Preschool to Grade 4 Cont.

-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2006

Fiction Cont.

Gr 1-3–Using their basic detective skills and a lot of help from adults, The Three Amigos learn about some unique people. Characters include a crybaby cowboy who’s homesick for Wyoming and an eccentric professor who has gross things growing in his refrigerator. In the first title, the boys decipher some Western brands to uncover the identity of a new student at school. In the second, the boys’ curiosity gets them in trouble but they also learn about the medical uses of maggots, leeches, and worms. Although the story lines are a bit contrived and the dialogue is occasionally stiff, these early chapter books are quick reads and encourage youngsters to embrace new experiences and make new friends. Short chapters and fun sketches will entice reluctant readers as well. Solid, if additional, purchases.–Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

K-Gr 1–Phonics instruction is the objective in these three titles, all of which introduce short vowel sounds. Engaging cartoon illustrations accompany the stories, which deal with a funny animal fix-it man, a girl’s cactus, and a hot summer day. All titles include fact sheets and lists of decodable words, high-frequency words, and challenging words. These books will not offer much to children who are already fluent readers; however, they serve as reliable tools for decoding, using the currently popular phonics approach.–Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-Gr 1–This infectiously cheerful alphabet book includes both Spanish and English animal names (the author deliberately chose examples that are easily recognizable in both languages). Rhyming verses introduce pairs of letters: “A chorus of lions and llamas/samba down the street./Mariachi manaties mambo/to marimba’s ting-tong beat” and “Raccoons and rinocerontes/rumba with rattlesnakes./Sloths and salamandras/salsa around the lakes.” A monkey playing a marimba soothingly “croons” the zookeepers to sleep and then pops up affably in most of the watercolor illustrations to entertain the various creatures that burst with energy and humor. The starlit sky that appears in most of the illustrations reminds readers that despite the brightness of the foreground, these frolicking animals are celebrating at night. Miniature visual representations of each Spanish word accompany a helpful pronunciation and translation guide. This freshly presented concept book will please children and may tempt librarians to share it at storytime.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-K–A cuddly brown cub and his friends wake from peaceful sleep with the urgent command to hurry for a party. “Wake up, wake up, sleepy rabbits!/Time to rise, time to shine,/Hurry up, it’s party time!” They gather roots, seeds, nuts, and berries and join the parade of animals quietly creeping along the forest. They reach a clearing, where a mother deer rests. Nearby is her newborn fawn. “Wake up, wake up, sleepy fawn!/Time to rise, time to shine,/Time to start your living-time!” The animals all welcome the newest addition and present their gifts as the fawn rises to join the celebration. The soft, pale-hued, lifelike illustrations will be a big hit with toddlers and preschoolers. Perfect for groups as well as for one-on-one sharing.–DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

Gr 1-3–Living in a blue land, young Blue and his blue calf, Polly, dream about all the other colors of the world. Setting off to explore, they encounter a purple village, orange hills, a red town, and other monochromatic places. At last they arrive in a beautiful multihued city, and the boy lives there happily until he realizes that there is no blue. Frightened, he locks himself and Polly in his room. Boredom leads him to an idea: he begins to paint, write, and sing in blue and then sends his creative works out beneath his door. When he ventures outside again, he finds his contributions have added a new hue to the city’s kaleidoscope of colors. He, too, changes, as he physically takes on an array of new shades, but retains his blue heart. The brief text is balanced by simple, computer-colored brush and India-ink artwork. The illustrations begin with blue pages and move through the spectrum as Blue and Polly expand their horizons. Throughout their travels, the duo’s contrasting shade stands out, creating a feeling of isolation. The youngster’s change of palette colorfully reflects the story’s underlying message. While not a first purchase, this allegorical offering will work well as an introduction to multicultural discussions as well as lessons on courage.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

PreS-Gr 1–Rhythmic, rhyming language abounds as two piglets welcome the early-morning arrival of a pair of “Rumbling, roaring” garbage trucks. All of the offal details are here as the green behemoths gobble up everything from apple cores and dirty diapers to broken furniture. Smiling porcine workers, with “Greasy gloves…sticky boots…/stains a-plenty on their suits,” feed the beasts while “Flies a-buzzin’/by the dozen” enjoy a feast at the “rolling bug buffet.” After completing all of the “Crushing,/cramming,/screeching,/slamming,” the vehicles thunder away, leaving the youngsters to re-create the action with their toy replicas. Done in ink and egg tempera on canvas, the vivacious two-page paintings convey the text’s enthusiasm and energy. The trucks, shown from the rear and personified with mouthlike hoppers and red brakelight eyes, gleefully munch their way through an array of vividly colored refuse. The pigs are appealing, and readers can follow the antics of their dogs as they rush outside to be part of the fun. Pair this onomatopoeic offering with other tongue-tingling read-alouds, such as Kate McMullan’s I Stink! (2002) and Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha’s Trashy Town (1999, both HarperCollins), for a crash-bang storytime on a perennially popular topic.–Joy Fleishhacker,School Library Journal

K-Gr 3–Ingenious artwork–a flawless marriage of digital imagery and pen-and-ink–is indisputably the focus of this winning title. In it, an incorrigible little girl lists all the bright ideas she’s ever had and the various ways they’ve gotten her into trouble. From stapling her brother’s hair to his pillow (no more stapler) to gluing his slippers to the floor (no more glue), her outside-the-box thinking attracts plenty of attention, all of it negative. Carpenter brings depth and texture to each spread by adjusting photo-realistic elements to scale and embedding them into the art. The effect is both striking and subtle–“real” wood grain, blades of grass, the chrome-plated details on classroom furniture–all are seamlessly integrated around a winsome cast of well-drawn characters. Some picture books are overconceptualized, overdesigned, and generally overdone, but this one is just about picture-perfect.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

PreS-Gr 2–In this picture book/song combo, various adults attempt to mollify hungry, crying youngsters with the promise of pie. There is no story, just an accumulation of 11 verses, each consisting of a rhyming quatrain and a repeated refrain. Presented on individual spreads, each one features a particular child (or animal, or object) matched with an appropriate dessert. For example, Hank, “a sweet little cowboy,” is offered “a cactus meringue pie”; Luciano, a “tenor,” is promised an “eggplant parmesan” concoction; and Pearl, a “rock star,” is tempted with “a tangerine tambourine” treat. On the audio CD, each verse is presented in a musical style that matches its content: Hank’s is performed as country, Luciano’s as opera, and Pearl’s as rock ’n’ roll. These renditions are not always successful, and the Cajun and techno interpretations, in particular, fall flat. The second cut provides instrumental reprises of the song and a third is a vocal solo. Although the acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations are colorful and exciting, they do not relieve the tedium of the text and the music.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 1-4–The seventh entry in a series of mathematical adventures, this clever book reads like a folktale. The story is set in ancient China, where young Chuan and his friend Jing Jing are traveling with a powerful warlord to the emperor’s palace. Chuan is given the responsibility of awakening their master four hours before sunrise but the boy has no way of telling time. By combining keen observation skills with ingenuity, the two friends devise a water clock to wake up Chuan at just the right moment. Colorful, eye-pleasing paintings depict grand spreads filled with people, buildings, and natural scenery. Careful attention is paid to details, and close-ups of the characters and important objects keep the focus on the plot. A brief history of Chinese water clocks is appended, along with instructions for a math-related craft. Children who like to invent, create, and problem-solve will enjoy this book. It can be shared for the appealing story as well as for the concept, and could lead to discussions of ways to tell time without clocks, electricity, or common modern devices.–Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI

K-Gr 3–This picture book combines fact with fiction as the author presents the life of two young snow leopards. The siblings’ mountain terrain is harsh and their daily forays into the ice and snow make hunting especially challenging. On one particular venture with their mother, Simi is lost in an avalanche. Alone and exhausted, he is able to drag himself to safety, but worries about how he’ll ever locate his family. Siri continues to look for her brother, but a hunter’s trap impedes her search. Eventually, they are reunited. This story is filled with details of the animals’ existence, and its lovely, soft-focus artwork depicting their home and environment are lively and dramatic. An informative endnote gives additional facts about this endangered species.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1–Starting with an owl and ending with a cricket, eight baby animals are preparing for bedtime. Although the moon provides a consistent thread from start to finish, the compositions are fairly pedestrian. There are a few standouts, like the “Puppy’s Lullaby” and “Snake’s Lullaby,” but it’s the pictures that carry this book. Prap utilizes bold primary colors, simple figures, and orderly squares and circles to give an impression of a safe, quiet environment, just right for nighttime. She cleverly includes moon-shaped objects that suit the animal–a fried egg for the chick, a ball of yarn for the kitten, etc., and these images are more effective than the text. For a more satisfying combination of rhymes and images, try Susan Pearson’s The Drowsy Hours (HarperCollins, 2002) or Jane Dyer’s Animal Crackers (Little, Brown, 1996).–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

Gr 3-5–A well-written, fast-paced adventure for early chapter book readers. Things get a little thorny for Quattlebaum’s green-thumb hero in this third installment. Jackson Jones, still tending his plot of land at the community garden, is now working for his neighbor, Mr. K. In fact, it is the old bossy man who brings on a new garden of trouble for Jackson and sidekick Reuben when they agree to become rose rustlers. Stealing a clipping of an old rose branch from a cemetery seems to bring on a number of unpleasant incidents, convincing the boys that they are cursed. Is the mysterious rose branch to blame for poison ivy, bee stings, and a broken leg? Can the spooky rose twig be returned? Engaging characters, a unique mystery, and the familiarity of returning cast members (although this book does stand on its own) make this an appealing selection. The book also includes an interesting note about antique roses.–Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 3-6–Educators will welcome this story, based on a true incident, about slaves who commandeered a Confederate ship and sailed to freedom. A present-day boy introduces the tale, which is told from his great-great-grandfather’s point of view. Robert Smalls is “the real pilot of the ship, even though the captain calls him a wheelman.” Smalls and the nine-member crew kidnap the Planter and carry five black women and their three children to safety by offering the steamer and its weaponry to a Union vessel. Samuel swabs the deck with the crew but does not know about the escape plan, even as his mother rouses him from sleep and hurries them noiselessly to the waiting boat. The dark colors and shadows in the realistic chalk-pastel drawings suggest the secrecy of the families’ nighttime escape, while the facial features and body language express urgency. Endpapers feature reproductions of a map of the Charleston Harbor and a picture of Smalls. An author’s note tells more about his subsequent military service and terms as both a South Carolina and U.S. legislator. Pair this title with Eloise Greenfield’s How They Got Over: African Americans and the Call of the Sea (HarperCollins, 2003), which tells Smalls’s story in a collective biography that highlights historically significant African Americans connected to the sea.–Julie R. Ranelli, Kent Island Branch Library, Stevensville, MD

Gr 2-6–Christmas John, 12, lives in a pine-board cabin with Granny Judith, who was enslaved when strangers lured her to their ship with a piece of red flannel. Now on a plantation in Kentucky, Granny Judith and Christmas John help others escape across the river to the free state of Ohio by taking advantage of John’s youth–he’s young enough to avoid notice, and old enough to row a boat across and back. Granny Judith stitches a quilt, incorporating the colors the escapees wear. “What color is freedom tonight?” As the quilt approaches completion and the risks grow, the time comes for their own escape. Based on several different narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project Slave Narrative Collection, Raven’s moving story is full of particulars that lend it authenticity. Lewis’s realistic watercolors use texture and shadow to an impressionistic effect, communicating the utter darkness in which Christmas John works, and the emotion contained in a single color. An author’s note shows how Raven pieced together her story like Granny Judith’s quilt, lending a context that makes this a rich story for adults and children to share.–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA

Gr 2-4–Tableaus of amazing size and intricacy unfold–and then unfold more–with each leaf’s turn in this adaptation of Kipling’s classic tale. Reinhart begins with a broad jungle scene for baby Mowgli’s rescue from Shere Khan. He sets the lad’s rescue from the monkeys against a towering ruin; takes him to the treasure chambers where White Cobra lurks behind a flap; pairs his first encounter with humans to a startling, savage leaping tiger; shows him enlisting a herd of elephants to destroy the village; and finishes with his farewell to a reunion of downcast animal friends on craggy Council Rock. Along with smaller pop-ups, the text is tucked beneath flaps in one or two corners of each scene. That text has been dramatically shortened, but Reinhart preserves at least vestiges of the original’s stately language. Along with being a natural centerpiece for displays, this book provides a memorable introduction to both the film and the full-length literary work.–John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 1–Using words that focus on a long-vowel sound, these simple stories are geared for children learning to read independently using phonetics. In the first title, Joe Boat wants to roam but must stay at home to help the other boats. In Luke’s Mule, the animal has a blue plume that he trades for a blue cube. Parade Day describes a great day with lots of entertainment from friends such as Gabe with his cape and Kate with paint on her face. People introduces individuals by name and states what they do: Eve “can teach me to read,” Neal plants seeds and pulls weeds, and Dr. Deke cleans teeth. One or two short sentences per page help keep readers focused. Watercolor illustrations fit the text and story line. Luke’s Mule is a bit more artistic; the pictures have a soft, hazy look. Joe Boat is more cartoonlike with the boats having eyes and smiles. End pages include “Fun Facts” and an activity that can be done with adult supervision, such as making a Chinese paper dragon (Parade Day) or a coffee-can bank (People). A list of the high-frequency words and decodable words appears at the end. These titles will work best in situations in which interaction and intervention take place.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 2–A mother guinea pig tells her child a goodnight story with a twist: their ancestors were giants. As she describes the details of their size (“We were as big as buffalo!”) and habits, he interjects with excited questions and comments. Though her offspring has some doubts about the story’s truth, Mom confirms at the end that she “read about it this morning in the Times” (newspaper scraps line their cage). Roth’s creative color collages shift back and forth between the modern animals in their cozy home and dramatic but lighthearted scenes of the giant beasts in prehistoric South America. The textured torn paper that makes the smaller rodents seem so cuddly looks appropriately odd on their much larger predecessors, whose sharp but goofy teeth and expressive eyes add to the sense of fun. The first full view of the great big guinea pigs, which requires a vertical turn of the book, is especially entertaining. With varied perspectives, expressive figures, and creative composition, the spreads bring both modern and prehistoric worlds to life. A white background clearly differentiates the mother-child scenes from the richly colored images from eight million years ago. While fun to read and visually engaging, the book also presents fascinating information based on recent scientific discoveries. The facts come through in the dialogue without detracting from the lively interplay. The idea of introducing prehistoric mammals within a bedtime tale is original and highly successful.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

K-Gr 3–Readers who enjoyed Anna and Prince in Winter Pony (2002) and Runaway Pony (2005, both North-South), will welcome their return, but this book also stands alone as an engaging story of a young girl and her spirited horse. Prince is now four years old and ready to be trained. With her father’s help, Anna introduces him to the bridle and saddle and, finally, the weight of a rider on his back. Before long, in spite of a few bucks and a fall, the child and her friend Sean are galloping along the beach together and anticipating future adventures. Both characters are expressive and appealing, and, once again, the subtle watercolor illustrations, with rolling hills, soft green fields, and sandy beaches on single pages and spreads, celebrate the beauty of the Icelandic countryside.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

K-Gr 3–Another tale featuring the independent, stubborn Siamese kitten. Once again, Skippyjon dons mask and cape, enters his closet, and changes into El Skippito Friskito, an adventure-loving Chihuahua. Here, after daydreaming about ancient Egypt, he converts into his alter ego and meets his amigos (a pack of troublemaking “poochitos”) along the Nile River. Skippyjon fans will find much to like here–the amigos speak a slang of Spanish and English and spur the frightened kitten into confronting the Sphinx and a mummy–but the book may be a bit confusing for newcomers as there is no explanation of his transformation or his canine pals. Done in acrylics and pen and ink, the vibrantly colored illustrations add humor to the already silly story (the gang wants to visit the “Under Mundo” where “mummitos rest in peas”) and children will want to stop and pore over the details (the mummy is a Siamese). The text is lengthy, with several points of action, so it is recommended for readers who can follow the longer format. However, the narrative is broken up by songs and rhymes that will keep them laughing throughout. When Skippyjon returns to his (real) mummy, youngsters will feel as if they have been to ancient Egypt with him.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 2–A dog with a nose for bad weather lives at the foot of Old Man Mountain. The mountain keeps the weather “worse than bad,” but Grimsville can depend on “The Carl Report” for accurate forecasts. Suddenly and inexplicably, “Old Man Mountain took a sudden fancy to sunshine,” and Carl’s predictions are all wrong. However, when Tiny Norman gets lost in the forest, the dog finds his new calling as the sole proprietor of The Nose Knows Detective Agency. The gouache and watercolor illustrations evoke the North Woods, from the profusion of plaid to the bears, dogs, moose, and ever-present pine trees and gum boots. However, Big Marie, the hippopotamus who runs the cafe, is clearly from warmer climes. Clever listeners and readers will delight in the tiny details such as newspaper headlines and menu boards. Appropriately for the subject matter, noses appear from all angles in the pictures. Prose that begs to be read aloud abounds: from the “aroma of cumulus congestus” to “pungent peril” and “malodorous risk.” This book’s inviting illustrations, great vocabulary, and search-and-rescue mission will make it a hit at storytime.–Rita Hunt Smith, Hershey Public Library, PA

PreS-Gr 3–Clever compositions, a question/answer format, and sturdy die-cuts distinguish this title from many other concept books. Seeger employs flat, vibrant colors and bold contrasts between the framing page that lifts up and the design underneath. While some of the word pairs are familiar, the images are nevertheless surprising: a “black” bat turns out to be the upturned mouth of a “white” ghost. An “ordinary” sheep becomes “extraordinary” when discovered in a cloudy sky with flying pigs and a cow jumping over the moon. Blue diamonds that look very much “alike” are actually quite “different” when they are discovered inside unique snowflakes. Younger children will delight in the magical effect of the transformation, while those a little older will have fun anticipating and analyzing the process itself, propelled by the pattern in which each question yields the unexpected. The title’s creative approach offers a variety of possible paths for connection. Books such as Lois Ehlert’s Color Zoo (HarperCollins, 1989) or N. N. Charles’s What Am I?: Looking through Shapes at Apples and Grapes (Scholastic, 1994) would extend the visual gymnastics for preschoolers, while titles such as Roni Schotter’s The Boy Who Loved Words (Random, 2006) would continue adding to a school-aged child’s store of language. Opposites attract and expand in this playful celebration.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 3–Jazz! It’s all about the rhythm and the sounds, musicians in conversation answering each other with notes and riffs instead of words. But what happens when one member of the band can’t hear the notes anymore? Through this rhythmic story, readers meet Lee, who loses his hearing and is asked to leave his band. Luckily, he discovers a whole new world of music that exists in the mind and heart at a local school for the deaf. Christie’s snazzy style matches perfectly with the book’s vivacity. The expressive faces and bold use of color make the story sing. This is a great read-aloud that begs for enthusiastic performance and audience participation. Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

PreS-Gr 2–Everybody knows that foxes eat chickens. But when a little fox comes knocking at the door of the coop on a blustery winter evening, one young chicken feels so sorry for him that she ventures out to help. They spend the night in the barn, ignoring the kindly cow’s warning. The next morning, the two set out to search for Little Fox’s parents. When Mama and Papa Fox find the youngsters, they praise their kit for bringing them breakfast. He is quick to assure them that the feathered creature is his friend, and the big foxes promise not to eat her. The story is simple, and the unlikely relationship will appeal to young children, but what makes this book stand out are the lovely, soft illustrations. Watercolor and pencil are used together, creating depth and texture with a limited palette. The animals hover between cartoonish and realistic, making them resemble cuddly stuffed animals with wonderfully expressive faces.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 1-3–A nameless girl needs an idea for her science project. Her solution is to go on the Internet, where she comes across “Professor Swami’s Super Slime”–a “mutant yeast with just a piece of dragon DNA.” Of course, she orders it and doesn’t follow the directions on the box: do not open until the science fair, then feed the slime sugar until it expands to 1000 times its size and watch it explode into a “harmless cloud of gas.” The child finds herself with a large, green, slimy glob that begins to grow and swallow those who are rude to it: her cat, which hisses; her dad, who complains of a smell; her third-grade teacher–“Eeew! What is that big, digusting creature?”–and so on. Finally the child remembers the sugar and, once kids have pelted the goo with sweets and sprayed it with soda, it explodes. “My project didn’t win first prize, and that was fair...I guess..../Miss Fidget kept me after school to clean up all the mess.” The watercolor, colored pencil, and pastel illustrations are typical Gammell–the girl bears a striking resemblance to the boy in Liz Rosenberg’s Monster Mama (Philomel, 1993; o.p.), round glasses and all; she’s just perfect for this slightly wild story. This book could be used as a jumping-off point for science projects–a little levity always helps during the science-experiment season.–Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

PreS-Gr 3–In this playful concept book, Stringer enumerates the joys of winter to prove her point that it is the “warmest season.” Children don puffy jackets, deep boots, and hats with earflaps. The cold sandwiches and drinks of summer are replaced by hot soups, pies, and breads. Nights are warm, with fireplaces and candles burning, and gatherings of friends and family. Each fanciful acrylic spread is carefully composed with an eye toward balance and to drawing readers’ eyes across the pages. Thus, on one spread, while a boy and his dog dance past snowmen at the top, a row of hibernating animals burrow beneath a layer of snow across the bottom. There’s a lively flow to both illustration and text, with cheerfully jumbled perspectives and a sense of the ongoing cycle of seasons. A cheerful celebration of winter’s pleasures.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

K-Gr 4–Jacob and Gabe, ages eight and four, prepare for their mother’s trip to Vietnam to bring home their new baby sister. The author is successful in explaining both the intricacies of adoption procedures as well as details of life in an observant Jewish home. A smattering of Vietnamese culture is also included. The appealing and bright watercolor illustrations show touches of whimsy and lightheartedness that add to the story. The true multicultural aspect of this book emerges as the baby is immersed into the Mikvah (ritual bath) and given her Hebrew name. She is Vietnamese, American, and Jewish, and, Mrs. Stein says, “she’ll be many more things someday.” Mr. Stein replies, “You can be as many things as you want to be. Or at least you can try.”–Lisa Silverman, Sinai Temple Library, Los Angeles

Gr 2-4–In a stilted, rhyming narrative, a sullen-looking girl with Ping-Pong-ball eyes reveals her secret to readers. Although “them Dullundrears” (her parents) think that she comes up with her own “noise-some words” when she “won’t be goodle,” her rude communiqués are actually generated by the “noise-a-matron” inside her head and the strange crew of characters that keep it going. For example, “Noolman there works the liffin bools,/For screeching out my groigles,/While Tubswort toils on the doo-dad machine,/That stamps my niggly foibles.” When her parents shut down the operation, the workers must find a new pursuit, and they decide to form a circus. Unlike the nonsensical words of Lewis Carroll or Dr. Seuss, which propel readers forward with breathless inertia, this book’s predominance of made-up terms and the multiple typefaces used make for a jerky and exhausting experience. The story line is nearly impossible to decipher and children will quickly be lost in the mire. Done in an explosion of oils, ink, and collage, the illustrations are derivative of the visual style of Toni DiTerlizzi’s work. Much like the writing, the cluttered pictures are also pushed beyond their limits, combining so many elements that viewers’ focus is waylaid and ultimately lost.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

PreS-Gr 2–Cole presents a picture-book version of this beloved composition, written by Tripp with music by George Kleinsinger, which was first recorded in 1946. Tubby the Tuba is tired of just repeating “oompah, oompah” and wants to perform a melody like the violins or the flute. That night, while sitting by the river, the unhappy tuba meets a bullfrog, who sings a beautiful tune. The next day, inspired by his new friend, Tubby enthusiastically plays the melody for the orchestra, winning the acceptance of the conductor and the other instruments. The colorful cartoons, showing an apple-cheeked Tubby clothed in a T-shirt and red sneakers, create a retro mood without looking dated. This title stands alone as a great introduction to the orchestra for children. However, reading the story while listening to the accompanying CD, which is narrated by the late author, is even better. A good choice for classroom sharing and individual reading.–Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2–In this quiet picture book, Polly experiences a foggy day for the first time. “Where did everything go?” she asks. Mother explains that everything is still there; it’s just hidden by the damp air. “How do you know...?” asks Polly. “I just do,” replies Mama. This short exchange becomes a refrain throughout as mother and daughter go outside to look for the swing, the duck pond, and the barn. The fog is a sort of metaphor for faith. At night, when Mama tucks the child into bed and says “I love you,” the child answers, “I know.” This time, the roles are reversed: Mama asks, “How do you know?” and Polly replies, “I just do.” The story, though comforting, is predictable. The realistic pictures, rendered in soft watercolors, are lovely. Each spread shows part of the scene in focus while the rest is muted in white and gray shadows. Often, Polly, her mother, and their dog are defined, while the house, the scarecrow, or the distant trees are barely visible. One stunning illustration has a close-up of a dew-covered spider web as its focal point, while the main characters are obscured behind the mist rising off the pond. If you already own enough warm and fuzzy “I love you” books, you won’t need this title. But if you want a picture book about fog–and there are not many out there–this one will do nicely.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS–Little Monkey is so impressed with his peeing prowess that he opens a peeing circus. The bright cartoon pictures show him shooting a loooong yellow stream into a toilet mounted on wheels from a variety of angles, while an audience of appreciative animals cheers him on. Envious Mimi wants to join the circus, but when she pulls down her underpants, she seems to be missing the necessary equipment. Surprise! Mimi can shoot off a yellow stream as well as he can. (“'Without a peepee!’” cheered all the animals. 'That is very clever!’”) So they both perform together for their adoring fans. Presumably, this book is supposed to be a humorous take on “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” but it misses its target badly. Toddlers who are obsessed with what lies inside their diapers may find it amusing, but it certainly will not teach them good toilet habits. Unless you really want to encourage boys (and girls) to jump around performing various urinating stunts, this title is an unnecessary purchase.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2–This cumulative story, told by a redheaded, doll-like figure, features a stray feline outside a house on a cold wintry day. The woman asks the cat to come inside, but he runs away. The following day, she puts out a bowl of warm milk; the critter laps it up and leaves. Next, she leaves him a bowl of milk and a plate of tuna, but he still refuses to come in. Each day, she leaves more gifts, until the front porch is as comfortable as the inside and the cat invites the woman to come out. The simple text is enhanced dramatically by the three-dimensional-looking illustrations, which are wonderfully detailed photographs of a dollhouse and clay characters. The photos are set against parchment-colored backdrops and framed by scroll borders, giving the pages a cozy, old-fashioned look. While the tale will be fun to share, the photographs are a delight to pore over individually. Endpapers complete with claw scratches round out a package that should please everyone from cat lovers to miniature enthusiasts.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2–In this, the fourth book about Minna and her friends and family, the young rabbit and her classmates learn about kindness. The story begins with Mrs. Bloom reading Aesop’s “The Lion and the Mouse” to her students. After discussing it, she instructs them to perform an act of kindness, draw a picture of it, and then share the details about it with the class. Minna performs many acts of kindness and cannot decide which one to use for her project. In a burst of creative genius, she decides to create a quilt featuring a number of them. Her classmates love the idea and continue to piece together a classroom patchwork. The enthusiasm then spreads to the whole school. As the project grows, so does the quilt, taking over a bulletin board and moving onto a hallway wall. The cut-paper collage illustrations are sure to keep young children’s interest, especially as youngsters try to discern all of the many projects featured in the squares. Wallace’s illustrations include origami, recycled paper, markers, crayons, and colored pencils. Teachers will want to share this title with everyone in their school community.–Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA

Gr 2 Up–Augustine is a South Pole penguin whose family is relocating to the North Pole. Named after Pierre-Auguste Renoir, she loves to draw. She is apparently inspired by Magritte, Monet, Munch, Picasso, and Renoir, and the book is illustrated with snippets of her interpretations of their work. While the little bird and her family seem to enjoy their new home, Augustine is shy in school and worries about making friends. But her artwork breaks the ice, and she comfortably adjusts to her new environment. This is a useful attempt to introduce children to art and to dealing with changes in their lives, but there might be a bit too much going on here. The acrylic-and-pencil artwork is naturally childlike, an effective touch. However, penguins do not live in the North Pole, so even though this fictional introduction to art is somewhat well done, the basis of the story is unsettling. Overall, this picture book may be too ambitious.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1–Max Mouse and friends, introduced in One for All, All for One (Minedition, 2005), are playing together when they become aware of the presence of Rico. He has a reputation of never being nice, so they ignore him. When their ball flies his way, Rico grabs it and runs home. The animal friends follow him and knock on the door, but no one answers. The next day, Rico’s mother makes him return the ball. The others want to take it and go, but Max has another idea. He rolls it back inside the burrow and invites Rico to join them. Sure enough, he shows up and they all have a wonderful day together. The textured watercolor illustrations of these slightly cartoonish but totally endearing creatures fill the spreads and add warmth and child appeal to the message on sharing and kindness.–DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

Gr 1-3–Told with a subtle and consistent undercurrent of wit, these 18 short stories are pleasant bedtime reading. Sheep and Goat pass their days in a small enclosed meadow under the care of a single farmer. Goat is an optimist, sometimes gleefully tumbling to the earth in her quest for high-hanging, juicy leaves, sometimes falling under the mistaken impression that she can swim. Sheep, who is slightly more dour, casts a disapproving eye on Goat’s antics. Deep down, though, the two care for one another. The occasional pen-and-ink drawings are pitch perfect and more than a little extraordinary. They convey the low-key humor exquisitely. This title is definitely for children who would like the tone of Arnold Lobel’s “Frog and Toad” stories (HarperCollins) in an early-chapter-book format.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

PreS-K–A simple rhyming text encourages children to locate items and animals on a farm in this “I Spy” meets “Old MacDonald” offering. Readers follow Farmer Flat and his family from the time they rise (“Breakfast!/The children all want to be fed!/Find me some eggs and/some milk and some bread.”) until bedtime (“Everyone’s tired,/so out goes the light./Who can we find to say,/'Good night! Sleep tight!’”). Children are encouraged to look for specific items and answer simple questions, such as who is riding in the hay wagon. The cheerful, vibrant paper-cut illustrations done in bold hues will appeal to youngsters. This book will be a favorite for small groups and individual sharing.–DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1–A barefoot girl, dressed in an animal skin, lives in the wilderness with only her small brown dog for companionship. They share their food–fish, nuts, berries, and even insects–as well as their cave. In summer, they sleep outdoors and in winter, they huddle together in the warmth of their cavern. Searching for firewood one snowy day, the girl notices large footprints leading up to and away from the cave as if an animal were scouting the area for shelter. That night, a huge brown bear attempts to enter the den. With shouts, barks, and snowballs, the girl and her dog send the beast scurrying. It’s only when a tiny bear appears from the shadows of the cave that the girl realizes that she has separated a mother from her cub. So, she and her two furry companions search for the mother bear and eventually find her sitting at the mouth of the cave, awaiting their return. They all find refuge and warmth as the girl opens her heart and her home to the animals. The isolation of the child and her pet is palpable in the wide expanse of the jagged purple, cream, and brown mountain range in which they live. This is an affecting story of friendship and survival. Read it along with James Mayhew’s Boy (Scholastic, 2004) for another tale about a cave child.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 2-5–When Ming arrives in San Francisco from China, he is met at the dock by his older brother Shek, a character first introduced in Coolies (Philomel, 2001). Disappointed that Brother Wong isn’t there as well, Ming discovers that times aren’t good, and that Wong is again working for the railroad. Shek is running a general store, but not many customers come to buy. Expected to mind the shop while Shek does extra labor on a nearby farm, Ming works hard, but is lonely and begins to explore beyond the Chinatown border. He discovers a school where he longs to go, but Shek explains that Chinese aren’t welcome there. One day, Ming meets a friendly Irish boy who teaches him English, and together they devise a way to get more customers to the store. The story is heartwarming, but, unlike Coolies, both the story and the art paint a somewhat idealized picture. It is unlikely that the fortunes of the store could be so easily turned around just by hanging a sign saying that English is spoken there. Soentpiet’s illustrations glow with light, and the faces of his characters register authentic emotions, but the settings are a little too perfect–no dirt, little clutter, store shelves bursting with food and other merchandise. Still, the sense of determination that drives the brothers to succeed in this alien environment makes this book a good addition to stories of the immigrant experience.–Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA

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