Audio

-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2006

Also in this article: Language Arts  Literature  Music  Science  Foreign Languages

Language Arts

Gr 5-8–In the “Circle of Magic” quartet, Tamora Pierce introduced readers to four young mages who each had different magical abilities. Briar Moss, the plant mage, is featured in this second book (Scholastic, 2001) of a new quartet. Briar has traveled to Chammur with his mentor, Rosethorn, in order to help the farmers of the town. While roaming the busy market, Briar meets a street urchin who has the ability to turn lumps of rock into glowing stones. Briar is dismayed to learn that since he discovered Evvy’s magic, he is responsible for training her. Matters become complicated when rival street gangs struggle to control Evvy for their own ends. Evil Lady Zenadia controls one of the gangs and is determined to have her way. Pierce fans will find much to enjoy here. Briar is a likeable character and it is amusing to see his role reversal from student to teacher. The accompanying music enhances the Middle-Eastern setting. The full cast of narrators do a fine job of bringing all the characters to life. A treat for fantasy fans.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5-8–This novel by Stuart Hill (Chicken House, 2005) features an intriguing blend of lore about Ancient Rome, Norse culture and legends, and tales of werewolves and vampires. Hill’s British background flavors the tale, and a very British reading by Heather O’Neill contributes a fine cast of voices to the story. Thirrin, the 13-year-old princess of Icemark, must contend with the loss of her warrior-king father to invading armies, reminiscent of Roman armies as they conquered all in their path. To save her country, she forges tricky alliances with the people to her north—werewolves, the evil Vampire King and Queen and their minions, and the giant Snow Leopards. The story follows her travels along with her tutor, Oskan, a fussy, light-hearted scholar. Another companion and growing love interest is a young warlock with amazing powers. An Amazon-like people also join the coalition and all prepare for the coming invasion. Uncertainty about whether or not the more untrustworthy and frightening of her allies will actually show up in time to help the cause adds to the suspense, as does the fate of the warlock whose powers are almost beyond his ability to wield safely. O’Neill contributes an amazing array of voices and accents, including werewolves with a strong Scottish burr. Her voice is light and fairly high, so her pitch for the deeper-voiced characters is not always totally successful, but her other vocal talents more than make up for this lack. Fantasy fans and those with some familiarity with ancient history will enjoy this inventive tale.–Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY

Gr 2-4–Something wicked is in the cellar, and it’s up to nine-year-old Tom to eradicate it in Cornelia Funke’s light-hearted thriller (Chicken House, pap. 2006). Cellar dweller Hugo turns out to be an ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost), blown out of his villa and into Tom’s cellar by an IRG (Incredibly Revolting Ghost). Hugo and Tom join forces with ghost hunter Heady Hyssop to expel the IRG from Hugo’s villa. Along the way they meet the cookie-baking Mr. Lovely, who provides the solution to a provoking problem. The trio’s exploits are related through John Beach’s warm narration. He’s a master of Hugo’s wobbly whooooing and the IRG’s harrumphing vibrato. In spite of the IRG’s penchant for removing his head at key moments, children won’t be unduly frightened by this tale.–Erin B. Allen, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC

Gr 3-6–The Great Catesby School is in danger of closing. Can the newly formed football (soccer) team, the “Greats,” find a way to raise enough money to save their school? In British author Rob Childs’s collection of four stories featuring the “Greats”—Great Save!, Great Shot!, Great Hit!, Great Goal!—team captain Tom and top scorer Jaunty, along with their schoolmates, learn a few important lessons about teamwork on and off the field. With the backing of a local celebrity sponsor, who also happens to be a famous musician, and team dad, the “Greats” have the opportunity to save their school while being a hit on the field and in the recording studio. British actor Geoff Lesley creates unique voices for each of the characters, and supplies an American accent when needed. Along with appropriate sound effects, Lesley’s expressive and dynamic narration moves the story along and makes this an enjoyable and often humorous recording that young audiences will find delightful.–Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 5-8–In Sarah Weeks’s novel (Laura Geringer Book, 2006), 11-year-old Jamie Reardon can’t believe how his life has unraveled over a short period of time. Just a short time ago, he lived in Michigan with both of his parents and his cat, Mister, and life was “as normal as cornflakes.” In less than a year, Mister was killed in an accident, his father left home with another woman, and he and his mom moved to Wondrous Acres, a trailer park, to help his Aunt Sapphy who lost her short term memory in an accident. And things get even worse when he’s not accepted in his new school and is bullied. In addition, Jamie must avoid Old Gray, the manager of the trailer park, because of an unspeakable (sensitively revealed) incident that took place on Christmas Eve. Jamie spends his days trying to avoid Old Gray and helping Aunt Sapphy to find a trigger that will spark her memory, or jump the scratch. In a satisfying ending, Jamie finds his “trigger” in the friendships he forms with an author who visits his classroom, an eccentric classmate, and a resident of the trailer park. Actor Stephen Spinella does a fine job narrating the story from the point of view of a young man remembering an important event in his life. His reading is done with great empathy, and he defines the supporting cast of characters with appropriate voice inflections. A must for fans of Jack Gantos and Kate DiCamillo.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY

Gr 3-6–George MacDonald’s classic (Harcourt, 1988) is given the royal treatment in this full-cast production. Due to a curse at birth, the princess is all lightness—light of body, without emotion, and incapable of feeling for another person. The only thing she cares about is the water that allows her to be grounded rather than floating up in the air as she does on land. The evil witch empties the lake and the princess falls into decline. Only a man who voluntarily gives up his life can restore the lake and help the princess. Cynthia Bishop is a superb narrator with a wonderful ability to convey MacDonald’s wisdom and wryness. The most striking thing about this recording is that the songs in the text have been put to music and are sung by Adam Wahlberg. The combination of his beautiful voice and the lovely lyrics is truly heartbreaking–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 5-8–This Wild West tale opens with Sallie March, 11, and her 15-year-old sister Maud living with Aunt Ruthie since the death of their mother. Maude is ladylike and proper, while Sallie fantasizes about the adventures in the dime novels she devours. When Aunt Ruthie is killed by a random bullet, the girls have problems with their new guardians. Having few other options, they set out on their own to find their uncle in Missouri. After a series of misunderstandings and more random incidents, the sisters find themselves on the wrong side of the law involved in robbery and murder, with Maude being written up in the papers as “Mad Maude” who has gone “crazy with grief.” Told from Sallie’s perspective, Audrey Couloumbis’s novel (Random, 2005) is a rollicking adventure like few others. Narrator Lee Adams draws listeners in with her realistic tone of voice and slow manner of speaking. Sallie is clearly conveyed as spunky and smart, and Maude’s moody temperament is made apparent through pitch and subtle inflections. While not fully voiced, listeners will have no trouble tracking the characters. This audio journey through the Wild West is not to be missed.–Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 3 Up–Jeri Burns and Barry Marshall, the Storycrafters duo, present seven stories based on traditional tales, but with their own unique interpretations. The tales feature word play, parody, folk rhymes, and folk songs. In “The Three Pears,” while the Pear family goes for a wobble, their home is invaded by Golden Delicious. After being discovered and ousted, Golden Delicious returns, and eventually becomes Baby Pear’s au pair. This wonderfully inventive story is chock full of wordplays, and Marshall’s tongue drum adds humor. “Caballito” is adapted from an Ecuadoran folktale, and is a sort of “Cinderfella” story in which Juanito is aided against his evil brothers by a magical horse. Marshall’s Andean charrango (a small guitar-like instrument) and Burns’s harp enhance the telling. “The Floor That Zach Swept” tells in cumulative style how various items were knocked over by Zach’s sweeping. Instead of using spoonerisms in “The Bully Goats Griff,” Jeri and Barry invent “spinneroosms,” where they switch internal vowels around instead of beginning consonants. The result is a hilarious tour de force. “The Grey Goose,” a romantic fairy tale, is based on a Scottish tale reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Burns includes a lovely, mournful folk tune while telling of a princess who is transformed into a grey goose, and is ultimately shot down by the prince who she loves. Burns and his son Zachary tell “Two Peas in a Pod,” a twist on “The Princess and the Pea.” “The Cinderella Rap” is an hilarious patchwork of over 40 traditional folk rhymes and sayings woven together as a story. A wonderful listening experience for the entire family.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Gr 5-7–Take a trip back to 1953 in Jennifer L. Holm’s charming story (Random, 2006). Eleven-year-old Penny lives in New Jersey and walks a tightrope between two families. On one side are her widowed mother, her irascible grandfather, and her cooking-disabled grandmother with whom she lives. On the other side are her deceased father’s Italian family with an abundance of loving aunts and uncles and a Nonny who makes the best cannoli around. The two families don’t interact and Penny understands it has something to do with her father’s death, but nobody will talk about it. Penny’s biggest problems this summer are convincing her mother she won’t catch polio from the community pool, keeping her cousin Frankie from scrapes with the law, and discouraging the milkman from courting her mother. Told in vignette style, Amber Sealey’s narration enhances the telling. She effortlessly slips in and out of voices ranging from a young girl, a mischievous boy, a sobbing Italian grandmother, and a Brooklyn inflection that would make Tony Soprano proud. Inspired by the author’s Italian-American family, the plot is a bit weak, but warmth and humor abound.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 5-8–Peter Pan makes another delightful appearance in Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s sequel (Disney Editions, 2006) to Peter and the Starcatchers (Hyperion, 2004). This time, unwelcome visitors arrive on Neverland in search of the starstuff that Molly and her father took back to England at the end of the first book. The mysterious Lord Ombra is annoyed to find the magical substance gone. He reveals his ability to steal one’s shadow—and one’s soul. The crew sets sail for London to kidnap Molly and offer Molly’s starcatcher father a trade—Molly for the starstuff. Peter overhears the plan and is determined to warn his friend, so he and Tinker Bell follow the ship. In London, Peter and Molly team up with Molly’s suitor, George Darling, to outwit Lord Ombra. What follows is a delicious adventure through London’s foggy streets which ends at Stonehenge during a lunar eclipse. Veteran narrator Jim Dale delivers a flawless performance that will keep listeners riveted to the story. Bits from the original Peter Pan are cleverly slipped in, and Peter even has an encounter with author J.M. Barrie. This is one of those rare instances where the sequel is even better than the very fine original. Barrie would be pleased.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 2-4–In Elizabeth Levy’s first chapter book (Aladdin, pap. 2002), the author brings back Jill and Gwen from her “Something Queer” series, but this time Jill’s basset hound Fletcher is the narrator. Fletcher and his friend, Jasper the flea, like the girls and try to keep an eye out for them, especially when there is a lot going on in the neighborhood. Their neighbors, the Pryors, bring a new baby home, making their cat Alice feel unloved. Gwen is writing a story about aliens who make humans sneeze. Finally, the principal has promised to read a story on the roof of the school if the students read a total of 1000 books. Once the goal is reached, he agrees to read Gwen’s story—but when he starts sneezing Gwen is accused of trying to sabotage the whole thing. Fletcher and Jasper come to the rescue by climbing up on the roof and discovering the reason for the principal’s sneezing. William Dufris and Christine Marshall bring the story to life by giving each character a suitably unique voice. A great addition to primary grade collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 3-5–Ted Hammond is the only sixth grader at a one-room school in a small Nebraska town in this novel by Andrew Clements (S & S, 2006). The town is facing a financial crisis and hence a shrinking population. When Ted sees a girl’s face in the window of one of the abandoned houses on his paper route, he can’t resist investigating this mystery as he is an avid reader of detective novels and tries to solve each crime halfway through the book. This real-life mystery proves a little more difficult as Ted struggles with keeping a family’s secret and knowing when to ask for help from adults. Narrator Keith Nobbs gives the story a youthful but wise voice, adding just the right touch of emotion and humor. He uses his voice to distinguish between the various characters, and appropriately portrays Ted’s compassion and confusion as he grapples with his secret and his town’s (and thus his own) unstable future. Clements’s characteristic style of blending comedy with drama makes this an honest and pertinent story for readers who like realism and a touch of mystery.–April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Gr 5-8–In Jenny Han’s realistic story (Simon and Schuster, 2006), 12-year-old Annemarie Wilcox, nicknamed Shug by her family, learns about herself, her family, and friendship as well as experiences the ups and downs of life as a preteen. Shug deals with an alcoholic mother and a father who is rarely home, using his work as an excuse. She becomes distressed over whether or not to attend the seventh grade dance, dreams about changing her friendship with Mark to a more romantic level, and experiences her first period. Liz Morton’s lively narration creates unique, believable voices for each of the characters. Han’s first novel will appeal to girls in middle school.–Lynn Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH

Gr 4-6–Donald, a teenage boy obsessed with building model ships from history; David, his older brother, who sneaks the family car out after his parents go to bed; a ghost car with three evil teens chasing David; eerie music; and rich baritone voices all combine to create a wonderful mystery in this tale by Marty Engle (Frontline, pap. 1995). All the characters are brought to life in a full-cast production. The background music performed on electric keyboard enhances the feeling of mystery. The ending is a surprise reflection of the Donaldson brothers’ relationship with their father. An enjoyable tale for school libraries and classroom listening centers.– Sherrie Davidson, Lyn Knoll Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools, CO

Gr 4-6–In the second book (Scholastic, 2006) in the series by Pierdomenico Baccalario, 11-year-old twins Julia and Jason and their friend Rick are off on another adventure through space and time. While the boys are trapped in ancient Egypt tracking down a long-lost map of Kilmore Cove, Julia is stuck in Argo Manor with the caretaker, Nestor, fighting off thugs trying to break into the house. The boys aren’t the only ones in pursuit of the map, however, and the wicked Oblivia Newton is working hard to make sure she is the first to find it. Fortunately, the boys have the help of a young Egyptian girl, and the three of them make a fantastic puzzle-solving team. Michael Page narrates this fast-paced tale with the right amount of mystery and intrigue in his voice. The children are sharp and witty, the villains are belligerent, and the story moves deftly between past and present. Some listeners may wonder exactly what happened in the first installment of this series, Door to Time (Scholastic, 2006), to open the portal to past lands and times in Argo Manor, or just why this map is important, but overall, listeners will be swept into the action of this adventure. An additional purchase where intermediate series fiction is extremely popular.–Casey Rondini, East Windsor Middle School, CT

Gr 8 Up–Nikki Grimes’s novel (Dial, 2001), a multifaceted look at life in a New York high school, is powerfully narrated by a talented cast. It presents an array of authentic inner-city teens inspired by one student’s poetic response to the Harlem Renaissance. Soon everyone in class is volunteering to share their poetry during weekly “Open Mike” sessions. Characters first express their thoughts and then present their raps and rhymes as the story peels away the masks students often hide behind. Though the teens range from a basketball player who hides his intelligence to an Italian girl who changes her name in an attempt at racial solidarity, these unique characters also have a universal voice that will be recognizable to listeners. By using a cast of ten veteran narrators, the recording enhances the personality of each student. This Coretta Scott King award-winning novel offers numerous avenues to encourage young poets and may even promote more honest communication among teens. In the words of one teen in the novel, “You can say anything, as long as it’s a poem.” An important addition to audio collections in middle school, high school, and public libraries.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Gr 9 Up–Laura Whitcomb’s compellingly complicated story (Graphix, 2005) combines dead spirits, existential angst, teens in modern families inhabiting both ends of the neglected/overprotected spectrum, unprotected teen sex, accusations of misconduct against a teacher, and requited love. Helen, who died as a young woman in the mid-19th century, has not been able to attain her final rest. Across the years, she has attached her invisible self to one living “host” after another, staying by each one’s side so as to maintain enough life force to work through whatever happened at her death—and in her own life—that won’t allow her to go peacefully. The hosts have no conscious sense of her presence—she does them no harm—and Helen moves on to a new host when her current one dies. In the 21st century, she’s been attached to a high school English teacher. Helen realizes that a student in one of the classes sees her quite clearly. In fact, the contemporary student, Billy, is actually a young man named James who, like Helen, died but has gone a step beyond haunting a living host to inhabiting the living body of one. Lauren Molina’s performance of this ghost story is appropriately breathy, although some of the characters—including James—sound too young because of her high voice. The denouement here is exciting and unexpected, giving listeners much to ponder and discuss: Are such hauntings plausible? How responsible are overly protective parents for poor decisions their teens make? When is circumstantial evidence really enough for anyone to draw absolutely certain conclusions?–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 7 Up–Welcome to purgatory. In the third book in the trilogy by British author John Ward, Jake and Helen are wandering through the netherworld on separate roads but looking for each other. They have no memory of past events—just a vague feeling that they need to meet up in order to solve some obscure puzzle. Whenever they come close to remembering some important piece of the past, they fall into unconsciousness and re-awake to begin again. This is frustrating for Jake and Helen and frustrating for listeners. Along the way they encounter such luminous characters as Virgil, Dante, and Thomas Aquinas who help them along their path. The book begins abruptly without a nod to the two previous volumes, and characters and setting are difficult to determine. Colin Moody does a fine job narrating, but the tale is tedious and dull and few listeners will stick it out to the bitter end.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 7-10–In the sequel (Little, 2006) to Angel Experiment (Little, 2005; Recorded Books, 2005), best-selling adult author James Patterson continues his foray into young adult fiction with the half-human, half-avian Max. Her flock of friends (including Fang and Nudge) have escaped from the clutches of Ari and his wolfish Erasers. An FBI agent takes the flock home and tries to give them a normal life on a farm. But the flock still carries the secret of their existence, and Max soon discovers that she must contend with a lethal clone. Like many satisfying thrillers, this title is high on action, suspense, and betrayal and low on plot. Nancy Wu and James Jenner are excellent tandem narrators; one of the highlights of the novel is their trade-off narrations of the main characters. Despite some of its plot shortcomings, this excellent adventure story will appeal to young adult readers.–Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, FL

Gr 9 Up–What begins as a lazy, restful summer vacation in the Great Lakes for the Brewster family turns to horror at their rented mansion, Pinecrest, in this novel (Ballantine, 2006) by best-selling author John Saul. On the grounds of Pinecrest, Eric Brewster and his high school friends discover a time-delayed shed full of meticulously catalogued items. As the boys piece together the mystery, they confront a horrifying chain of murder and mayhem that electrified the sleepy resort town seven years previously. Will the Brewster family escape Pinecrest’s grisly legacy alive? Saul weaves a page-turner of a story that horror fans will enjoy from start to finish. Narrator Mel Foster reads the novel with gusto and panache, providing remarkable and memorable voices for each character. Unique sound effects add to the enjoyment. Despite some sexual and vulgar language, this audiobook will be a wonderful addition to young adult horror/thriller collections.–Larry Cooperman, Seminole High School, Sanford, FL

Gr 10 Up–Freda, 19, was held hostage ten years ago during a gunman’s siege of a restaurant in this psychological novel by Ian Bone (Dutton, 2004). When Freda agrees to be interviewed about the incident, the reporter stirs up memories that she had long suppressed. The story is told in alternating sections and from different points of view: Freda today, Freda at the time of the siege, the gunman, and sections titled “Napkin” that were written by another hostage. The tangled plot and multiple viewpoints as well as the shift back and forth between first and third person make for a confusing, yet compelling listen. The story spirals more and more out of control during Freda’s meeting with the reporter. Who is the reporter and how does he know so much about the incident? What is on the napkins? What exactly happened during the siege? Caroline Lee reads with pitch perfect emotion as she captures the young Freda’s precarious situation and feelings, as well as the teen’s apathy that slowly turns to growing rage. Lee’s rendition of gunman John Wayne O’Grady’s increasingly unstable behavior is also spot on. Teens who like slowly paced, complicated, involved plots will probably enjoy this novel.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

PreS-Gr 3–The bears in Bear Country have lost the Christmas spirit. They push and shove to get the things that they greedily want for themselves, having lost the need to give to others. Urged on by Ripoff Ralph, who has devised a sweepstakes to get rich quick, Bear Country has become a very selfish place. This is not lost on Santa Bear, who vows that he will not deliver Christmas presents. Mama Bear notes the selfish nature of her family and dreams of Christmases of the past. The bears finally recognize their selfish behavior, and even Ralph realizes the errors of his ways and asks Santa Bear to take him along to deliver Christmas presents. With lyrics by the late Stan Berenstain and music by Elliot Lawrence and Jamie Broza, this musical version expands on the book, The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas (HarperTrophy, pap. 2005). It was first produced for the stage by the Omaha Theater Company for Young People, premiering in 2005, and the Broadway-quality sound and visuals are impressive. The soundtrack includes 20 songs and captures the energy and emotions of the stage production. Broza and Lawrence do double-duty by also singing the parts of Ralph and Papa Bear, respectively. This production should become a Christmas classic.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 4–Veteran performer Sue Schnitzer hits all of the right notes in the 18 tracks included on this fun-filled romp. “Rockin’ Music for Kids” is a perfect description for fantastic instrumental filled songs about a variety of topics from mosquitoes to dragons to toast. While instruments such as the electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin keep rock ’n roll, reggae, bluegrass, and country beats, Schnitzer’s vocals clearly tell the stories of “Best Friends,” dogs in “Paws and Claws and Tails,” and “My Dreams.” Well-produced backup vocals featuring children are included in many of the songs. Joke tracks about math and dogs, as well as a hidden joke track, are performed by the youngsters. Among the other songs are “The Library Song, “ “You Can’t Judge a Dragon,” and the action tune “You Can Be.” Schnitzer has created a fun collection that will keep youngsters smiling and coming back for another listen.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-K–In this beautiful collection of 20 songs, Sukey Molloy includes a combination of traditional circle songs like “Open Them Shut Them,” “Two Little Dickey Birds,” and “Hickory Dickory Dock” and original tunes such as “Hello Everyone,” “These Are My Eyes,” and “Frog on a Lily Pad.” Many of the songs encourage movement but are performed in such a gentle way that children will more than likely be prompted to sit quietly afterwards rather than run around the room. Preschool teachers and librarians will find this collection to be a wonderful story time resource while parents will enjoy using many of the songs one on one with their children.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 4–In the late 1920’s, composer Harold Fraser-Simson set 67 of A.A. Milne’s poems to music. Gary Rosen recorded 18 of them before ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) caused him to stop performing in 2001. These previously unreleased songs have been mixed with live performances by his children. Divided into four sections, the songs display a wide range of styles. The first segment features songs from “The Hums of Pooh” and includes marches and waltzes that either could have been sung by Winnie-the-Pooh or focus on the beloved bear. Standouts in this section include “What Shall We Do About Poor Little Tigger?” (a duet with daughter Lela) and “Three Cheers for Pooh” (a march with a trombone fanfare). “Down by the Willows” is the lone song in the second part, “Toad of Toad Hall,” and features Lela Rosen’s light soprano voice. “Now We Are Six” returns to songs about Pooh, including the dramatic “Sneezles” and Lela Rosen’s solo, “Wind on the Hill.” The highlights of the final segment, “When We Were Very Young,” include “Hoppity” (Rosen playfully changes tempo several times in the song) and “Halfway Down” (a duet with his daughter). This joyful collection is some of Rosen’s his finest work and is sure to be cherished for years to come.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 3–In this collection of 18 songs, Lulu and TomCat have created an environment where learning other languages and about other cultures is fun and exciting. The catchy first song, “Sunny Holiday,” teaches children how to say hello in 12 languages including Ojibwe, Russian, Italian, and Hebrew. Language literacy continues with the French songs “Quand le soleil” and “En roulant ma boule,” and the Japanese song “Canada no Iro.” There are also two songs in Spanish—”Cuando los Animales” and “Los Gatos Toucan”—and an English/Spanish song, “Un Sombrero.” Rounding out the multicultural theme is “Let’s Go Fishing,” set in Hawaii, and the “Popcorn Polka.” Other highlights include “Flight of the Bumblebee” with lyrics and the title song, “Stick to It!,” a retelling of Aesop’s “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The instrumentations and vocals are beautifully done with children often singing along. Sure to be popular in classrooms and at home, this is a must-have for all collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2–To adults, performer Steven Zelin is known as the “Singing CPA,” but in the world of children, he’s a musician who just happens to be good with numbers. In Zelin’s children’s music debut album, he creates fun, upbeat, toe-tapping music. The 20 songs are a combination of traditional tunes and original pieces that have something to teach young listeners. Among the traditional songs are jaunty versions of “I’m a Little Teapot,” “ABC Song,” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The original songs include “Months of the Year”; the counting and number related songs “How Many?,” “I Like to Count,” “Twice as Many,” and “Oh! Times Tables”; and a health-related piece, “I’m Going to Brush My Teeth.” Zelin does a great job of keeping the songs lively and the lyrics clear so that listeners will learn as they sing along. A welcome addition to school or home collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3–This themed CD by Chicago-area band Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans rocks! The title cut sets the tone by celebrating mothers and motherhood; it’s cheerful, upbeat, and heartfelt. Musical styles lean toward country/swing/two-step/rockabilly, but also include blues (“Red Pants People”), punk rock (“Mommy’s in Menopause”), and rap (“The Tooth Fairy Rap”). Standouts include “The Bootay Dance” (a ’60's inspired rock ’n’ roll number sure to get everyone up and moving), “Hey, Hey, I Can Read!” (a driving country swing proclaiming this milestone achievement), “Colorblind” (a folksy celebration of diversity), and “Clap the Beat” (a funky song with action, set to guitar bridge music). Band leader Jeanne Bonansinga provides strong, often gutsy vocals for the clever lyrics. The backup band is solid, providing a full sound throughout. Great for preschool story times as well as entertainment for the whole family.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

K-Gr 4–Thirteen multicultural folk songs based on stories and legends from around the world are sung by Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna accompanied by well-known instruments as well as some from other cultures such as the oud and the didgeridoo. There are the educational songs such as “The Month Song,” a fast-paced, catchy tune that will help youngsters quickly memorize the months of the year. “Little Birdie Nest” explains how birds piece together their nests. There are songs with messages such as “Please Pass the Peace,” which promotes harmony, and “Changes,” which advocates environmental conservation. Among the story songs are “Hey Mom!,” an original tale about a young boy trying to get his mom’s attention, and 'Abagaz,” an Ethiopian legend about a man who learns to appreciate his wife. Most of the songs have little variation in style or vocal range. This album could be used to introduce multicultural themes or just for enjoyment.–Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA

PreS-Gr 3–A variety of musical styles and clever lyrics are featured in this food-themed title. Israeli-born Yosef Levin (a.k.a. Yosi) combines his love for cuisine, family, and music to create a unique recording which will be useful for both food units and general listening. Yosi embraces zydeco, rock, calypso, jazz, and barbershop musical styles to convey his compositions about chicken gizzards and collard greens, chilly chili, alien diets, and klezmer “bulbes” (potatoes). Alliteration comes to the table in “Pass the Purple Pesto Pasta Please,” and rhymes are abundant in “Eat, Repeat.” Young fans of Yosi’s Under a Big Bright Yellow Umbrella (2004) will be thrilled with this new offering. A fine purchase, appropriate for general collections.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

K-Gr 5–Presented in question and answer format, listeners learn about the portions of our planet that are composed of water and other related topics. The presentation has information on sailors and boats, sea mammals, water and where it is found, the water cycle, and fish and other sea creatures. Designed as a aural children’s show, students are asked questions and are given time to respond before answers are provided by a lively cast of characters, such as Elba the Electric Eel, Dr. Discovery, Seahorse Steve, and many others. Supplemental information is presented at the time the questions are answered. Interesting facts, sound effects, and music enliven the performance. For example, one segment includes the sounds of whales and discusses whale behavior. Original songs introduce and reinforce the factual information in each section. Song lyrics are provided. Narrative is lively and clear, and the pace is perfect for easy comprehension. Teachers will have to be creative to use this in the classroom, while parents may find it fun to use at home or on a car trip. For individuals or small groups.–Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Foreign Languages

Gr 3-7–The components of the kit teach basic Spanish words and phrases as well as short conversations. The parents’ guide has instructions on using the kit, then plunges into articles, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, and more—all in 16 small pages. Adults unfamiliar with the language will be overwhelmed. The bilingual dictionary does a nice job of listing basic words, first in English with Spanish equivalents, then the reverse. The English-Spanish section includes Spanish pronunciations, designates the definite article for nouns, and gives both masculine and feminine forms for the adjectives. There’s also a section for verbs and a list of common phrases, days of the week, and months of the year. The picture wordbook and flashcards feature attractive photos showing diverse children and families engaged in daily tasks as well as pictures of animals, food, clothing, numbers, and more. The flashcards have a photo on one side and the Spanish word on the back as well as the English equivalent. The problem is the CD and activity book. Both are divided into 37 sections, beginning with basic greetings and progressing through various social situations. Students listen to the CD and are encouraged to follow along in the activity book. The Spanish is clearly pronounced, but it is disconcerting when an adult male voice reads the words attributed to a young girl in the activity book. More problematic is the imperfect matching of the text in the activity book with the CD, which most frequently happens in the English translations. For example, in one segment, “enfrente” is translated as “opposite” in the activity book, but the more correct “across from” on the CD. In another section, the entire CD lesson on “this” and “that” is undermined in the activity book because instead of “eso,” “esto” is used. There are numerous other inconsistencies as well. This is a pity, since the activity book has fun games and puzzles that reinforce the lessons. Under teacher supervision, some of the errors could be corrected and the considerable strengths of the pictorial presentation could be emphasized.–Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA