Fresh Approaches: New Editions and Reissues
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Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 11/30/2009
Holiday Treats
Consider purchasing these handsome reissues to adorn holiday and winter-themed book sections and displays.
Chris Van Allsburg’s Caldecott Medal-winning The Polar Express (Houghton, 1985)—and the computer-animated movie (2004) that it inspired—have become modern-day Christmas classics. Houghton Mifflin recently released a 25th Anniversary edition of this heartwarming tale containing a compact disc recording of the text read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake ornament, and a note to readers from the author. The cover features a red gift bow and a silver foil border and the interior artwork is as stunning as ever.
The publisher has also launched a new Polar Express site that includes lots of opportunities for book-related browsing. Beginning on December 1 and running each day through the 25th, a downloadable “Countdown to Christmas” calendar-style page will offer activities, raffles, behind-the-scenes info, and more. A “Families Celebrate” section encourages families to post (and explore) stories, pictures, and videos commemorating their favorite holiday traditions and memories. A “Games and Fun” option offers activities (coloring sheets and crafts), game sheets, and recipes. For educators, a “Schools and Libraries” page provides a downloadable discussion guide to The Polar Express and additional ideas for curriculum connections in various subject areas.
Houghton Mifflin has also released A Christmas Manger, a “rediscovered” title by H. A. Rey first published in 1942 with text from Matthew and Luke describing the Christmas miracle. Featuring Rey’s original artwork, the book has been cleverly redesigned in “Punch-Out and Play” format, with paper dolls that can be removed, folded over, manipulated against the stable backdrop, and then stored away in the pockets provided. This nostalgic-looking interactive offering could be circulated (with care) or incorporated into a book display.
Kids who dedicate themselves to crossing off the days until Santa’s arrival will appreciate Theresa Smythe’s Snowbear’s Christmas Countdown (Holt, 2004), recently reissued in sturdy and affordable paperback format by Square Fish. Day by day, colorful cut-paper collage illustrations depict the festive activities of a fuzzy polar bear as he constructs ornaments out of glitter and glue, picks out a Christmas tree, wraps gifts, and more, until finally celebrating the holiday with friends. This child-pleaser makes a great choice for sharing aloud at storytime or in the classroom.
As part of a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of Virginia Lee Burton’s birth, Houghton Mifflin has reissued Katy and the Big Snow (1943) with a new glitter cover and an easy-to-remove page of stickers. This timeless tale stars a reliable red tractor who dons her heart-shaped snow-plow attachment and, after patiently waiting for a blizzard big enough to merit her efforts, goes to work, “slowly and steadily” clearing the streets of Geoppolis and helping to restore essential services. Replace worn copies of a packed-with-child-appeal wintertime staple with this sparkly new edition.
Pub Info
VAN ALLSBURG, Chris. The Polar Express 25th Anniversary Edition. illus. by author. Houghton. 2009. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-395-38949-2.
REY, H. A. A Christmas Manger. illus. by author. Houghton. 2009. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-547-23894-4.
SMYTHE, Theresa. Snowbear’s Christmas Countdown. illus. by author. Square Fish. 2009. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-312-58141-1.
BURTON, Virginia Lee. Katy and the Big Snow. illus. by author. Houghton/Sandpiper. 2009. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-395-18562-9.
