Preschool to Grade 4: December 2011

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December 1, 2011

In this Article

Nonfiction

Fiction

ADAMS, Sarah. Dave & Violet. illus. by author. unpaged. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-052-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–A dragon and a girl are best friends. Violet wants to share Dave with her other friends because he is so wonderful, but he is “very, VERY shy.” Whenever he gets in front of a group of people, he grows hotter and redder, and then flames gush from his mouth. It happens at the park and at the band concert while he plays a trumpet, causing the audience to run away. Dave’s stint as a lunch lady ends in flames as well. Feeling sad, he hides in the house. But one rainy night, Violet coaxes him out from under the furnace for a walk, and they encounter a huge crowd in the town square. This time when the dragon grows hotter and redder and flames fly, people cheer. He has lit the fireworks for the night’s festivities. Adams’s pitch-perfect text is accompanied by equally successful lino-print illustrations that complement the action with nuanced expressions and emotions, and vivid colors that change with the dragon’s mood. What’s not to love in this simple story? Pair it with Joan Heilbroner’s Robert the Rose Horse (Random, 1962) for an explosive storytime with a happy ending.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

ANDERSEN, Hans Christian. The Nightingale. adapt. by Pirkko Vainio. illus. by adapter. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4029-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Pleasant watercolor views of the Chinese emperor’s palace, garden, and courtiers frame this nicely retold account of the modest bird and its beautiful song. Vainio omits or shortens some conversations and longer descriptions of some of the characters, but events flow well, faithfully following the scheme of the well-known story. Andersen’s lengthy text is challenging to fit in a picture-book format, and as in all abbreviations of it there are some losses. Here the story’s culminating scene with the personified figure of death and the return of the nightingale loses a bit of the early richness. No longer does the nightingale bargain with death for the emperor’s sword, crown, and banner or ask a final promise of the emperor. Vainio is surely to be applauded for restraining from the opulence that often overpowers contemporary picture-book retellings. His attractive rendering is an inviting introduction to the durable story, sure to be widely enjoyed for personal reading and group sharing.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

BAETEN, Lieve. Happy Birthday, Little Witch! tr. from German. illus. by author. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4043-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Lizzy is getting ready to celebrate her birthday. When she can’t conjure up a cake, she goes out to buy one but then returns to find Cat missing. The story takes readers all over town as the little witch tries to find her beloved pet. Soft illustrations are peppered with detail and humor. Lizzy tries the “Witch Village Market,” the “Witch This-’n’-That Shop” and more, but sadly no one has seen the feline or has time to help. Clever door cut-outs heighten the suspense. Opening the flap reveals what could be Lizzy’s pet, but the page turn always shows otherwise with a still-hopeful child peering through the door from the outside. Delightfully constructed, this satisfying picture book will charm youngsters who like their spooky stories mellow.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

BARNER, Bob. Animal Baths. illus. by author. unpaged. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0056-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–Like bedtime stories, bath-time tales are a staple of the picture-book genre. This one covers the bathing habits of a variety of animals. Monkeys groom their hair, elephants spray and flap, ducks ruffle and preen, eels get help from tiny shrimp, pigs wallow, manatees are aided by fish, bats lick, bears scratch, whales scrub, and giraffes are nipped by helpful birds. Then this great cleanup ends in a soapy bathtub with a human child who is encouraged to act out all the rituals, e.g., “Comb your messy hair like the monkeys do” and “Wallow like a pig in a sudsy pool.” The illustrations take this book above a simple recitation of bathing habits. Done in cut paper, ribbon, and pastel, they are big and bold, making the story suitable for group sharing. Animals are front and center and large, and all of the backgrounds are brightly colored with the cut paper. A winner for one-on-one sharing or lapsit programs.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

BARNETT, Mac. Extra Yarn. illus. by Jon Klassen. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-195338-5. LC 2010015945.
K-Gr 3–In a snow- and soot-covered town, Annabelle discovers a small black box filled with colorful yarn. She knits a sweater for herself, but there’s still yarn left over. From the seemingly inexhaustible supply, she knits sweaters for her dog, a boy and his dog, her classmates, her mean teacher, her parents, and people in town. In an astounding feat of urban knitting, she covers the buildings in sweatery goodness, but the yarn does not run out. Disaster strikes when a mustachioed, piratical archduke arrives, demanding that the child sell him the magic box. When she declines, he steals it but does not benefit from his crime, as he finds it empty. In a fit of rage, the archduke curses Annabelle and flings the box into the sea. Happily, it finds its way back to her full of yarn again. Klassen’s deadpan, stylized illustrations impeccably complement Barnett’s quirky droll writing. Small details like a dog’s sneer or sweater-covered mailboxes add to the subtle humor. The cheerful colors of the yarn contrast with the somber grays and blacks of the town. Give this one to fans of offbeat stories like Florence Heide’s Princess Hyacinth: (The Surprising Story of a Girl Who Floated) (Random, 2009) or to young knitting enthusiasts.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, Chappaqua Library, NY

BATTUT, Éric. The Little Pea. tr. from French by Sophie Pauze. illus. by author. unpaged. Skyhorse/Sky Pony. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-61608-482-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–This story about wishing to stand out from the crowd has good intentions. A little pea, who is not happy to be like all the other peas in the garden, sets off to discover what he would like to be. He meets a peacock, a tiger, and an elephant. They impress him, and he wants to look like them. He attaches a giant peacock’s feather to himself, paints himself with stripes, and makes a trunk from a blade of grass. When he goes back to the other peas, they laugh at him. Unperturbed, the pea digs himself a hole in the ground where he plants himself. In the spring, he has grown into the most amazing plant, where no two peas are alike, and each one is happy and different. Clearly, this book is intended to encourage children to stretch themselves as individuals, but the message is somewhat muddy. Is the pea trying to stand out in the crowd or is he simply unhappy about being a pea? And in the end, his longed-for change finally comes about when he actually does what he is meant to do–grow into a plant “like all the other seeds.” The colorful pictures and simple text should appeal to children, but for a more cohesive story about being who you are, revisit David McKee’s Elmer (McGraw-Hill, 1968) or even Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand (Viking, 1936).–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

BEARD, Alex. Crocodile’s Tears. illus. by author. unpaged. photos. Abrams. Jan. 2012. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0008-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–A picture book about endangered animals in Africa and the importance of protecting the environment. Rhino is curious about why Crocodile is crying. Tickbird doesn’t want to ask him because crocodiles are dangerous and suggests that they ask Golden Eagle, who can fly high and see farther. He sends them to another animal and so on and so on, and all of the responses relate to the effects of human encroachment on their habitat. They finally decide to ask Crocodile himself about his weeping. And in perfect form, he explains that it’s one of the things crocodiles do to keep their eyes moist–and then eats Rhino (it’s another thing crocodiles do), only to spit him out on the last spread. The illustrations are lovely. The animals loom large and dominate the pages with little detail, emphasizing the grandness of each encounter. Unfortunately, the story slows down in the middle because there are so many animals to consult. In addition, the ecological theme is heavy-handed, but still could be lost on younger audiences who do not understand the concept. An author’s note explains Beard’s reason for the setting and the animals he chose. A beautiful book, with an important message, but one that goes on a bit too long.–Lia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ

BECKER, Helaine. Juba This, Juba That. illus. by Ron Lightburn. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-975-7. LC 2011922895.
PreS-K–This modern-day version of a traditional African chant imagines an adventure that happens one evening when a dark-skinned boy follows a yellow cat to the fair. They laugh at their reflections in the House of Mirrors, take a spooky fun-house ride, and generally have a wonderful time before returning home to bed. Becker’s simple rhyme plays with opposites and is just right for clapping and bouncing along. Lightburn’s lively illustrations perfectly capture the joy of the nighttime escapade and extend the story. The boy and cat are set against backgrounds of diagonal streaks of cool colors that aptly convey movement and a sense of fantasy. This is a good choice for reading aloud to an active group of youngsters.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

BENZWIE, Teresa. Numbers on the Move: 1 2 3 Dance and Count with Me. illus. by Mark Weber. unpaged. CIP. Temple Univ. 2011. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4399-0342-1. LC 2010049039.
PreS-K–Benzwie’s concept book counts up to 10 and back to 0, matching the numbers with smiling children depicting the body movements (“Can you kick more with four?”; “You march great to number eight!”). The pen and watercolor illustrations are set against softly hued backgrounds, highlighting the action. Still, the book is strangely static; the rhyming text is arrhythmic and awkward and the design, which includes a primary font, a “handwriting” font, and color-blocked, sequenced numerals, has “curriculum support” written all over it. Additional.–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

BOND, Felicia. Big Hugs, Little Hugs. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Philomel. Jan. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25614-1. LC 2010053139.
PreS-Gr 1–Short and sweet, this ode to the embrace emphasizes that “Everyone hugs all over the world.” Employing cheerful imagery and a concise narrative, Bond uses each page to show when, where, and how a different creature hugs. Preschoolers will be immediately drawn to the variety of smiling creatures depicted (many unnamed, but familiar for the most part), while older kids will appreciate the array of simple opposite pairings. “Upstairs/Downstairs/Inside/Outside/… Big hugs/Little hugs/In winter/And summer….” Amusingly, the author even includes a dinosaur family “In the past” and some smiling robotic creatures “…In the future.” Charming line drawings of parent-and-child animal pairs, inked on collaged handmade paper, perfectly complement the precious subject matter. Cut origami-paper accents add personality to Bond’s already pleasant art. While perhaps not literally true that octopuses, hippos, and chickens all hug, the pleasure shared is aptly conveyed. A good choice for storytime repertoires.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

BRAUN, Eric. Trust Me, Jack’s Beanstalk Stinks!: The Story of Jack and the Beanstalk as Told by the Giant. illus. by Cristian Bernardini. ISBN 978-1-4048-6675-1; ISBN 978-1-4048-7050-5. LC 2011006996.
SHASKAN, Trisha Speed. Seriously, Cinderella Is So Annoying!: The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother. illus. by Gerald Guerlais. ISBN 978-1-4048-6674-4; ISBN 978-1-4048-7048-2. LC 2011006994.
ea vol: 24p. (The Other Side of the Story Series). further reading. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Picture Window. 2011. PLB $26.65; pap. $6.95.
Gr 1-3–These retellings of classic tales illustrate the concept of “point of view.” They acknowledge and play on reader expectations: “People think it’s easy being a giant.” “The wicked stepmother? Not true. It’s just another one of Cinderella’s wild stories.” Glib, colloquial texts and bright, cartoon-style illustrations create an ironic, knowing atmosphere. While it’s an amusing trick, and makes a good teaching tool, the power of the original stories is lost in translation. These titles do not stand alone as literature as does Jon Scieszka’s The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (Viking, 1989), but will be welcomed in creative-writing classes. End matter includes questions on how point of view changes the story, suggested reading, and (somewhat vague) instructions for accessing more information online.–Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

BRITTA DREHSEN. Flip-O-Storic. tr. from German by Laura Lindgren. illus. by Sara Ball. unpaged. Abbeville. 2011. BD $15.95. ISBN 978-0-7892-1099-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3–Prehistoric animals turn into imaginary creatures with the flip of a page. The saber-toothed tiger can have the head of a giant sloth, the body of a woolly mammoth, and the tail of a Dorudon. The oversize board pages, which are split into three panels, can be flipped back and forth to form hundreds of new animals. Useful information in the front of the book includes a size scale in meters and feet, pronunciation guide, creature names, and definitions of the names (for example, Macrauchenia means “Long Neck”). Facts about each of the 10 animals appear above their illustrations. After new animals are created by combining different parts, children can read the facts and learn the animals’ names, what they are capable of doing, how and where they live, and which modern animals they most resemble. Flip-O-Storic and Flip-O-Saurus (Abbeville, 2010) will appeal to a broad audience of readers, reluctant ones included.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

BRUINS, David. The Call of the Cowboy. illus. by Hilary Leung. unpaged. (Ninja Cowboy Bear Series). CIP. Kids Can. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-748-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS–This story continues the series about the friendship of the bear, the ninja, and the cowboy. The cowboy is funny, caring, and kind, but he likes to make a lot of noise. Then one day his loudness comes between him and his friends. The bear is trying to photograph birds, but the cowboy’s antics drive them away. The ninja is trying to read, but the cowboy’s presence interferes with his concentration. The cowboy is confused by his friends’ actions until he comes to a quiet place and realizes that his inability to be silent is the problem. After a while, the bear and the ninja return to find the cowboy singing softly. The bear shares his photographs and the ninja shares his story, causing them to howl with laughter. Finally, they all sing and make a wonderful racket. The friends discover they can enjoy some activities alone while some can be shared. Colorful, humorous cartoons illustrate the text. An additional purchase where titles on friendship and consideration are needed.–Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

CARLSON, Melody. Goodnight, Angels. illus. by Sophie Allsopp. unpaged. CIP. Zonderkidz. Dec. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71687-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-310-42395-9. LC 2008048896.
PreS-K–Carlson’s Christian-themed addition to this well-worn genre is filled with goodnight rhymes in an awkward rhythm addressed to the people and objects in a young child’s daily life, ending with a prayer of thanks. Allsopp’s watercolors are sweet, rather lifeless renderings that depict the action on each page. Strictly additional.–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

COMPESTINE, Ying Chang. Crouching Tiger. illus. by Yan Nascimbene. unpaged. Candlewick. Dec. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4642-4. LC 2010048133.
K-Gr 2–When Vinson’s grandfather visits from China, he does a weird slow dance in the backyard. It’s a martial art called tai chi. The child wants to learn, but it involves a lot of standing still and meditating, and he worries that he’ll never learn cool kicks and punches like they do in kung fu movies. Vinson soon becomes embarrassed by his grandfather, but he changes his mind when the man prevents a potentially harmful accident with one well-placed high kick. Vinson starts learning tai chi again, just in time for the lion dance at the Chinese New Year parade. Children will empathize with the boy’s desires to do more than stand still and his frustrations at not learning how to kick, punch, and hit things. Grandfather’s lessons on inner peace and patience are often met with realistic resistance. Nascimbene’s watercolor and ink illustrations are at their best during the festival scenes. Each page also includes a tai chi stance. An explanatory note at the end offers more information about tai chi and other Chinese schools of martial arts.–Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

COWLEY, Joy. Friends: Snake and Lizard. illus. by Gavin Bishop. 126p. Gecko Pr. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-8775-7901-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–Unlikely friends Snake and Lizard are back in this story collection from New Zealand. The pair continue their adventures together, whether that means hunting for hard-to-get food, arguing over the fate of a spider living in their doorway, or continuing to provide “Helper” services to other animals. While some plotlines from Snake and Lizard (Kane/Miller, 2008) are brought up but not explained (such as the friends’ role as “helpers”), for the most part, this book can stand alone. It includes more stories directly linked together, such as the selections about the attempts of the friends to put together a suitable memorial for Ear Bent, a rabbit killed while daring to take on the “monsters” that travel along the “River of Death.” The book remains unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of the natural world. The matter-of-fact tone used to describe animals eating and being eaten, as well as descriptions of desert life, brings the setting to life for children. The thick, off-white pages and small illustrations in muted colors create a pleasant individual reading experience. With its more sophisticated subject matter, short chapters, and clever dialogue, it also make for a satisfying read-aloud.–Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

DALE, Penny. Dinosaur Dig! illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. 2011. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5871-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Dale’s counting book follows a formula designed to appeal to preschoolers: put dinosaurs in trucks and add a lot of noisy sound effects. The descriptive text uses numerous action words and is written in a marching pattern that invites children to clap along. Full-bleed watercolor and pencil spreads, each featuring a number from one to 10, show multihued dinos commanding rugged construction vehicles as they work together to dig a large hole, pump concrete, and paint it. The final spread reveals that they have built a giant swimming pool. With a stegosaurus driving a dump truck, a T. rex using a trowel, and a megalosaurus diving into the water, youngsters are likely to enjoy this picture book, but it is an additional purchase.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

DE BEER, Hans. Little Polar Bear and the Submarine. tr. from German by Dr. Kristy Clark Koth. illus. by author. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4030-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Lars returns in another Arctic adventure. This time he meets Freddy, a dachshund who is on a research submarine investigating the melting of the polar ice cap. When Lars learns that the men on the sub have rescued a pair of cubs, he volunteers to return them to their parents. There is tension and suspense when he must sneak them off the submarine: Freddy warns Lars that if he risks being seen, the scientists will want to rescue him, too. But returning Nina and Nonni becomes a harder task than Lars had imagined. With the help of an arctic fox, the three little polar bears find their way back to Lars’s parents. Winter is setting in, and the lost cubs must wait until spring to go home. The watercolors are gorgeous, especially the landscapes. While white predominates, De Beer introduces color with the green ocean and many varied hues of the sky. Details on the submarine will keep tech-savvy kids engaged, and younger children will love the adorable cubs and dog. The one disappointment is that Nina and Nonni are not reunited with their parents. Purchase where this series is popular.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

DIGGS, Taye. Chocolate Me! illus. by Shane E. Evans. unpaged. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-60326-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–A young African-American boy feels unhappy and self-conscious because of comments other boys make about his skin color, his hair, his nose, and even his white teeth. At home he asks his Moms, “Why can’t I be more like Timmy or Johnny or Mark/with straight hair and a different nose?/I suppose my teeth wouldn’t seem so bright/if my skin were a bit more light…right?” His mother reassures him by comparing his attributes to things he can relate to: “You have skin like velvet fudge frosting/….Cotton candy hair soft to touch…./And your smile….It’s perfect.” When the boy looks at himself in the mirror, he sees what his mother sees and loves “Chocolate me!” He shares his mother’s chocolate cupcakes with the boys who have been teasing him. The protagonist is now happy with who he is, but youngsters may be left wondering, other than enjoying the treat, have the other boys changed? The cartoonlike illustrations are done in bold colors. Several spreads have only two words, “Chocolate me,” in brown letters and show the boy wearing one of a variety of T-shirts with a message on it: “Be Super!” “You are my” (page turn) “#1” (page turn) ??#1 Son!” With its universal themes of wanting to fit in, self-acceptance, and self-esteem, this read-aloud offering is sure to strike a chord with many young readers/listeners, and on a variety subjects, not just race.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

ERNST, Lisa Campbell. The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Dial. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42259-4. LC 2011005244.
PreS-Gr 2–The intrepid cookie from The Gingerbread Girl (Dutton, 2006) is back. This time, her kindly baker parents give her a box of animal crackers for her birthday–the friends she’d always wanted. Predictably, the stampede of baked critters bursts from the box and the familiar chase ensues with a new refrain, “We’re wild Animal Crackers,/Hear our fierce roar,/You can’t catch us,/We’re off to explore!” Each beastie gets its own verse–some rhymes more awkward than others. All of the verses are set off in italics; those by the individual animals are in red, and the chorus is in purple. The animals sport mischievous expressions. Their energetic sprint is conveyed by motion lines, as they leap and scamper away from cow, cat, sheep, etc. The sly fox is up to his usual tricks as he lures the crackers onto his back and tries to devour them mid-river. The Gingerbread Girl rescues her friends by encouraging them to roar loudly. The deafened fox flees and Gingerbread Girl and her prodigal menagerie happily reunite. As in the previous installment, Ernst’s pastel gingham backgrounds evoke domestic comfort; her oversize cartoon illustrations are bright and expressive. The story does not break any new ground and is a smidgen too sweet for some tastes, but its familiar formula should please children. A good choice for those in need of snack-related books or extra fractured fairy tales, but an additional purchase for smaller collections.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, Chappaqua Library, NY

FALWELL, Cathryn. Gobble Gobble. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Dawn. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-158469-148-8; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-149-5. LC 2011011698.
PreS-Gr 2–A girl is fascinated by the flock of wild turkeys living near her home. Simple, rhyming text describes the appearance and habits of the birds throughout the year. In the spring, Jenny watches from her window as “Toms strut and/puff to look their/best. Turkey hens make/shallow nests.” Respectful of nature, she observes from a distance as baby poults hatch in the summer and roost high in backyard trees in autumn. In the winter, Jenny follows a trail of footprints and spies her turkey friends perched on top of a snowman. Falwell’s collage illustrations include leaf prints and vibrantly capture the changing seasonal landscapes. An afterword, “Jenny’s Journal,” provides more facts about wild turkeys. This informational picture book will inspire young naturalists to explore their own surroundings.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

THE FAMILY STORYBOOK TREASURY: TALES OF LAUGHTER, CURIOSITY, AND FUN 292p. w/CD. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-61221-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Some of the selections in this varied collection of picture books and poems are well known and loved, such as Susan Meddaugh’s Martha Speaks, Eileen Christelow’s Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and Bernard Waber’s Lyle Walks the Dogs. With the exception of Virginia Lee Burton’s Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (1939), all were published after 1985. The editors chose to include a 2004 “Curious George” story, written in the style of H. A. and Margret Rey, rather than one of the original titles. Nancy Shaw’s Sheep in a Jeep, Helen Lester’s Tacky the Penguin, and Rebecca Bond’s The Great Doughnut Parade round out the anthology. The poetry includes a mix of simple, complex, humorous, and thoughtful selections from Nikki Grimes, Calef Brown, Doug Florian, and Bob Raczka, among others. An audio CD is included, read by a diverse and expressive cast of narrators. Rich sound effects and background music set mood and pace, although there are no chimes to indicate page turns.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

FREYMANN-WEYR, Garret. French Ducks in Venice. illus. by Erin McGuire. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Dec. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4173-3. LC 2010047672.
Gr 2-4–Georges and Cécile live on the canals of Venice, CA, but imagine themselves to be French ducks. Each day, they observe the work of Russian dressmaker Polina Panova, who weaves beautiful dresses made partially of thread, silk, grass, and pieces of the night sky. Her handsome, movie-star boyfriend, Sebastian Sterling, moves out of her house one night, so Georges sets out to find a present to cheer her up. He finally flies all the way to the horizon and is given a long, golden piece of light from where the sky and ocean meet. Polina thanks him for the wonderful gift, but still she is sad. She stays inside her house for more than a week, working on new dresses, as Georges grows more and more concerned. When she emerges, she is still a little sad, but has used the gift of golden light to create beautiful dresses with a magical glow that she knows will be special for many women. McGuire’s digitally created illustrations have a painterly look that captures the nuances of light and shadow representing Polina’s moods. This book will be enjoyed by those who like stories with a fairy-tale feel. The writing is somewhat stilted–in places it has short, choppy sentences–but as a whole, it is better suited to more competent than beginning readers.–Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

FRIEDMAN, Caitlin. How Do You Feed a Hungry Giant?: A Munch-and-Sip Pop-Up Book. illus. by Shaw Nielsen. unpaged. Workman. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-7611-5752-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Young Oscar opens the back door to find himself staring at an enormous ankle. Frightened but curious, he investigates the creature standing out on the lawn. The sad, silent giant holds up a sign that reads, “Food Please.” Eager to help, Oscar repeatedly raids the kitchen, counting up delectable treats. Among them are 3 bunches of green grapes, 15 bottles of chocolate milk, 33 jars of peanut butter, and 50 strawberry yogurts. These numbers will leave readers pondering the size of the household, the capacity of the refrigerator, and the monthly food budget. Two hundred chocolate chip cookies are consumed and some wonky math appears in the text, but who’s counting? Kids will enjoy watching the pull-tab action as the giant slurps milk through a pipe, though they will wonder about the strength of his digestive juices as the next illustration shows him eating a plastic marshmallow bag, paper muffin cups, and the peanut-butter jars. In the end Oscar’s mom jumps in to help, and the giant is satiated at last. The blocky, colorful illustrations carry the text along, and the stylized trees add depth and interest to the backyard. A small pamphlet of recipe cards is included. Fun fare, but not a favorite.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

FRISCH, Aaron. The Lonely Pine. illus. by Etienne Delessert. unpaged. CIP. Creative Editions. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-56846-214-1. LC 2010028643.
Gr 1-3–In the far north, where weather and light conditions prevent any growth, a small, singular pine tree stands. Around it, seasons come and go, polar bears pass by, and arctic foxes take temporary refuge under its boughs. When summer arrives, moths and other insects flutter on the needles, and in the fall, a weary owl pauses for a moment. Winter brings the aurora borealis and a sled-dog team heading south. This is a story of quiet reflection, and the book’s most notable feature is the artwork. Detailed drawings in ink and watercolor using dark greens, golds, and other earth tones depict framed scenes of nature on one side, facing a calendar from 1945 that shows the passing of the months. The book is not heavy on plot, but rather sets a mood for considering the beauty of nature. Overall, a nice meditative piece.–Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA

HARRIS, Trudy. Say Something, Perico. illus. by Cecilia Rébora. 32p. glossary. CIP. Lerner. 2011. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-5231-0; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-8046-7. LC 2011001114.
K-Gr 2–Perico is a parrot in a pet store with a lot to say. Unfortunately for his clueless and English-speaking prospective owners, everything he has to say is in Spanish. It isn’t until a bilingual family finds him that they realize just how clever he really is. Perico shows a wide range of emotions, and Rébora’s illustrations are bright and animated, reflecting the bird’s ups and downs. While the story is ultimately about cultural differences and celebrates Perico’s language abilities, there is also a dark side to it as ignorant adults acquire and return a pet for its inability to meet their expectations. However, the upbeat ending and a personality-packed parrot will delight youngsters. A glossary of Spanish words offers help for readers who don’t speak Perico’s language.–Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

HASHIMOTO, Meika. The Magic Cake Shop. illus. by Josée Masse. 160p. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86822-1; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96822-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89874-7. LC 2010041098.
Gr 3-5–Don’t be fooled by the sugary pink cover featuring sparkly cakes and candy stripes; Emma Burblee’s story is not sweet. Emma, whose parents are obsessed with being perfect, is sent to stay with her lazy, fat, nefarious Uncle Simon for the summer. He forces her to do all of his chores–including hauling massive quantities of dessert from the town bakery on her back. Soon, 10-year-old Emma finds herself working against the clock to save the town’s much-loved baker, who has been poisoned as part of Simon’s latest get-rich-quick scheme. The story line is erratic (all of the elixirs, poisons, and antidotes are hard to keep track of), and the focus is less on magic and baking and more on ridiculous family members and bizarre turns of events. At times, the line between irreverent and inappropriate is pushed (Uncle Simon tells Emma that she won’t be able to sit for a week if she steals any of his treats). Readers will likely lose their appetites for this book long before reaching the end.–Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

HAYES, Geoffrey. The Bunny’s Night-Light: A Glow-in-the-Dark Search. illus. by author. unpaged. Random. Jan. 2012. Tr $11.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86926-6; PLB $14.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96926-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Bunny can’t sleep because of the dark bedroom and goes on a search with Papa for a suitable night-light. He suggests stars, but Bunny scoffs, “The stars are too twinkly to be a good night-light for me,” so Papa then suggests the moon, a glowworm, and fireflies. Finally Mama has a solution to the problem. Hayes’s characteristically cozy artwork will bring smiles to the faces of children and adults. Bunny’s expressions range from concern to exasperation to disbelief that Papa would even suggest a streetlight as a possibility. Attractive borders frame the cartoonlike artwork. Each picture has at least one small fuzzy sticker that actually glows in the dark. After the initial reading of this bedtime story, the lights may be turned out and the pages turned one more time to view the glowing stickers. A sure choice to be reread.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

HUGHES, Ted. The Iron Giant. illus. by Laura Carlin. 96p. Random. 2011. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87149-8; PLB $22.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98245-3. LC 2010941395.
Gr 2-6–Hughes’s parable about peace, originally penned in 1968, is given new life with Carlin’s cut-paper, multimedia illustrations. In the first half of the book, after crashing to Earth, the Iron Giant re-assembles himself and wreaks havoc on the local farming community by eating its tractors and farm implements. After succumbing to a pit-trap, he is tamed by Hogarth, a boy who leads him to a scrap yard where the Iron Giant can finally eat his fill. In the second half of the story, a space-bat-angel-dragon as large as Australia threatens the Earth. Several pages of concentric die-cut circles punch up the importance of its arrival. The formerly silent Iron Giant finds his voice to challenge him to an endurance test. Burnt nearly to a crisp after two consecutive trips to the surface of the sun, the space-bat-angel-dragon relents and agrees to sing peaceful music-of-the-spheres instead of waging war. The oversize illustrations are rendered in a restrained muted palette of blues, browns, reds, and blacks but exhibit great variety, sometimes emphasizing the shadowy, blurry nature of the giant, other times utilizing sharply cut lines and finely drawn small townsfolk. Occasional use of hand lettering amid the text lends drama and interest. Lengthy for a picture book, but a bit short for a novel, this is a smartly designed, highly illustrated novella in picture-book format.–Madigan McGillicuddy, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, GA

JEFFERS, Oliver. Stuck. illus. by author. unpaged. Philomel. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25737-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Floyd has a problem: his kite is stuck in a tree. Employing kid logic, he throws his favorite shoe to dislodge the wayward object–to no avail. The imaginative hero fetches a host of other items: a friend’s bicycle, the kitchen sink, a long-distance lorry, the house across the street, a curious whale (“in the wrong place at the wrong time”). Alas, each item joins its predecessors, lodged in the foliage. Jeffers’s deadpan descriptions and the ludicrous scale of Floyd’s selections are laugh-out-loud hilarious. As the child carries the house on his head, his neighbor leans out the window, commenting, simply: “Floyd?” Then there is the incongruity between expectation and reality. When he retrieves a ladder, firemen, and finally a saw, readers will surely expect climbing or cutting, but no. Everything gets pitched up, including the light bulb that hovers over the child’s head, just before he achieves success. The tree, which continually changes color (and therefore, mood), is a dense, scribbled, layered specimen, perfect for harboring the odd assemblage. The text appears to be hand-lettered, as if written by a youngster. In concert with the quirky, mixed-media caricatures, supported by stick legs, it yields a childlike aesthetic sure to tickle the funny bones of its target audience–and of the adults who share the story with youngsters.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

JENKINS, Emily. Small Medium Large. illus. by Tomek Bogacki. unpaged. Star Bright. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-59572-278-2; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-59572-299-7. LC 2010050853.
PreS-Gr 1–Four colorful mouselike beings of varied sizes represent the concepts of small, medium, large, and extra large in bold, posterlike spreads rendered in black line and swathes of thick, textured paints. Similar characters, larger and smaller, join the original four to expand the notion of size at both ends of the scale (e.g., “huge,” “enormous,” “colossal”; and “tiny,” “minuscule,” and “itty-bitty”) and demonstrate how many smaller sizes can stack up to equal one “colossal” size in a splendid, culminating vertical gatefold. The “medium” character adds some narrative tension along the way as it waits expectantly on the sidelines for its turn to participate. While the relative sizes of S/M/L/XL seem universal, the other vocabulary of size introduced might be fairly construed as synonymous rather than strictly relative. Still, the generous trim size, large font, simple ideas, and eye-popping shapes and colors add up to a cheerful concept book ideal for sharing with a group of young children or as a lapsit.–Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

JOHN, Louise, retel. The Emperor’s New Clothes. illus. by Serena Curmi. 48p. Evans Brothers, dist. by Trafalgar Square. 2011. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-237-53895-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–The classic story of the vain emperor who is tricked into believing that he has a fabulous new outfit when in reality he is naked has been put into a chapter-book format with some fun illustrations. However, challenging vocabulary like “courtiers,” “mesmerized,” and “tomfoolery” makes the book a hard sell for a young audience. Also, the bad guys are referred to as “scoundrels,” “rogues,” and “swindlers,” words unfamiliar to early readers. Stylized pastel artwork appears on nearly every page and helps youngsters visualize the action. An acceptable addition if new versions of the tale are needed, but it may work best as a read-aloud.–Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

JUKES, Mavis. The New Kid. 276p. Knopf. Dec. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85879-6; PLB $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95879-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89631-6. LC 2010018826.
Gr 3-5–In this gentle tale, “going-on-nine” Carson Blum strives to make sense of his changing world. His single father’s new job means that Carson, who is adopted, must leave his beloved grandparents, best friends, and small private school. He worries about being “The New Kid,” feeling left out, and finding a new friend in time to help him celebrate his upcoming birthday. He observes the actions of the students in his new public school and struggles with decisions, such as whether or not to bring his much-loved toy Moose to school on Stuffed Animal Day or believe the outrageous stories of the class clown. Over time, he begins to see solutions to his problems and be comfortable with his new life. This is a warm story about loving families, making friends, and growing up. It allows readers to experience the close father-and-son relationship. By sharing the details of Carson’s day, Jukes helps readers see the world through the protagonist’s eyes. Her writing captures his childlike wonder and ever-ready optimism–even in the face of upheaval. The lively characters and surprising events keep the story moving.–Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

KOHUTH, Jane. Estie the Mensch. illus. by Rosanne Litzinger. unpaged. CIP. Random. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86778-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96778-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98007-7. LC 2010011254.
PreS-K–“Oy, Estie. Be a mensch” is a phrase all too often repeated by her parents and grandmother when the young girl pulls her coat over her head to hide like a turtle, crawls under the dinner table to hang out with her dog, and pretends to be a seagull, a monkey, a fly, and a tiger during various family gatherings and outings. While the literal translation of the Yiddish word “mensch” is “person,” it is understood to mean a good person–a person of integrity who acts with compassion and kindness. When Estie’s grandmother takes her to the zoo with her friend and her friend’s grandson, Petie enjoys Estie’s animal antics. But when his ice cream falls on the ground, Estie shares hers, finally winning the praise of her grandmother as a “real mensch.” In the end, Estie realizes that it’s not so hard to be a mensch, but she wishes she could be a mensch and a moose. There is a disconnect between the grown-ups’ desire for Estie to act, literally, like a person and the conclusion of the story where Estie proves that she can be a real mensch and still use her imagination and creativity. Readers can only hope that the adults came to understand this as well. The illustrations are cheerful, animated, and expressive but some modern Jewish grandmothers might be dismayed by the depiction of elderly gray-haired, bun-wearing bubbies with dowdy clothes and sensible shoes. The pleasant illustrations and Yiddish gimmick can’t make up for the slight story line and poorly executed message.–Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

KROSOCZKA, Jarrett J. Ollie the Purple Elephant. illus. by author. unpaged. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86654-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96654-5; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98470-9. LC 2010029116.
Gr 1-2–Mr. McLaughlin must make good on his promise to his children that if they ever come across a purple elephant they can take him home. When they stumble upon Ollie, the elephant is welcomed to the household by everyone but Ginger the cat and the downstairs neighbor, Mr. Puddlebottom, who is not appreciative of the raucous dance parties. The two malcontents hatch a plan: Ginger convinces Ollie that the McLaughlins regret taking him in while Mr. Puddlebottom arranges for his cousin to hire the pachyderm for his traveling circus. Soon Ollie is unhappily performing tricks and the McLaughlins are putting up missing elephant posters. When the circus comes to Ollie’s old town, he takes his animal friends to see his old home and they stop a robbery. The ecstatic McLaughlins uncover Mr. Puddlebottom’s hand in Ollie’s disappearance and the happy ending comes in the form of many boisterous dance parties. Krosoczka’s text is on the long side, but the illustrations bring the story to life. Using acrylic paints and wonderful color, he captures all the expressions, actions, and emotions that animate the narrative.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

LAREAU, Kara. Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story. illus. by Scott Magoon. unpaged. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. Dec. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-483-7. LC 2010045188.
K-Gr 3–Puns and droll humor pepper this story of lonely Mr. Prickles, a porcupine who becomes justifiably unfriendly after struggling unsuccessfully to befriend the other woodland creatures. (“He tried to join in their midnight picnicking, but it was pointless.”) Bold cartoon illustrations full of clever details and dark, shadowy colors draw out the humor but also make the pain of loneliness and rejection resonate. When Mr. Prickles meets another porcupine, Miss Pointypants, she convinces him that spending so much time glaring at the other animals is boring. Pretty soon they’re having too much fun together to care about the unkind remarks made about them. Kids who know something of social cruelties will find familiar scenes and a happy ending here.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

LEWIS, Wendy. Sabrina, the Girl with a Hole in Her Heart: Based on a True Story of Hope and Big Hearts. illus. by Diane Lucas. 33p. glossary. CIP. Two Dolphins. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-615-47819-7. LC 2011927761.
Gr 2-4–Lewis has created a character to represent thousands of children with heart defects who have been helped by the Save a Child’s Heart organization. Sabrina tells of living with poor health in Zanzibar and being given the opportunity to travel to Israel to undergo surgery, and eventually returns home healthy. While this is a touching story and full of good information, the writing is stilted and does not feel authentic to the voice of a young girl. The inclusion of factual information about the heart-valve defect and surgery is a plus as is the reality that children from all around the world need to receive adequate medical care. The book includes a pronunciation guide as well as more information about the organization and heart-valve disease, and two activities for lesson planning. The illustrations are clear and in some cases very emotive, but seem a little disjointed and do not always correspond to the text on the page in a cohesive way. Overall, this is a touching story and the proceeds go to a worthy cause, but neither the text nor the artwork makes it a necessary purchase.–Catherine Brenner, Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar, NY

LICHTENHELD, Tom & Ezra Fields-Meyer. E-mergency! illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. unpaged. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7898-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–All the letters of the alphabet live together in one big, happy house. One morning as they race down the stairs to breakfast, E goes too fast and falls, injuring one of her appendages. After the EMTs arrive, bringing TLC and carrying an IV, E is admitted to the hospital. To properly recover she can’t be used, so O is picked to fill in on her behalf. Despite news reports, congressional hearings, reader boards, a spot on Oprah, and a world tour to spread the news to use O instead of E, the injured letter is still not getting better. In a surprise worthy of Jon Stone’s The Monster at the End of This Book (Western Publishing, 1971), the letters suddenly turn on the narrator and demand that he stop using E as he is why she’s not getting better. After a page of tricky-to-read prose, E is healed and ready to go back to work just in time for thE End. The text tells only part of the story. The detailed cartoons of the letters in action with a plethora of speech balloons take the story to a whole other level of humor. This artwork takes a funny story and makes it hilarious to the right readers/listeners, of which there will be many. Kids and adults will get more of the sly humor each time they read this book. Warning: It’s not easy to read all those words with the E replaced by an O–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

LINDBERGH, Reeve. Homer the Library Cat. illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3448-3. LC 2010048130.
PreS-Gr 1–Homer enjoyed a quiet life, with his quiet lady, in his quiet house. It takes a noisy chain of events to lead him to the library. Once there, however, he is happy to give up his peaceful, solitary days for the hubbub of the children’s room, which also happens to be where his quiet lady works. While the story lacks fluidity, it has a comedic energy that should appeal to children. Once Homer leaves the safety of his home, every new hiding spot seems to guarantee peace and security, but children will quickly realize that some new ruckus is waiting for both Homer and them with the turn of each page. Even though the library initially promises serenity, the fact that the children’s room itself is not a quiet place is made clear by the activity in the watercolor and collage illustrations. Children are reaching for books, playing with toys–even the shelf on which Homer contentedly sleeps at the end is a jumble of ransacked books. But the presence of the quiet lady, reading to the children, provides a sense of calm that nicely counterbalances the children’s energy and enthusiasm.–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

LODDING, Linda Ravin. The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister. illus. by Suzanne Beaky. unpaged. Flashlight. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-979974-69-4. LC 2011922641.
K-Gr 2–Ernestine has a full schedule. Every day after school, she has a different lesson with a different teacher. Mondays, it’s sculpting with Clay Lumpkin. Tuesdays, water ballet with Miss Goldfisher. On Sundays, Ernestine has yoga with Guru Prakash Pretzel. During one of her meditation sessions, she has an idea. She convinces her Nanny O’Dear to play in the grass on the hilltop with her. When her parents finally catch up with the pair, she talks them into slowing the pace a bit. Beautiful acrylic illustrations in vibrant colors show the child’s myriad activities and frenzied lifestyle. However, the story seems to be written more for parents than children. Taking time to play without a schedule is one of the overarching themes here, but Ernestine seems to realize this all along.–Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

MCDONOUGH, Yona Zeldis. The Cats in the Doll Shop. illus. by Heather Maione. 140p. chron. glossary. CIP. Viking. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01279-4. LC 2011009312.
Gr 2-5–This companion to The Doll Shop Downstairs (Viking, 2009) features Anna, now 11 years old. She’s concerned about a mother cat and her three-legged kitten in need of a home. If only she could convince her father to change his mind about having pets in the shop. She is also worried about her cousin, a shy and skittish girl from Russia. While the doll that Anna makes for her seems to comfort Tania, there is still a lot of sadness in her cousin. Can Anna help her acclimate to her new life, or does the answer to Tania’s happiness actually lie in the fate of the cat and kitten? This is a sweet and old-fashioned story, similar in style to Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family (Wilcox & Follett, 1951), set in World War I-era New York. Sensitive readers will relate to Anna’s desire to make everything right for her cousin and, because the cat and kitten have a happy ending, the book is a fine choice for animal lovers as well.–Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

MCGINNESS, Suzanne. My Bear Griz. illus. by author. unpaged. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-113-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–There is no actual story line here; instead, the book is a catalogue of experiences a boy shares with an enormous grizzly bear. Billy and Griz enjoy peanut butter and honey sandwiches, play hide-and-seek, look at the stars together, etc. At the end it is revealed that Griz is actually a teddy bear. While there are many stories about children becoming attached to stuffed toys, there is something a little uncomfortable about Billy’s isolation here, as he says “Griz is my best friend” and there is no interaction with anyone else. The illustrations, done in biro (ballpoint pen) and watercolor, are heavily textured, and in the case of the bear even tactile, but there is an oddly vacant expression in both the boy’s and the bear’s eyes. Martha Alexander’s “Blackboard Bear” stories (Candlewick) deal with a similar case of imagination providing a companion, but there is a wider range of interaction with the actual world and other people.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

MCKAY, Sindy. The Garden Crew. illus. by Meredith Johnson. ISBN 978-1-60115-345-6; ISBN 978-1-60115-346-3. LC 2011925875.
––––. The Juggle Puzzle. illus. by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov. ISBN 978-1-60115-343-2; ISBN 978-1-60115-344-9. LC 2011925873.
ORSHOSKI, Paul. Dad Does It All. illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. ISBN 978-1-60115-341-8; ISBN 978-1-60115-342-5. LC 2011925874.
ea vol: 28p. (We Read Phonics Series). Treasure Bay. Dec. 2011. Tr $9.95; pap. $4.99.
K-Gr 1–In Garden Crew, students plan, plant, and harvest flowers and vegetables. It is the best of the three titles; it includes a few teachable moments that could be connected to a science unit on plants, and the children depicted in the full-color art are active and engaging. Great vocabulary words like “sow,” “loam,” “silt,” and “harvested” are included. Juggle Puzzle is a revamping of the classic river-crossing logic problem: a boy in a circus must get a goat, a cabbage, and a wolf to the other side. In this version, though, the cabbage has been replaced by a stew that for some unknown reason is inedible to the tiger, but delicious to the goat. The story is repetitive and lacking in plot, continuity, and illustration quality. In Dad Does It All, Mom is sick, so stereotypical, bumbling Dad has to make a go of simple household chores. It’s a good thing his son knows how to order delivery pizza. It’s a negative portrayal of the man’s capabilities; even the birds are critical of his performance: “When on the deck he sat to rest,/a bird dropped droppings on his chest.” The books are designed for use as home learning tools. They include an introduction to phonics for parents, suggestions for discussing and reading together, and rhyming and word family games to play before and after reading. All of them focus on long “e,” “o,” and “u” sounds, as well as “es,” “ed,” and “ly” endings. Purchase the first one if more easy readers are needed.–Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

MCKAY, Sindy. Jack and the Toddler. illus. by Jennifer Zivoin. ISBN 978-1-60115-249-7; ISBN 978-1-60115-250-3.
ORSHOSKI, Paul. My Sitter Is a T-Rex! illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. ISBN 978-1-60115-253-4; ISBN 978-1-60115-254-1.
ea vol: 44p. (We Both Read Series). Treasure Bay. 2011. Tr $9.95; pap. $4.99. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–In the first book, Jack has a playdate with a toddler. He tries to be a good host, but he just can’t find any activities that the two can share because of the difference in their ages. Finally, he realizes one thing they can do: they can be friends. The colorful, comiclike illustrations are inviting, but can’t save the bland, repetitive text. The concept of “We Both Read” is highly recommended for parent and child, but this book is not. My Sitter Is a T-Rex! is similar to Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. Todd has an unusual babysitter who constantly but accidentally makes a mess. The story, told in rhyme, is funny, as is the expressive, colorful art, making it a worthwhile purchase for adult/child sharing.–Elaine Charnow, Deasy/Landing Elementary Schools, Glen Cove, NY

MCKEE, David. Six Men. illus. by author. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4050-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–As he did with The Conquerors (Handprint, 2004), McKee makes a political statement. The six men of the title are looking for “a place where they might live and work in peace.” Although they find it, their new wealth brings worries. They hire soldiers to guard their property and eventually to attack their neighbors. The neighbors escape to the other side of the river and build their own army. Eventually, after each army shoots an arrow at a passing duck, both assume they are being attacked and a battle ensues. Everyone is killed, except for “six men from each side, who…started to travel the world searching for a place where they might live and work in peace.” Cartoonlike black line drawings, some heavily detailed, some spare, illustrate the text. The causes of war in this story are so oversimplified that the explanation is perhaps condescending, even to young children. Better allegories, such as Eve Bunting’s Terrible Things (Jewish Pub. Society, 1989), abound.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

MACOMBER, Debbie & Mary Lou Carney. The Yippy, Yappy Yorkie in the Green Doggy Sweater. illus. by Sally Anne Lambert. unpaged. (A Blossom Street Kids Book). CIP. HarperCollins. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-165096-3. LC 2010017941.
K-Gr 2–The cover portrait of the title character compels readers to open this moving-to-a-new-house tale. Ellen is apprehensive about her new neighborhood, and then her pup runs away. As she and Mom search for him, their encounters with friendly shopkeepers help the girl warm to her new environment. Naughty Baxter is finally found in the company of another Yorkie, whose owner befriends Ellen. April admires Baxter’s outfit, and when Ellen replies that she knit it for him, April asks to be taught how. Lambert’s realistic paintings offer an idyllic village of friendly folk. Children will enjoy this cozy story.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

MANUSHKIN, Fran. The Belly Book. illus. by Dan Yaccarino. unpaged. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64958-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–This book encourages children to think positively about a body part that is often hidden away or rejected. What begins as a riddle written across two bare midriffs–“Every daughter, every son,/has their own–but only one–with a button in the middle./Can you guess this little riddle?”–ends with an affirmation: “Bellies, we love you!/Bellies so clever–/you are a part of us forever!” Children will see how abdomens vary in appearance and why they are an important part of our anatomy. Gouache illustrations of belly buttons, belly flops, etc., add playfulness to the text. The animal bellies that appear beside the human ones give examples of the little ways we are all the same. Read Manushkin’s The Tushy Book (Feiwel & Friends, 2009) to introduce children to another unappreciated body part.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

MELTZER, Lynn. The Construction Crew. illus. by Carrie Eko-Burgess. unpaged. CIP. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8884-7. LC 2010039763.
PreS–Somewhat reminiscent of Donald Crews’s graphic-art style, this book follows the building of a house. Bold primary colors depict construction machines and a crew and its tools, one after another, page by page, as they go about razing an old building, excavating for a new foundation, and eventually constructing a new house. The last vehicle pictured is a moving truck. The rhyming text has a single couplet per page: “Dig now/Build later/What do we need?/EXCAVATOR.” Although there are plenty of “big machine” books out there, this one has the added unifying theme of showing the steps in chronological order. Simple and colorful, it should be a hit at toddler and preschool storytimes.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

MESSNER, Kate. Marty McGuire. Bk. 1. illus. by Brian Floca. 144p. (Marty McGuire Series). CIP. Scholastic. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14244-1; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14246-5. LC 2010031291.
Gr 2-3–Marty loves playing in the mud and catching frogs, but when she learns that her teacher has cast her as the Frog Princess in the third-grade play, she is anything but happy. However, by showtime, she has found a way to remain true to herself and add a little drama to the performance. Marty’s teacher gives readers a brief lesson on the variations of “The Frog Princess,” and an acting coach provides tips for improvisation on stage. Though large print and many amusing black-and-white drawings make this the model format for children just stepping into chapter books, today’s young audience may find the story a bit bland.–Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa

METZGER, Steve. The Dancing Clock. illus. by John Abbott Nez. unpaged. Tiger Tales. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58925-100-7; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58925-429-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Milo, one of the snow monkeys at the Central Park Children’s Zoo in New York City, loves watching the dancing animals and listening to the music on the Delacorte Clock, located at the entrance. He would so much like to join them that he ignores his friends. When the zookeeper forgets to lock their enclosure, Milo escapes and makes it to the top of the clock and has a happy time dancing with the bronze creatures. Eventually, though, he realizes that they are cold and can’t hug him back, so he eagerly returns to his warm friends who love him. This story is told in verse that for the most part works, but some rhymes feel forced or are ungrammatical. The verse mentions trees but the monkey enclosure is shown with only a lone dead tree. The cartoon-style illustrations are colorful, picturing the park in autumn, and the children and adults are varied. Endpapers show an old-fashioned zoo with animals in small cages, but in the mid 1980s, the Central Park Zoo was remodeled and the cages were replaced with naturalistic environments. According to its website, the snow monkeys’ environment even includes a hot tub. Children will need to look carefully at all the different pictures of the clock to find all seven dancing animals depicted. An additional purchase.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

MITCHELL, Margaree King. When Grandmama Sings. illus. by James E. Ransome. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Amistad. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-688-17563-4. LC 2008034353.
Gr 2-4–Set in the segregated South of the 1950s, Mitchell’s poignant story features eight-year-old Belle and her loving, stalwart African-American family. When Grandmama, who can’t read but whose singing voice captures the hearts of all who hear her, joins a jazz band for a tour of the South, Belle pleads to go along. Thrilled to expand her world beyond Pecan Flats, MS, she experiences firsthand the difficulties her people face: hotels marked “White Only,” diners that refuse them service, police who search their cars and luggage for no reason. Through it all, Grandmama sings to growing crowds, believing in the power of music to bring people together. When, at the story’s end, a recording contract beckons her “up north,” Grandmama tells Belle to believe in herself and “sing her own song.” Ransome’s full-page images, rich in color and feeling, portray the landscapes of the South and the individual emotions of the characters with equal aplomb. Placed in the past, the message is still relevant for children today.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

MORRISSEY, Dean. The Wizard Mouse. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Harper. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-008066-2. LC 2010012632.
K-Gr 2–Rollie, a field mouse with a yearning to see the world, leaves the comforts of his home in search of adventure. Along the way he sees two cows floating in midair and, later, a large tower with a doorplate that says “Wizard.” Inside he meets an aging wizard who is losing his powers after fighting a Dark Magician for control of Muddmoor. Now he is worried about his kingdom being attacked again. The two become fast friends and the mouse begins reading all of the man’s magic books. He learns about a fish that, when eaten, can give an individual magical powers and wisdom, and is sure that it can help Solarus. When he finds a magic salmon, he convinces it to go to the tower. The fish says that Solarus needs only to touch him, not eat him, to regain his powers. Then he vanishes. But Rollie has touched him, too, so Solarus appoints him to the position of Wizard Mouse. The mouse figures that his first order of business should be to do something about those floating cows. The oil-paint illustrations are lush and beautiful. The wizard is very lifelike and regal with robes of deep red and blue and a long, flowing white beard. The magic fish has gold accents on his deep colors, and the mouse is detailed and expressive. The illustrations make this a book to pore over.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

MUIR, Leslie. The Little Bitty Bakery. illus. by Betsy Lewin. unpaged. CIP. Hyperion/Disney. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1640-0. LC 2011012267.
PreS-Gr 2–Elephant, a pastry chef, has been busy baking all day long. Too late and too tired to celebrate her birthday, she climbs into bed exhausted. But downstairs in the kitchen things are heating up. Suddenly a bunch of mice arrives on the scene and hatches a plan to make a luscious treat. They gather ingredients, measure and mix, and soon place their heartfelt creation into the oven. Elephant wakes up and startles the mice, who surprise her with a Crumble Jumble cake, which they proceed to enjoy and nibble on until morning. This delightful read-aloud, with its enticing cover featuring an array of sparkling baked goods, works well on many levels. Muir’s sweet, engaging story is sprinkled with French words throughout, and Lewin’s charming cartoon art, in nighttime shades of blue and purple, uses thick and thin brush lines to capture the action. Appended recipes are the icing on the cake.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

MY BIG BOOK OF TRUCKS AND DIGGERS. unpaged. photos. Chronicle. 2011. BD $7.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7892-0; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0685-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–This board book uses excellent photographs (with plenty of product placement) and minimal text to describe different types of heavy-duty Caterpillar machines. The simple format showcases a vehicle on the verso and displays various aspects of the vehicle, like the bucket, wheel, or blade, etc., on the opposite page. The bold colors and clear text enhance the presentation. Even though the terms are a bit challenging, the simplicity of the book and the sharp photographs will have youngsters very excited. A great purchase for all board-book collections or for libraries looking to add to their transportation and machinery books.–Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

NESQUENS, Daniel. My Tattooed Dad. tr. from Spanish by Elisa Amado. illus. by Magicomora. unpaged. CIP. Groundwood. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-109-0. LC C2010-905910-7.
Gr 2-5–“Dad’s got ants in his pants,” says Mom. That wanderlust has a (surprisingly) positive impact on both the man’s relationship with his wife and son and on his ability to spin convincing yarns. Loved without judgment despite his frequent absences, this larger-than-life figure dotes on his family while at home, cooking, gardening, and filling the space with his incredible stories. Like The Illustrated Man, his manifold tattoos provide a springboard for the narrative. In his son’s opinion, “Reading his tattoos is more fun than reading any book ever written.” There’s the two-tailed tiger, encountered after a shipwreck. Dad escaped its clutches after a friend (whom the tiger had just decapitated) managed one last heroic act, gripping the tails in his teeth. In another image, a giant spider–“A city could have fit in its shadow”–reminds Dad of the moment that an army of red ants intervened, just as the arachnid was closing in on him. With appearances by a fortune-teller, a gunslinger, an anaconda, and a traveling circus, the tales’ cumulative effect makes the boy wonder where the truth lies. He ultimately decides to embrace the ambiguity and admire the teller. Magicomora’s cameos and full spreads, a combination of folk art and caricatures, are drawn with pencil and colored digitally on backgrounds simulating antique wood, replete with stains and cracks. Not for the faint of heart, Nesquens’s highly original anecdotes, narrated jointly by father and son in an aura of mystery, will be appreciated by fans of magical realism.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PALLOTTA, Jerry. Who Will Be My Valentine This Year? illus. by David Biedrzycki. unpaged. Scholastic. Dec. 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-23518-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS–A large pink hippo asks several neighbors if they would like to be her valentine. In a series of spreads, each animal replies with an excuse that relates how the two are not alike. But in the end, they welcome her to a Valentine’s Day party, saying that they were only kidding. “It’s fun being different. We all want to be your valentine!” The 12 short exchanges between Hippo and her would-be valentines mention various dissimilarities, but these reasons don’t quite make sense. For example, Frog’s answer to “Will you be my valentine?” is “No! I use e-mail. You send postcards.” Biedrzycki’s bright pictures try to add some whimsy to the slight text but also seem to miss the mark. An especially curious illustration is of Hippo, unadorned except for the bow on her head, speaking to a dolphin that is standing in the water wearing a shirt, tie, and vest and carrying a pocket watch. With so many better holiday books available, pass on this one.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PUTTOCK, Simon. Little Lost Cowboy. illus. by Caroline Jayne Church. unpaged. CIP. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-259-1. LC 2010050495.
PreS-Gr 2–A familiar story pattern gets a Southwestern spin in this tale of a young coyote lost in the desert. The moon, a snake, and a bird all do their best to guide the wanderer, but their well-intentioned advice backfires, leaving Cowboy Coyote wet, sore, and with a nose pricked by cactus prickles. Finally, a toad provides the best guidance, telling him to stay in one place and howl for his mother. As the book concludes, Cowboy Coyote’s helpers fondly watch him following his mother “homeward and homesome!” (a nice wordplay on “lost and lonesome,” a refrain the young critter uses to describe himself throughout his earlier interactions). The repetitive text is accessible and child-friendly, and the desert setting is skillfully evoked with warm, earth-toned illustrations created from beautifully textured handmade paper, finished with bold black lines. Children are sure to enjoy the satisfying ending and chime in on Cowboy Coyote’s refrain once they have absorbed the pattern.–Kate Hewitt, Far Brook School, Short Hills, NJ

RACINE, Patrice. The Chain Reaction. Bk. 2. illus. by author. ISBN 978-1-77049-244-8. |
––––. The Climate Masters. Bk. 1.ISBN 978-1-77049-243-1.
ea vol: 112p. (The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird Series). Tundra. 2011. Tr $10.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-4–Cosmo and his companions on the traveling planet continue their ecological voyages through time and space. In Climate Masters, the dodo and robot spaceship 3R-V are off exploring a twin planet system, leaving the two-heads, Fabrico, and Diggs at home base. A giant fireball crashes into the traveling planet and, at the bottom of the resulting crater, the two-heads finds a strange remote control. The travelers try pressing some of the buttons and discover that the device can affect the local weather. At first it’s fun to make snow and rain, but soon the two-heads and Fabrico begin to quarrel. Then power-hungry Diggs commandeers the remote and declares himself Climate Master. Meanwhile, Cosmo and the robot find that the twin planets are an environmental nightmare–ruined by weather meddling. Even after the perilous remote is jettisoned, the climate disaster continues in Chain Reaction. Massive blizzards, storms, and tsunamis follow one after the other. The travelers take shelter in Diggs’s cave, but a rock fall seals the entrance. Can they escape before their supplies run out–and what will they find? Has climate tampering doomed the traveling planet? These books have both their heart and their environmental conscience in the right place, but the blend of ecology and action isn’t always smooth. The texts are sometimes awkwardly phrased and the dialogue often relies on sound expressions to denote emotion (“Grrr!”). The brightly colored, wildly exaggerated cartoon illustrations and rather frenetic plot activity will appeal to reluctant readers. Additional where there is a high demand for short series fiction.–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

RANDALL, Angel with Chris Schoebinger. Snow Angels. illus. by Brandon Dorman. unpaged. CIP. Shadow Mountain. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60641-046-2. LC 2011013324.
PreS-Gr 2–Two young girls become stuck on their backs in the snow. As a joke, they call on snow angels for help, and they come to the rescue. When the two friends say thank you, one angel replies: “You are very welcome….We are glad you asked for help….We are always willing and ready to assist.” The girls decide that they can make a difference in people’s lives by becoming “snow angels,” too, and throughout the day, they perform good deeds. In each instance, the girls are accompanied by angels that only they can see. They find that they like to be of help and decide to be “angels” throughout the year. Dorman’s colorful, digitally created artwork stretches across the spreads, adding to the appeal of this offering. A nice touch are the illustrations of angel impressions in the snow, in new spring grass, on a sandy beach, and among autumn leaves, signifying the presence of angels all year round. Children will enjoy the challenge of finding the little bird that is somewhere in the pictures. A recipe for soft snow-angel sugar cookies is included. A feel good, message-driven picture book.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

ROOT, Phyllis. Scrawny Cat. illus. by Alison Friend. unpaged. Candlewick. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4164-1. LC 2010047671.
PreS-Gr 2–Lonely, little, and lost, a scrawny, orange-striped cat wanders the streets of a coastal town. He once had a home and a girl who loved him, but now he is a despised stray. When a fierce thunderstorm drives him and the dinghy on which he is hiding to a small, isolated island, he finds comfort and a new home with a woman who is also lost and lonely. The gouache illustrations complement the pathos of the story, particularly as read in the cat’s big, sad eyes. The text creates mild tension as to whether or not he has found a safe place to stay–but only enough to ensure relieved satisfaction at the end of the book when all ends well.–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

SCHULMAN, Janet. 10 Valentine Friends: A Holiday Counting Book. illus. by Linda Davick. unpaged. Knopf. Dec. 2011. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86967-9; PLB $11.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96967-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–During a neighborhood party, 10 children work diligently to make just the right valentine cards for one another. Aloysius has “sweet-tooth wishes,” so he gives Alexandra chocolate kisses, while Priscilla gives Tom a gorilla card in honor of his favorite animal. From the outset, the rhyme scheme jolts along, forcing rhymes like, “A dinosaur card, thinks little Pete,/my pal Max would find real neat.” The digital artwork is a sugar overload with pinks, reds, and purples dominating the palette. There is a lack of depth, leaving the activities on each spread hard to distinguish from the background. The children resemble bobblehead dolls complete with manic grins and static limbs. The moral of giving thoughtful handmade valentines to friends is made woefully trite, as neither the rhyme scheme nor the artwork has any real sweetness.–Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH

SCROGGS, Kirk. Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet. illus. by author. 232p. Little, Brown. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18302-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–This book is not so much a story as it is an advertisement for the recent Muppet movie. Muppets and people coexist without question, and references to the show and its running skits (“Pigs in Space,” “Dr. Bob”) abound. The plot revolves around Danvers Blickensderfer, who worships The Great Gonzo. He is constantly thinking up outrageous Gonzo-inspired stunts, and most end badly. Disheartened by failure, he wishes he were “just like Gonzo,” and with a magical flash of green, his wish is granted: Danvers is turned into a Muppet version of himself. The rest of the story consists of the boy adjusting to Muppethood; meeting and describing all of the main Muppet characters in a series of loosely strung together scenarios; and simultaneously learning lessons about friendship, fame, and being true to oneself. Greatly resembling Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams, 2007) and its subsequent spinoffs, the book features a combination of cartoons, handwritten pages, and text. The Muppet series is known for its sharp wit and hilarious flair for the ridiculous; unfortunately, this book falls flat.–Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

SKEAD, Robert & Mike Simmel. Mighty Mike Bounces Back: A Boy’s Life with Epilepsy. 80p. CIP. Magination. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1043-5; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-1042-8. LC 2011011081.
Gr 3-5–Mike sits by his window every day watching his brother and friends run around and play. Longing to be free of his epilepsy, he dreams of a world in which he won’t black out and have unexpected seizures, kids won’t make fun of him, and where he can play without having to wear a helmet in case he has an “episode.” One day, Mike’s father comes home with a basketball. Mike starts dribbling and doesn’t want to stop. Soon, he finds that not only is his hand-eye coordination getting really good, but he also is having fewer seizures. His classmates and the adults around him, however, are worried that Mike’s epilepsy might cause problems for him and the basketball team. Will he be able to join the team? The text seems overly simplistic for the target audience and, at times, is choppy. The characters and their motivations lack depth. The story, however, does a good job of inspiring readers while educating them about this condition, and back matter gives more information about it.–Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

SLATE, Jenny & Dean Fleischer-Camp. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Things About Me. illus. by Amy Lind. unpaged. Penguin/Razorbill. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-455-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Elegantly illustrated but sadly lacking in story or relatable humor, this picture book about the daily life of an odd-looking seashell with eye and shoes (essentially someone’s pet rock) falls flat. Marcel narrates, showing readers his “breadroom” (inexplicably, he sleeps on a piece of bread inside a potted plant), his monuments (baseball trophies), his least favorite amusement-park ride (the salad spinner), and his substitute for a pet dog (a piece of lint leashed to a hair). The book’s funniest moment–when Marcel watches a movie and enjoys a “large popcorn” with his grandmother–is as stale as the single piece of popcorn that Marcel is posed with. The other attempts at humor will register with neither children nor adults. Marcel himself is a less-than-endearing protagonist with his one, oversize googly eye and plastic Ken doll shoes. Lind’s warm and beautifully lit paintings invite readers into a glowing domestic scene, but kitschy Marcel seems jarringly profane and out of place in them. Though Fleischer-Camp’s hand-drawn cursive lettering gives the package an intimate, artistic quality, it will be nearly indecipherable for some readers. The line drawings seem to echo the loose zaniness of Maira Kalman’s work, but her carefree delivery and more compelling choice of subject matter hit the mark where Marcel’s creators flail. Like a child with an imagined universe built around a favorite toy, the authors seem more charmed with their creation than audiences will be.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

SLEGERS, Liesbet. Happy Halloween! tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. unpaged. Clavis. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-101-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS–This title has charming illustrations and a great layout, but the story falls short. The painted illustrations portray cheery children as they prepare for and celebrate the holiday. From dressing up to making a jack o’ lantern to trick-or-treating, Slegers takes the “scare” out of Halloween and replaces it with excitement and fun. Unfortunately, some of the text does not flow well (e.g., “No, of course ghosts don’t exist–but dressing up in costumes like a ghost is really fun”). In addition, some of the actions, like feeding a cat pumpkin waffles or the tricky proposition of gluing straws onto a balloon, are suspect. Nonetheless, this is a cheery book that can help dismiss the fears of witches, vampires, and ghosts.–Lia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ

SUTTON, Benn. Hedgehug: A Sharp Lesson in Love. illus. and created by Dan Pinto. unpaged. HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-196101-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Hedgehug has been waiting eagerly for Valentine’s Day because he is certain he will fall in love on that day. He has even made a valentine to give to his special sweetheart when he finds her. However, when the day finally comes, Hedgehug runs into trouble. In quick succession, a bunny, an owl, and a boar all reject him when he tries to hug them. The boar adds insult to injury by butting him and ruining his valentine. But as Hedgehug turns to go home, very sad and lonely, there is a tap on his shoulder and an armadillo hands him his own discarded valentine with his name crossed out and hers added, saying “P.S. I like your spikes.” The small book’s illustrations are done in bright colors painted as if they were collages done by a very young child, and in a couple of cases the almost impressionistic pictures are a little hard to decipher. For instance, it is hard to tell at first that Hedgehug even has spikes. Patti Stren’s Hug Me (HarperCollins, 2001) has a similar story line, but features a porcupine that wants hugs. An additional purchase.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

SUTTON, Joseph W. Wanda and the Oblahlahs. illus. by Jane Sutton Frawley. unpaged. Bright Sky. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-936474-11-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Wanda chews gum all day long, even in school. Her mother isn’t too concerned, though, since it is sugarless. Her parents have just one rule–Wanda has to throw it out every night before she goes to bed, or else she will get the Oblahlahs. Then one night, she keeps it. The next morning, she awakens to find that a group of mischievous stick figures has moved into her mouth, where they play and dance. Wanda mopes around for three days until the Oblahlahs get bored and leave. Now she still chews gum all day but doesn’t argue with her parents when they ask her to get rid of it at night. This didactic story is illustrated with watercolor and line retro-looking pictures that don’t seem finished. The lack of character development, amateurish artwork, and uninspired plot make this an unnecessary purchase.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

TAFURI, Nancy. All Kinds of Kisses. illus. by author. unpaged. Little, Brown. Jan. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12235-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Using her distinctively recognizable artwork rendered in watercolor and colored pencil, Tafuri has created another loving book for toddlers. While it is difficult to know whether or not farm animals actually give kisses, readers will relate to the protectiveness and tenderness that adult doves, cows, and other animals show their young with “coo” and “moo” kisses. The illustrations and the font size are large, making the book ideal for storytimes. Detailed illustrations such as furry lines on Little Bunny and Mother, as well as vibrant black-and-white feathers on Mother Hen, stand out on the pages. Mother Bluebird and other creatures portrayed on previous pages appear in the background as the tale progresses. In that way, children who are looking at the art in subsequent readings can pore over the pictures, looking for intriguing designs that they may have missed during the initial reading. Another winner.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

THISDALE, François. Nini. tr. from French. illus. by author. unpaged. Tundra. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-77049-270-7. LC 2010942902.
K-Gr 2–In this lyrical story, a child in the womb listens to her mother’s voice speak of “bamboo boats and bicycles that rolled past golden fields and jagged mountains.” When the infant is born, “the first hands she felt were the soft hands of love,” but the next day she joins the “chorus of crying orphans.” On the other side of the world a family longing for a child receives Nini’s photograph and the journey of adoption begins. Thisdale’s digitally enhanced illustrations are a dreamlike blend of realistic pictures of the child at different ages and scenery from two different countries. Chinese symbols are etched into the backgrounds. Evocative language and rich imagery explore how “the past [is] joined with the present, like a bridge that connects one place to another.” A poetic portrait of family and adoption.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

TIBO, Gilles. My Diary: The Totally True Story of Me! illus. by Josée Bisaillon. unpaged. CIP. Magination. 2011. pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0958-3. LC 2011007778.
Gr 3-5–This book is for sharing and talking about emotions with children, and the short pieces include snippets of text about anger, joy, disappointment, etc. Presented as a diary of a young girl, it gives readers a peephole into her life and dreams, making it so much more than a didactic presentation of random sentiments. In addition to the text, there are telling illustrations picturing moments in the child’s life; resembling a scrapbook, the pages have been cut and pasted together with bits of paper and stained with food and watermarks. Each section is labeled thematically: peace, war, fear, freedom, etc. Some entries are rambling, while others are short poems or lists. This well-crafted book would be useful as an example for a writing workshop. Others may find it equally as helpful as a means to begin discussions about emotions.–Wendy Smith-D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

VAN GENECHTEN, Guido. Because You Are My Friend. tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. unpaged. Clavis. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-095-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–Snowy is a polar bear whose best friend is his mother. When she decides that her cub needs to branch out, she encourages him to approach other Arctic creatures. He meets a disinterested seagull, an overeager seal, and a troop of enthusiastic but bickering penguins, and none of them seems like playmate material. After enjoying a quick slide down an obliging old walrus’s back, Snowy takes a break from searching, only to be discovered by another polar bear, also in search of a friend. What follows is a two-page playdate montage complete with illustrations of games like “Leap-Bear.” Van Genechten’s artwork combines ink drawings with a white, pink, and blue palette to achieve a cheerful, nonthreatening environment. Snowy’s fur has a fuzzy, textured feel. While this story isn’t remarkable, children will relate to the need for encouragement when braving the world of potential playmates. This is a supplemental purchase for libraries wanting winter friendship books to add to the typical lovey-dovey Valentine’s Day fare.–Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH

VANDE VELDE, Vivian. 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos. illus. by Steve Björkman. 68p. Holiday House. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-236-4-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Desperately trying to escape a crazed dog, a squirrel dashes into an elementary school, followed by the pup, where he encounters the class pets. Beginning with the first-grade hamster, they all describe themselves, including the neon tetras, who are “tickled” to be a “school in a school.” Some of the creatures are willing to help Twitch, but some are just intrigued by his situation. This fun read will satisfy kids looking for animal stories with happy endings. The most interesting part of this tale is that the dog is portrayed as the villain–until the very end, when Cuddles gets to speak. Humorous spot illustrations appear throughout. Due to the short segments told by the different animals, this beginning chapter book will appeal to reluctant readers, and it is a good read-aloud. A suitable purchase for most collections.–Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

WALDMAN, Debby & Rita Feutl. Room Enough for Daisy. illus. by Cindy Revell. unpaged. Orca. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-255-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3–Daisy’s room is packed with toys, games, and clutter. Her birthday party is only three weeks away and her lengthy gift list includes a hockey net so she can practice inside and an aquarium she plans to fill with fish. She whines about wanting a bigger room, but her clever mom has a plan. She unpacks Daisy’s neglected old toys that were supposed to go to the synagogue for a rummage sale and puts them in her room. The weeks pass, and Daisy finally realizes that her stuff is eating up every square inch of her room. On her birthday, she decides to donate many of her things, including some new presents, for the Mitzvah Day sale. Digitally created, the energetic illustrations are saturated with color and contrasted with white space that draws attention to the clutter and to Daisy’s accumulated bruises from bumping into her toys. The child comes to understand that less is more and to love the sense of space in her neater room. This title will be great for discussions about greed, entitlement, and charity. An accurate description of Mitzvah Day is included.–Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

WALKER, Sally M. Freedom Song: The Story of Henry “Box” Brown. illus. by Sean Qualls. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Jan. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-058310-1. LC 2010024448.
<Gr 1-3–Brown is famous as a slave who had himself packed into a wooden box and shipped from Virginia to freedom in Pennsylvania. His story has been told by Virginia Hamilton in Many Thousand Gone (Knopf, 1993) and in Ellen Levine’s Henry’s Freedom Box (Scholastic, 2007). After discovering that Brown sang in his church choir, Walker took a different approach and built her story around the man’s love of music. She imagines him as a child, surrounded by a loving family “even though they were slaves on Master’s plantation,” making up songs to help him through the toil of the day: a “workday song” in the fields, a “gather-up song” in the garden, then the “freedom song” he only can sing quietly at night. As an adult, Brown marries and is devastated when his wife’s master sells her and their children. Inconsolable, he and a white man named Samuel Smith come up with the shipping plan. A letter from the man who receives the box describes how Brown came out of it and sang a hymn, a fitting finale to Walker’s rhythmic text. Qualls’s primitive-style collage illustrations strongly convey the depth of Brown’s emotions.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

WITTE, Anna. Lola’s Fandango. illus. by Micha Archer. w/CD. unpaged. glossary. Barefoot. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-174-1; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-681-4. LC 2008028143.
K-Gr 2–Lola lives with her parents and amazing older sister in a city apartment. It seems that everything Clementina does is perfect, and Lola has nothing special to offer. When she discovers a beautiful pair of dancing shoes while rummaging around her mother’s closet, she convinces her father to teach her the flamenco so she can dance like her mother once did. They secretly practice on the roof of their building, and Lola develops duende: “Spirit. Attitude.” When the family plans a surprise birthday party for their mother, Lola finally has her moment to shine. This book is a terrific introduction to an aspect of Spanish culture. The rich narrative is sprinkled with Spanish words that are defined within the text and/or in the glossary, and the writing has flashes of great imagery. The collage illustrations make the story heat up and build the suspense of the surprise Lola is creating for her mother. Vibrant colors, swirls, and splashes of light and sparkle bring the rhythm of the flamenco to the pages, and the varied layout maintains interest. A first purchase.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

YAMASHITA, Haruo. Seven Little Mice Have Fun on the Ice. illus. by Kazuo Iwamura. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4048-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–When ice-skating septuplets see their friend Little Weasel and his father ice fishing, they beg their parents to take them the next day. Unfortunately their father has to work and their mother, known as the Ice-Fishing Princess in her younger years, is afraid of falling. But the clever little mice have an idea. With a little help from their father, they design and build a sled chair to take their mother to the ice-fishing hole. Mother happily obliges, but once the fishing has begun the siblings are impatient for the fish to start biting. Luckily, their mother is still the Ice-Fishing Princess and manages to bring in eight fish at once. The happy mice roast their feast right on the lake and take the extra home to father. Yamashita’s story of septuplets on a mission is enhanced by the various comments of the little mice that prove he is well acquainted with children. The illustrations are just right for the text. Iwamura depicts perfectly the expressions of the mice and includes plenty of details to capture children’s imagination. This story is a welcome addition to any library, from those in areas where lakes freeze to those serving children who wonder what lake ice is.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Nonfiction

BENNETT, Howard J. Max Archer, Kid Detective: The Case of the Wet Bed. illus. by Spike Gerrell. 48p. Magination. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0953-8; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0954-5. LC 2010051485.
Gr 2-3–In this chapter book, eight-year-old Billy seeks help from Max, who assures him that he is not the only one with a bed-wetting problem. The kid detective explains where urine comes from and how the body gets rid of it. Billy is put on “Poop Patrol” to monitor his bowel movements, which can affect how his bladder reacts, and on the Stream Team to monitor his urine flow during the day and to practice getting up to go at night. He is expected to make a nighttime record of how often and how much he wets the bed (“dry night,” “small wet,” “large wet”). Max explains that over time he will be successful. End pages include a “Word Search” (“Find food words that will make poops soft!”), information on “How to Become a Super Duper Pooper,” and a Q&A for parents. The comical illustrations are done with computer graphics in mostly teal and orange tones. This is a useful resource, but most kids would be too embarrassed to check it out. It would be best kept in counselors’ or parenting collections.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

BERKES, Marianne. Animalogy: Animal Analogies. illus. by Cathy Morrison. unpaged. charts. Web sites. CIP. Sylvan Dell. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-127-9; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-137-8; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-147-7. LC 2011006510.
PreS-Gr 4–Use this rhyming book about animals with students to explain the concept of analogies. “Robin is to wing, as goldfish is to fin. Beaver is to build, as spider is to spin.” Body parts, size, sounds, actions, and animal classification are all included in the examples. Detailed and realistic illustrations give moose, bears, and frogs a ready-to-jump-off-the-page appearance. The lion and dog look ferocious, but fit the pairing of “Dog is to bark, as lion is to roar.” The final image shows a man reading Animalogy to children around a campfire with several animals from earlier pages in the background. Extensive activities are provided at the end of the book and online. The online activities feature cross-curricular lessons, learning games, and projects. This book makes learning about analogies, new vocabulary, and animals easy to understand and fun.–Nancy Baumann, University of Missouri-Columbia

BLAXLAND, Wendy. American Food. ISBN 978-1-59920-667-7. LC 2011005443.
––––. Chinese Food. ISBN 978-1-59920-671-4. LC 2011005448.
––––. French Food. ISBN 978-1-59920-699-1. LC 2011005445.
––––. Mexican Food. ISBN 978-1-59920-668-4. LC 2011005444.
––––. Middle-Eastern Food. ISBN 978-1-59920-672-1. LC 2011005450.
ea vol: 32p. (I Can Cook! Series). charts. illus. maps. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Smart Apple Media. Jan. 2012. PLB $28.50.
Gr 3-6–Readers are introduced to food traditions, cooking styles, common ingredients, cooking basics, and equipment while practicing safety in the kitchen. Country maps highlight diets and food availability from various regions and the influencing factors for these dishes. Recipes with kid appeal list equipment and ingredients needed, plus alternatives for special diets. Captioned, full-color photographs provide step-by-step directions. Each title contains up to seven recipes that include historical background, a beverage, and a dessert. Vocabulary words are highlighted in bold, and quick facts are scattered throughout. Each book concludes with the country’s food celebrations using some of the highlighted recipes and additional activities. Ideal supplements to culture and country studies.–Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR

CAPUCILLI, Alyssa Satin. My First Soccer Game: A Book with Foldout Pages. photos by Leyah Jensen. unpaged. S & S/Little Simon. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2747-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–It seems as though it’s never too early to get youngsters up and moving and ready to play soccer. The text and photos capture their exuberance as they play this popular game. Foldout pages are organized around counting up from one to four several times. For example, children meet new teammates and make friends while they get ready to play: Numeral one–follow the leader; two–balance on one foot; three–stretch; and four–ready to play. The count begins again as readers review words such as dribbling, passing, and stopping the ball, as well as shooting and kicking. The author also mentions team positions and a few basic rules such as players not using their hands while playing. Important terms are highlighted in blue. Both the attractive, colorful photographs and font size are large enough for group viewing. The bottom line is the emphasis on having fun. The necessary shin guards are not readily apparent in the photos, but the goalie gloves are given a prominent spot on one page. Coaches or group sports leaders can use this book as an introduction for young audiences.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

COSTAIN, Meredith. Cheetah. illus. by Mick Posen. ISBN 978-0-7534-6725-1.
––––. Penguin. illus. by Gary Hanna. ISBN 978-0-7534-6724-4.
ea vol: unpaged. (Animal Planet: My Life in the Wild Series). glossary. Kingfisher. 2011. Tr $9.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–A handsome pair of first-person critter “autobiographies” depict the life cycles of these two animals. Personal in their stories, the texts present a lively look at the creatures from birth to parenthood. Each book is chock-full of large, realistic illustrations that keep pace with the simple narratives. “Did You Know?” sections add further data on cheetah/penguin lifestyles and behaviors, and each title has a section introducing other members of the cat/penguin family. Focusing on popular animals, these eye-catching and approachable volumes will appeal to children reading on their own, to classroom teachers, and to homeschoolers.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

CROSBY, Jeff & Shelley Ann Jackson. Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds. illus. by authors. 72p. maps. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Tundra. 2011. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-88776-986-3. LC 2011922893.
Gr 3-6–After a brief introduction, the animals are grouped by the roles they have played in relation to people: “Rapid Transit,” “Military Advantage,” “Horsepower,” “Equine Entertainment,” and “Feral Horses.” The concise and interesting information on each of the 43 breeds is accompanied by an illustration of the type as well as one of the horse in action and often includes a small map showing its origins. The excellent painterly pictures clearly capture the unique life of each horse, including dramatic scenes of the war horses, the excitement of circus performers, the hard work of those sent into the mines, and the compelling life of feral horses. A solid resource.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

FRAZEL, Ellen. Adders. ISBN 978-1-60014-612-1. LC 2011004207.
––––. Bull Snakes. ISBN 978-1-60014-613-8. LC 2011004208.
––––. Kraits. ISBN 978-1-60014-614-5. LC 2011004210.
––––. Tiger Snakes. ISBN 978-1-60014-615-2. LC 2011004209.
ea vol: 24p. (Blastoff! Readers: Snakes Alive Series). map. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Bellwether Media. 2011. PLB $15.95.
Gr 3-4–These easy readers profile four kinds of snakes from different parts of the world. Short sentences in large-print text, set on brightly colored backgrounds, describe the reptiles’ major physical characteristics; habitats; hunting and feeding methods; defense mechanisms; typical prey; use of venom (excepting the non-venomous bull snakes, which employ constriction to kill prey); and natural enemies. Kraits also mentions egg-laying behavior and the birth of young. A sharp color photograph of a representative species accompanies the text on almost every page; most are close-ups. Each title includes at least one photo of a snake gulping down prey (a shot always popular with snake fans) and a small map representing its continent of origin, colored red to indicate geographical range. About a dozen simple scientific terms and other words that appear in boldface are defined in the glossaries. While all four titles have straightforward, clearly written texts, they are brief, and the amount of detail on any topic is limited. Gail Gibbons’s Snakes (Holiday House, 2008) and Dorothy Hinshaw Patent’s Slinky, Scaly, Slithery Snakes (Walker, 2000) offer more information on anatomy, locomotion, reproduction, etc., but there is little, if any, mention of the species covered in Frazel’s titles. Considering the perennial popularity of the subject, these profusely illustrated readers will find an eager audience.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

GERBER, Carole. Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer. illus. by Christina Wald. unpaged. diag. bibliog. chron. CIP. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-911-6. LC 2011012147.
Gr 1-4–This inspiring picture-book biography of a trailblazer in the field presents insight into the challenges of women interested in science during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cannon was born in 1863 and as a young girl her mother nurtured her interest in the night sky by taking her to the rooftop of their home to observe stars and match them to star charts. When her father learned that Wellesley College was the only women’s college offering physics classes, he enrolled her. She graduated with a degree in physics and had a successful career in astronomy. While working at Harvard Observatory, she developed a system to classify a star’s light, and her Harvard Spectral Classification System is still used. The realistic illustrations capture the time period and complement the text. They’re scientifically accurate, including a physics equation on the professor’s chalkboard. Some of the pictures have helpful labels to inform readers that the building is Harvard Observatory, the man is Edward Pickering, or to make a scientific explanation understandable. A solid resource for Women’s History Month, this title will be a welcome addition to collections looking for biographies of women, scientists, or people who overcame adversity.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

HENRICHS, Wendy. I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: A Japanese Legend. illus. by Yoshiko Jaeggi. unpaged. CIP. Peachtree. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-589-8. LC 2010052072.
PreS-Gr 2–Evocative watercolor illustrations capture ancient Japan in this picture-book retelling of the lucky-cat legend. Cat Tama narrates how she came to live with a poor monk in his rundown temple and her habit of sitting with her right paw upheld in the traditional Japanese greeting, “Come to me.” Food is scarce, but the monk and feline live contentedly. One spring day during a raging storm, the animal dashes out to the temple gate. There she meets a traveling warlord, and through her beckoning gesture saves his life and changes the temple’s fortune. An author’s note explains the origin of the story and includes photos of beckoning cat figurines and the temple where the legendary Tama lived. The story’s tone is formal but not stilted, as when the cat says, “I smiled at him with my pale green eyes, for I was not hurt.” The artist studied in Osaka and her traditional training comes through, blending formal composition with light comic touches, such as Tama mimicking the monk’s lotus pose. The images alternate between full-page paintings and panels reminiscent of Japanese screen paintings. With its compelling story and stunning art, this is a worthy addition.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

JENKINS, Steve. Just a Second: A Different Way to Look at Time. illus. by author. unpaged. chart. diag. map. chron. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-618-70896-3. LC 2011002104.
Gr 2-5–This is an entertaining and thought-provoking book about units of time, which may not seem like particularly captivating material until one tries to imagine a bumblebee’s wings beating 200 times per second or a person standing at the equator traveling 18 miles in one minute as Earth rotates. Pretty cool, huh? Jenkins’s fascinating way of looking at time is bolstered by a wide variety of examples from nature and man, and while many are simply fun, others will give somber pause, like the average use of 19 gallons of fresh water per hour for every person on Earth or the use of 200 billion sheets of letter-size paper in one day. With his trademark torn- and cut-paper collages in rich earth tones, Jenkins renders this package both eye-catching and mind-boggling. Teachers will find good jumping-off points here for math, science, and history discussions. With this browser’s delight around, it’s a sure bet that more than one young reader will be spotted trying to count blinks per second. (That would be seven.)–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

KAPCHNSKE, Pam. Hey Diddle Diddle: A Food Chain Tale. illus. by Sherry Rogers. unpaged. charts. Web sites. CIP. Sylvan Dell. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-130-9; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-140-8; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-150-7. LC 2011016336.
PreS-Gr 3–The jacket flap invites readers to “sing along” but they might have a difficult time settling on a tune as they slog their way through the awkward and stilted rhymes. The text, paired with serviceable, clear illustrations, follows three food chains in and around a pond. The anthropomorphic animals can be slightly disturbing as readers have a chance to get to know them a little just before they are gulped down. This is particularly true when the bass and the frog have a disagreement just before the frog becomes a meal. To make matters worse, the frog’s horrified friends watch the whole thing from the safety of a lily pad. Animal facts are included in the text, sometimes as non sequiturs, and they do nothing to help the rhyme scheme. “He snatched that snake right off the ground./Gobbled him up without a sound/and sang, ‘Hey diddle diddle–I don’t ask why/I’ve got feathers to help me fly.’” Unfortunately, while making an appearance at the top of a food chain, a bobcat is described as sneaky and sly, giving her negative qualities she doesn’t deserve; she is just hungry after all. Forced and kind of creepy, this book isn’t the best choice for the topic.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

KENNEY, Karen Latchana. Cool Family Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-973-3. LC 2011003503.
––––. Cool Holiday Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-974-0. LC 2011003504.
––––. Cool International Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-975-7. LC 2011003498.
––––. Cool Slumber Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-976-4. LC 2011004213.
––––. Cool Sports Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-977-1. LC 2011004214.
––––. Cool Theme Parties: Perfect Party Planning for Kids. ISBN 978-1-61714-978-8. LC 2011004215.
| ea vol: 32p. (Cool Parties Series). illus. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO/Checkerboard Library. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 3-6–This colorful set of six books has a lot of child appeal. The vivid photos and well-organized and readable content provide great springboards for party ideas. While the basics of planning, preparation, and attention to detail are repeated almost verbatim in each volume, the development of the individual themes and clever ideas are what make the titles stand out. Step-by-step crafts, sample menus, and easy-to-replicate games and activities add to the fun. Solid additions that offer sound and practical advice.–Elaine Charnow, Deasy/Landing Elementary Schools, Glen Cove, NY

KRUEGER, Susan L. Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo. with Reba Wells Grandrud. 74p. photos. CIP. Five Star. 2011. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58985-197-9; ebook $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58985-048-4. LC 2010046064.
Gr 2-5–This slim, fictionalized biography tells the story of Addie Slaughter, daughter of Arizona lawman and rancher John Slaughter, who lived on the Southwestern frontier in the late 1800s. The event mentioned in the subtitle is the subject of one brief chapter; others cover life on the ranch, Slaughter’s father’s career as sheriff, and her growing up and eventual marriage. While the woman’s experiences make for several interesting, and occasionally truly funny, episodes, the narrative is largely unfocused, reading like a serial account rather than a well-chosen selection of highlights. The author’s use of the first person makes the book a difficult sell for biography collections, but its lack of narrative momentum renders it not quite suitable for historical fiction, either. The appended curriculum guide may be used as a supplement to units on the Arizona centennial in 2012.–Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

KUPESIC, Rajka. The White Ballets. illus. by author. 40p. CIP. Tundra. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-923-8. LC 2011922894.
Gr 3-6–The well-known plots of Swan Lake, Giselle, and La Bayadère are retold and portrayed in full-page illustrations. They are known as the white ballets, or “ballets blancs,” because in each one the corps de ballet appears in white costumes. The tales are well told, and the author, a former ballerina, provides information on the history of the ballet. Each painting in gold leaf and oil represents a scene from one of the ballets. The richly colored illustrations are very stylized with graceful figures dressed in flowing, romantic costumes, and Kupesic elaborates on the details, symbols, and characters in her artwork. There is no real individualization of the faces but there is an alluring melancholy in their poses. For ballet enthusiasts this is a unique look at these classics.–Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

LASSIEUR, Allison. Can You Survive the Titanic?: An Interactive Survival Guide Adventure. reprods. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-4296-6586-5; ISBN 978-1-4296-7351-8. LC 2011007866.
RAUM, Elizabeth. Can You Survive Storm Chasing?: An Interactive Survival Adventure. chart. maps. CIP. ISBN 978-1-4296-6587-2; ISBN 978-1-4296-7347-1. LC 2011010182.
ea vol: 112p. (You Choose: Survival Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Capstone. 2011. PLB $30.65; pap. $6.95.
Gr 3-5–In this entertaining blend of fiction and nonfiction, readers have the choice of a voyage on the Titanic as a boy, a maid, or a ship’s officer. In Storm Chasing, they get to decide if they’d rather face a hurricane, tornado, or flash flood. Each story path has many choices and a plethora of endings–and not all are happy. These are fast reads that will have students turning the pages back and forth until they think they’ve reached every permutation possible. The photos are bright, vivid, and exciting, and the books are graphically appealing.–Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY

LIFE IN A CASTLE. ISBN 978-1-8570-7708-7.
LIFE IN A WATERMILL. ISBN 978-1-8570-7737-7.
ea vol: paper engineering by Manth. illus. by Tim Hutchinson. unpaged. (A 3-Dimensional Carousel Book). Trafalgar Square. 2011. Tr $24.99. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 3–These interactive books are of limited use for most libraries. In Castle, cartoonlike characters enhance a fictional medieval fortress. An elaborate pop-up structure creates the majority of the contents, and a small foldout book in the upper right-hand corner accompanies the building, though the expansiveness of the fortress’s walls minimizes access to it. The brief text highlights the family life of Lord Frederick and Lady Arabella, along with their two young children and numerous servants. Straightforward phrases give an overview of the role of each individual and room. Detachable paper figures allow readers to manipulate them at random. Each section receives its due, including a dungeon, its instruments of torture, and a man shackled in despair. Some cozy details add an insider glimpse into the physical space; there’s a pig roasting over the fire while numerous animals move about. Though there are a few detailed word choices to expand the subject at hand (“portcullis,” “falconer”), overall the text clunks along without extending the nondescript story line. “The lord and lady’s bedchamber has a big bed made of wood that can be taken apart when the lord goes on trips to his other castles and manor houses.” Watermill follows a similar cumbersome format to depict the daily life of a working family in the 18th century. All in all, poor choices to bring these vivid time periods to life.–Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

LIN, Yoming S. Charles Darwin and Evolution. ISBN 978-1-4488-5031-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-5418-9. LC 2011004470.
––––. Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Their Temperature Scales. ISBN 978-1-4488-5035-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-5421-9. LC 2011008175.
––––. Galileo and the Telescope. ISBN 978-1-4488-5030-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-5417-2. LC 2010050104.
––––. Isaac Newton and Gravity. ISBN 978-1-4488-5032-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-5449-3. LC 2011001724.
ea vol: 24p. (Eureka! Series). photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2011. PLB $21.25; ebook $21.25.
Gr 2-4–Although basic facts are presented in simple sentences, there isn’t much in these books to pique readers’ interest for further study or to significantly advance their understanding of the topics. In fact, given the layout of the facts in Fahrenheit, children may come away believing that the Celsius scale puts boiling at zero degrees and freezing at 100 degrees as it isn’t until two pages later that the reversal of this scale by another scientist is mentioned. Large photos show scenes from the places the scientists grew up or where they studied along with contemporary images broadly related to the topic. A time line puts the subject within a selection of world events, repeating photos used in the book and featuring facts that appear in the form of captions ostensibly to broaden the topic but never explained in the text. It may be difficult to find books about Celsius and Fahrenheit for this age group, but given the wealth of material available on the scientists, there is no reason to select these biographies.–Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

MCCLELLAND, Grace Mary. The Gift of Grace. illus. by Nancy Moskovitz. unpaged. Wild Onion. 2011. Tr $20. ISBN 978-1-4507-2003-8; pap. $17. ISBN 978-1-4507-5218-3. LC 2010933222.
Gr 1-4–At an early age, Grace, now nine, realized that people were curious about her right hand, and some said mean things. It is not fully formed and has only four fingers. Instead of feeling sorry for herself and letting ignorance and mistreatment make her sad, though, Grace decided to tell her story. And when she was five years old, she dictated it to her mother. Grace loves to sing and dance, is great at doing puzzles, is “cheeky” according to her mother, and has a beautiful smile according to her father. “All people have differences,” she says. This picture book has many lessons: don’t make assumptions based on appearances, accept people for who they are, learn to deal with the life you have been given, and, stand up for yourself. This can-do attitude is encouraging and never preachy. Grace does not see herself as having a disability, although others may see her this way. Watercolor, watercolor pencil, pastel pencil, and charcoal illustrations depict Grace and her loving family.–Wendy Smith-D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

MARSICO, Katie. The Doctor. ISBN 978-1-60870-412-5; ISBN 978-1-60870-636-5. LC 2010033895.
PETERSEN, Christine. The Glassblower. ISBN 978-1-60870-413-2; ISBN 978-1-60870-637-2. LC 2010033901.
––––. The Miller. ISBN 978-1-60870-416-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-638-9. LC 2010033890.
––––. The Tailor. ISBN 978-1-60870-417-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-639-6. LC 2010016864.
––––. The Tanner. ISBN 978-1-60870-418-7; ISBN 978-1-60870-640-2. LC 2010033896.
ea vol: 48p. (Colonial People Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2011. PLB $29.93; ebook $29.93.
Gr 2-4–Much better suited to young readers than Edwin Tunis’s Colonial Living (1957) and Colonial Craftsmen (1965, both World Publishing), these lively texts and colorful reproductions and photos will engage casual readers and researchers alike. Marsico and Petersen explain how the fledgling nation related to Europe, Africa, and the American Indians. Tracing the history of each trade (for example, The Doctor explains the birth of medical science in the U.S.) and mentioning major historical figures provides a deeper understanding of the importance of the different professions. Large illustrations and thoughtful captions explain complicated scientific ideas, such as how a mill works; photos from Colonial Williamsburg depict common activities of the day. Each volume also includes step-by-step instructions for a related craft project, adding a visual component to classroom presentations. These are must-have titles for all public and school libraries.–Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library

MESSNER, Kate. Over and Under the Snow. illus. by Christopher Silas Neal. unpaged. further reading. Web sites. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-6784-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–A girl spends the day with her father skiing through the woods. As they proceed through the wintry landscape, he tells her about the secret kingdom of animals under the snow. He explains how a red squirrel and shrew move through cracks and tunnels, and how deer mice stay warm in their nests by covering themselves with feathers and fur. When the sky is light, the voles, beavers, and chipmunks gather food to eat, but as the sky grows darker, the queen bumblebee, bullfrogs, and black bear are shown sleeping in enclosures under the snow. Aboveground, the child and her dad are joined by the mom and have a bonfire, complete with cocoa and hot dogs sizzling on pointed sticks, before going to bed to dream about the secret kingdom under the snow. Throughout the book, Neal’s crisp, clean mixed-media illustrations cleverly provide above- and belowground views, and Messner’s back material will educate children about the subnivean zone and animal adaptations. Some of the uses for snow (entertainment, warmth, camouflage, shelter) can be discussed after reading this book.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

METZ, Lorijo. Discovering Jellyfish. ISBN 978-1-4488-4997-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-5385-4. LC 2011000159.
––––. Discovering Sea Lions. ISBN 978-1-4488-4992-5; ISBN 978-1-4488-5380-9. LC 2010047570.
––––. Discovering Seagulls. ISBN 978-1-4488-4995-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-5383-0. LC 2011000154.
––––. Discovering Starfish. ISBN 978-1-4488-4996-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-5384-7. LC 2011000152.
ea vol: 24p. (Along the Shore Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2011. PLB $21.25; ebook $21.25.
Gr 3-5–Each of these titles briefly describes the major physical and behavioral characteristics common to all of the animals and one or two distinctive characteristics of about a half dozen to a dozen species. Some topics specific to the featured animals are also addressed. For instance, Sea Lions outlines the major physical differences between those animals and seals; Seagulls describes the birds’ role as scavengers, etc. One or two sharp color photographs of representative species, most of which are close-ups, accompany the text on every page. Additional facts about species’ characteristics are offered in extended captions and colored, oval-shaped inserts that are scattered throughout. All four titles do a fine job of covering the basics; the texts are well organized and smoothly written in an engaging style. Solid introductions.–Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

MULLER, Gerda, retel. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. tr. from French. illus. by author. unpaged. Floris Bks. Dec. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-86315-795-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–In this retelling of the well-known story, flowers just right for picking beckon a golden-haired child from a traveling circus family into a nearby forest. Wandering off the path, she discovers a quaint, thatched-roof house and decides to explore, and the familiar pattern of three chairs, three bowls of porridge, three beds, and the arrival of three bears comes into play. At story’s end, readers find the usual happy ending, with an awakened Goldilocks slipping out the door and heading home–with hopes that Little Bear will get an extra portion of porridge for his dinner. Children will delight in Muller’s spreads, which depict the rustic house with its chair backs shaped like heads of bears, rope-tied pine furniture, umbrellas with bear heads, and bee-patterned quilts on the beds. The flowers Goldilocks picked follow her through the pages; then, in an effective image on the book’s back cover, Baby Bear is seen happily arranging the left-behind posies in a bright-red mug. Libraries needing a new “Goldilocks” tale will find this one an appealing choice.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

MURRAY, Julie. Ramadan. 24p. (Holidays Series). map. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO/Buddy Bks. 2011. PLB $25.65. ISBN 978-1-61783-041-9. LC 2011002287.
K-Gr 3–This short, concise introduction is simple enough for the target audience, and it is accurate. Each two-page chapter introduces an aspect of Ramadan that is rooted in religious practices that are common to all Muslims: Sunnis and Shi’ites, Salafis and Sufis, liberals and conservatives. Each spread has a large, full-color picture. The publisher’s website provides further reading with links to additional, credible Internet resources. This title succeeds where others have been undermined by cultural bias. An excellent addition.–Justin Parrott, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

NEMIROFF, Marc A. & Jane Annunziata. Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs: A Ki’’s Menu of Feelings. illus. by Christine Battuz. unpaged. CIP. Magination. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0956-9; pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-4338-0957-6. LC 2010048836.
PreS-Gr 3–The authors cover a vast array of emotions and present ways for children to handle them when they feel out of control. For example, if youngsters get too excited, the suggestions are to count their fingers and toes to themselves, leave the room for a bit, sip some water, or go to a quiet spot and close their eyes and breathe in and out slowly. Frequently, the advice includes asking grown-ups for help. The setting for the book is the “Feelings Restaurant” with various foods experiencing the emotions–“Happy Hot Dog,” “Worried Watermelon,” “Angry Apples,” etc. This device, coupled with the colorful, child-friendly illustrations, is what saves the book from being overly didactic. A note to parents offers additional suggestions for helping children label and cope with their feelings. A useful addition to parent shelves or for guidance counselors.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

NEWLAND, Sonya. Desert Animals. ISBN 978-1-59920-655-4. LC 2010027172.
––––. Ocean Animals. ISBN 978-1-59920-658-5. LC 2010039559.
––––. Polar Animals. ISBN 978-1-59920-659-2. LC 2010026854.
––––. Rain Forest Animals. ISBN 978-1-59920-660-8. LC 2010027174.
––––. Wetland Animals. ISBN 978-1-59920-661-5. LC 2010039204.
ea vol: 32p. (Saving Wildlife Series). map. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. A+. Jan. 2012. PLB $28.50.
Gr 2-5–These bare-bones introductions address habitat loss and the affected species endangered by it. The straightforward presentations are better suited to general-interest reading than for reports. Though the explanation of each habitat is simple enough to build upon, the spreads move quickly around the globe from one animal to another, with insufficient detail about any one. There is no documentation for the statistics cited or any source material whatsoever. The bright photos, drawn from photo archives, boldly decorate the pages, yet there is actually little real information. Each volume lists a few high-profile websites, action steps to reduce habitat and species loss, further reading, and has a quiz. Attractive, but marginal purchases.–Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

ONYEFULU, Ifeoma. Omer’s Favorite Place. photos by author. unpaged. (First Experiences Series). glossary. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-241-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS–This book provides a glimpse into the daily life of a child in urban Ethiopia. The simple, straightforward story will appeal to very young children who, like Omer, have a favorite place to play. He prefers the front of his house, but has to give in to big sisters; he likes the living room, but everyone says he will break the furniture; he likes to play in back of the house or in the garden, but not when he is asked to help with watering the plants. Every place he tries has someone or something interfering with him. Finally, Omer opts for behind the sofa where it is nice and quiet. Clear, colorful photographs capture the boy’s happy, playful spirit and enhance readers’ view of his home and family life. Definitions are provided for four Ethiopian words used in the story, but pronunciation is not included. This book will prove useful when discussing various cultures.–Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PARNELL, Fran, retel. The Feathered Ogre: A Story from Italy. Bk. 1. ISBN 978-1-84686-562-6.
––––. The Mother of Monsters: A Story from South Africa. Bk. 2. ISBN 978-1-84686-560-2.
ea vol: illus. by Sophie Fatus. unpaged. (The Monster Stories Series). Barefoot. 2011. pap. $7.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-2–These stories are abridged versions of chapters in Parnell’s The Barefoot Book of Monsters! (2003). Excellent beginning chapter books, they are frightening enough to keep early readers’ attention, but they are not overwhelming. An ogre with an appetite for humans, a captured princess, and a young gardener with a mission to save the king are the three elements that make Ogre an entertaining tale of heroism. The second title features an adventure-seeking princess, a brave hunter, and a hungry monster in a tale that is not easily forgotten. Both books are filled with humorous color illustrations that enhance comprehension.–Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

PITTMAN, Rickey E. Confederate Alphabet. illus. by Stephanie Ford. unpaged. chron. CIP. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-760-0. LC 2009030289.
K-Gr 3–Major battles, people, and places associated with the South and the Civil War are matched with different letters of the alphabet. Ford’s illustrations offer a colorful visualization of each scene and lend some life to the awkward rhyming text. The book is supplemented by a time line and the lyrics to “Dixie” and “Goober Peas” but lacks any sort of expanded glossary that would offer the necessary background material. More of a tribute to the Confederacy than a history text, this book might be useful in libraries looking for balance in collections heavy on the Union perspective.–Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

QUATTLEBAUM, Mary. Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond. illus. by Laura J. Bryant. unpaged. further reading. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Dawn. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-150-1; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-151-8. LC 2011011700.
PreS-K–In this inventive twist on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” Jo visits a nearby pond with her sketch pad and observes reeds, bullfrogs, raccoons, deer, blackbirds, and fish. The rhyming lyrics are in sync with the story/song and emulate it almost perfectly. For example, when the child discovers the raccoon, the text sings: “With a chat-chat here/And a chat-chat there./Here a chat, there a chat,/Everywhere a chat-chat/Jo MacDonald saw a raccoon, E-I-E-I-O.” However, the inclusion of raccoon and dragonfly make the rhyme feel a bit forced. The spreads are done in breezy hues of watercolors, with plenty of white space accentuating life on and around the pond. The final one encourages children to match pictures of the animals with the sounds they make. Back matter describes the pond community and shares some “Citizen-Scientist” websites. Although an additional purchase, this title would work one-on-one or for sharing with a group.–Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

SALAS, Laura Purdie. BookSpeak!: Poems About Books. illus. by Josée Bisaillon. unpaged. CIP. Clarion. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-22300-1. LC 201004317.
Gr 3-5–Some of these 21 poems are written in rhyme and meter, while others are free verse. They vary in length from a few to several stanzas, and all are well crafted and clever, covering a variety of aspects of books and reading. Salas includes poems about an index, a cover, cliff-hangers, and falling asleep while reading. The poems are, by turns, philosophical, humorous, and even instructional. Typeset is creative, and the titles appear in a variety of artistic font styles and colors. Whimsical, mixed-media illustrations grace every page. Bisaillon skillfully incorporates the printed poems into the artwork so that the words and images have a single, unified, visual effect. This is an appealing offering that will be especially popular with librarians. For a collection of “book” poems by a variety of authors, Lee Bennett Hopkins’s I Am the Book (Holiday House, 2011) is also a good choice.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

SLADE, Suzanne. Multiply on the Fly. illus. by Erin E. Hunter. unpaged. Web sites. CIP. Sylvan Dell. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-128-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-138-5; ebook $9.95. ISBN 978-1-60718-148-4. LC 2011019886.
Gr 2-4–Multiplication problems from1 to 11 are all presented in short, four-line rhymes. Each problem sits on a spread vibrantly illustrated with a group of realistic insects. Sometimes the rhymes make the problems a tad confusing: “Five lonely grasshoppers/sound their mating song./Each strums two shiny wings./How many play along?” Is the question referring to grasshoppers or wings? The written equation “5 x 2 = ?” clears it up. Other featured insects include ladybugs, fireflies, solider ants, honey bees, monarchs, and pirate bugs. A “For Creative Minds” section includes facts about insect body parts and life cycles as well as several reproducible worksheets. One valuable and often misunderstood bit of information, “All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs,” is regrettably not expanded upon. The “Multiplying Numbers” page is a helpful addition, providing kids with three different approaches for solving the examples found in the text–count the items, add each group, or multiply. It is worth noting that it is not always easy to count the items; one equation requires counting the wingspans of the luna moths, although there is no ruler on the page to show the number of inches (and if a ruler is employed to solve the equation, readers discover that the wingspans are not “three inches” anyway). In spite of its flaws, creative teachers could find a use for this title.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

TULLET, Hervé. Doodle Cook. illus. by author. unpaged. Phaidon. 2011. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7148-6227-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 3–Tullet, hash-slinger extraordinaire, invites young artists to delight in a riotous exploration of shapes and patterns as they “think outside the box” (or circle, as the case may be) to decorate their dinner plates with chromatic splashes of squiggles and scribbles. The “recipes” result in delicious designs, subtly seasoned with a well-taught lesson in Abstract Expressionism that even preschoolers can easily digest. Adding to the welcome supply of interactive art books recently hitting the market, such as Romero Britto’s Color Play! (Little Simon, 2011) and Barney Saltzberg’s Beautiful Oops (Workman, 2010), Doodle Cook encourages youngsters to take up their purple crayons (or green, yellow, or blue, for that matter) and create their own world of cuisine, which includes spaghetti, dot stew, and triangle pie. Mom and the local librarian, however, might shudder at the thought of having to “re-train” young artists (temporarily liberated from customary book etiquette) to practice appropriate behavior when reading other books not meant to be decorated with broad sweeping strokes of permanent marker. Will a participant in this interactive reading experience ever look at books in the same way again? Probably. After all, countless households have survived Crockett Johnson’s classic Harold and the Purple Crayon. Creative, clever, and fun pedagogy–Kathryn Diman Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME

WILLIAMS, Karen Lynn. Beatrice’s Dream: A Story of Kibera Slum. photos by Wendy Stone. unpaged. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-019-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Beatrice, a 13-year-old orphan who lives with her brother and his wife in a Kenyan slum, describes her current life and her hopes for the future. She touches on her 30-minute walks to school, her classes, and helping her brother in his shop. Vivid color photographs give readers a firsthand glimpse into a world about which they are likely to know nothing. Important and potentially sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS and gender equality are brought up in a general way, but not explicitly discussed. An afterword provides background information about Kenya and discusses in greater detail the AIDS crisis and how it is being addressed. Although the book deals with difficult subject matter, it does so in an upbeat and positive way. It also underscores the importance of education; because of her hard work and diligence, Beatrice’s dreams of becoming a nurse might come true. A unique and important addition.–Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

WOLF, Gita. Following My Paint Brush. illus. by Dulari Devi. unpaged. Tara (India). 2011. Tr $17.50. ISBN 978-93-80340-11-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–This unusual picture book depicts Indian artist Dulari Devi’s transformation from housekeeper to artist. The text, based on her own oral narrative, features Devi’s paintings throughout and describes the woman’s life of monotonous menial labor until she discovered a hidden talent. Done in typical Mithila style, people and animals are depicted in profile with large eyes, and objects and people are thickly outlined in black. Though white space abounds in the background and in the faces and bodies of characters, rich hues of red, green, yellow and orange infuse the book with color. While pleasing to the eye, the illustrations don’t convey emotions: there is no difference in terms of color, characters’ facial expressions, or composition between scenes depicting Devi’s impoverished childhood and her moments of joy upon becoming a painter. The quality of illustrations is inconsistent. The intricate patterns on a bird’s feathers or the leaves of a tree are appealing, but the book’s cover features an image of a “bad lad” smoking where the object that he awkwardly grips isn’t readily apparent as a cigarette. The text relies heavily on ellipses and exclamation points in an unsuccessful attempt to create feelings of surprise and delight. Though Devi’s story is poignant, the dull phrasing won’t hold children’s attention for long. The images alone are potentially useful for lessons on art from another culture, and those looking for books specifically on Mithila painting may find it worthwhile.–Mahnaz Dar, formerly at Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City

ZUFFI, Stefano. Art 123: Count from 1 to 12 with Great Works of Art. unpaged. Abrams. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0100-9. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Zuffi provides a puzzlelike approach to counting objects in selected works of art. Readers can count from 1 to 12 in the first dozen artworks and then jump to counting “so many” in the final selection. Each piece appears opposite a pertinent rhyming sentence or two and large bold numerals indicating how many items to find in each picture. Some can be challenging to locate. Readers count people, kittens, sun rays, shapes, boats, flowers. Also paired opposite the artworks are the titles of the works, the names of the artists, and the location of the pieces. Finger positions on silhouetted hands, placed on the numeral page, reinforce the number of objects to find. Hopper, Matisse, Van Gogh, and Renoir are among the featured painters. This picture book works well as a concept book and as a resource for stimulating art appreciation. Other titles with a similar approach include Glorina Taborin’s Norman Rockwell’s Counting Book (Abrams, 1977) and Lucy Micklethwait’s I Spy Two Eyes: Numbers in Art (Greenwillow, 1993). Because the size of the images varies, Art 123 would be best used for one-on-one sharing. It is a worthy extra purchase for libraries needing more counting or art-appreciation materials.–Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

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