Multimedia Review

Gr 1–4—Puffer, a well-dressed puffin, goes to New York City to visit artist Romare Bearden and talk about his collages in this animated production. In his studio, Bearden explains how he makes collages using primarily solid and patterned paper. The bird and the artist look carefully at six of his collages, discussing the materials, composition, and themes (family, urban life, music). At one point, Bearden encourages the bird to make his own collage. The artist explains that the places he lived and visited inspired his work. The pair also discuss the influence of music on Bearden's collages and other aspects of his life. The entire production is animated except for the six actual collages that are shown in their entirety and in close-ups as they are discussed. The narration is stiff with somewhat stilted dialogue, especially for Puffer. Additional information about each collage is presented at the end of the film. Teachers will appreciate the clear explanations and the examples of how an artist's work is influenced by life experiences.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

Gr 9 Up—This film introduces personal finance and career opportunities in the corporate financial field. Divided into three segments, the first follows a college student who has recently moved to his first apartment as he works with a financial planner and learns how to track his expenses, create a budget, and save for the four-year college he plans to attend. The second part features a 20-something young woman, an environmentally friendly fashion designer, as she learns about, applies for, and receives a microfinance loan so that she can produce her own clothing line. The final segment follows a group of ethnically diverse high school students who are participating in a summer financial education program that includes a competition that tests their merger and acquisitions skills. The two student teams research, plan, negotiate, and finalize a simulated corporate merger and have their deal-making skills evaluated by a team of judges. A young African-American male serves as host and provides minimal narration; most of the film features the words and actions of the young people as they navigate the world of finance. The first two segments are most relevant for teens. However, the film doesn't provide the level of detail found in Learning ZoneXpress's It's Your Money: Financial Flight School (Aug. 2006, p. 47), which offers more specific and useful advice for teens who are preparing for independent living.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 8–10—This Australian-made film is designed for classroom instruction and features seven diverse students following an instructor's demonstration of four basic hip hop moves. After a brief warm-up where the students are shown via the mirror behind the teacher, each move is presented and attempted by the class. The students build a short dance by combining the steps, followed by a cool down. The music and narration are upbeat and clear. The instructor has an Australian accent and uses some phrases that can be understood in context. The video pans the students too quickly for viewing the steps. During instruction there is minimal correction and excessive use of the word "okay." At one point the instructor uses her finger to wipe her nose. About half of the class has not mastered the four steps by the end of the presentation, so positive student results are not apparent. The film's videography is uneven and it doesn't provide enough instruction.—Gay Ann Loesch, formerly Sun Valley Middle School, Indian Trail, NC

Gr 7 Up—This powerful and moving autobiographical documentary is sure to become a favorite in many classroom settings. It's the account of Rick Kirkham's distressing fall from being a heralded national television correspondent for Inside Edition and loving father to an unemployed, divorced crack cocaine addict—all documented by Kirkham's own video footage. Given a movie camera as a gift when he was a teenager, Kirkham used it as his personal "diary" for the next 30 years. Viewers learn about his many personal and professional successes and are witness to his exploration and expanding use of illegal drugs. As the chronicle continues, viewers can't help but lose any sympathy they might have had for Kirkham, despite a series of attempts at rehabilitation. The presentation is enhanced by the inclusion of an interview with Kirkham in which he expands on his feelings in retrospect; a number of on-screen drug abuse statistics and other information; a "curriculum connection" segment featuring suggested classroom activities including downloadable print materials and two interactive assessment tools intended to help students personally and confidentially assess their risk factors. Throughout the presentation, Kirkham seems to be the proverbial "poster boy" for those with addictive personalities: extremely self-centered, enabled by the lack of a strong family support system, gifted with good looks and the ability to be orally persuasive, yet doomed to be self-destructive. This well-crafted, compelling film should be at the top of every school's purchase list.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

PreS-K—Noisivision has compiled a collection many of their music videos currently available through online venues such as YouTube, iTunes, and MySpace. Four children, two Asian and two Caucasian, are featured singing. Several of these music videos have one or more of the children singing along with recorded music from the USAF Band. Children's classic songs "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," "ABC Song," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" intermingle with original material such as "Laird's Vowel Song" (featuring a ditty about vowels) and "Movie Promo Trailer" (a pirate movie teaser featuring two boys). A handful of short segments called "Movie Minutes" feature video footage of animals in Yellowstone National Park set to music. There is no thread connecting one selection to the next. The inclusion of "The Pledge of Allegiance" and "America the Beautiful" (a child sings along with a recording of the USAF Band in both of these) is jarring since these are not works intended for young children, and they come across as bad karaoke. Generally, the music quality of the children's voices is marginal throughout the production. Visual effects are uninspired. Heavy use of stock photos and computer animations will do little to stir the imaginations or expand the experiences of young children.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-K—Skits, songs, and dance capture the attention of young children through a blend of live action and animation. Comical, appealing animal puppets are featured in amusing stories: a shy elephant is chased by a little mouse, a dog imitates farm animal sounds, and more. The pleasant music includes the folk songs "Los Pollitos (The Chicks)" and "Vengan a Ver Mi Granja (Come and See My Farm)." Viewers learn the names of animals in Spanish and the sounds they make through repetition as native speakers clearly talk in full sentences rather than just repeat a word or phrase. The quick changes from live action to animation and the use of puppets help maintain the attention of younger viewers. A translation guide is included that lists the Spanish words and their translations in the same order that they are introduced in the program. Kids will have fun singing and dancing along as they learn Spanish vocabulary.—Denise A. Garofalo, Astor Home for Children, Rhinebeck, NY

K-Gr 5—Bullying is a widespread problem children face, and teaching them to deal effectively with it is an important life skill. This live-action program begins with a story about a young boy with leukemia who was teased. A series of skits feature wacky characters to teach about different aspects of the topic—verbal, emotional, and physical abuse; good role models; love, honor, and respect; empathy; and more. Specific ways to deal with bullying, such as walking away, using humor, and making friends are briefly mentioned. Children are encouraged to nurture their self-esteem and celebrate their differences. This fast-paced, high-energy production is kid-friendly and aimed at a young audience. One segment is specifically geared to primary graders. Therefore, it's nice that there is a scene selection option. Accompanying materials provide extension activities. There's a lot of slapstick humor, overacting, and hyperbole here. It's fun to watch, but the message can get lost in the format. This program would best be used to reinforce an anti-bullying curriculum, after children had already been taught the basics in a more direct way.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 8 Up—One welcomed societal development in the last two decades has been the emergence of a number of community-based resources which gay, lesbian, transgendered, and questioning adolescents can access. One such group is Outlet, a support group in the San Francisco area which provides an opportunity for youths at all stages of their identity process to come together and share their problems, successes, questions, and feelings about themselves and their world. This brief but comprehensive program allows viewers to see what a support group can provide by featuring footage of their meetings as well as interviews with the group's advisors and a number of young people in the organization. The members movingly share their struggles as well as provide descriptions of their journeys to find, accept, and embrace themselves. Particularly touching are their stories of attempting to fit into the world of adolescence, a challenging process under the best of circumstances. While the f-bomb word is used by one of the young people in the program, it isn't particularly insulting when considering the context; but, be warned that it is present. While the program's content is very valuable and to the point, it's best use would be to inspire young people to find a similar group or to help others actually formulate such an organization.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 6 Up—This four-part film presents an emotionally heart-wrenching story of a 13-year-old young man who committed suicide. The presentation given by Ryan's father, John Halligan, is taped during an actual school assembly program for middle- and high-school students. Mr. Halligan talks about the hurt and pain that his family and his son experienced as Ryan was bullied at school and on the Internet. He speaks honestly about his feelings toward the bullies and how he came face-to-face with those who tormented his son on a daily basis. He addresses the seriousness of this form of harassment and the terrible effects it has on the lives of young people. As an advocate for bullying prevention, Ryan's dad offers tips to students on ways to prevent, address, cope with, and stop bullying. The DVD opens and closes with Ryan's parents sharing the unfolding events of the tragic day of Ryan's death as well as special memories of their son. The honesty, compassion, grief, and love expressed are certain to touch viewers and heighten their awareness for the need to eliminate bullying. The teacher's guide includes a two-day lesson plan.—Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

PreS-Gr 2—Ruthie yearns to be a superhero. So when her parents ask her to keep Aunt Juanita company right before her baby is due to arrive, Ruthie flies down the street of her Puerto Rican neighborhood in the Bronx. Her aunt has food cravings, and Ruthie runs down the steps of her aunt's apartment building and into the bodega to buy some goodies. When a shopkeeper gives Ruthie a box of kittens to play with, the girl forgets all about her aunt. Aunt Juanita goes into labor and Ruthie misses the whole event. It is only later, at the welcome party for the new baby, that Aunt Juanita validates Ruthie's role in helping the baby to "come" by being a superhero and getting the foods she craved. Rosie, happy again, is asked to be the first to hold the new baby. The story (Atheneum, 2007), written by Sonia Manzano (Maria on Sesame Street), is narrated by the author with the lilt of the barrio in her voice. She sprinkles in some Spanish words, like the foods the aunt craves. Matt Phelan's watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations are slightly animated to show Ruthie's superhero energy and exuberance. Some sound effects add to the telling. In a conversation with the author at the end of the tale, Manzano explains how the story reflects her own experiences as a Puerto Rican growing up in the Bronx. Youngsters will appreciate the affirmation of Ruthie's role in her extended family. Hispanic students will especially relate to the neighborhood feeling of the story, the Spanish vocabulary, and the author's culturally rich narration.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

PreS-Gr 2—Denise Fleming's charming picture book (Holt, 2003) canine, Buster, is brought to life in this animated version. Buster is a very happy dog whose owner, Brown Shoes, gives him everything he could ever want or need. But his whole world is turned upside down when a white kitten named Betty comes to live with them. Buster is not a big fan of cats. Although Betty does her best to ingratiate herself to the dog, he ignores her attempts. When she becomes more of an annoyance than he can handle, Buster runs away from home. While he enjoys his new Betty-free surroundings for a while, he realizes he misses his home and is lost. It's up to Betty and a feathered friend to steer Buster back where he belongs. This "Special Appearance Video" features a brief introduction by the author, who tells the story of her own dog who was the inspiration for Buster's tale. The animation is very simplistic, but works well in not distracting from Fleming's lush, vibrant art. Gentle background music accompanies Ann Scobie's well-paced narration.—Jennifer Verbrugge, Dakota County Library, Galaxie Branch, Apple Valley, MN

PreS-Gr 2—Gene Barretta's fun and quirky introduction to homophones (Holt, 2007) is brought to life in this fun-filled romp through the zoo. He introduces the book with great humor and special effects, explaining that homophones are words that sound alike, but are spelled differently and have different meanings, like ate and eight. He then demonstrates how confusing homophones can be, as he ordered a flower for his wife, but got flour instead. In the book, Aunt Ant, who lives in the zoo, is writing to her Dear Deer, telling him of the strange and often humorous escapades she sees at the zoo. These, of course, involve some amusing homophones. From a moose who loves mousse and ate eight bowls to a doe who kneads dough because she needs the dough to a bee who flew from a flea with the flu, the descriptions are silly and fun. While some homophones may be beyond the vocabulary of the youngest viewers, the majority are fun and easy to understand. Even if the meanings of some of the words are not completely understood, the concept of a homophone is made perfectly clear. Barretta's colorful and amusing illustrations of outrageous animals add to the merriment and help explain the meanings of the homophone-filled descriptions. This pun-filled visit to the zoo is a fabulous introduction to homophones.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

PreS-Gr 3—After organizing a strike, taking charge of the farm, and running for president, what else can Duck possibly do? What about start a singing career as an American Idol, barnyard style? When a notice about the county talent show is posted to the local paper, persistent Duck is determined to enter and win the grand prize trampoline. Rounding up his animal friends, Duck coaches the cows, the lambs, and the pigs. On the day of the show, the troupe becomes disheartened as group after group, herd after herd fails to earn points from the judges. All hope seems to be lost until Duck picks up the microphone and quacks out Steppenwolf's tune. "Born to Be Wild," for the dramatic win. Doreen Cronin's picture book (Atheneum, 2006) is brought to life with Betsy Lewin's humorous animated watercolor illustrations and narration by Randy Travis and others. Jon Carroll as Duck sings "Born to Be Wild" like a rock star. Youngsters will love the barnyard merriment and fans of the series will be tickled once again.—Ann Crewdson, KCLS-Issaquah Library, WA

PreS-Gr 2—In places where lighthouses could not be built, lightships once served as floating lighthouses in the oceans, Great Lakes, and across America. Brian Floca became fascinated with these patient guardians of the waters when he visited the South Street Seaport Museum in New York, and he wrote of one such ship in this picture book (Atheneum, 2007). Floca introduces the video with a live-action film of the Ambrose lightship, a wordless visual tour which highlights every nook and cranny of the ship which for many years served the captains of New York Harbor. From the pilot room, he offers an explanation of the lightship's purpose, and prepares students for the book they are about to enjoy, prompting them to think about the day-to-day life of the crew. The patient, casual pace of the book and the video mimics the tempo of life aboard the Ambrose. This ship doesn't carry cargo or sail from port to port; it holds its place in the water, patiently waiting through winter and summer, calm waters and rough. The crew and its cat pass the days performing mundane jobs, waiting and preparing. The monotony could become trying, but the crew holds the ship "to its one sure spot." Then, when fog and bad weather roll in, the steadfast Ambrose comes alive, blasting a warning to advancing ships with lights and horn, keeping them safe from rocks, reefs, and sunken ships. The teacher's guide offers additional explanations and student activities. Children will appreciate this tribute to a vanishing beacon of the seas and its dedicated crew.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Wallace the mouse makes lists—of everything. One day, his daily to-do list includes watering his plants and taking a walk. When he notices his new neighbor, Albert, he wants to say hello but can't because it's not on his list. Albert challenges Wallace to listen to the music of life and be adventurous. The picture book (Katherine Tegen Books, 2004) by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik is an endearing story of friendship and risk-taking. The colorful artwork by Olof Landstrom places the small mice in the human-sized world. They are shown riding on a luggage carousel at the airport, waiting at human foot level for a bus, and climbing to the top of a skyscraper. The art is animated and unobtrusive music plays in the background. A DVD option provides a read-along script at the bottom of the screen, with the word being read highlighted. This film can be shown for pure enjoyment or to generate discussions about friendship, fears, conflict resolution, and more.—Marilyn Hersh, Hillside Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

Gr 3–6—Xylo, a little green alien, crashes to Earth and meets a wise cat named Coz who teaches him about parts of speech. This film is divided into five segments covering nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Each part of speech is carefully and completely explained, its uses are demonstrated, spelling rules are examined, and multiple examples are given. This is not just a quick overview. Thorough information is presented in this brightly colored, simply animated film that will appeal to children. A cockroach, as well as Xylo's introduction to various Earth activities, provide a touch of humor. Each segment can be accessed individually, but they are best viewed sequentially in multiple sittings. Teachers will appreciate the clear and concise information, as well as the reviews at the end of each segment. This program will provide excellent support for classroom instruction.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 1–6—Through lecture and demonstrations, this program teaches children how to be safe, defend themselves against attacks, handle fear, and what to do around strange dogs. Young siblings George and Maddie demonstrate, with much humor and exaggeration, what can happen to our bodies when we experience fear. Viewers are treated to several lessons on self defense and confidence building by Taekwondo Grand Master Hyon K. Choi. He and his assistants use slow-motion and close-up photography to teach youngsters how to get out of various holds, using Taekwondo punches and kicks. Following the martial arts demonstrations, Dr. Compton of the Animal Care Council explains how to read a dog's mood and offers tips on how to avoid being attacked. In the final segment, two sisters offer advice to children who walk home from school, demonstrating smart behaviors along the streets and when they are home alone. The majority of the program involves the Taekwondo lessons. Viewers are encouraged to watch the video repeatedly and to practice the moves with their parents until they become automatic. The DVD includes iPod content; seven sections of the presentation are included in MPEG-4 movie format, for transfer to an iPod or other portable device, so that families can practice the moves in a gym or outdoors. Although not intended to teach full martial arts mastery, the film does provide instructions for a few basic moves that will help youngsters defend themselves, and may inspire them to take further lessons.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Gr 7 Up—This short biographical sketch surveys the life of one of history's most notable (and controversial) scientists. Key events in Darwin's life are presented and blurbs about his seminal works, On the Origin of Species and Descent of Man, are provided. The information is brief and presented very quickly; students could collect more information from an encyclopedia article. The visuals, while clear, consist primarily of scans of handwritten documents, portraits, and photographs of Darwin interspersed with unnecessary video clips of re-enactors. A male narrator speaks clearly but so quickly that viewers may miss some important points. Fortunately, important dates appear on the screen and there is some repetition of narration to aid retention of the information; oddly, place names and the names of other important figures do not appear as graphics. The lack of meaningful animations, video clips, or visual demonstrations of Darwin's theories gives this production the feel of a read-aloud Wikipedia article. This overview is too brief to serve its intended audience.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 7 Up—Thousands of people die each day from lack of clean drinking water, and this futuristic science-fiction film addresses that problem. People in the Indian rural village of Kutch celebrate the installation of a pre-paid water meter. A New York City water corporation, Hydron, developed the project and sends a female executive there to inspect the system. The 1000 liters of free drinking water are insufficient to meet the needs of the villagers, and they can't afford to purchase additional water. Drought, illness, and death plague the village. The local school teacher leads the protest against Hydron and the visiting executive, who herself is in need of water at the village, but has no pre-paid card. This film will be most useful as a hook for students in science, environmental studies, and social science classes studying the global need for clean water and the countries where pre-paid water meters do exist. The unique presentation can ignite research and debate as to "who controls water controls life."—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 7–9—This series provides helpful information to enable students to better understand the problems that endanger the Earth's environment as well as the simple changes that can improve it. Two students narrate in a manner that will appeal to viewers. The seriousness of the problems facing our environment is addressed, emphasizing their causes and ways to become more eco-friendly. The Earth Needs Your Help discusses air pollution, depletion of the ozone layer, the disappearance of rainforests, and global warming. The focus is on the misuse of the Earth's resources. It explains how to conduct an eco-investigation to create a step-by-step checklist of ways individuals, families, schools, and communities can improve and save the planet. In How "Eco" Are You?, the home, the school, and the community are focal points for conducting an eco-investigation to determine an "eco-friendly" level. By recording findings in a log book, students are encouraged to identify ways to make the Earth a healthier place to live. Things You Can Do reviews the notes accumulated during the eco-investigation and the actions that can be taken to improve the environment. Students are encouraged to adopt the three "Rs": refuse to buy anything that is unhealthy for the Earth, reuse items when possible, and recycle. The series emphasizes that everyone can help stop or reverse environmental problems. An appropriate choice for middle school libraries.—Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Gr 7 Up—Filmmaker Andrew Nisker persuades his friends, the Mcdonald family of Toronto, to store three months' worth of garbage in their garage. Attempting to show viewers how much waste an average family produces, Nisker chronicles the Mcdonalds' experiences. The family's energy consumption and waste reach beyond their home, so Nisker follows the trail, showing how organic waste is composted, how recycling works, and how big coal companies are changing lives in West Virginia. Although filmed primarily with a handheld camera, the picture and sound quality is quite good. Key points are written on the screen. This production provides a lot of information, including some facts that may surprise viewers about their effect on the environment and the environment's effect on them. However, more advice about how to reduce one's impact on the environment would have been helpful. This documentary could be useful for classes studying the environment and waste management.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

PreS-Gr 3—This film pans from scenes of nature to puppetry to green grass, featuring dancing leaves and flashes of squirrels, swans, and a colony of ants scurrying in fast-motion footage. Touted as a "visual, musical, and poetic composition," the graphics are dizzying. Children dance and play against an obvious blue screen when they should be running in real fields. There are few actual scenes of the world of nature. Rather than a tribute to nature, the film celebrates an imitation of nature. The narrator's voice is exaggerated, even for an audience of young children, in some parts dipping below a whisper. On occasion, the narration misidentifies some of the colors of flowers shown on the screen. The visual effects of the flipping electronic pages and the geometric shapes floating around the screen containing nature in prisms are unique and innovative. However, the filming is not up to par, with a glowing green tint coloring children's hair and irrelevant shots of youngsters playing with wooden blocks. Children would be better served by going outdoors to play and observing nature all around them.—Ann Crewdson, Issaquah Library, KCLS, WA

K-Gr 5—Consisting primarily of live-action footage of a variety of penguins, the film is hosted by two computer-animated penguins, PJ and Artie. While a few people appear in a handful of scenes, the majority of the footage consists solely of penguins in their natural habitat; there are some scenes of them in their captive habitats as well. Seventeen species of penguins from around the world are profiled and shown in their various habitats. Basic information is provided for each of the species, including the Emperor, Adelie, Galapagos, and Macaroni. It would have been useful to show the names of the penguins on-screen. In addition, a recording of the sounds that the various penguins make is played. A variety of aspects of penguin life are clearly and simply presented including raising families, eating, dealing with predators, and more. Contrasting with the informational scenes are song and dance segments; all songs were produced by James Coffey. One tune, "Party Like a Penguin, which is available on YouTube, features a row of computer animated penguins line dancing. Another song, "10 Little Penguins," is slightly confusing because the penguins featured on-screen don't correlate to the numbers mentioned in the song. The bonus material includes profiles of other cold weather creatures as well as footage of Antarctica scenery. This informational video would be an additional purchase for school and public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 8 Up—"What are stem cells? Why do scientists get so excited about them? And what makes stem cells so controversial?" These questions are raised in the first moments of the film and subsequently answered. A brief overview of cells is presented first, followed by a detailed look at embryonic stem cells and their attributes and uses. Other related topics, such as in vitro fertilization, pharmaceutical research, early human development, genetic disorders, and nuclear DNA transfer are also touched upon. The controversy over stem cell use is covered in an evenhanded manner. The visuals are varied and move along nicely. Footage of somewhat old-fashioned looking scientists in the lab is interspersed with cutting edge films of enlarged cells which are overlaid with computer animation to highlight specific areas of interest. Most of the photos have a "courtesy of" tag on them, giving a nice message to students about citing sources. The background music sounds like it came from a somewhat creepy science fiction movie, and while it adds nothing to the overall enjoyment of the film, neither does it overpower the rest of the audio. This excellent overview of a fascinating field is a terrific resource for upper middle and high school biology students—Barbara Skaryd Fecteau, Beverly High School, MA

Gr 5 Up—Dr. Andrew Knoll, a paleontologist and Harvard professor, holds a question and answer session with students in a high school classroom. The bulk of the exchange focuses on Knoll's experience as a member of the Mars Exploration Rover Science Team and the search for evidence of life on Mars. The students ask thoughtful questions dealing with topics such as the atmospheric conditions on Mars, its geological history, and the challenges associated with collecting data on another planet. Knoll's responses are enthusiastic and informative, if sometimes bordering on too academic. The production was filmed by a student crew, with some assistance from professionals, creating a serviceable but not energetic or enticing program. The camera simply alternates between focusing on Kroll and the students; there are a few images taken from the Rover to illustrate a point. The sound quality of the discussion is mostly good, with the exception of a few students who mumble their questions. The program's organization leaves much to be desired: the students' questions are asked almost at random and some stray far from the topic of the exploration of Mars. The worthwhile intention of this program—to foster student interest in science by introducing them to a brilliant scientist—seems to have succeeded for the class at Wellesley High School, but the lack of organization and of energetic production values is unlikely to engage viewers.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY

Gr 7–10—This is one of a series of science programs in which a research scientist directly interacts with school children. The DVD focuses on an informal presentation by Dr. Andrew Knoll, a Harvard science professor and member of the Mars Exploration Rovers Team, to a high school science class. He utilizes numerous slides and specimens to demonstrate the strata of the Earth, and link fossils, microfossils, microbes, and bacteria found in different areas of the world, and in different layers of sedimentary rock, to the age of the planet. Dr. Knoll's presentation is relaxed, yet he touches upon a great deal of information, including some of the latest findings in using fossil layers from several key areas of the Earth to demonstrate the growth in complexity of organisms. The students ask solid questions, and the scientist provides simple, understandable answers. The DVD can be played in it's entirely or individual chapters can be accessed. The filming as well as the opening and closing music was done by students at the school. This fascinating production can be used to set the stage for junior high or high school Earth science or biology classes.—Barbara Hartings, Lebanon High School, OH

Gr 9 Up—This thorough documentary narrated by Martin Sheen explores the life of one of America's most controversial presidents. A bevy of distinguished and diverse historians create the context for the film's use of re-enactments, lithographs, and letters. Although Jackson, or "Old Hickory," came from impoverished beginnings and was orphaned by age 13, he rose to become a Major General in the United States Army, founder of the Democratic Party, and the seventh President of the United States. Jackson owned over 100 slaves, and was responsible for the forced, brutal removal of several Native American tribes from the southern territories. As a war hero, he led the American Army into a tremendous victory at the Battle of New Orleans, and launched a successful, yet unsanctioned, invasion of Florida. Not only was his campaign for the presidency contentious and scandal-ridden, he was the first candidate to use early mass media techniques (lithography) to win votes. He was also the first president to open the White House to "blue-collar" Americans. Although the material in the documentary is densely presented, it offers excellent segment breaks for in-class viewing. American history, social studies, and political science educators will find this a useful supplement to help highlight multiple aspects of the American experience, including governmental racism, the impact of mass media on politics, and the military history of the United States.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 10 Up—The content of this superb documentary is made unmistakably clear with its lengthy but lucid subtitle: "How We Were Mobilized to Battle the Enemy During World War Two; American & British Propaganda Motion Pictures 1940–1945." In an era before television and other mass media outlets shaped public opinion, the neighborhood movie theatre served as a principal source of information on the events of the day through the use of the infamous newsreels and government-produced films. The producers of this comprehensive program have gathered a sampling of those films which illustrate the types of messages received by the public. Each half of the chapter-accessible program is divided into five sections with a variety of subjects; some films were intended to provide information on the background and the ongoing conduct of the war, while others gave insights into the massive industrial movements occurring in both countries as well as the seemingly insignificant roles which individuals could play in the war effort, often including a plea for the purchase of more war bonds. Other segments lightened the mood with moments of comedy, including a particularly clever musical revision of a Nazi military parade; countering that is an anti-Japan propaganda clip that includes footage of the bayoneting of Chinese babies. A bonus section offers a few tracks of wartime music, political parodies, a BBC radio broadcast by Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret during the 1940 blitz of London, and a German propaganda broadcast. A well-balanced, effective production.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—Twenty years of bloody internal fighting in Sudan have left millions dead and displaced. Even though high profile celebrities continue to bring the mayhem to the forefront, most of the world's governments have been unwilling or impotent to intervene in the genocide. This low-key but overwhelmingly powerful documentary shows how individuals can affect the ongoing situation. Interviews with those involved as well as the victims of the violence are supplemented by a powerful collection of video footage, including actual Sudanese military attacks on the populace. Resulting from a seemingly incidental conversation between a young custodian in a suburban Chicago high school and Bruce David Janu, a social science teacher, this timely and touching program provides both a historical context as well as a striking contemporary description of the political, social, medical, and military mayhem in Africa's darkest corner. One segment on the Lost Boys of Sudan will particularly hit home with younger viewers; be cautioned that there are several instances of graphic images of death and explicit descriptions of events. The film was produced and directed by a teacher who crafted it to be as classroom-friendly as possible with scene selection, English subtitles, several bonus tracks, useful lesson plan suggestions, and a moving soundtrack of original compositions which greatly enhances the spirit of the program. This excellent, award-winning film will definitely have a deep impact on viewers.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 9 Up—The contributions of the segregated servicemen of World War II are highlighted in this stirring documentary. Within the conventions of a "separate but equal" status, these soldiers struggled for the right to serve their country and attain fair treatment from the cultural forces within both the military and the country. Through archival footage, personal narratives, and testimonials, this fascinating story comes to life in vivid detail. Despite harsh conditions, abhorrent treatment, and inferior equipment, the pilots, servicemen, and mechanics trained at Tuskegee were some of the most consistent and high-performing members of the American armed services. Even after their outstanding record helped lead America to victory, these heroic figures returned home to face the more elusive combatant of racial discrimination. Through grassroots advocacy, the Tuskegee Airmen became a symbol for perseverance and a force for desegregation. Sadly, the federal government did not recognize their impacting efforts for over 60 years. In a bittersweet ceremony, the surviving soldiers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. This documentary will fill a detrimental gap in the mainline history curriculum. It is highly recommended, along with other titles in this series, as an iteration that reduces the marginalization of African-American contributions within our collective history.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kesge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 5 Up—Grange fairs became popular in agricultural areas in the last part of the 19th century as a venue for farm families to gather together to both celebrate and enhance their various skills. They differ slightly from county fairs by covering larger geographic regions and by including provisions for families to stay on the fair site for its duration. This wonderfully engaging documentary, winner of a local Emmy award, celebrates all facets of the rural lifestyle by taking viewers to a Pennsylvania fair, one of the largest Grange events in the country. The program's 16 chapters begin with an introduction to several colorful individuals as they prepare for the fair's livestock, crafts, food, pageants, and decorating contests. A delightful musical background follows these individuals, their families, and the entire community as the fair approaches and the intricate planning turns into the establishment of a new city consisting of over a thousand family tents and an even larger number of RVs. Viewers will be fascinated with this glimpse into a different way of life.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 7 Up—The promises of the Declaration of Independence—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—are represented by Independence Hall, Monticello, the Statue of Liberty, and the Grand Canyon in this documentary. Each symbol of America is highlighted in short segments of approximately 13 minutes each. The portion on Independence Hall presents American history through the eyes of this historic building during the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of a new nation. Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, was his "essay in architecture," ironically built by the hands of slaves. The Statue of Liberty, America's 100 year-old birthday present from France, has come to symbolize the "emblem of liberty," the icon of the new world and the promise of a new life to millions of immigrants as they entered New York harbor and prepared to debark at Ellis Island. The Grand Canyon showcases the oldest exposed rock formations in the world and maps the history of the Earth. These four historic sites are shown with wonderful photography and distinctive narration in English or Spanish. A welcome addition to U.S. history collections.—Jeana Actkinson, Bridgeport High School, TX

Gr 9 Up—The fragmented history of American "race movies" is explored in this documentary. This niche was born in 1910 out of a segregated and racist attitude toward African Americans in the Hollywood entertainment industry. These films contained all black casts, were guided by black directors, and were produced by black-owned studios through the end of World War II. In order to counter the pervasive stereotypes put forward by Hollywood film, "race movies" rejected depictions that strictly connected poverty and crime to race, and offered more positive, community-centered representations. An estimated 500 films were created, but only 100 survive today. These films not only established more realistic public perceptions of African-American culture, but also helped launch the careers of many outstanding black actors like Lena Horne and Paul Robeson. This underrepresented genre of American film history is effectively celebrated and contextualized through interviews and archival footage. High school media centers, as well as history and communications educators, will find this documentary to be an impacting way to engender discussions about issues of race and representation, and an excellent record of the first independent cinematic movement in America.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 3–8—Highlighting the lives and times of two celebrated African-American women, this first offering in a new series about "people of courage who changed America," is informative, yet lacks drama. The first "chapter" begins with "Harriet's Life As an Enslaved Person," describing her childhood tasks, punishments, and separation from her family. Subsequent chapters cover how she traveled on the Underground Railroad and her escape to freedom as well as the Civil War and the end of slavery. Tubman's death in 1913 was also the year of Rosa Parks's birth. The second half of the program covers "Life in Rosa's America," "The Civil Rights Movement," and "Rosa's Act of Defiance," including archival images documenting the Jim Crow laws, the Ku Klux Klan, school desegregation, and Jackie Robinson's entry into major league baseball. Viewers may be surprised to learn that Rosa experienced an earlier bus incident in 1943 with the same driver that had her arrested 12 years later. Students learn about the NAACP and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Martin Luther King's involvement, and Lyndon Baines Johnson's passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The live-action re-enactments, filmed at several restoration villages, are mimed with voice-over narration, resulting in an unrealistic and stilted presentation. The action appears staged and unconvincing; the actors and backgrounds are unnaturally pristine. Nutmeg Media's DVD version of Glennette Tilley Turner's An Apple for Harriet Tubman (March 2008, p. 83) is a better choice for elementary school students.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 9 Up—This overview of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war opens with the Iraqi invasion of Iran, and covers the long and difficult struggle that followed. It takes viewers through the phases of the war, which was characterized by offensives followed by a military stalemate, the use of chemical weapons, long-range missile attacks on cities, and attacks on each country's oil shipping interests. It also discusses how western nations, notably the United States, acted to secure those shipping lanes and eventually bring combat to an end. Although the atrocities committed by both sides are documented, more blame is placed on Saddam Hussein, who initiated the conflict and was the first to use chemical agents. Visuals include medium-quality news footage of the war and its effects on the civilian populations, supplemented by maps and graphics that identify important people and concepts. Narration is done by British journalist Terry Lloyd. Although this film does an adequate job of describing the major events of the war, it does not place the conflict into context. It does not explain how the instability caused by the Iranian Revolution gave Saddam an opening for invasion, nor does it examine how the outcome of the war changed the balance of power in the Middle East and contributed to the conflicts, instability, and terrorism that continue to plague the region. That weakness significantly reduces its educational usefulness, making it at best an additional choice for schools that need supplemental material on conflict in the contemporary Middle East.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 6 Up—Every year since 1915 more than 4,000 Japanese high schools compete for one of 49 spots at the national baseball tournament held at Koshien Stadium in Osaka. It is a single elimination structure, where one loss knocks any team out of the running. This is the first English-language documentary to explore the Japanese perspective on high school baseball. It follows two teams on their quest to be champions in the 86th annual tournament: Tennoji High School (a public school team), and Chiben High School (a private school team). Although the Japanese execution of the sport remains identical to the American version, it has also been simultaneously shaped into a symbol of the culture's values. The expressions of hard work, dedication, selflessness, and good sportsmanship are but some of these pronounced values. Unlike their American counterparts, the tournament is non-commercial in its focus. Nearly everyone involved, from umpires to coaches, volunteer their time and resources. This film, aired on PBS in 2006, would be of use in any athletic or team-building program, particularly baseball, as well as in curriculums that explore intercultural/cross-cultural paradigms and relations.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Ludcke Library, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Gr 7 Up—Many students lack study skills, and this series sets out to define, model, and review basic techniques to develop those skills. The format is grounded in straightforward narration by the author and producer, Antonio Smith, augmented by written slides spelling out the major concepts, and two students acting in classroom settings. Successful Time Management, Effective Note-Taking, and the CD-ROM are the most useful components. The series models different strategies and provides practical tips to help students prepare for and be more successful at navigating standardized and teacher-prepared tests. There are some difficulties with the series. Acronyms are invented to set up successful patterns for studying, but these might be just as difficult for some students to master as the skills themselves. The production as a whole is flat. Poor audio quality detracts from Smith's on-camera narrative which is riddled with mispronunciations. Multiple spelling errors blemish the written portions of all six DVDs. As an alternative, visit the online Web sites reviewed in "The Librarian's Internet" column by Gail Junion-Metz, "Desperately Seeking Study Skills" (School Library Journal, June 1, 2004).—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

PreS-K—This book and CD by Steve Syatt addresses the frustrations many families encounter when it's time for their children to go to bed. The main characters, a young brother and sister, have trouble falling asleep until they realize that they can't visit the land of Shushy and meet their imaginary friends there until they go to sleep. The text is narrated well by a male voice, and three Shushybye songs provide a nice tie-in to the story. However, using the sound of the Shushybye train whistle as a page-turn signal will be jarring to little ones trying to fall asleep. Also, the book's illustrations by Frank Caruso are too busy and detailed for a bedtime story. Although this title is well intentioned, it misses the mark for its intended audience. Standards such as Beverly Cleary's Petey's Bedtime Story (HarperCollins, 1993) or Time for Bed (Gulliver Books, 1993) by Mem Fox better address the perpetual issue of helping children fall asleep.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

PreS-K—Beginning with the opening song, "The Butterfly and Seagull" (a "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" piggy-back song), Gail Silver, a yoga instructor for children, talks listeners through breathing techniques named after the four seasons (for example, "Summer's Breath") and several stretching/movement activities, including "Still As a Starfish." This CD is not for novice yoga practitioners, since there is little verbal direction given in the first half of the recording. Additionally, there are no accompanying visuals to show children how to do the various poses and stretches. The second half of the CD does a better job of providing directions for each exercise. Use of some sound effects adds interest. Silver is very patient and has a pleasant voice. A program of this type would have been more successful as a DVD so that youngsters could compare their movements with those of the instructor or others performing the exercises.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Gr 5–7—The Slash, the newspaper of Harris Elementary/Middle School, and its co-editors, Adam and Jennifer, are back for more intrigue and mystery in this novel (Candlewick, 2007) by Michael Winerip. After being mugged for his snow-shoveling money, Adam becomes the inspiration for an article focusing on bullying. Adam tries to redirect his investigative skills to other issues facing not just their school, but also their town. With stories about a 300-year-old climbing tree in jeopardy of being cut down, the "un-fair" Science Fair, and a mysterious plot to flatten a poorer, African-American part of the town to make way for mini-mansions, Adam and the staff of the newspaper take on some very powerful adults to uncover deeply hidden truths. Narrator Patrick Girard Lawlor brings each character to life with subdued voicing and pacing. The tense moments between Adam, Jennifer, and the adults are realistically conveyed. A good choice for school and public libraries.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public, NY

Gr 7 Up—Eoin Colfer turns his special brand of humor and adventure to detailing the amazing life and times of young Conor Broekhart—born in a hot air balloon over Paris and thereafter destined to use his fascination with flight to save his parents, recapture a kingdom, and win the hand of a princess. John Keating's boyish voice and slight Scottish accent give this swashbuckling adventure story (Hyperion, 2008) just the right combination of realism and fantasy. His narrative skill captures the personalities of both main and supporting characters—from the consummate cold-hearted villain Marshall Hugo Bonvilain to the dashing and cavalier Victor Vigny. Older listeners will relish this entertaining coming-of-age story whose themes of friendship and betrayal, love and hate, and courage and fear play out amidst breathless scenes of action and violence. Somewhere between the old Errol Flynn movies and The Princess Bride, this camp, contrived, and complex mix of eccentric characters and fantastical situations provides an immensely satisfying listen.—Cindy Lombardo, Cleveland Public Library, OH

Gr 3–5—Nine-year-old Allie Finkle is not happy about giving up her suburban school and her not-so-perfect friends when her parents announce that they are moving in Meg Cabot's novel (Scholastic, 2008). To make things worse, the house they are moving into is dark and old and Allie is convinced that there is a zombie hand living in the attic. Allie negotiates through friendship difficulties and life in general by writing down rules she has learned. Some of them are very specific to her life, such as "Don't stick a spatula down your best friend's throat," while others have to do with getting along, like "It's not polite to correct a grownup." Allie tries to do what she considers the right thing, most of the time that is, but the results are not always what she expects. She learns a lot as she fights for animal rights, deals with bullies, and copes with change. Tara Sands narrates all the characters and is spot-on in voicing Allie's occasionally annoying yet endearing personality. Most of Allie's "Rules for Girls" are ones everyone should live by, and fans of Meg Cabot's books with enjoy this fun light-hearted romp with a fourth-grade protagonist for a change.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

PreS-Gr 3—Five little rats have been labeled as bad rats and must take lessons from the strict and somewhat pompous Professor Perimeter. He is an older rat who knows his business, which is keeping young rats safe by teaching them to conform. The young rats, however, don't wish to give up their dreams. They don't want to hide, and scurry, and stay safe. They want to paint, and sing, and dance. When Professor Perimeter sees them in action, his heart is touched and he recognizes that they're not "bad." They are "exceptional." He no longer seeks to stifle their creativity. This book (Kidwick Books, 2008) by Eric Drachman has a clear message about celebrating individuality. The accompanying CD is more of a performance than a reading, with an introduction by the author, using two voices, and a conclusion in the same vein, that examines some aspects of the tale. The story itself is performed by the author and several other people; sound effects and some original music augment the telling. The production is nicely done, and children will enjoy listening to the slightly wordy text while perusing the soft pastel illustrations by James Muscarello. Still, one might wonder why the little rats couldn't be both safe and creative—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 6 Up—Isaac Asimov's mid-20th century tale artfully combines science fiction and detection. William Dufris performs it in multiple voices and with just enough camp to pull in contemporary listeners by playing to the ironies of the period in which the story was written. A human police detective, Baley, lives in New York City a thousand years hence. He's tapped to help solve a murder in a community where robots are not reviled and ends up with a partner, Daneel, who is a highly sophisticated, humanoid machine. Baley and Daneel don't have an easy time with each other or with those New Yorkers, called Medievalists, who despise robots. The action moves swiftly, yet there is time for Asimov to weave in some engaging and edifying glosses on the Bible as literature—and for Baley to smoke, making this as an adult book of the period. While most of Dufris's voices are successful, his interpretation of Baley's 16-year-old son reduces the latter to sounding like a whiney 8-year-old. Asimov's story is a great way to introduce young readers to a polymath who captured the "American century" through futurism and literate character development.—Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Canada

Gr 6 Up—Seth, 16, has his life planned. He is resolute in his decision to become a skilled carpenter—until his father decides to move the family to the booming metropolis of Galveston, TX, where the opportunity for higher education can become a reality. After a short time, Seth becomes smitten by Ella Rose, the girl with the "straw blonde hair," and it doesn't take long for him to realize that the move wasn't such a bad idea after all. But on September 8, 1900, a horrific and devastating storm changes their lives. Marian Hale skillfully brings to life this no-holds-barred account (Holt, 2006) of one of the nation's worst natural disasters. She beautifully weaves together the aching depth of tragedy and loss and the resiliency of the human spirit. Her dedication to details—from the pulsing waves and slate shingles whizzing through the sky, slicing open anything in its path—grips readers throughout the novel. Stephen's Hoye's narration is smooth and seamless. His attempts at female voices are weak, but he excels as Seth and the "colored" boy and his grandfather. This coming-of-age story is a must-have for historical fiction collections.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH

Gr 1–5—"Brown Detective Agency, Leroy Brown, President. No case too small. 25 cents a day plus expenses" is open for business in this performance by Greg Steinbruner of the book (Dutton 1966) by Donald J. Sobol. Leroy, age 10, known as Encyclopedia, is out to solve ten cases. Each story is read in a track or two with a pause at the end to give listeners the opportunity to stop the CD to solve the case on their own. The track following the story contains the solution. Steinbruner's unvoiced reading makes each case sound like a police procedural, which suits the mystery genre, but doesn't do justice to the occasional subtle humor in the stories. Listeners should be aware that the 1966 book contains some situations and characters that would be considered politically incorrect by modern standards (e.g., Fang participates in the "Indian trials"). Fans of the series will enjoy these classic, solvable mysteries.—Kelly Vikstrom, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD

Gr 2–4—Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle returns in this brand new collection (HarperCollins, 2007) of enchanting stories discovered and compiled by Anne MacDonald Canham, daughter of the late Betty MacDonald who originally created this beloved character. In this never-before-published collection, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is called upon by neighborhood parents who seek out her advice regarding their children and the various dreadful behaviors they seem to have acquired. From watching too much TV to name calling to refusing to try new things, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and her extremely capable pets—Wag the dog, Lightfoot the cat, and Lester the pig—set about to alleviate these behaviors with the aid of some mysterious and magical cures. In the final story, the children team up and plan a wonderful birthday celebration for Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, complete with a few surprises of their own. Narrator Karen White skillfully gives each character a distinctive and appropriate voice, making this a delightful and humorous listening experience that will appeal as much to children today as the original Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle stories did to another generation 50 years ago.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 5–7—Henry York is no ordinary 12-year-old boy. He has never played baseball without a helmet, never owned a pocket knife, and never ridden in the back of a truck. All this changes when he moves to Henry, Kansas, to live with distant relatives after his parents have been kidnapped.. The boy is warmly welcomed by his Uncle Frank, Aunt Dottie, and three female cousins and given a cozy room in the attic. Henry awakens one night to discover bits of plaster falling off the wall. Curious, he begins to scrape the wall and is astonished to find cupboards of different shapes and sizes. Each door is a portal into another time and place, some warm and welcoming and others quite sinister. N. D. Wilson's fantasy (Random, 2007) is slow to take off and many questions are left unresolved. Russell Horton narrates in a smooth, grandfatherly voice, and the characters are nicely developed. Patient listeners will enjoy this creepy tale and eagerly await the next installment. Recommend this title to fans of Neil Gaiman's Coraline (HarperCollins, 2002).—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Gr 8 Up—Narrator Lara Hirner provides a fine performance, bringing to life the characters in Liz Gallagher's debut novel (Wendy Lamb Books, 2008). Usually comfortable blending into the background with her best friend, Jewel, Alice begins to wonder if it is time to take some chances and discover new friendships and possibly the dream boyfriend in the football player she has long crushed on. As Alice begins to experience high visibility and a new popularity, she becomes estranged from Jewel. She discovers that giving up her invisibility is not totally what she wanted. She misses the quiet and easy way of being with her friend. Some moments during the narration feel a bit too bubbly, and during a few of Alice's interactions with other characters it is difficult to discern dialogue from internal thoughts. Listeners are ultimately treated to a shining debut novel featuring a likeable main character to whom they will easily relate. The novel is relatively short, and listeners will wish they had more time to spend with Alice in this satisfying but slightly open-ended story.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

Gr 7–10—Young Maddy Smith lives for the yearly visits from One-Eye, a traveler who has taught her to accept the mysterious runemark (or "ruinmark" as the townsfolk call it) on her palm and to use the magic powers it brings her. This year, through One Eye—who turns out to be the Norse god Odin—she embarks on a daunting adventure into the Earth, taking her all the way down to Hel's domain, where Order and Chaos are pitted against one another and the Whisperer or Nameless One threatens the future of all things. Through Loki, the trickster god, Maddy discovers her own heritage and her true name, and must confront the Whisperer. Joanne Harris's long and rich saga (Random, 2008) is a difficult text to translate into an audiobook. Points of view change from Maddy to other characters. The many characters change "aspects," bodies, and names, and keeping their interactions straight is difficult (the book has a key to the characters). Actress Sile Bermingham uses voices and different accents to differentiate the characters, but listeners may wonder why Loki and Hel (Norse gods) sound Irish; Sugar, a goblin, sounds Cockney; and other gods and people have no obvious accent. Overall, the sound quality is very good and Bermingham does a very good job of narrating with generally excellent diction and expression, though occasionally it is unclear which character is speaking. The audiobook may be more successful as a read-along. Though rich in mystical folkloric references and language as well as quite a bit of humor, it will confuse some listeners and make them wish they had a Norse mythology reference book nearby.—Louise L. Sherman, formerly Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

Gr 3–6—Nolan Byrd is Shredderman, a 12-year-old super cyber-hero whose secret identity is known only to his parents, his teacher, and himself. When his favorite TV star, Chase Morton, aka The Gecko, comes to town to shoot back-to-back episodes, Nolan gets the chance to meet him. The boys quickly bond over PlayStation, and Nolan soon becomes involved in helping Chase expose a sleazy paparazzo, The Mole, who uses the photos he takes to slander celebrities in the tabloids. Nolan uses his techno savvy to publicize The Mole's slimy antics, and ultimately bring him to justice. Read by Daniel Young, this third installment (Knopf, 2005) of Wendelin Van Draanen's popular series gets simple treatment in its translation to audiobook. Music and sound effects are at a minimum, used only during the introduction and at the end of each disc. Young's voice matches the age of the main character appropriately, though he tends to shout through the narration rather than use vocal nuance. Nevertheless, fans of Shredderman will enjoy tuning in to hear the exploits of everyone's favorite preteen Internet superhero.—Jennifer Verbrugge, Dakota County Library, Galaxie Branch, Apple Valley, MN

PreS-Gr 4—LuAnn Adams's recordings have won several awards, and this collection of eight "Tales of Love and Laughter" combines original stories with folktales from around the world. She precedes each tale by explaining the origins of each story and how she came to tell it. "I'm Tipingee" is a Haitian folk story of friendship, cleverness, and bravery. Adams learned "The Mouse That Barked," a humorous Cuban tale, from her Spanish teacher. "I Have a Wonderful Life" has roots in Russia and many listeners will find the story of a man who seeks a quiet house and is advised to fill it with his farm animals very familiar. Adams shares two family stories: "The Day Great-randma Drove the Car" and "The Day Grandpa Went Swimming." Rhythm, humor, and a modern twist are added to "Little Red Riding Hood" in an inventive version titled "Brave Little Red." "Why the Sky Is Far Away" is adapted from Mary-Joan Gerson's version of the Nigerian "Why" story. In "Brer Tiger and the Big Wind," adapted from William Faulkner's book of the same name, Brer Rabbit uses his usual trickery to help all the other animals get food and water from the great Brer Tiger during a famine. All the stories are enhanced by Adams's use of voices and rhythm; some include music and percussion. This diverse collection shows how stories of humor and relationships are global and timeless. A worthy addition to school and public library audio collections.—April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA

Gr 4 Up—Among the litany of popular pirate fare, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale remains one of the best. This version, beautifully narrated by Alfred Molina, was a 2008 Odyssey Award Honor selection for excellence in audio production. Young Jim's introduction to a "gentleman of fortune's" world is captivating, energetic, and suspenseful. Long John Silver, the ruthless pirate who charms the crew, launches a mutiny in pursuit of hidden treasure, with Jim caught between the mutineers and the ship's sponsors. Molina's balanced intonation and subtle characterizations enhance Stevenson's text. Dramatic pacing keeps listeners on the edge of their gunwales. Pirates who stereotypically growl through their grog, here are rendered to induce a realistic fear of being drawn and quartered on the poop deck. Perhaps the finest sea adventure ever written, this audiobook is sure to be a hit with young buccaneers. And don't miss the afterword on the final CD, a well-written biography of Stevenson and his literary contributions.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Gr 5–9—Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams' fantasy (Chicken House, 2007) is an exciting story about two 14-year-old boys, Will and Chester, who discover, while digging a tunnel, a strange and dangerous civilization underneath modern London. Will's father, Dr. Burrows, has recently disappeared, and the boy has reason to believe that his dad may have discovered the entrance to this underground city and is being held captive there. The two boys set out to find him and are soon captured by the Styx, a barbaric class of scythe toting soldiers. After undergoing interrogation by the Styx, Will is sent to live in "The Colony" where he learns that the Burrows are not his real family and that his mother escaped from this underground prison with him shortly after he was born. Chester, however, doesn't fare so well. He is doomed to be banished to the deepest, darkest part of this terrifying world. Driven by guilt over Chester's fate, Will vows to rescue him. Narrator Steven Crossley's performance is brilliant. His seamless transition between the characters' voices and his dramatic presentation bring the story to life. Perfect for classroom discussions about despotic governments or issues of trust and loyalty, listeners will eagerly await the sequel to this unresolved tale. For public and middle school libraries with fantasy audiobook collections.—Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS

PreS—This collection of 13 songs by Pam Reed is intended to help children learn basic math facts, especially the multiplication tables. The title song creates a story to help listeners remember how to "skip" along the different numbers, such as counting by twos or threes. Each of the other tunes is devoted to a specific times table. The songs are simple and folksy, but the rhymes sometimes feel a bit forced. For example, the song "Pet Gerbil" includes the lyrics" "3 × 2 is 6. My gerbil likes to chew on sticks. 3 × 3 is 9. She likes maple, she likes pine. 3 × 4 is twelve. They keep her teeth in real good health." This collection would be useful as a complement to a mathematics curriculum and would be an additional purchase for school and public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 1–4—Betsy Rose uses her lovely, mellow alto voice to perform these 14 mostly folk, country, and boogie songs. Beautifully performed guitars, piano, fiddle, and mandolin add depth to all the tunes. Lovely harmonies are evident throughout the album. Several of the songs are designed to help children find their inner calm and to inspire peaceful moments and happy hearts: "The Calm Down Boogie," "Equanimity," "My Mind Is a Clear Blue Sky," "Thanks Be," "May You Be Happy," and others. Some of the songs focus on community: "Love Makes a Family," "Planting a Seed of Peace," and "My Ancestors." There are also a couple of nature songs: "The Ladybug Song" and "Compost Cake." A lovely album to add to library music collections.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-Gr 2—The String Beans are back for a fourth go-around and they're just as much fun as in the past. These 14 original songs continue the family-friendly music of this trio from Nebraska, Curtis and Randy Bright and Freddy Kerr. Humor and cleverness abound. Tight harmonies are the hallmark of their country sound, with a children's chorus included for flavor. From their opener, "Be a String Bean" (an invitation to have fun singing along), to the closing "Raw-hide" (a piggy-back song about diapers), The String Beans keep the interests of their audience in mind. Songs about "Shoelaces," boredom ("Nothing"), "Family," toasted bread ("Toasty") and Harry Potter ("Hogwarts Is My School," parts of which are loosely based on the tune "This Land Was Made for You and Me") are served with story-songs about animal babysitters (the title cut), a pig who loves to watch the night sky ("Penelope Pig"), playtime after school ("Let's Play All Day"), and more. Two standouts are "The Yeti Ate Spaghetti," an exotic-sounding ABC song about zoo animals and the unusual foods they eat, and "Go Big Red!," about a dragon that features a bridge-adaptation of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and ends with the Beans' own spin on the Beatles tune "Hey Jude." This celebration of the simple life of childhood is a keeper.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 4—Award-winning musician John Boydston rolls out his sixth album, full of good time, classic rock and roll which "pay tribute to kids and modern family life." Performing mostly on guitars and drums, he is joined by his two sons who complete the Daddy A Go Go Band. Several other professional musicians round out the performances. Nine of the songs are Boydston originals. Among them are "Get Yer Yo-Yo's Out," a nod to the Rolling Stones' classic "Get Your Ya-Ya's Out," and "John Barleycorn Must Dye" (the ballad of a boy who lives to tie dye), a wink to Traffic's classic "John Barleycorn Must Die." He also offers a rip-roaring rock cover of "What a Wonderful World." Boydston's "Mono Mojo Mix" of "Snoopy vs the Red Baron" sounds very similar to the original; and he gives a great performance of Chuck Berry's "Round and Round." Among the other songs are "Rock of Ages," "School Bus Driver," and "The Root Beer Song." A must-have for all libraries.—Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

PreS-K—Off-Broadway songwriter Melissa Levis has released her first children's recording, inspired by her own one-year-old son's milestones. Accompanied by guitar, keyboard, and percussion, Levis (a.k.a "Moey") rollicks her way through songs that include simple themes like sneezing, going potty, getting one's hair washed, and getting dressed. Her lively lyrics and clear voice inspire movement, dance, and singing along. The performer's Manhatten neighborhood serves as the backdrop for "New York City Kid," a song that counts its way through the Big Apple. "I Sit When I Eat" is a fast-paced tune that recognizes youngsters' continual movement while enticing them to sit still when they eat. Appropriate for very young children, this title will be useful for general listening collections.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly) Menomonie Public Library, WI

Gr all levels—Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame), his daughter Bethany, and her musical partner Rufus Cappadocia offer their spin on these 11 folk and classic songs for family listening. From the hot bass opening of the jazzy "Blue Tail Fly" to the raw, gutsy "You Better Mind" to the Peter, Paul, and Mary folk classic "Puff, the Magic Dragon," this collection doesn't skip a beat. Yarrow's familiar voice is a delight to hear; he has lost none of his chops. His voice blends well with Bethany's, whose sound ranges from a sweet, light soprano to a sultry, dark alto. They switch off singing lead and harmony vocals throughout; each song they harmonize together is a treat. Bethany skips along singing lead on the classic "Cindy," with her father singing back vocals and a jaw harp and banjo keeping step. Changing like a chameleon, her "Shule Aru" is bittersweet. "Foggy Dew" begins with Peter singing solo, segueing into a unison duet, ultimately reaching harmony by the end of the song. Cappadocia's cello solos in "The Cuckoo" and "Long Chain On" shine. Accompanying instrumentation is spare, yet each arrangement feels lush and full. These are classics redone with a fresh ear for today's family audiences and shouldn't be missed.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—This collection, a combination of original songs and original arrangements of classic children's tunes, is the second CD for Debi Derryberry (the voice of Jimmy Neutron and other animated characters). She is accompanied by a full band that includes guitar, bass, piano, drums, and more. The songs have a styling reminiscent of the 1950s swing era. The CD begins with a tribute to nursery rhymes, "Diddely Dee." Some of the classic tunes include "Skinnamarink," "Little Cabin in the Wood," and "Swingin' on a Star." Among the original songs are "I'm a Chameleon," "Scoops of Ice Cream," and "Freckle Face Freddie." Parents and caregivers will especially appreciate the message in "I Love to Share," which includes the lyrics: "I have a friend named Mike, and Mike had no trike. What a perfect time to share, My trike with Mike." This album of entertaining, engaging, and encouraging songs would be an additional purchase for public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, Library, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 2—This read-along CD of the book by Barbie Heit Schwaeber (Soundprints, 2007) opens with an original song about dinosaurs, setting the tone for what follows: 26 short poems about dinosaurs, from Ankylosaurus to Zigongosaurus. The song is largely a listing of the alphabet and words covered in the book. Each poem includes the letter, the name of a dinosaur or a dinosaur-related concept beginning with that letter, and a four-line stanza that offers information or sheds light on the topic at hand. Creative choices include "M" for museum (the Smithsonian owns Sue the T.Rex), "X" for x-ray, and "Q" for quadruped. With music vamping in the background, Marc Thompson clearly reads each rhyme and precisely pronounces the name of each dinosaur. Readers can follow along in the illustrated book. Track 3 is a rarity—the complete glossary of the book is read aloud. A repeat of the song closes the recording. The poster depicts the alphabet of dinosaurs on one side and the velociraptor (a small, meat-eating dinosaur) on the other. The book works as both an ABC primer and an informational title. Buy more than one of this read-along package because it's sure to fly off the shelf.—Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—This alphabet book (Soundprints, 2007) by Barbie Heit Schwaeber offers an interesting and unusual mix of insects, from aphids to zebra caterpillars. Each insect is featured along with four lines of rhyming text. For some of insects, too little information is provided. For example, the aphid poem states, "But to a farmer or a gardener/an aphid is a pest," leaving readers to wonder why. Happily, the informative glossary provides additional information: "Aphids often spread viruses…to the plants they eat." The realistic, colorful illustrations by a number of different artists are sure to engage early readers. The CD is narrated with appropriate enthusiasm by Lara Hirner. The first and fourth tracks are a catchy alphabet song about the insects featured in the book; the second track is the narration of the text provided with excellent clarity and pacing; and the third track is the narration of the glossary. Many alphabet books are too simple for older students, but this one combines unusual insects with a more detailed glossary to maintain their interest. Teachers will enjoy using this book at a listening center.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Gr 3–6—Many people were shocked at Pluto's demotion from a planet to a dwarf planet. How could it be a planet one day, and then not a planet the next? This exceptional book (Clarion, 2007) by Elaine Scott explains exactly why the change took place. She leads readers through a brief history of astronomy, starting with the ancient Greeks and moving up to Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and modern astronomers. As she aptly points out, our views of the universe have changed many times as our knowledge base has expanded, and future changes are inevitable. The scientific process is presented, and the thinking behind the new definitions is carefully explained, as are the definitions themselves. In this recorded version of the book, Pete Larkin reads Scott's informative text with a rich voice. "Space Fact" boxes, as well as the glossary, are read by a female voice to give them distinction. This clear, concise presentation nicely answers most questions, leaving listeners both educated and entertained.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 6–9—Jim Thorpe's remarkable story is documented from his childhood on a reservation in Oklahoma to his time at Carlisle (PA) Industrial Indian School where he began his athletic career to the Olympic scandal (Thorpe lost his Gold medals for having played two semi-professional seasons of baseball on a minor league baseball team) that ended his amateur career. Joseph Bruchac's first-person fictionalized biography (Dial, 2006) makes Thorpe come to life. Bruchac, a Native American, says in the author's note on the last CD that writing this biography was a labor of love. There is enough play-by-play of Thorpe's athletic exploits, mainly on the football field, to pique the interest of sports fans, but not too much to make the book of little interest to those with little interest in sports. The main characters, Thorpe and legendary football coach Pop Warner, are realistically portrayed, while the overriding theme is the Native Americans' poor treatment by the U.S. government. Readers can make their own judgments on why Warner lied and pressured Thorpe to lie as well once news of the scandal broke, which eventually cost Thorpe his Olympic medals. While the passage of time may have dimmed the luster of Thorpe's remarkable achievements—not only was he an Olympic track and field star, but he also was a professional football star and played major league baseball—this book will leave listeners wanting to learn more about Thorpe.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 3–5—While attempting to rid the garden of bugs, Buzz Beaker mistook his dad's top secret project in the refrigerator for blue splash punch to quench his thirst. On his way out, Buzz trips over his dog and sprays the plants and surrounding bugs with the viscous fluid. Buzz and his friend Larry realize that something's not quite right—the plants become gigantic, followed by the buzzing sound of supersized bees, mosquitoes, and wasps. Buzz realizes he had accidentally grabbed his father's mega-growth concoction. Buzz finally manages to contain the bugs, but an unexpected surprise at the end eludes them all. The graphic-novel style book (Stone Arch, 2006) by Scott Nickel lights up panels from left to right, but inconsistently reads clockwise to counterclockwise from page to page. Nickel's voicing of Buzz and his father is hilarious. Non-clickable stagnant pages with little animation makes the program flat. While the illustrations by Andy J. Smith are colorful and caption bubbles are bold and readable, the story line is prescriptive, lacking originality. The CD-ROM doesn't have truly interactive elements. The button under special features leads users to a commercial site for Stone Arch Books with no interesting activities for children. After one viewing, the program freezes with no response when the "autoplay" button is clicked.—Ann Crewdson, Issaquah Library-KCLS, WA

Gr 3–5—This interactive audiobook features Eek and Ack from Blake Hoena's graphic novel series. The space alien brothers from the Great Goo Galaxy's planet Gloop are bored one afternoon and decide to add a little excitement to their day by plotting to invade and conquer Earth. When their rickety space ship lands outside of the Sudsy Duck Laundromat, they are taken inside and put through the wash—twice. They decide to try to carry out their plan another day, but next time they'll be armed with what they know will defeat the humans—dirty underwear. The CD-ROM can be played automatically or manually, and the narration can be turned on or off. Steve Harpster's illustrations are slightly animated, and there are some sound effects. Special features include a glossary, facts about space and galaxies, a few discussion questions, and writing prompts. The illustrations are good, but the pace of the narration on autoplay is quite slow. Fans of science fiction and graphic novels will enjoy this electronic book.—Kathryn Tvaruzka, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

CORRECTION: Color Magic (Jan. 2008, p. 72), an excellent new musical recording from the award-winning Battersby Duo, can be ordered online at battersbyduo.com, by phone at 352/799-3110, or by mail from Battersby Duo, 6199 Faber Dr., Brooksville, FL 34602.