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 11/01/2009
Fiction ALLEN, Joy . Princess Party . illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam . 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25259-4 . LC 2008043543. PreS-K—Two little girls—one fancifully dressed as a fairy princess, the other wearing cowboy boots and a "Princess Power" T-shirt—host a party for princesses of various ethnicities, dressed in a variety of costumes.
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Art Appreciation: SLJ reviews new resource Picturing Books By Shonda Brisco - 11/01/2009
Even though I love children's picture books, I almost always cringe when a high school art student asks me to help them locate examples of titles that use "woodcuts" or "wash." While I handle these books on a daily basis, I admit that I'm not as familiar with the original media used or the style displayed within the pages of these mini museums.
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Preschool to Grade 4 10/01/2009
Fiction ACHESON, Alison . Grandpa's Music: A Story About Alzheimer's . illus. by Bill Farnsworth. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman . 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3052-8 . LC 2008055792. K-Gr 3—This story concentrates on how the relationship between a child and her grandfather, who has Alzheimer's disease, changes but remains loving and strong.
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Preschool to Grade 4 09/01/2009
Fiction ALEXANDER, Martha . Max and the Dumb Flower Picture . illus. by author & James Rumford. unpaged. CIP. Charlesbridge . 2009. RTE $9.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-156-1 . LC 2008007251. PreS-Gr 1—Published posthumously, this small, timeless book will resonate with children and pays a lovely tribute to Alexander.
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Preschool to Grade 4 08/01/2009
Fiction ANDERSON, Laurie Halse . The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School . illus. by Ard Hoyt. unpaged. CIP. S & S 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-689-85809-3 . LC 2007045161. K-Gr 2—Zoe has a glorious bright red mane. In fact, her "wild and beautiful" hair seems to have a mind of its own, performing various tasks (it can "turn on the TV, pour a glass of juice, pet the cat, and pl...
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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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Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog Jonathan Hunt, Librarian and teacher, Modesto City Schools November 3, 2009 The Plot Thickens
Laurie wrote--
I am very surprised that The Hunger Games was third on your perso... More
SLJ Covers 2009 A bigger and better view of SLJ's covers from 2009
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 Alvin Ho Collection, Books 1 & 2 (unabr). 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape (library.booksontape.com). 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-7997-4. $38. Gr 2-4–Alvin Ho, a quirky Asian-American second grader, is articulate at home but so afraid of school that he is unable to speak while he is there.
Clowning around at the second annual Atlantic City Free Public Library Family Fun Festival last weekend. About 2,500 people came out to enjoy the beautiful day and the many festivities, including an array of performances, face painting, poetry readings by local teens, games, and music.
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The Alvin Ho Collection, Books 1 & 2 (unabr). 4 CDs. 4 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape (library.booksontape.com). 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-7997-4. $38. 
