The latest reviews of fiction and nonfiction titles-- including picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, and information books--for a preschool and elementary grade audience from School Library Journal.
Scholastic Criticized for Pushing Toys, Makeup in Book Clubs By Debra Lau Whelan - 02/11/2009
If you’ve noticed the toys, jewelry, and other non-book items being sold by Scholastic in its elementary and middle school book club flyers, you’re not alone. A Boston-based advocacy group says the children’s publisher is abusing its position by peddling everything from games to makeup to classroom kids. More
Preschool to Grade 4 07/01/2009
Fiction ADLER, Victoria . All of Baby Nose to Toes illus. by Hiroe Nakata. unpaged. Dial 2009. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-803-73217-9 . LC number unavailable. PreS–Through bouncy verses, children follow a toddler’s antics as her grandparents, parents, a brother, and a pet dog celebrate everything about her, from her eyes to her tummy to her toes.
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Preschool to Grade 4 06/01/2009
Fiction ALTER, Anna . Abigail Spells . illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi . 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85617-4 ; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95617-1 . LC 2008024529. K-Gr 2—Every child faces failure at some point, and this gentle story reminds readers how important supportive friends are in these situations.
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Preschool to Grade 4 05/01/2009
Fiction ADAMS, Georgie . Animal Stories for Bedtime . illus. by Atsuko Morozumi. unpaged. MP . May 2009. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-935021-37-7 . LC 2008935852. PreS-K—A book of four logic-impaired stories plus four "seek-and-find" picture stories. In the first tale, Zebra builds a home in various locations, but none suits him: the hill is too windy, the seaside too wet, etc.
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Preschool to Grade 4 04/01/2009
Fiction ADAMS, Diane . I Can Do It Myself! illus. by Nancy Hayashi. unpaged. CIP. Peachtree . 2009. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-471-6 . LC 2008031117. PreS-Gr 2—Emily Pearl is "a very big girl" who is determined to be self-reliant. She pours her own juice (through a funnel), ties her own shoelaces (more or less), and can make herself a sandwich.
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Preschool to Grade 4 03/01/2009
Fiction ALBOROUGH, Jez . Super Duck . illus. by author. unpaged. Kane/Miller . Mar. 2009. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-933605-89-0 . LC 2008932220. K-Gr 2—After reading Super Duck, Duck dons a cape and mask and tries a variety of ways to get Goat's kite up in the air. His friends patiently let him try his own ideas, like using a truck to fly the kite, before coming up with their own conventiona...
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Preschool to Grade 4 02/01/2009
Fiction ALIKI . Quiet in the Garden . illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow . Feb. 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-155207-6 ; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-155208-3 . LC 2008012641. PreS-Gr 1—An artful introduction to nature, stillness, and the power of observation. A wide-eyed boy enters a garden replete with fluttering butterflies, birds, and blooming trees, all rich wit...
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Reviews: Preschool to Grade 4 01/01/2009
Fiction ANDERSEN, Hans Christian . The Little Matchstick Girl . ISBN 978-1-60537-008-8 . THE BROTHERS GRIMM . Little Red Riding Hood . ISBN 978-1-60537-007-1 . ea vol: retold & illus. by Debbie Lavreys. unpaged. Clavis . 2008. Tr $16.95. LC number unavailable. Gr 1–3—The first retelling is true to the original poignant tale of hunger, cold, and the death of the young girl sell...
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BookExpo America 2009: SLJ's Day of Dialog School Library Journal held a Day of Dialog in conjunction with the annual BookExpo America on May 28, 2009 at the Brooklyn Public Library. Full story: bit.ly/1a0G7o
2008 National Book Awards Nominees in the young people's literature category graced the red carpet on Awards night Nov. 20, 2008.
The Buzz Nov. 2008 So the economy’s gone south, you still need your gadgets.
Folktales from Around the World: The Bear Prince. DVD. 11:56 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Colman Communications. Dist. by 100% Educational Media (schoolvideos.com). 2008. $39.95.
K-Gr 4–While this animated Mexican fairy tale will be new to most viewers, the story contains familiar elements from such popular tales as “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Puss in Boots.”
Let them eat cake! Library aide Shanta Ramkhelawan (left), librarian Camina Raphael, and Colleen McCrea, head of the children's library, served delectable dessert to more than 130 people celebrating the 85th anniversary of the historic Robert Bacon Memorial Children's Library in Westbury, NY. Upon opening its doors in 1924 it was only the third children's library in the world.
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