SLJ Holiday Shopping Guide
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SLJ Book Review Editors -- School Library Journal, 12/10/2007
Picture Books
Henkes, Kevin. A Good Day. illustrated by author. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. $16.99.
Preschool–A seemingly random series of events transforms a dismal day to one of delight for four backyard creatures and a little girl. The volatile nature of a child’s existence and the ability to embrace simple pleasures are brought to light through the minimal text and spectacular, expressive artwork.
Kulka, Joe. Wolf’s Coming! illustrated by author. Carolrhoda. $15.95.
Preschool-Grade 1–The expected arrival of a big, fierce-looking wolf with fangs, glowing eyes, and a red necktie is cause for small animals to dash indoors–just in time to surprise him with a party. Cartoon illustrations in saturated hues and a spare, rhyming text pair perfectly in this deliciously scary story.
Madison, Alan. Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly. illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. $16.99.
Preschool-Grade 3–Velma longs to stand out like her older, more accomplished sisters but is stymied until she discovers her love of butterflies. With humorous wordplay and electric cartoon art, this is an uplifting and way-cool look at one child’s metamorphosis.
O’Malley, Kevin & Patrick O’Brien. Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates. illustrated by Patrick O’Brien. Walker. $16.95.
Kindergarten-Grade 4. After a near fatal attack by a thieving band of reptilian space invaders, Captain Raptor and his crew encounter a wretched creature who offers to fix their spaceship for a lift. Back in the air, the scalawag shows his true colors. Scenes of treachery and intergalactic battles will keep picture-book readers spellbound.
Willems, Mo. There Is a Bird on Your Head! illustrated by author. Hyperion. $8.99.
Kindergarten-Grade 2–After two lovebirds settle down on frustrated, then angry Elephant’s head, his friend Pig comes up with the perfect way to send them packing. Through a few well-chosen words and expertly crafted cartoons, Willems offers a funny story that is in perfect harmony with the sensibilities of emerging readers.
Curtis, Christopher Paul. Elijah of Buxton. Scholastic. $16.99.
Grades 4-8–Labeled “fra-gile” ever since infancy, Elijah, the first child born free in a Canadian community of escaped slaves, longs to be “growned” up. When circumstances force him to cross the U. S. border, the sensitive boy comes face to face with the horrors of slavery and matures in ways that would have been unimaginable just days before.
Pennypacker, Sara. The Talented Clementine. illustrated by Marla Frazee. Hyperion. $14.99.
Grades 2-5–The school’s “Talent-Palooza” is fast approaching and Clementine, who considers herself exceptionally untalented, surprises everyone–including herself–on the big night. A stellar performance, with snappy narrative and spot-on humor.
Rex, Adam. The True Meaning of Smekday. illustrated by author. Hyperion. $16.99.
Grades 4-8–In the chaotic turmoil that follows the Boov invasion of Earth, 11-year-old Gratuity Tucci finds herself driving her mother’s car to Florida, where all of the humans are being relocated, with her cat and a renegade extraterrestrial named J.Lo as her copilots. Rex balances the wildly imaginative and hilarious goings-on with more serious and thoughtful concerns about American society to create a high-energy futuristic romp.
Rumford, James. Beowulf: A Hero’s Tale Retold. illustrated by author. Houghton. $17.
Grades 5-8–After rescuing the Danes and their king from the horrific Grendel, Beowulf must defend himself against the wrath of the ogre’s mother, and years later, a vengeful, rancorous dragon. Breathtaking pen-and-ink and watercolor paintings superimposed on patterned backgrounds chart the bloody battles of man against beasts.
Stewart, Trenton Lee. The Mysterious Benedict Society. illustrated by Carson Ellis. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Books. $16.99.
Grades 5-9–Four children without families are selected to enter an isolated school where they must foil an evil master who plans to take over the world. Mysterious clues, puzzles, danger, creative problem-solving, and zany humor all play a part as the youngsters use their special abilities to thwart the villain, restore order, and find a place for themselves.
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. illustrated by Ellen Forney. Little, Brown. $16.99.
Grades 7-10–Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian, is a bright, geeky teen who transfers from the reservation school to a rich, white high school. With honesty, humor, and unfailing optimism, he comes to terms with tragic realities and family frailties, and learns who he really is.
Thompson, Kate. The New Policeman. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. $16.99.
Grades 7-10–The hours are slipping through everyone’s fingers in the Irish village of Kinvara, so when J.J.’s Mum requests more time for her birthday, the 15-year-old musician goes on a quest that leads him into the fairyland of Tír na n’Óg and the heart of his family’s deepest secrets. Fantasy, folklore, and musical zeal harmonize into a tantalizing and finely tuned coming-of-age tale.
Bishop, Nic. Nic Bishop Spiders. photographs by author. Scholastic. $16.99.
Grades 3-5–A tarantula can easily outlive man’s best friend. Who knew? Yet fascinating, well-researched facts aren’t what sets this book apart. It’s the improbable images. Through the wonder of stop-action photography, the multitalented Bishop has made his hairy, eight-legged subjects look as slick and gorgeous as supermodels as he puts a new spin on a garden-variety topic.
Jenkins, Steve. Dogs and Cats. illustrated by author. Houghton. $16.
Kindergarten-Grade 5–Jenkins introduces trustworthy human companions, touching on evolution, domestication, behavior, and physical characteristics. Filled with fascinating facts and lovely, lifelike cut-paper collages, this vivid volume will captivate pet enthusiasts, who can read about one species then flip it over to read about the other.
