’s fascination with flight from childhood through World War II and the Korean conflict, and then describes NASA’s fledgling missions, including that of the chimpanzee Ham, “America’s first space celebrity.” He climaxes his account with Glenn’s journey aboard Friendship 7 and closes with a quick look at the astronaut and politician’s later career, including a mention of his 1998 return to space. The Earth visible through the capsule’s view port is far too small, but the close-up scenes, rendered in thickly applied acrylics, capture a sense of the mission’s drama and triumph. There are no leads to further resources, but readers who want to know more can consult Don Mitchell’s Liftoff (National Geographic, 2006), another recent addition to an overflowing shelf of Glenn profiles.–John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 3–This fourth entry by Katz and Catrow features 14 selections about manners set to familiar tunes. For the most part, the music and words are an easy fit, although a few, such as “Writing Thank-Yous” to the tune of “Alouette,” might require some rehearsal. The verses scan well, with only the occasional resort to invention when no rhyme presents itself (“Then there is Ingrid,/Who did a bad thingrid”). There are entries on lateness, table manners, sneezing, nose picking, and being quiet in the library, sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Done in watercolors, colored pencil, and ink, the cartoon artwork is appropriately energetic and chaotic, amplifying the humor in the situations. Useful as a lighthearted introduction to etiquette or for just plain fun.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 4–Similar in illustrative concept to Jean Marzollo’s “I Spy” series (Scholastic), this book has colorful, busy photos of objects and lists of items associated with school for readers to locate. However, it also offers viewers some additional tasks: the two pages of each spread are identical except for seven differences, and each left-hand page contains a riddle, the answer to which is found on the page. As an extra challenge, children are also asked to find 4 aces, 6 clocks, 10 rabbits, etc. throughout the book. Even the covers contain items to seek. The clear images depict imaginative groupings. The penultimate spread provides hints on what readers should be looking for and answers to the riddles. Some of the conundrums may be challenging, and a few are a bit obtuse, but fun nonetheless. Children who enjoy the hidden-picture concept and/or riddles will love this book. It offers entertainment and an opportunity to hone observational skills rolled into one.–Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ

Gr 4-7–This attractive compilation highlights a diverse group of American women who were pioneers in their respective fields. Covering three centuries of history, it offers information on such popular report subjects as Elizabeth Blackwell, Nellie Bly, Helen Keller, and Sacagawea, and lesser-known individuals such as Harriet Quimby, the first American woman to obtain a license to fly; Shirley Muldowney, the first woman inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame; and Sally Priesand, the first ordained female rabbi. A full-page black-and-white portrait or rendering of the subject, important dates, and a quote are included in each entry. The profiles, which contain three pages of concise historical and biographical information, are as inspiring as they are informative. Back matter consists of notes on the quote sources, selected bibliographies for all the subjects, and a brief chronology. This excellent resource is also likely to attract browsers.–Rebecca Stine, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 4–This collection of humorous poems by the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet does not stand out among similar titles. Kumin’s traditional verse and conversational style suit the lighthearted tone of her pieces, and she sometimes stretches rhyme and meter–with varied results. Compare these four lines from “Giraffe,” the first two successful, the second two less so: “His eyesight is so sharp that he/can spot you half a mile away./To drink, he either must fold down/his forelegs or straddle the edge of the pond.” Zagarenski’s bold and vibrant mixed-media illustrations are energetic in layout and match the selections perfectly. However, multiple titles by Douglas Florian, Richard Michelson, Alice Schertle, and J. Patrick Lewis offer more accomplished animal poems, and The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom, edited by Jack Prelutsky (Knopf, 1997), is a wonderful anthology. For large collections only.–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA

Gr 3-6–Using the same format as in The Cod’s Tale (Putnam, 2001), Kurlansky uses salt as the lens through which to present a new perspective on history. Chiseling the story down from his adult book Salt: A World History (Penguin, 2003), the author mixes science, history, and personal anecdotes, resulting in a fascinating look at this amazing substance. He defines its make-up, examines the ways it appears in nature, and discusses the important role it has played in various civilizations through the ages. Schindler’s humorously detailed pen-and-ink drawings with colorful washes enliven the narrative and help to convey the wealth of information in the text. Data and illustrated graphs and maps further enhance the presentation. A lively and well-researched title, with exemplary art.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 2-4–In the year 2106, seven travelers, much like those in Leedy’s Postcards from Pluto (Holiday House, 1993), go to Mars. Via e-mails home, the young crew members describe the voyage, make comparisons between Earth and Mars, and revisit sites of previous exploratory-craft landings. Leedy’s colorful cartoons, authentic photographs from NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Cal Tech, and much factual information are incorporated into the story. Anticipating a time in the near future when humans will set foot on the Red Planet, the authors express the wonder of exploration and the possibility of a colony there. The book updates Sally Ride and Tam O’Shaughnessy’s more detailed The Mystery of Mars (Crown, 1999). The authors note that scientific research continues and that updates will be posted on their Web site. Schuerger is an astrobiologist and manager of the Kennedy Space Center’s Mars projects. A welcome addition.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 2–Each book begins on a positive note, such as how much fun water can be, and then points out safety issues that children are likely to face in the various environments. While not exhaustive for each setting, the books do create awareness that there are dangers that can and should be avoided. Town discusses getting lost, dogs, building sites, etc. Home focuses on stairs, scissors and knives, flames, and so on. Water talks about swimming in pools, the ocean, and rivers; boating safety; and more. Road cautions about staying on the sidewalk, using crosswalks, car safety, etc. Children will profit most from these titles when shared with an adult or in a group so that they can think about the issues, talk about prior experiences, and brainstorm ideas. First graders will be able to read them independently. The texts are well written, posing questions about the various dangers and encouraging readers to think about the best course of action. Detailed color cartoon illustrations include text bubbles. Each book contains a note to caregivers and a list of safety-awareness activities. Good introductory books.–Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ

PreS-Gr 2–Gecko is grumpy. The blinking lights of the fireflies fluttering outside his house are keeping him awake. Desperate for sleep, he trudges to the village chief’s house and pleads with him to do something. Elephant promises to speak with the fireflies in the morning and Gecko drags himself home. When asked about their nocturnal activity, the fireflies explain that they need to light up the village path so everyone can see Buffalo’s poop. That night, they blink their lights again, and Gecko returns to Elephant’s house. Elephant explains that he talked to Buffalo, who “fills up the holes that Rain washes out,” and to the fireflies, urging them to continue blinking their lights. This nightly ritual continues, with Gecko appealing to Elephant until he realizes that he would not have any mosquitoes to eat if the natural cycle of life were to be interrupted. Accepting the fact that some things are just the way they are, the lizard is able to sleep peacefully once again. MacDonald’s lyrical language and use of repetition help bring this folktale to life. There is just the right touch of humor in both the text and the art. The pacing is perfectly matched to the richly colored acrylic illustrations. The night scenes are luminescent with glowing fireflies and a midnight blue, starry sky. This tale can be shared one-on-one but will shine as a read-aloud.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

PreS–Maddern recasts this familiar folktale in Wales. Shon, a farmer, decides that he works much harder than his wife, Sian. When she tires of his complaints and suggests that they switch roles for a day, he eagerly takes her up on her offer. Of course, he soon finds out that her work is not so easy. Through a series of unfortunate events, the pig laps up the cream that he was churning into butter, the chickens eat the oats for porridge, the ale is lost, and the cow ends up hanging off the roof. An early version appears in P. C. Asbjørnsen’s collection of Norwegian tales, East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon and Other Fairy Tales (Dover, 1996). Another is Wanda Gág’s 1935 picture book, which is echoed in this text as Shon’s (and Sian’s) somewhat philosophical response to the losses: “Oh well, gone is gone.” The tale is simply and elegantly retold here, but no source notes are given; there is only a mention of how to pronounce the Welsh names. Maddern often reinforces ideas in “threes,” such as when Shon responds to Sian’s proposal: “Great!…I’ll have a rest, I’ll have a holiday, I’ll have a day off!” Hess’s droll, folksy watercolors are bright and humorous. Abstract art and modern furniture decorate a traditional thatch-covered cottage. Heart shapes in the door, chair, gate, and trees emphasize the underlying feeling of domestic felicity. A fine addition for storytime sharing.–Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 2-4–In every sense, this is a truly modern retelling of a traditional tale. Its basic themes of curiosity, appreciation, hope, and hardship are successfully broken down for young readers, but the dialogue frequently wanders into the realm of silliness. Lyricism is often sacrificed for simplicity and humor. A Greek chorus of squawking chickens runs along the bottom edge of the page, providing a sometimes-confusing commentary about the action in the tale. The ills that Pandora releases into the world are dubbed “trouble that would now 'bug’ people on Earth,” and they are literally depicted as bugs. Epimetheus is thrilled at Prometheus’s theft of fire simply because he could eat hot oatmeal for breakfast. The watercolor and Chinese ink illustrations are colorful but have the look of comic-book art. The characters are stiff and fail to convey the emotions of the story. Lisl Weil’s Pandora’s Box (S & S, 1986) also uses modern, accessible language, without wandering into the realm of the ridiculous.–Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

PreS-Gr 2–The ghosts, monsters, and dragons are amusing and not the least bit scary in this congenial picture-book gathering of short verses from Moore’s Spooky Rhymes and Riddles (Scholastic, 1973) and See My Lovely Poison Ivy (S & S, 1975). “A Dragon whose size was quite whopping/Breathed fire all day without stopping./No child seemed to mind/For he really was kind/And kept all the popcorn a-popping.” Double-page gouache scenes provide visual interpretations of the offerings and sometimes add a touch of innuendo. While Fine’s use of charcoal gives the pictures a bit of a dark cast, the children and creatures depicted are all pretty much everyday, homely folks enjoying themselves. A few of the poems are suggestive, leaving more to the imagination. No one knows what hatched out of an egg that “grew and grew, big as a hat,/Big as a house, and bigger than that” (although the image of a large eye, surrounded by green scales, peering in through a window might provide a clue). Children can also wonder about the origins of the print of “A twelve-toed foot/Two yards wide” left in the snow. Illustrated with humor and warmth, these poems are simple enough for independent readers and silly enough to evoke chuckles and giggles during read-aloud sharing.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

PreS-K–This picture book compares and contrasts the utilitarian street sweeper with a grader, snowplow, bulldozer, and other trucks. While it may not be the largest, most powerful, or fastest machine, it performs an important job. Bright, simple cartoon illustrations of squirrels, cats, dogs, and other animals driving the vehicles are paired with the straightforward text (“The electromagnetic crane can pick up a two-ton automobile. The street sweeper can pick up a gum wrapper”). Endpapers feature pared-down schematic sketches of the sweeper, with both exterior and internal views and labeled parts. This offering will delight young truck lovers.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 2–Beginning with a child exploring the water in a creek, Morrison imagines how a drop on his finger made its journey through the water cycle. Detailed, multicolored illustrations take readers high in the sky as the red-tailed hawk flies and the raindrops fall, providing a view of the marsh and the mountain stream from above. Finally, the pictures zoom back to a close-up of the boy to complete the circle. Readers can appreciate this narration on two levels: first, as a simple story of the hydrologic cycle; and second, as a search to find various types of plants and animals. Three pages of informative facts about each bird, mammal, and plant pictured are appended. Walter Wick’s spectacular Drop of Water (Scholastic, 1997) is for slightly older children. Morrison’s title will especially resonate with young readers who live near or frequent rural areas, where they can appreciate firsthand the power of a single drop of water.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 4–Katie and Cameron are at the rodeo, not only to watch, but also to help their uncle, Cactus Joe, the best bull rider in Texas. They must water the horses, catch loose calves, and hand out winning ribbons. At first, they don’t get things done on time, but, through trial and error, they learn to create a schedule that enables them to perform their tasks and still watch the events. Math concepts are neatly integrated into the story as the two kids to learn to manage their time and see their uncle win the Bull Riding Championship. Wenzel’s lively color cartoons create an authentic environment and enhance the excitement and suspense of the story.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 3-6–Prelutsky is one of the best word crafters in the business, and this collection does not disappoint. Each entry is about a creature that is part animal and part inanimate object. For instance, the Alarmadillos have alarm clocks for bodies, and the Ballpoint Penguins can write with their beaks. The poems are full of fun and wit, with wordplay and meter that never miss a beat. The whimsical illustrations use cut-print media, old-fashioned print images, and a variety of paper textures to create a rich visual treat well suited to the poetry. The detail in the mixed-media pictures makes this a good choice for individual or lap reading, but the poetry begs to be read aloud. This is definitely a “do not miss” poetry pick.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 3–The phrase “fun facts” actually lives up to its promise in this humorous cross between a science book and a riddle book. Each of seven questions is first given a funny answer (“Why do snails carry houses on their backs? Because they love to go camping!”). Readers turn the page to see a child saying, “No!” followed by a concise, factual answer. Topics range from the color of flamingos to the saltiness of the seas. The pattern works well, and, in a nice twist, is broken at the end of the book. “Why don’t migrating birds get lost when they fly south in the fall? Because they have compasses in their beaks!” This seemingly silly answer turns out to be, in a way, true. The design is great; it’s as simultaneously predictable and playful as the text. The cartoon-style paintings use soft earth tones and subtle humor. A minor disappointment is the lack of an afterword providing additional details. Otherwise, this book is a lively and appealing way to encourage youngsters’ curiosity about the natural world. And any book that lets kids say, “No” so often is bound to be popular.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

K-Gr 5–As in Song of the Water Boatman (Houghton, 2005), Sidman applies her flair with poetry to explore the interactions of creatures and plants in a particular environment. Here, she employs varied poetic forms with simple explanations for a pleasing introduction to meadow ecology. The poems are posed as riddles in facing pairs: “We are the ghosts/of those/who have come before/The gray ones/Leaping/Gone/ What are we?” The spread following each set answers the questions and describes briefly an aspect of each animal’s physiology or behavior. Visual clues complement the poetic suggestions in striking scratchboard scenes that are saturated with color. The busy, patterned views provide readers with much to see in this meadow, including magnified views of the insect denizens. They also incorporate ample white space for the text, nicely highlighting the visual qualities of much of the poetry. Sidman concludes with a brief explanation of how meadows change over time and eventually become forests through the process of succession. This term is defined again in the glossary, which also includes one poetry form, the pantoum. This book is a handsome and versatile compendium, melding art, poetry, and natural history.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 1-4–Based on a distant relative’s recollection about the woman who would become the conductor of the Underground Railroad, this story follows Harriet from her early slave days to adulthood as a free woman. As a child, her favorite job on the plantation was picking apples in the orchard. She washed and polished them for the people in the Big House, but she was never allowed to eat any of them. When she did steal one, she was beaten. Apples became a symbol for Tubman of freedom and wealth. As an adult, she was eventually able to purchase her own house in upstate New York. On her property she planted many apple trees, the fruit of which she shared with the people in her town. Turner uses this thread to weave a larger story about a remarkable American and to provide insight into the life of a young slave. This book is an excellent introduction to a complex topic, providing children with a way to make a personal connection with a girl whose life was very different from their own. It gives parents and teachers a starting point for discussions about slavery, race, freedom, and heroism. Keeter’s paintings offer an opulent backdrop with rich, thick brushstrokes and careful use of light. Faces convey depths of expression, adding volumes to the simple story.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 3-8–Through a powerful marriage of rhythmic text and hip and surprising illustrations, the unorthodox creator of Bebop comes to life. Beaten regularly by his father, the young Gillespie found escape in a trumpet given to him by his music teacher. “For the boy with the horn/fueled with a FIRE/that burned with every whooping,/JAZZ was like a fire extinguisher./It was cooooooool.” He went on to become a crowd-pleasing performer, loving jazz because it “...was like breaking the rules,/like inventing new rules.” Later, in New York, he began playing his own music. He called it Bebop: “It was like he had taken a wrecking ball/and SMASHED IN/The House of Jazz,/till the walls came tumbling down….” Winter’s lively writing pops with energy and begs to be read aloud. Qualls’s acrylic, collage, and pencil illustrations swing across the large pages with unique, jazzy rhythms, varying type sizes and colors, and playful perspectives, perfectly complementing the text. This is a book that has a message: “…the very thing that had gotten him into trouble/so much–/being a clown, breaking all the rules–/had become the thing that made him great….” But most important, it is a delightful story that introduces readers to an influential and unique American musician.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 2-4–This attempt to rejuvenate a classic poem for today’s children might only confuse readers. Little Robot works on an assembly line with frowning robots. One day he leaves the factory and wanders until he arrives at a bay, where a group of personified daffodils celebrate nearby. They welcome him into their fold and accompany him back to the factory to bring smiles to his fellow workers. Unfortunately, Wordsworth’s celebration of nature is muddied by the personification of the daffodils, and his original lines are masked behind the plot depicted in the busy, artificial palette. The poet’s line praising “the bliss of solitude” is lost completely as the illustrations overflow with dancing daffodils and robots. With support and discussion, children could undoubtedly enjoy Wordsworth’s homage to nature, but they will need to look elsewhere to do so.–Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

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