Preschool to Grade 4, Continued

-- School Library Journal, 12/1/2006

Fiction Cont

LUBBER, William. Pirateology illus. by Yvonne Gilbert, Helen Ward, & Ian Andrew. unpaged. charts. maps. Candlewick 2006. Tr $19.99. ISBN 0-7636-3143-4. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-5–Ahoy, Mateys! The publisher of Dugald A. Steer’s Egyptology (2004), Ernest Drake’s Dragonology (2003), and Master Merlin’s Wizardology (2005, all Candlewick) offers up myriad facts and stories about piratica. Written as the ship’s log of a fictitious pirate hunter in the early 18th century, this lavish, oversize volume chronicles his efforts to track down the notorious Arabella Drummond. Through entries that span nearly three years, Captain William Lubber reveals tidbits of information on such topics as ocean navigation, tying sailor’s knots, weaponry, battle tactics, and the Jolly Roger. Spreads made to look like worn parchment are chock-full of sidebars, maps to unfold, packets of gold dust to examine, and various artistic renderings of notorious real-life pirates. As the tale grows, the elusive pirate, her dogged hunter, and readers travel the globe, reaching destinations such as China, Madagascar, and Nova Scotia. Quick facts about each place as well as the local pirate scene are included, but the primary focus is on the Caribbean-based pirate. The format invites exploration and is perfect for reluctant readers. Young pirate enthusiasts will find plenty here to keep them engaged, but may well desire further sources for more in-depth information. Pair this title with J. Patrick Lewis’s Blackbeard: The Pirate King (National Geographic, 2006), Richard Platt’s Pirate Diary (Candlewick, 2001), or Moira Butterfield’s Pirates and Smugglers (Kingfisher, 2005). A strong addition to most collections.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Gr 2-5–Ludwig continues to tackle serious subjects in this follow-up to My Secret Bully (River Wood, 2003) and Just Kidding (Tricycle, 2006). Here she deals with the insincere apology. Jack’s friend Charlie behaves badly all the time and gets away with it by saying he’s sorry even though he clearly isn’t. Jack doesn’t like this about Charlie, but he does like how being the boy’s friend makes him a “somebody.” Then Charlie damages Leena’s science-fair project, and she tells him that “Sorry doesn’t cut it!” A teacher helps him understand that he has to make amends for the hurt and damage he has caused. With Jack’s help, he fixes the project. In the end, Jack chooses Leena’s company over Charlie’s. An afterword on the importance of apology, an author’s note, discussion questions, and “Apology Dos & Don’ts” are appended. The text is stilted and lacks an authentic age-appropriate voice. Manning’s digital pastel-and-watercolor illustrations effectively capture the characters’ myriad emotions and provide valuable support to the text. Purchase this title as need dictates.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 3–Lunge-Larsen blends legend and tall tale to explain the origin of felt in this amusing variant on Noah’s story. When the patriarch constructs his famous boat, he seals it so well to prevent water leaks that no heat and moisture can escape. All of the animals suffer in this floating steam bath, but the sheep fare the worst. Their heavy coats turn into thick cloth that almost strangles them. After rescuing them with shears, Noah can’t figure out what to do with the heavy material–until the ark lands on a mountaintop. Then the felt provides perfect protection against the snow and cold. Thanks to Noah’s invention of scarves, hats, and mittens, people “could live and play even in the coldest regions.” Trueman’s mixed-media illustrations add to the fun. The interesting use of ark windows provides snapshots into shipboard life, including some animals’ penchant for gnawing or pecking at the frames. Even the changeable patterns of the sun and rays catch viewers’ attention. The afterword offers a brief history of felt-making. A good choice for storytime sharing before a romp in the snow.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS–Frustrated with her busy mother, a little girl acts out various scenarios with herself as the adult and a doll as her child. With humor and warmth, Lyon offers a poignant picture of the parent-child relationship from a child’s viewpoint, without denigrating the girl’s very real feelings. The sophisticated realism of Catalanotto’s painterly illustrations may not be instantly appealing to preschoolers, but the vivid expression of emotion through movement and facial expression does a wonderful job of expanding the brief text. This book is just right for older preschoolers who are struggling with issues of independence, anger, frustration, and especially being little in a big world. It would be an excellent accompaniment to Jamie Lee Curtis’s It’s Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel (HarperCollins, 2004) or Rachel Vail’s Sometimes I’m Bombaloo (Scholastic, 2002). No Dessert Forever! ruefully acknowledges that being little isn’t always fair but models the natural technique of displacement as an excellent way of working through feelings of resentment and aggravation.–Tamara E. Richman, Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ

Gr 2-4–An offhand comment from her father sets nine-year-old Harriet Bean on the path of finding the five aunts whom she has never known. This seems like the perfect start of a juicy family mystery but it never quite turns into one. When given the full story of her father’s loss of his five older sisters and a clue to the whereabouts of one of them, Harriet embarks on a hasty journey of collection. Useful coincidences make the women ridiculously easy to locate; it also helps that the final two are mind readers and come seeking her. The real mystery is how the father can possibly be absentminded enough to misplace five sisters. All of them are likable characters with interesting personality quirks and gadgets: strong-woman Veronica uses pedal power to drive her circus trailer from city to city, and twin detectives Thessalonika and Japonica are masters of disguise with convincing costumes. It is these two who give Harriet the chance to solve a mystery in the sequel, which takes place at a racetrack’s stables. Masquerading as a jockey, Harriet is confronted with a villain who uses glue to stick a horse’s feet to the floor so that he won’t run well the next day. It’s contrived stuff such as this that takes most of the charm out of this easy chapter-book series.–Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

PreS-Gr 2–Winston loves to sink his teeth into a good book. Ignoring the “No Wolves Allowed” sign posted on the library door, he rushes inside for a quick nibble. Rosie, a little girl wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, helps him understand that “Words taste even better when you eat them with your eyes” and teaches him to read. With his love of language, Winston quickly develops a taste for “sweet and juicy words like sunset and swoosh and rambunctious.” When he runs out of books to read, he borrows a frilly dress and returns to the library disguised as “Granny Winston.” He registers for a library card and enthusiastically leads a storyhour session. Beck’s charming crosshatched illustrations show a fairy-tale cast of characters. The clever design includes a wolf-bite-sized cutout cover. This is a delicious treat of a tale for young book lovers.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 1–Gloria is a large, ungainly Ayrshire with a dream: she wants to be a performer. Even though the other farm animals discount her talent, she never gives up her desire to entertain. A sly, teasing fox convinces the gullible bovine to be a singer. At her first official performance, the other creatures shout and whistle to drown out her abrasive voice and run away when she continues to serenade them. Undeterred, she tries dancing for the crowd. After she trips and falls through the stage, the audience laughs and hopes that Gloria will be satisfied with being a common milk cow. Though discouraged, she knows that there has to be an audience that will acknowledge her talents. She leaves the farm and immediately finds a group of hippos that appreciate her dainty stature, singing, and elegance. The brightly colored illustrations deftly convey the cow’s failed attempts to be admired and her determination to succeed. Though Gloria is shown as brown and white in the story, the endpapers feature a black-and-white cow prancing about. There is nothing new in this rather ordinary tale, but it may lead to a discussion about never giving up your dreams. Robert Kinerk’s Clorinda (S & S, 2003) also features a persevering cow.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS–Some berries, citrus, watermelon, figs, bananas, and other fruit are happily playing at the market when something hard, brown, and hairy falls into their midst. Nobody knows what it is or where it comes from. “It’s certainly not one of us,” accuses the pompous pineapple. The odd intruder explains that he is a coconut, and a fruit, just like them. And to prove it, he removes his shell so the others can see his smooth innards and taste his “sweet milky cream.” The moral of the story is stated on the closing pages, “You must never judge a fruit by the color of its skin…. What truly matters always comes from within.” Aside from several bad rhymes (“warbling” and “laughing,” “air” and “fear,” “pleased” and “agreed”), it is disturbing that the coconut cheerfully opens himself up and lets the other fruit eat him in order to gain acceptance. The digitally rendered, cartoon art, featuring fruits with open mouths, pointed noses, and bulging eyes, is unappealing. With no explanation of what ambrosia is, many readers will not understand the title.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2–Tilly Trumble loves “four-legged, scruffy old” things–chairs in particular. She makes the rounds of yard sales, flea markets, and swap meets looking for just the right one to go in front of her fireplace. One day another type of scruffy old thing comes to her porch: a dog. Tilly tries hard to resist loving him, but readers know that, in the end, the “something else” that the woman needs to sit in front of her fire is the pooch. The descriptive language is creative, and the bold, exuberant acrylic illustrations are filled with electric shades of green and purple. The double-page image of Tilly hugging the dog is especially wonderful, as they both smile broadly. Even with its predictable ending (or maybe because of it), this is a satisfying story of two unique individuals finding one another.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 1-3–Leah, Sara, and Aimee, ages seven, eight, and nine, are in desperate need of a good mystery to solve. After forming the “Criss, Cross, Applesauce Detective Agency,” they receive brief assignments from Leah’s newspaper-reporter father. The cases involve meeting people in their neighborhood, including a hairdresser who recently emigrated from Hungary and an animal-rescue volunteer. It is a concern that the stories center on the children meeting strangers without adult supervision. In Puppies, the friends try to help a malnourished dog but are chased away by his abusive owner. They walk away from this potentially dangerous situation, but the problem is not resolved in a satisfying manner, especially considering the fact that the author is making a point about animal rescue. Discussion questions and activities round out the books. Primitive black-and-white sketches do not enhance the content and the proofreading marks that are intentionally sprinkled throughout the text make for an awkward reading experience.–Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

K-Gr 3–This whimsical story is sure to please. Groundhog comes down with the flu just before his big day, so he has to hold auditions for substitute weather tellers. As the local animals show up, he is forced to get more and more specific in his requirements–for instance, Bear is able to fit into Groundhog’s hole, but he snoozes instead of checking his shadow. The animal that finally fills the bill is a surprising choice that will give readers a chuckle. Ember’s warm illustrations alternate between single-page drawings, spreads, and spot art, making the book as cozy as Groundhog’s home. The pictures add much life to the various animals as well as to the humor of the search. In the end, Groundhog is forced to think about what makes him perfect for the job, and his wise appointment of a substitute results in an unlikely friend.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 2-6–In this layered faux memoir, a young man remembers when, as an eight-year-old, he experienced the power of story. Tomas would rather be roaming around the mountains but reluctantly listens to the village librarian as, perched on a life-size carved unicorn, she tells the story of how the last two unicorns missed Noah’s ark (some readers may recognize Shel Silverstein’s poem later set to music and sung by the Irish Rovers), then swam until they no longer needed legs and became narwhals. The librarian also tells a graphic story of brown-shirted men who burned her father’s library and shows a scorched copy of The Little Match Girl he pulled from the flames. When war later comes to Tomas’s unnamed European village, the library burns, but the librarian and the children and their families save the books. The well-intentioned voice of the man recounting the past sets wartime horrors at a remove, but this is a stiff story for children who don’t have much knowledge of World War II. The stories of the past, the present, the unicorns, and the war are a lot to pack into a short chapter book. Blythe’s sensitive crosshatched pencil, black wash, and full-color watercolors depict the village and the animals with enough drama to entice second and third graders, but the book’s actual readers may be older.–Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

PreS-Gr 2–After Nora looks out her bedroom window and sees the moon blink out, she and her brother, Jack, decide to go to its rescue. They climb aboard a makeshift rocket and fearlessly blast off into the night sky. When they literally bump into the moon, a metal-and-glass orb that looks a bit like an antique pocket watch, they come face-to-face with a Santa look-alike Man-in-the-Moon. He explains to them that his engine has failed and the moon needs a jumpstart. The children utilize the Crimson Comet to do just that, thus saving the day. The siblings then crash-land back at home, tumbling into their cozy bedroom and smiling up at the celestial orb. “And just for a moment, they thought the moon smiled back.” With his rich, trademark night skies and luminescent, nostalgic images, Morrissey has crafted a delightful flight of childish imagination and a sweet bedtime adventure.–Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CA

K-Gr 2–When Charlie and his grandfather plant a watermelon patch together, Charlie hopes that one seed will become a special kind of watermelon that gives one wish. As they enjoy fishing, picnicking, playing basketball, and swimming, Grandpap tries to guess what his grandson would ask for. In the end, Charlie reveals that his wish is for another summer with his grandfather like the one they just had. This sweet story is filled with positive images of shared experiences and cooperation. Schuett’s colorful illustrations, most of which are framed with borders of related images, fit well with a book about memories of a special summer. However, the human figures are awkward: some unlikely postures and a recurring look of surprise on Charlie’s and Grandpap’s faces is distracting. An additional choice for collections in need of intergenerational stories.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 1–Like Munro’s Doors (Chronicle, 2003), Circus features a popular combination: lift-the-flaps and seek-and-find. The book begins with a group of clowns in their dressing room getting ready to entertain the crowd and ends with all the performers marching around the three rings that make up the arena. Children will enjoy lifting the flaps to view bright, colored-ink pictures of trapeze artists, acrobats, horseback riders, and performing animals doing their thing. Gatefolds, layered lift-the-flaps, and flaps that fold out more than once to indicate movement will keep little hands busy. Even the endpapers lift, like the entrance to the Big Top. Clues written in rhyming verse ask readers to find items in the illustrations: “Look for/a horn,/sunglasses,/a cowboy hat;/an umbrella,/Fred the Dog,/and Max the Cat.” The dog and cat are in all of the picture puzzles, and the objects to be discovered are not difficult to locate. The background on most spreads is a soft blue-gray with the center a pale cream, as if created by a spotlight focused on the acts. More than 50 flaps make this title a challenge for libraries, but the pages are sturdy.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 3-6–This Civil War story resonates with courage and fear, love and loyalty. Eleven-year-old Gabriel has followed his 16-year-old brother Davy to war after their older brothers were killed fighting. As a bugler for the Union Army, Gabe has the important job of blowing orders to the troops. On the day before the Battle of Gettysburg, he is afraid and seeks comfort at a nearby creek. As he quietly practices his bugle calls, he is surprised to hear them answered with the reverse commands. He meets Orlee, a young Confederate bugler who is fishing in the stream. The boys share an interlude that has nothing to do with the imminent battle and they part, hoping to meet again. The next day, as Gabe’s regiment marches into the fray, he must figure out a way to save Davy from danger in the front lines and to honor his new friendship. The well-rendered paintings are hauntingly detailed and place readers right in the action. They realistically convey the setting, the intensity of battle, and the emotions of the characters. This book puts a human face on one of our country’s bloodiest confrontations and will spark discussion about the Civil War and about how people can be friends even if they have different beliefs.–Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

PreS-Gr 1–Old-fashioned illustrations, the appeal of dolls, and glitter on the cover cannot save this marginal effort that lacks both tension and logic. On the mantle of a Victorian family’s home stands a snow globe. Inside it is another Victorian-looking, although doll-like, family. All they want is for someone to shake the globe so they can have a blizzard. But no one notices them, except Baby. One day, during a storm, the live family goes out to play, leaving the baby and her mother behind. The child climbs up to the mantle, takes down the object that captures her attention, and causes a blizzard inside. Then Mama decides that the snow is “too wonderful to miss” and takes Baby outside. Both families enjoy the elements, and the snow globe is returned to the mantle, but now the cat is creeping up on it…. The text is simple and somewhat disconnected, and the art, while attractive, will have limited appeal. The odd premise and lack of real excitement are unlikely to capture a young audience.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 2-5–Chatty text and cleanly designed pop-up illustrations provide a hasty overview of life during the Middle Ages. Spreads briefly cover the construction and exterior footprint of a fortress; rooms (from the chapel above to the dungeon below); jobs performed by craftsmen and inhabitants; knighthood, armor, and weapons; a tournament; and a feast. Information is presented in a smoothly flowing narrative that tends toward the enthusiastic (“Without an impressive and impregnable castle, you’d be in danger of losing your crown, your title, your lands…even your head!”). There is no glossary, but terms such as “parapets,” “oubliette,” and “trebuchet” are defined in context. Featuring scenes such as a multifloored castle interior, a shiny suit of armor, and a joust (with a pull-tab that moves horses toward one another), the pop-ups are colorful and sturdily constructed. Eye-catching details abound in the cartoon-style illustrations; two men nap after a meal on the fortress roof, an extremely unhappy “gong farmer” cleans the garderobe pit, and a serving woman receives an unwanted pinch during a feast. Libraries having the dough for “solteties” (sugar-sculpted desserts served by the wealthy) should consider purchasing this fun-to-browse book, while those starved for funds should stick with meatier fare.–Joy Fleishhacker,School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1–The little Prince refuses to go to bed despite the many sleep-inducing suggestions offered by well-meaning acquaintances. After trying tricks ranging from hypnotism to medicine, a grandmotherly looking woman arrives with a century-old solution that will delight readers–try a book. Average-quality rhymed couplets are easily read aloud (except perhaps for the tongue-twisting page that rhymes “present,” “pheasant,” “peasant,” and “unpleasant”). Cartoonlike illustrations in colorful acrylics and collage move the action along. Stylized sheep decorate the endpapers as well as the wallpaper in the boy’s bedroom. Pair this with similarly themed titles such as Carole Lexa Schaefer’s Down in the Woods at Sleepytime (Candlewick, 2000) to create a bedtime ritual.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 1-5–A first-time author/illustrator gets it right with this kitschy tale of a lonely dinosaur in search of an “amigo exactly like himself.” Gwango’s encounters with each potential friend introduce readers to the landscape of the American Southwest as he comes across a bear from a traveling circus, a gleaming Santa Fe train, a Tiki next to a Polynesian motor hotel, a hot-pink family RV, and, finally, the projectionist at a deserted drive-in movie theater. Peppered with colorful comparisons, Spanish words, and exclamations like “Holy mackerel,” “Hot dog,” and “Jiminy Christmas,” the text is perfect for reading aloud. Handsome desert-hued paintings with the feel of multilayered block prints complement this retro tale. Gwango’s red body with squiggly blue stripes and his toothy grin add a further sense of playfulness. Kids will immediately relate to his attempts to befriend inanimate objects and laugh at his guacamole breath. A great choice for science teachers supplementing North American archaeology lessons, parents seeking snazzy works for parent read-aloud day, and most picture-book collections.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 2-5–In their eighth epic adventure, George and Harold use the Purple Potty to travel to an alternate universe where teachers care, the library has books, and kids eat at a five-star gourmet cafeteria. Unfortunately they also encounter Evil George and Evil Harold, who transform good Mr. Krupp into Captain Blunderpants. The evil duo also steal the boys’ pets, Crackers and Sulu, and hitch a ride back to George and Harold’s world. They might destroy that world with Evil Sulu, “the world’s biggest baddest bionic hamster,” but are thwarted by the arthritic avengers Boxer Boy and Great-Granny Girdle and their geezer power. Part novel, part comic book, and part Flip-o-rama™ (add your own sound effects), this newest adventure will not disappoint the legions of Captain Underpants fans. The cartoon pictures almost tell the story, making it a boon for struggling readers. Maybe kids, like Pilkey, will be inspired to write their own comics, invent their own superheroes, poke fun at the absurdities they see, and not worry about a few (in Pilkey’s case, deliberately) misspelled words. Libraries with the previous books will want to add this one.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2–Rawson and Rogers explore the world of parrots in this vibrant celebration of children’s imaginative play. Rogers’s rounded digital paintings place each fact about these birds squarely in the world of a real child–a girl displays her parrot feet as she plays with her crayons: “If you were a parrot, you would have two feet, just like you do now, but…you would have four toes on each foot, and two of them would point backwards.” A youngster with a parrot beak chews on her colored pencils: “If you were a parrot, you would have a sharp, hooked beak. To keep your beak in shape, you would have to chew things…pencils, wooden spoons, the legs of chairs, and maybe even the entire telephone directory.” The rich colors used in each scene honor the different parrots featured in the book–Nanday conures, Scarlet Macaws, Blue and Gold Macaws, and African Greys–as well as the children’s imaginations. The book concludes with a section of facts about parrots and a pattern for a parrot beak that can be downloaded from the publisher’s Web site. This is a book worth squawking about.–Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

K-Gr 3–Leo is a “busy lad”–so busy, in fact, that he wishes for a second Leo to share his chores. Just like that, another Leo appears…and another…and another. But instead of reducing his workload, all the extra Leos only seem to increase it. With so much personnel to manage, things eventually become complicated enough to justify a sixth Leo, who enters the picture as a kind of consultant–and who advises the others to bring in a seventh. The situation deteriorates from there, until–with 10 Leos running themselves ragged–the original lad ultimately concludes that efficiency and productivity are sometimes overrated. Reynolds’s ink, watercolor, and tea illustrations begin spare and simple and get progressively more frantic as the book’s population explodes. The story ends with a much more serene Leo, alone again, savoring his peace, quiet, and refreshingly uncluttered schedule. Consider this a solid supplemental purchase for collections with the space–and, of course, the time!–to spare.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 3-5–Moving from Seattle to Franklin, TX, is not Baker’s idea of a good time. He’s leaving his best friend and, more importantly, his Gram, a puppeteer. As a going-away present, she gives him Waldo, a ventriloquist’s dummy. In Texas, he makes some new friends before school starts. Since he’s a fifth grader, Baker is expected to participate in the annual play, in which Franklin Elementary competes against neighboring Buffalo Gulch. Predictably, Waldo steals the show. There is nothing particularly new or exciting about this novel. Of all the characters, the dummy is the most interesting. Kids interested in puppetry might pick up a few tips, but Gram’s career seems like little more than a plot device.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 1-4–In “Dizzyland,” Rogalski’s picture-book amusement park, there’s a ride to match each letter of the alphabet. Some of them look playful and fun, such as “Monkey Monorail” and “Yak Kayak”; but many are bizarre and incomprehensible (“Iguana’s Ice Show” and “Little Queen Bee”) and a few, including “Vampire Village” and “Night Crawler Coaster,” seem creepy and sinister. A ticket, written in hackneyed verse, accompanies each ride. There’s a hidden number and an animal in each illustration, and a detailed map of the park is included. As an alphabet book, this falls short, but fans of literary puzzle books, such as Martin Handford’s “Where’s Waldo” (Candlewick) and Jean Marzollo’s “I Spy” series (Scholastic), may appreciate Rogalski’s effort for its visual whimsy and fanciful design.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2–Lucia, her mother, and baby brother live in a small isolated cabin in the Far North. As the snows mount and the winds howl around their tiny home, their food supplies dwindle. One morning, the sun does not rise. Darkness envelops Lucia’s world and when the cow stops giving milk, the brave child decides to go out into the world and bring the sun home again. She skis and trudges on in spite of adversity and fear and faces the terrible trolls. Of course, Lucia succeeds, returning home to her mother’s love and a beautiful light-dappled world. This heartwarming adventure will delight girls and boys with its terrifying trolls and triumphant travails. GrandPré illuminates the tale with soft, fluid multihued paintings that vividly convey both danger and sunlight-filled safety and warmth. This fablelike story is a wonderful companion to Mordicai Gerstein’s Carolinda Clatter! (Roaring Brook, 2005) and perhaps a favorite version of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”–Tamara E. Richman, Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ

K-Gr 2–Three bunny siblings find much better things to do than go to sleep. Each time their parents look in on them, they are playing with cars or trains or pretending to be cowboys and even a marching band. Despite numerous warnings, the noisy little creatures just cannot stay in their beds. Finally the house is quiet, but when the youngsters creep down the hall and discover their parents fast asleep, they plan to play all night long. But soon a new noise is heard, the snoring of bunnies who have played themselves to sleep. A simple pattern moves this tale along. Mama and Daddy are trying to wind down for the evening with a bit of reading and some tea and carrot cake, but loud sounds from the bedroom send them repeatedly upstairs to admonish their children and put them back in bed. The colorful, folksy gouache illustrations bring real personality to the text with expressions of exasperation, amusement, and joy. The text is placed in and around the art and has a large, bold font to emphasize the raucous sounds of the little rabbits. Despite the winning illustrations, the tale seems a bit stale and overly long.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 5–The lovable diapered possum, Mama’s “sweet little patootie,” stars in another charming book, this time a variation of the Southern folktale “Sody Sallyraytus.” On Epossumondas’s birthday, Mama’s plans to make his favorite light fluffy biscuits come to a halt when she discovers that she is out of sody sallyraytus. She asks one after another of the guests to “scoot over to the store” to buy some, and, unfortunately, they meet up with a hungry “GREAT, HUGE, UGLY LOUISIANA SNAPPING TURTLE!” It’s up to Epossumondas to rescue them. Salley’s text is alive with the colorful expressions of the South (“Well, I swaney” and “Honey, you’re gooder ’n’ grits”), which make the story a delight to read aloud. Stevens’s hilarious mixed-media illustrations are a perfect match for the narrative. The visual details create lovable characters as well as a truly frightening villain. Mama’s purple glasses and shoes, Epossumondas’s diaper and the inexplicable safety pin hanging on his tale, and the Louisiana setting are all unforgettable. Children will love listening to the tale and will laugh out loud at the verbal expressions and the artwork. This one belongs on the shelves of every library, but it won’t stay there long.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3-6–This installment in the series takes Joe, Sam, and Fred over the Silk Road into China. As it opens, the infamous blue Book transports Joe from the pool of his local YMCA to the desert where he meets Marco Polo, who is on his way to meet Kublai Khan. The boy is reunited with his friends only after rescuing himself and Marco Polo from bandits and a sandstorm. He also teaches the explorer how to play the game named after him, which provides for some very funny moments. The book concludes with a description of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. This title is as rich in historical detail as it is in humor and will have special appeal to reluctant readers.–Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

K-Gr 4–Based on the award-winning, animated short film of the same name, this picture book tells the story of Leon and his squirrel, Earl, on the night the moon goes dark. The boy and his pet are doing some night fishing on the bayou when they are whisked off by a giant fish made of stars that sends them crashing into the darkened moon. There Leon and Earl must save Moongirl and the orb itself from the “gargaloon,” a monster that hates moonlight and tries to keep it dark. The large cartoon illustrations carry the exciting plot, giving energy and a fantastical mood to the text, but they provide merely a taste of the film’s artistic animation. The package includes a DVD, which is a must as the book itself struggles to stand alone. Libraries circulating popular materials will want to have a copy.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1-3–Told in rhyming text, this story describes the efforts of a group of boys and girls to build a clubhouse. Each of the youngsters contributes a tool to the project, and an explanation of its use is provided. Pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons add to the narrative: for instance, when talking about rulers, several types of rulers and tape measures are shown, along with inches marked along the bottom of the page, and the information that “1ft. = 12 in.” and “1 yd. = 3 ft.” While there are no overt safety warnings, adults (mostly dads) are shown helping and overseeing the work at every stage. Gail Gibbons’s Tool Book (Holiday House, 1982) and Anne F. Rockwell and Harlow Rockwell’s The Toolbox (Walker, 2004) are similar in showing the use of tools, but neither shows anyone building anything.–Nancy Silverrod, San Francisco Public Library

K-Gr 2–Billy Bob Glum, aka The Bubble Gum Kid, has a problem–he cannot blow a bubble. He is also continually pestered by a schoolyard bully named Double Chin Dan. His sister finally teaches him to blow incredible bubbles as part of his plan to show up his nemesis, but his plan ends up getting both Billy Bob and Double Chin Dan into some unexpected trouble. Smith’s rhyming text keeps the story of a boy out for revenge light and bouncy. The story moves along at a quick clip as readers try to discover how the kid solves his problems. This cautionary tale will definitely be popular with young children fascinated with bubble gum and its potential. Woolf’s illustrations add to the candy-coated fun. The digitally created illustrations are full of quirky personality.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 2-4–In this third series installment, child superhero Melvin and his assistant Candace are trying to figure out who has it in for the hot new band, The Grateful Fred. When someone sets off a bomb at a concert, it’s up to the two kids to find the culprit, a task somewhat hampered by Melvin’s difficulty with flying and Candace’s refusal to save the world before her math homework is done. Readers learn early on what the bad guy is up to, and the story line follows the hero’s and villain’s parallel stories until they finally meet. Rather than relying on mystery or action, the book attempts to capture its readers with wit–sometimes more successfully than others. It is funny that Melvin can’t turn off his X-ray vision and has to look at everyone’s underwear, but overuse of stock phrases such as “faster than a speeding bullet” and “nick of time” wear thin. Sketchy black-and-white cartoons appear frequently throughout. Early chapter-book readers would do better to stick with Bruce Hale’s “Chet Gecko” (Harcourt) or Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” (Scholastic) series.–Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 3–Van Allsburg’s latest story opens with a spider and a scream coming from Trudy (offstage), caused by an older brother’s prank. Although Calvin’s mother is none too pleased with her son, she honors his birthday with tickets for a magician/hypnotist. When the boy and his friend witness the strutting and clucking of a pearl-clad matron who believes she’s a chicken, they can’t wait to build their own rotating spiral disk. With Mom at the beauty parlor, the moment is ripe with Van Allsburgian possibility, and the artist delivers with fresh and funny scenes. Under hypnosis, Trudy becomes a dog. The suspense builds as the boys struggle to remember the word that will break the spell. The highly textured pastel and pencil drawings, rendered in a range of warm browns, are offset by creamy, rich backgrounds. The sepia look is well suited to the ’40s setting. The masterful compositions display the depth, varied viewpoints, and marvelous mixture of patterns and surfaces that readers have come to expect from the artist. The expressions and postures of the African-American heroine are hilarious. Probuditi! displays a clear sympathy for the thankless role of a younger sibling; however, while Calvin is howling at the memory of his sister “barking and drooling,” it is she who has the very satisfying last laugh (offstage).–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2–Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat live together in mutual dislike. Mr. Cat dreams of cooking Mr. Rat and tries to trick him into taking cheese from a trap. The rodent locks the feline out of the house in the rain, dreams of Mr. Cat moving away, and, on another occasion, puts his nemesis’s tail in the fire while he snoozes. One day, Mr. Rat mistakenly receives a gift of cheese that he thinks is from Mr. Cat, which changes his feelings about his adversary. The pleased rodent reciprocates with a ham. Many exchanged gifts and a lasting friendship ensue over the years–with the occasional surprise present. Walton’s slightly formal prose with its singsong rhyming pattern softens the impact of the characters’ less-savory thoughts and actions and is fun to read aloud. The detailed watercolor illustrations are filled with expressive body language and facial features; and simple backgrounds keep the focus on the action. McCue brings the text to life, including slightly unsettling pictures of Mr. Cat with his tail burning. All but the most sensitive children will be taken with this cat-and-mouse tale.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-K–The protagonist of Albert’s Impossible Toothache (Candlewick, 2003) has a new problem–what to give Grandmother for her birthday. Cushman’s expressive cartoon illustrations show the young turtle’s enthusiasm and frustration as he keeps trying to find not only the right gift, but also to stay out of the way of the rest of the family members as they prepare for the celebration. This lovely intergenerational story shows Albert’s thoughtful process as he finally decides on the perfect present.–Sherry Quinones, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD

Gr 2-6–A blend of picture book and graphic novel, this story appears to be set in days of old when knights were bold. However, this knight is a total wimp named Dave, the lowly son of an assistant pig-swill strainer. With his mother serving as his page, Dave sets off to save a damsel in distress. The tale within a tale begins with Professor I Noah Lott, modern-day tour guide, leading visitors through the castle where the legendary Dave supposedly slew a dragon. However, in frames that contrast with the professor’s regal proclamations, the true story unfolds in far more colloquial language. Young Dave is actually terrified of the squeaking creature traumatizing the royal family. Efficiently, his mum eliminates the mouse and then fabricates the dragon story, bringing her son glory and a place in Princess Peach’s heart. Dave, who anachronistically rides a bike and wears a silly bucket on his head, is an endearing simpleton. Witty dialogue and hilarious illustrations will ensure that this British import finds fans on this side of the pond.–Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 1-3–This early chapter book includes dragons, a friend, a loose tooth, and cowboys. Ginger, a dragon, has a troublesome tooth. It is loose but not ready to come out, and it hurts. Her cowboy-loving brothers offer ideas for pulling it out, but hot breath, smoke, and fire are not helpful. As a last resort, her friend Zoey insists that the dragons visit Dr. Frumble, who is able to extract the tooth. But when he tries to clean the boys’ teeth, they become upset and start breathing smoke and fire. Nurse Sally runs for the fire extinguisher and sprays everyone with the dentist’s new invention: Shake-and-Shoot Dragon Toothpaste, which works wonders. This story has a lot of potential but too much going on: Ginger’s tooth, the boys acting like cowboys, the dentist singing, Nurse Sally playing the tuba, and the toothpaste. The illustrations are borderline too busy but still okay, while the plot is as loose as Ginger’s tooth.–Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

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