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June 1, 2011

In this Article

Nonfiction

Fiction

ALLEN, Joy. Princess Palooza. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25455-0. LC 2009047519.
PreS-K–Allen continues her princess-themed stories, and this time the girls take over the Princess Park where they jump rope, fancy dance, climb trees, swing, run, frolic, and overall have a fabulous time. A few wear jeans and baseball outfits, but there are enough imaginative dresses with fun colors and patterns paired with hats and wands to keep everyone happy. Clearly, being a girl has never been so much fun. Despite a few slightly awkward rhyming schemes, the text is light and playful. Digitally enhanced watercolor and pencil illustrations convey the joy of the Princess Palooza Party and the diversity of the youngsters. The final page states, “For Princesses are girls with great imagination,” which is an excellent sentiment for all girls. Pair this title with Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess or Kate Lum’s Princesses Are Not Quitters! (Bloomsbury, 2003) for a perfect princess storytime.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
ASCH, Frank. The Daily Comet: Boy Saves Earth from Giant Octopus! illus. by Devin Asch. unpaged. CIP. Kids Can. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-281-0. LC C2009-906864-8.
Gr 2-5–This tongue-in-cheek, picture-book burlesque of sensationalistic tabloids is great fun. Young Hayward is a skeptic. He knows that all those stories his father, a reporter for the Daily Comet, writes are just preposterous hoaxes. On “Go to Work with a Parent Day,” he finds logical explanations for everything from the 10-foot chicken (a Latin scholar with anger-management problems) to the hairy cab driver who got his job through the Bigfoot Relocation Program. Eventually he comes up against a situation that makes him a believer. The writing is fast paced and filled with quirky humor, and the largely sepia-toned illustrations, done in Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter, are masterful. They have a distinctly retro feel, with bubble-gum- blowing secretaries and pedestrians with beehive hairdos, and little surprises such an Elvis look-alike photographer and Queen Elizabeth enthralled by a flimflam man on a street corner. Make room for this on your shelves, but it won’t stay there long.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

BAETEN, Lieve. Up and Away with the Little Witch. tr. from German. illus. by author. unpaged. NorthSouth. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4004-1. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Little Witch is back, and this time she has her young friend Trixie (the Witch Princess) for company. Inspired by a bedtime story, they head off on a flying carpet with her cat in tow, but become lost. They encounter Caravan Witch, who provides snacks and a show; Boat Witch, who provides a potty, a dunk in the river, and a warm, drying fire; and finally Balloon Witch, who helps them get safely home. The text tends to be a little wordy; it is the meticulous illustrations that steal the show. Baeten’s highly detailed work supplies a cornucopia of things to look at while managing not to be overwhelming. Be warned that the Balloon Witch encounter is depicted in an appropriate foldout (up, actually) that could easily be torn if not reinforced. A good companion to The Curious Little Witch (NorthSouth, 2010) for one-on-one sharing.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

BALOUCH, Kristen. The Little Little Girl with the Big Big Voice. illus. by author. unpaged. S & S/Little Simon. June 2011. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0808-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–A small, dark-skinned girl sets off one day to look for a friend, but when she opens her oversize mouth, she scares off an elephant, a snake, and a crocodile. Only a lion, whose voice presumably is as loud as hers, answers her call with a roar. Each short sentence is set on a brightly colored stylized spread. The large concentric circles in the drawings echo the girl’s round, open mouth. The pictures are pleasant enough, but there is not enough plot or character development to engage readers. Skip this one.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

BART, Kathleen. Town Teddy & Country Bear Go Global. illus. by author. unpaged. map. Reverie. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-932485-60-8. LC 2010940618.
K-Gr 3–Bandana Bear and Tuxedo Teddy, two very different cousins, take a world tour of well-known natural and cultural sites. They visit great man-made structures like Machu Picchu, the Eiffel Tower, and the Taj Mahal and explore natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. With several more stops along the way, the bears land on six of the seven continents, only missing Antarctica. A spread is devoted to each locale as the storied text transports the bears from one destination to another, with a mix of fact and fiction. Additional information and environmental concerns are found in sidebars. The high-end vocabulary stretches interest level and expands the world for young readers. Uncomplicated illustrations in sharp, clear colors provide a simple, yet recognizable visual of each location. Besides conveying the excitement of travel, the text and pictures capture the bears in a few fun missteps. Readers will be able to follow their travels on a simplified map on the title page. With a good balance of fact and fiction (and a clear delineation of each), this is a good choice for today’s global children. –Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

BERNER, Rotraut Susanne. Hound and Hare. tr. from German by Shelley Tanaka. illus. by author. 75p. CIP. Groundwood. 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-987-0. LC C2010-905902-6.
Gr 1-3–This odd import is a mixed bag. It has the heft of a chapter book, but the retro full-color and pencil sketches on every page evoke a picture-book feel. Harley Hare and Hugo Hound exist in a village that is divided by mistrust and dislike. Despite their parents’ prejudices, they sneak off to compete in Great Bone’s Big Race. A thunderstorm mid-race finds them wet and lost, and they must rely on each other’s strengths to rescue fellow racer Pippa Pig and make it home safely. Harley and Hugo share first place, and their cooperation teaches the village to abandon its divisive ways. For a story with a chase scene, the plot has little momentum, and the lack of believable conflict resolution does a disservice to the issues of bullying and discrimination. Parent-led mudslinging like Mrs. Hound’s command “to stay away from those carrot munchers” gives the family scenes a confusing and angry tone. A lack of humanizing detail makes Harley’s and Hugo’s transformations in the end seem oversimplified, and young readers may find it hard to relate to them. Ultimately, the agonizing alliteration and “hare-brained” puns keep this book from going the distance.–Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH

BLACKALL, Sophie. Are You Awake? illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-7858-9. LC 2010026946.
PreS-Gr 1–“Mom?” The question hangs as a word bubble in the dark, beginning the insatiable inquiries of a curious youngster. “Why aren’t you awake?” asks Edward. “Because I’m asleep,” responds his mother. “Why are you asleep?” he retorts. “Because it’s still nighttime.” Most of the Q & A’s appear on the versos in different colored fonts so it’s always clear who is speaking, and the opposite pages feature Blackall’s charming artwork done in Chinese ink and watercolor. Attentive readers will notice the clock displaying 4:00 AM. In light of his persistence, the child’s mother becomes more alert and the circular narrative begins to speak of Edward’s father, who is a pilot, and explores the boy’s love of the color yellow. As the questions unfold, the once gray-toned room slowly becomes illuminated with the creeping morning sun to a golden yellow. Once the sun is up, Edward is finally asleep just as Dad arrives home. Small in size and big in tenderness, this sweet book will be widely enjoyed.–Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

BLACKSTONE, Stella. Bear’s Birthday. illus. by Debbie Harter. unpaged. Barefoot. June 2011. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-515-2; BD $6.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-516-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Blackstone combines a rhyming counting book and a birthday celebration. Harter’s familiar cartoon bear and buddies party with gifts, musical chairs, hide-and-seek, a treasure hunt, and a variety of treats. Readers are given the task of counting the number of balloons as designated in a square at the bottom right corner of each spread. The final spread shows a balloon countdown from 10 to one, assisted by Bear’s black-and-white-striped cat. The busy scenes with bright geometrics and patterns promise many fun readings.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

BLOM, Jen K. Possum Summer. illus. by Omar Rayyan. 160p. CIP. Holiday House. June 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2331-6. LC 2010023476.
Gr 3-4–P (short for Princess) wants a pet, but her father believes that any animal on their Oklahoma farm has to earn its keep. While he is away on combat duty, P loses sight of this rule when she begins caring for an orphaned opossum. P and Ike grow attached as she hand-feeds him and takes him everywhere. Of course, P knows she cannot keep Ike forever and soon she is forced to choose between doing what is right and doing what she wants. The conclusion of the story shows P learning an important lesson about doing what is right even when it is incredibly hard and is told in a way that is both touching and suspenseful.–Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

BROWN, Calef. Boy Wonders. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. June 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7877-0. LC 2010020976.
Gr 1-4–The connotations of everyday words and sayings are pondered and turned inside out and upside down in this wholly original paean to intellectual curiosity. The title sets the tone for one ever-wondering youngster’s take on the meaning of words and ideas. The boy’s delightfully nonsensical rhyming questions reveal no clear answers; they only spark more queries. Listeners will easily “get” the thinking behind some of the wordplay inherent in the child’s questions (“Do taffy pullers ever push and make a glob of sticky mush?” “Do all giraffes have high-pitched laughs?”), but other wonderments require higher contextual knowledge (“Just for the sake or argument,/suppose I became an Argonaut./Would I say ‘Arrgh’ a lot, like a pirate?”). The artist’s trademark stylized illustrations, flat, hip, and jazzy, are rendered in a palette of predominantly blue/green/yellow acrylics. With its large-scale illustrations and musical wordplay, this title is perfect for read-aloud sharing and will amuse and stimulate listeners of any age.–Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

BROWN, Monica. Waiting for the Biblioburro. illus. by John Parra. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Tricycle. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-353-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-398-8. LC 2010024183.
PreS-K– The pleasure and love of reading are joyfully brought forth in this simple, happily rendered tale. Inspired by the work of real-life librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez, who takes his mobile library into the small villages and rural countryside of Colombia, this story features young Ana. She loves to read, but because her teacher moved away some time ago, she has just one book. Nevertheless, she enjoys it again and again, reading it to her younger brother while also entertaining him with fantastical stories of her own making. Then one exciting day, the Biblioburro stops in her village. The traveling librarian, carrying books on his burros Alfa and Beto, not only leaves books for her but also encourages her to use her vivid imagination to create tales of her own. When he returns some weeks later, Ana presents him with her finished book, which features the two burros. That night she sinks into bed knowing her story will be shared with other children when the Biblioburro arrives in their villages. Brown’s tale flows well, and Parra’s folkloric-style illustrations are nicely in tune with the book’s setting, adding appropriate flavor to the storytelling.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

CHACONAS, Dori. Hurry Down to Derry Fair. illus. by Gillian Tyler. unpaged. Candlewick. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3208-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Dinny Brown can’t wait to go to the county fair, but Mama, Daddy, and Sister Lucy need to finish their preparations before they can leave. Dinny hurriedly helps Mama whisk the eggs for her lemon pies, stacks the wood that Daddy chops, and helps Lucy brush her show animals, but they are still too slow for the impatient boy. When he tells Grandma Patty to hurry, she agrees, and off they go down the road while the rest of the family follows. When they arrive at the fair, flaps on both sides of the final spread open to reveal a four-page scene that incorporates the Derry Fair preview pictures shown earlier in the book. Chaconas establishes a jaunty rhyme and rhythm as Dinny appeals to the first three family members. Tyler’s pattern of fair pictures and farm action scenes perfectly mirrors the text as they depict farm life and Dinny’s excitement. The homey scenes softly rendered in watercolor and ink on cream-colored paper give the book an old-fashioned feel. Children will enjoy poring over the detailed illustration of the fairgrounds. A pleasant choice.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

COFFELT, Nancy. Catch That Baby! illus. by Scott Nash. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. June 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-9148-9. LC 2009034934.
K-Gr 2–When Rudy doesn’t want to get dressed after his bath, a fun game of catch that naked baby commences. Zipping about with his dog at his heels, “Nudie Rudy” manages to elude his mother, father, siblings, and grandparents. In the greenhouse, the game morphs into “finding” the baby, and the family makes its way back through the house with Rudy hiding behind the furniture. In the grand revealing of “Cutie Rudy,” the child has clothed himself using his own personal dress code. The cartoon illustrations feel retro in both style and color. Each picture has a simple black border whether there is one per page or several. The characters speak using word balloons, while the narrator’s words are in black boxes with white text. Rudy’s genitals are cleverly concealed at all times by his leg, the dog, a plant, a table, etc., but his buttocks do make a full-moon appearance. This playful tale provides a positive look at a multigenerational family interacting in a loving way, and the book has a place either in storytime or one-on-one sharing.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

CÔTÉ, Geneviève. Without You. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Kids Can. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-620-7. LC C2010-904900-4.
PreS-K–This gentle title will show youngsters the value and rewards of friendship. The bunny and pig from Me and You (Kids Can, 2009) return. This time they are both in a huff, which leads to a quarrel. Each one focuses on the other’s shortcomings; “You’re so careless! You fuss over any little mess!” They sulk and think they’d be perfectly happy without the other… for a while. Soon enough, they realize that everything they do is more fun and a far richer experience when they do it together: “But my book is funnier when I read it with you! And my cookies taste better when I share them with you!” Spare text with breezy artwork done in mixed media using pastel hues and plenty of white space provides a light, age-appropriate tone to the lovely story. Facial expressions and body language are subtle yet highlight the animals’ changing moods. A dramatic little frog is tucked into the corner of several pages, providing an extra character for children to discover. Pair this with Barbara Joosse’s Friends (Mostly) (HarperCollins, 2010) or Polly Dunbar’s Where’s Tumpty? (Candlewick, 2009) for a themed storytime.–Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ

CROSBY, Jeff. Wiener Wolf. illus. by author. unpaged. Hyperion/Disney. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-3983-6. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Wiener Dog, a sweater-wearing lap dog who lives with Granny, feels that something is missing in his prosaic lifestyle. He is losing the wag in his tail and he doesn’t know what he yearns for until he sees some wolves on TV. He hitches a ride with some campers headed for the wilderness where he meets some fearsome wolves that sense the shared DNA and permit him to run with the pack. Wiener Dog quickly sheds his sweater and transforms into the brave and daring Wiener Wolf. He proudly answers the call of the wild until he witnesses the predators’ fierce hunt. He then realizes that he is just Wiener Dog and that he belongs at home with Granny. After his return, he satisfies his quest for adventure in the park, where he runs with a domestic pack. Readers will enjoy Crosby’s soft, acrylic illustrations that portray the wolves in a wild, realistic way while Wiener Dog is full of human emotion. Each page is rich with details and gives readers much to explore. The minimal text perfectly complements each illustration, which makes this book a good choice for early readers. Some young listeners may find the illustrations of the wolves a bit frightening, but dog lovers will especially adore Wiener Wolf.–Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT

CRUM, Shutta. Mine! illus. by Patrice Barton. unpaged. Knopf/Borzoi. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86711-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–In this almost wordless story, two women, only their legs and hands visible, place an infant and toddler in a room by themselves with a pile of toys, while a dog looks on. “Mine,” the toddler repeats as he picks up each toy and marches away, arms loaded. When the baby claims the one remaining stuffed bunny, the toddler protests, sending the toys flying. Sensing a fun new game, the baby hurls the bunny aloft, and it lands in the dog’s water dish. Now the pup joins in the game, shaking the bunny and splashing water everywhere while the toddler throws his hands up in dismay and the baby chortles in glee. Soon all three are in the act, dropping toys in the dish, tossing them in the air, and playing fetch. Eventually, the dog retrieves all the toys, placing them at the toddler’s feet. But in a surprise move, the baby takes its first awkward steps (depicted in a wonderful spread) and lands on the toddler, scattering toys everywhere again. The digitally manipulated pencil sketches, colored in soft pastel shades, provide child’s-eye perspectives, with the large floor squares extending upward and bleeding off the pages. The two youngsters are simply adorable, and their alternating surprised and gleeful expressions, as well as those of their canine accomplice, are priceless. In a final scene, the women reclaim the water-soaked children in a room now much the worse for wear. Youngsters will eagerly participate in repeated tellings of this watery escapade.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

CURRY, Don L. Willie’s Word World. illus. by Rick Stromoski. ISBN 978-0-531-26374-7; ISBN 978-0-531-26679-3. LC 2010050004.
QUINN, Lin. The Best Mud Pie. illus. by Ronnie Rooney. ISBN 978-0-531-26425-6; ISBN 978-0-531-26650-2. LC 2010049907.
RIBKE, Simone T. I’ll Do It Later. illus. by Lee White. ISBN 978-0-531-26528-4; ISBN 978-0-531-26710-3. LC 2010049914.
ea vol: 40p. (Rookie Ready to Learn: I Can! Series). CIP. Children’s Press. 2011. PLB $22. ; pap. $5.95.
K-Gr 1–Each book tells a brief story while teaching a lesson. Word World focuses on being brave and self-aware, Mud Pie is about pride in accomplishment, and I’ll Do It Later describes self-control and responsibility. The books are all designed for children just beginning to read on their own. The lessons are far more prominent than the stories, making the texts a bit boring, but easy enough for children to understand. The plots are simplistic, and there is very little character development. The colorful cartoon illustrations fare a bit better. Each book concludes with a useful section that includes vocabulary pages, word banks, songs, fingerplays, and problem-solving activities. It’s these pages that make this series stand apart from other easy-reading materials. These books would be good for classroom use, but are supplemental purchases for public libraries.–Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

DAHL, Michael. Guardian of Earth. illus. by Dan Schoening. (DC Super Heroes: Green Lantern Series). ISBN 978-1-4342-2611-2; ISBN 978-1-4342-3081-2. LC 2010025600.
SONNEBORN, Scott. Shell Shocker. illus. by Dan Schoening, et al. (DC Super Heroes: The Flash Series). ISBN 978-1-4342-2615-0; ISBN 978-1-4342-3092-8. LC 2010025350.
ea vol: 56p. glossary. CIP. Stone Arch. 2011. PLB $25.32; pap. $5.95.
Gr 2-4–These chapter-book adaptations of popular comic superheroes have great, full-page illustrations, and the onomatopoeia is displayed graphically as in the old Adam West “Batman” episodes. The covers are 3-D holograms that will attract kids. In the first book, Hal Jordan is a test pilot, flying 41,000 feet above the earth when a green flash shoots past him. All of the controls on his plane die out and the jet begins a hasty descent. Before it hits, it is surrounded by a strange green light that stops the impact and pulls him into the desert where he finds an alien spaceship that has crashed. The alien gives Hal a green ring and tells him that he is now part of the Green Lantern Corps. In Shell Shocker, Barry is Central City’s top police scientist, but nobody knows his hidden identity as the Flash, the fastest man alive. When someone plants a bomb in the police station, he has only 10 minutes to disarm it when he finds out that the Top, an evil villain, is wreaking havoc in an observatory, the city dam is about to break, and a building is about to fall on a school full of children. This is no problem for the Flash though. Action-packed titles for fans of these superheroes.–Erik Carlson, White Plains Public Library, NY

DE ROO, Elena. The Rain Train. illus. by Brian Lovelock. unpaged. Candlewick. 2011. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5313-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS–A child watches from a window as the rain pours down–”A pitter-pat-pat, a pitter-pat-pat”–and a train speeds through the night. Soon he, too, is boarding the Rain Train with other pajama-clad passengers. As it glides from the station, whooshes through the tunnels, and whistles across the bridges, the train roars across the pages. The beat of the downpour and the sway of the cars make the journey more exciting. Only at the story’s end do readers discover that the boy’s experience is just a wonderful dream. De Roo’s text combines a number of image-producing words, which appear in extra-large dark type–”Spitter-spat-spit,” “A clatter-clat-clat,” “Whooshety-wish”–and young readers will enjoy chiming in as the story unfolds. Lovelock employs a lot of night colors–dark blues and greens–with streaks of lightning to add drama; he lightens the scenes with the boy’s train-patterned pajamas and a variety of friendly passengers. This appealing variation on the nighttime story will put children’s imaginations on a soothing track for going to bed.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
DITERLIZZI, Angela. Say What? illus. by Joey Chou. 32p. CIP. S & S/Beach Lane Bks. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8694-2. LC 2009050031.
PreS-Gr 1–A freckle-faced boy wonders how he should interpret the sounds animals make. “When a cow says MOO,/does she really mean WHO?/When a lion says ROAR,/does he really mean MORE?” The anthropomorphized animals in the full-bleed digital illustrations are shown interacting as a parent and child would. A mother snake kisses her baby, and a father and daughter horse make “snow angels” in a field of hay. A short tongue-twisting musing near the middle of the story helps segue to the loving message the boy communicates to his mom. With bright, vivid colors, endearing animals, and plenty of delightful details, this picture book is sure to find an appreciative audience.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

DOODLER, Todd H. Bear in Pink Underwear. illus. by author. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-077-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–Bear is a soccer player on a team called the Red Devils, and he wears his lucky undershorts for every game. During a match played in the rain, he is close to the goal when he slips on the grass. The game ends in a tie, and everyone is covered in mud. At home, Bear throws his red shirt and white underwear into the washer. Next day, when he shows up in pink underwear, his teammates make fun of him: “You stink and your shorts are pink!” But they play the game and Bear scores the winning goal. Suddenly pink is great. Now the team is called the Pink Devils, with all of the players sporting pink underwear. The digitally created, stylized cartoon illustrations depict an assorted bunch of unappealing creatures. Although the anti-bullying message comes through clearly, the message of conditional acceptance is not a good one. The team only likes Bear when he wins for them. The cover comes with a pull tab. Bear is shown wearing his team uniform, and a word bubble says, “Whatever you do, DON’T pull my shorts down!” A pull of the tab reveals the pink underwear. Skip this one.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

DOYLE, Malachy. Get Happy. illus. by Caroline Uff. unpaged. Walker. June 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2271-3; PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-2295-9. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Doyle’s latest conceit, a treatise on positive behavior, is likely to go over the heads of its intended audience. The story is simple. On the first spread are the words “Squabble less,” accompanied by an illustration of two children pulling on opposite arms of a teddy bear. The facing page says, “Share more!” and shows the same children digging into a bag of treats. And so it goes, through “Sniffle less./Snuggle more!” “Grumble less./Giggle more!” and “Zone out less./Zoom around more!” to “Fearless for evermore!/Be strong!/Be Happy!” The childlike illustrations of round-headed, dot-eyed people are appealing and depict a multiethnic cast, although the primary children, presumably siblings, are Caucasian. The mixed-media artwork fills the pages with motion and color in mostly full-bleed spreads that make good use of the often white backgrounds. The layout works well, and the pictures do a good job of portraying the emotions and actions in the minimalistic text. Unfortunately, it is the very simplicity of the text that causes the problem. The concepts and word choices are quite sophisticated, and are unlikely to speak to the target audience without a lot of explanation. A pleasant enough addition for those looking to discuss behavior, but expect lots of questions. –Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

DUKSTA, Laura. You Are a Gift to the World/The World Is a Gift to You. illus. by Dona Turner. 32p. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-1954-2. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–This flip-sided book is cleverly designed to contain two stories with the same ending, repeating the format of the author’s I Love You More (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, 2007). “You Are a Gift to the World” is a sweet ode to a child and the joy that she brings to her parents and the world by virtue of being. Flip the book over, “The World Is a Gift to You” is an elemental story of the value of the natural world and how things we take for granted are precious and worth revering. The artwork is charming and comforting. The images of children with their families are reassuring and gentle, and the middle “ending” page of both stories is sure to be enjoyed over and over.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

FERNALD, Karin. The Dumpy Princess. illus. by Sophie Foster. 112p. chron. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-083-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–This engaging story of how a plain little girl grew up to become Queen of England is for those who enjoy their historical fiction on the light side. Fernald navigates a dark time in history with just the right amount and type of humor, making the narrative accessible and intriguing for kids. Readers are introduced to Victoria as a baby. They witness the loutish behavior of her four less-than-princely uncles, Ernest, Frederick, William, and George. Each royal has his own problems and reasons for his bad treatment of Victoria and her widowed mother, the Duchess of Kent. Fortunately, Victoria’s savvy governess protects, comforts, and advises her, gently steering her toward her destiny. Meanwhile, readers get to know the young Victoria, a lover of animals and dolls who is also a princess with a mind of her own. From infancy to her coronation, the author offers an entertaining and historically accurate glimpse into what life was like for Victoria. Charming, cartoonlike color illustrations, large and small, add to the enjoyment of the novel. This would make a good classroom read-aloud for groups studying British history.–Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL

FERNANDES, Eugenie. Kitten’s Summer. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Kids Can. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-342-8. LC C2010-903215-2.
PreS-Gr 1–As rain begins to fall, Kitten dashes for home, but the journey is more important than the destination. Using rhyming couplets, the text tracks her progress and the critters she passes by. For example, “Robin shelters,/Squirrel scrambles./Chipmunk skitters, Raccoon ambles.” and “Loon paddles, Baby rides./Fox huddles, Mouse hides.” But it’s the illustrations that really tell the story. Fernandes’s clay, acrylic paint, and mixed-media collage artwork creates a unique look for the forest and its denizens. There is a tremendous amount of detail and charm in these realistic vignettes. In many of the pictures, all that is visible is the feline’s tail as she races for home. This makes for a fun “spot-the-kitten” game to incorporate into the reading. The variety of animals and scenes from forest to farm will be greatly appreciated as Kitten makes her way to the cozy warmth of her own bed. Perfect for one-on-one or small-group sharing.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

FOSBERRY, Jennifer. My Name Is Not Alexander. illus. by Mike Litwin. unpaged. photos. further reading. Websites. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4022-5433-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–This cleverly crafted picture book pays homage not only to diverse heroes, but also to the children who engage in imaginary adventures with them. The story follows Alexander from the moment he wakes with a smirk, hair standing on end, declaring: “My name is not Alexander!” A present, patient, and refreshingly domestic father asks him, “then who has been sleeping in my son’s bed?” This formula allows Alexander to introduce Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and, finally, his own daddy. The story ends with the child dreaming about “who he would be tomorrow.” Each spread shows not-Alexander and his trusty teddy-bear sidekick in a charade complete with costumes and a typeface that is uniquely suited to each role. Edison’s descriptive words, “brilliant” and “light” are that indeed, seemingly lit by an unseen bulb. Alexander’s familiar daily routine and energetic pretend play give this story wide appeal and make it equally perfect for sharing in storytime or kicking off a school unit about heroes. Biographical information on each man is included at the end in both a simple-sentence format and a more detailed paragraph. Litwin’s pencil illustrations on sueded matboard add humor and depth to Alexander’s flights of fancy. Fans of this team’s work will also love the girl-power version, My Name Is Not Isabella (Monkey Barrel, 2008).–Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH
FRANCO, Betsy. Double Play!: Monkeying Around with Addition. illus. by Doug Cushman. unpaged. CIP. Tricycle. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-384-1; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-396-4. LC 2010024347.
K-Gr 2–A classroom full of animal students is released for recess. Jill and Jake, two monkeys, lead the line to the playground. “1 friend + 1 friend = 2 friends.” Thus begins the exercise of doubling all the numbers from one to 10. Readers can follow the antics of all the characters on the playground and count the objects mentioned. Each spread has a math equation as well as a rhymed verse. When the bell rings, play ends and the two monkeys lead the line back inside. The large watercolor illustrations show a joyous romp through recess as the creatures blow bubbles, draw pictures, eat a snack, and generally have a good time. Young students will enjoy the book for its play aspect, not realizing that the math lesson is built into it. Every elementary school needs this one . –Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI
GALLAGHER, Diana G. Monica and the Bratty Stepsister. 88p. glossary. Stone Arch. 2010. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4342-1980-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–Middle-schooler Monica feels as though her stepsister Angela ruins everything. This weekend is no exception as she is being forced to babysit. How can she be expected to enjoy her horseback riding lesson, watching a movie, and attending a friend’s art show if she has to watch Angela? Of course, as the day wears on, Monica comes to understand Angela, and the two start to form a friendlier relationship. Messages shared through “Friend Book” and random phrases and sentences in large pink type are more distracting than anything else. Additional, unless stepsibling books are in high demand.–Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

GARDNER, Carol. Princess Zelda and the Frog. photos by Shane Young. unpaged. Feiwel & Friends. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-60325-0. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Gardner’s English bulldog, Zelda, has been cast as a royal princess who lives with her parents, King Sour-Mug and Queen Lucille. They give her “everything a princess could dream of,” but, sadly, the one thing they cannot provide is “a good night’s sleep.” Zelda tries to tire herself out by chasing her favorite golden ball. When it lands in the mud, a frog offers to retrieve it for her if she promises to be his best friend forever. He also requires that she let him eat from her golden bowl, drink from her golden goblet, and sleep on her golden bed with his head on her golden pillow. Reluctantly, Zelda promises to meet the ugly frog’s demands, but runs away as soon as she has her ball back. During dinnertime, the frog comes to the door, chanting, “Oh, BFF, please let me in!/So I might see your lovely grin!” and the queen makes a distressed Zelda keep her promise. That night, as Zelda and the frog share her golden pillow, he snores loudly, and the soothing rumble lulls her to sleep. When the princess awakens feeling refreshed, she finds that the frog has transformed into a handsome prince. Comical color photographs feature sumptuously attired pups. Each scene is set against a simple, paper-collagelike backdrop of the countryside or the castle interior. This clever retelling of the Grimms’ fairy tale about loyalty, honor, and friendship will delight young readers.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

GASSMAN, Julie. You Can’t Spike Your Serves. illus. by Jorge Santillan. 56p. (Sports Illustrated Kids: Victory School Superstars Series). photos. chron. glossary. Websites. Stone Arch. 2011. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4342-2231-2; pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-1-4342-3080-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–Alicia wants to help her pen pal, Jenny, earn money to purchase new pom-poms, and when an Olympic volleyball player comes to school to teach the fourth graders her sport, Alicia comes up with the idea of a tournament to raise the needed funds. Learning the sport is fun, and Alicia, a good jumper, especially enjoys spiking the ball. She discovers how hard serving is without being able to jump, but Reese suggests the perfect technique for her. Manga-style graphics give this book a cutting-edge look and enhance understanding of the text. Short chapters, colorful cartoon illustrations, and engaging subject matter make this title appropriate for those new to chapter books as well as older readers.–Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

GERSHATOR, Phillis. Moo, Moo, Brown Cow! Have You Any Milk? illus. by Giselle Potter. unpaged. CIP. Random. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86744-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96744-3. LC 2010018767.
PreS-K–A boy in overalls roams around a farm to chat with a cow, sheep, goose, hen, and bee. Upon request, he receives milk, wool, down, eggs, and honey. After a bedtime glass of milk, the curly-haired child cuddles with toys (that match his animal pals) and they gaze at a hive mobile above his bed. Gershator uses rhyme and the melodic rhythm of “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” in her dialogue, making the tale fit for either singing or speaking. Potter uses soft colors for day and rich cobalt and chocolate for night in her folksy paintings. She features only essential background details, complementing the text for this soothing book.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

GIBBS, Edward. I Spy with My Little Eye. illus. by author. unpaged. Candlewick/Templar. 2011. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5284-5. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–This clever book combines color recognition, die-cut peek-a-boo holes, animals, and a guessing game into a successful and appealing whole that will have young listeners asking for more. The first spread contains a circle with an eye on the left side, facing a die-cut hole that shows a blue circle. The text reads: “I spy with my little eye…something that is blue.” A speech bubble reads: “I am the biggest animal in the whole world.” Turn the page and a full-bleed spread depicts a realistic- looking blue whale, with the cutout encircling the eye from the previous verso. And so it goes with a gray elephant, a yellow lion, a white polar bear, an orange orangutan, and a red fox, concluding with a green frog that says, “I’m a frog and I spy…you!” Each “I spy” page includes visual hints about the upcoming animal’s habitat, alongside the textual clues. On the final page, the hole goes through the back cover, which asks, “What can you spy with your little eye?” While some animals are easier to guess than others, children will be so busy enjoying the page turns and the colorful spreads that not guessing an orangutan won’t bother them a bit. This creative book would work equally well in storytimes or one-on-one.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

GILMAN, Grace. Dixie. illus. by Sarah McConnell. June ISBN 978-0-06-171914-1; ISBN 978-0-06-171913-4.
SIERRA, Judy. Never Kick a Ghost and Other Silly Chillers. illus. by Pascale Constantin. bibliog. Aug. ISBN 978-0-06-143519-5; ISBN 978-0-06-143521-8.
ea vol: 32p. (I Can Read! Series). HarperCollins. 2011. Tr $16.99; pap. $3.99. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–In the first appealing beginning reader, Gilman captures the antics of a devoted puppy and her owner as the child tries out for the lead in her school play. Mischief and mayhem ensue as Dixie attempts to help Emma learn her lines for the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The colorful, realistic illustrations have strong context support and are well balanced on the page, providing a warmhearted perspective to the story line. Children with the acting bug will enjoy Emma’s excitement up through performance day, delighting when Dixie gets a lead part, too. Never Kick a Ghost is a collection of stories filled with suspense, silliness, and chills. The whimsical, full-color illustrations enliven the texts. The stories’ origins are explained in the back matter. This is a supplementary early reader, particularly for Halloween.–Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

GUTTMAN, S. Daniel. The Passover Zoo Seder. illus. by Phillip Ratner. 31p. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58-980972-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–The animals at the Great Zoo want to have a seder to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. Who will lead it? Why, the lion, of course, who keeps order with a “Ma-Roar!” If you do not get the play on words, then this book is not for you; it is written from an insider perspective and is not meant to educate readers, despite the inclusion of a somewhat tongue-in-cheek glossary. Forced rhymes, tongue-tying alliteration, overly long text, and shaky logic make the book a difficult read. Amateurish cartoon sketches in felt tip and crayon do nothing to enhance the story. A word search and crossword puzzle, both inappropriately difficult, are included at the end, encouraging defacement of the book. Libraries can pass on this title.–Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

HALE, Dean. Scapegoat: The Story of a Goat Named Oat and a Chewed-Up Coat. illus. by Michael Slack. unpaged. CIP. Bloomsbury. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-468-9; RTE $17.89. ISBN 978-1-59990-469-6. LC 2010035698.
PreS-Gr 1–Pity poor Patsy Petunia Oat, the misunderstood goat at the heart of this tale. Every time young Jimmy Choat misbehaves, he pins the blame on her. And though Patsy tells Jimmy’s parents that Jimmy was the one who threw away the TV remote, broke the baby’s toy, and blew his nose in his mother’s purse, no one else in the house speaks or understands the language of goats. When the next-door neighbor, who happens to know Goat, gets wind of the situation, he steps in to interpret, and justice is served. Though the text sometimes overreaches in its attempts to find rhymes for “goat” (after all, how many contemporary kids will get a reference to The Love Boat?), the colorful cartoon illustrations and the sheer wackiness of the story will likely appeal to young readers and listeners. Teachers planning lessons on the “oa” sound will definitely want to check this book out.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

HAYES , Geoffrey . A Poor Excuse for a Dragon . illus. by author. 48p. (Step into Reading: A Step 4 Book). CIP. Random . Aug. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87180-1; PLB $14.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96867-9; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86867-2. LC 2010025000.
K-Gr 2 –A young dragon’s parents send him off to make his way in the world with advice on how to be a good dragon: “Rum amok. Eat People. Roar. Breathe fire. Act scary.” But none of this comes naturally to Fred; despite his scary red eyes, each of his well-meaning attempts fizzles. Having eaten several folks he’s met along the way (including a princess and a frog chef), he develops a major bellyache and enlists the help of a giant, a witch, and a shepherd to extricate them. When all of the characters are themselves again, the princess asks Fred to become her palace’s House Dragon–no fire-breathing required–a position for which he is happily suited. Entertaining black-line and colored pencil cartoon drawings enliven this Kuklapolitan-esque cast. Part-slapstick, part-fairy tale, the gently humorous plot has enough twists and turns to keep newly independent readers engaged.– Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT
HILL, Susan. Black Beauty and the Thunderstorm. inspired by Anna Sewell. illus. by Bill Farnsworth. 48p. (My Readers Series). Square Fish. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64705-6; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-312-64721-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–In five short chapters for fluent beginning readers, Black Beauty narrates some events based on the novel. The text effectively shares the horse’s thoughts and frustrations and includes action-packed descriptions. He is purchased by Jerry, a cabdriver who calls him Jack and whose daughter, Dolly, calls him “Pretty Jack.” During a raging thunderstorm, he observes Dolly chase after her runaway cat. Concerned for her safety, he breaks out of the stable, collides into “a man with shiny buttons,” and rescues the child, who is close to drowning in a rushing river. Although “the man with the shiny buttons” wants Jerry to “get rid of the beast,” he refuses, “in a voice both soft and strong.” Black Beauty shares his desire to “run free” to the pasture of his first home but acknowledges that while “Pretty Jack is not my name…I am loved here, I am home.” Farnsworth’s distinguished oil paintings beautifully convey the 19th-century British landscape with spot and full-page illustrations and rich spreads. Young readers will enjoy this introduction to Black Beauty and may clamor to have Sewell’s classic read aloud.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

HUGHES, Shirley. Jonadab and Rita. illus. by author. unpaged. Red Fox, dist. by Trafalgar Square. 2011. pap. $11.99. ISBN 978-1-86-230313-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–What Minnie doesn’t know about her gray velvet donkey is that Jonadab has the ability to fly whenever the urge strikes, though he has not done so for a long time. Spending too much time in the toy box and feeling ignored by the child, the stuffed toy decides to fly to the park for an evening outside. He has an exciting adventure with a flight of fairies but when he returns home, he finds the window closed and knows that he wasn’t even missed. His return to the park doesn’t go well, and he sadly spends a cold night under a bench feeling totally rejected. When Rita, a small toy mouse, magically comes to his aid and helps take him back to Minnie, the toy realizes he is loved after all. Colorful illustrations cover half of each page while the text is set off in rectangular boxes highlighted with small black pen-and-ink sketches featuring characters from the tale. Departing from her Alfie and Annie Rose books, Hughes presents a slightly longer magical story of the need to be loved and appreciated. This quiet fantasy will be welcomed by her many fans.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

HUGHES, Vi. Once Upon a Bathtime. illus. by Sima Elizabeth Shefrin. unpaged. CIP. Tradewind. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-896580-54-8. LC C2010-903690-5.
PreS-Gr 1–This picture book is told in simple, elegant verse and illustrated with paper-cut collage artwork. The story follows a child as she takes her bath and engages in imaginative play before bed. All of her toys are fairy-tale focused; there’s Cinderella, Goldilocks, three bears, a frog prince, three pigs, and “a huffing, puffing wolf.” The story flows well and the repetition makes the book ideal for preschoolers. The illustrations are lively and playful as well, with the figures varying in size and scale from page to page. Nothing is exact or consistent, giving the art a naïve, folk-art look and feel. This lovely book may be best suited for one-on-one sharing and close inspection. Many children will relate to these bath rituals and want to share their thoughts while reading.–Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

JONES, Melanie Davis. Balls. illus. by Linda Bronson. 32p. ISBN 978-0-531-26445-4; ISBN 978-0-531-26745-5. LC 2010049905.
ROCKLIFF, Mara. Next to an Ant. illus. by Pascale Constantin. 32p. ISBN 978-0-531-26447-8; ISBN 978-0-531-26747-9. LC 2010049993.
WILSON, Zachary. A Circle in the Sky. illus. by JoAnn Adinolfi. 40p. ISBN 978-0-531-26446-1; ISBN 978-0-531-26746-2. LC 2010049893.
–––– . Number One Puppy. illus. by Paula Pertile. 40p. ISBN 978-0-531-26448-5; ISBN 978-0-531-26748-6. LC 2010049994.
ea vol: (Rookie Ready to Learn: Numbers and Shapes Series). CIP. Children’s Press. 2011. PLB $22. ; pap. $5.95.
PreS-Gr 1–These books support pre- and emerging readers through clear and engaging writing. Jones uses brief text to present action: “Balls roll. Balls spin. Balls knock down bowling pins.” The text leaps to life with Bronson’s boldly colored figures frozen in action against color-saturated backgrounds. Viewers will have to work to interpret the abstract, aerial views of many pages, including a bowling lane whose sides intersect and some characters with heads and limbs akimbo, minimizing the value of these illustrations as textual decoding aids. Ant compares objects of increasing size, ranging from an ant to a berry, a mouse to a glass, and a blond boy to his big-sister narrator. Constantin’s separately developed picnic story takes place in a soft, grassy meadow where an ant reclines on a red raspberry, a mouse darts by, a glass of lemonade spills, and a puppy peers into a wooden picnic basket while mom and dad are in the background. Circle describes a girl who uses shapes to build a rocket ship to fly to the moon. The child exudes confidence and enthusiasm as she adds a rectangle door, circle window, triangle wings, and a square engine to her creation. Readers will enjoy poring over the watercolor, pencil, and gouache illustrations where hard shapes contrast with soft and dappled backgrounds of night skies. In Number One Puppy, a girl and her mother visit the pound to select a pet to take home. The text describes litters of increasing sizes and offers a satisfying ending. Pertile’s colored-pencil drawings present expressive close-ups of people and playful pups to illustrate the text in a joyful manner. Each volume has a statement to congratulate readers upon finishing the book, extension activities, and tips for parents.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

JULES, Jacqueline. Picnic at Camp Shalom. illus. by Deborah Melmon. unpaged. CIP. Lerner/Kar-Ben. 2011. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6661-4; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6662-1. LC 2010027797.
K-Gr 3–At camp, Carly and Sara bond over shared activities and interests. All is well until Sara gets a letter from home that reveals her last name to be “Frankfurter.” She mistakes Carly’s excitement for teasing and avoids her until Carly finds as opportunity to explain that her own last name is “Hamburger.” The girls conclude that while their names may cause teasing at school, at camp they are just what is needed for the weekly picnic. Despite the slightly contrived plot, this is a pleasant friendship story with a strong sense of place. The summer-camp experience is celebrated, from scavenger hunts to water sports to crafts to whispering after lights out. A uniquely Jewish experience is highlighted in the depiction of a dining hall Shabbat. However, the universal theme of the ups and downs of friendship makes the book appealing for children of all backgrounds. The colorful cartoon illustrations are playful and relaxed, warm, and full of humorous detail. The campers all appear to be Caucasian, limiting the book’s inclusiveness for Jews of color. Characters’ mainstream dress style implies non-Orthodox Judaism. A good choice for fans of friendship stories, summer-camp aficionados, and Jewish readers in general.–Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

KAPLAN, Michael B. Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake. illus. by Stéphane Jorisch. unpaged. Dial. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3407-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Betty Bunny is, according to her parents, a handful. This includes being a picky eater. Still, the first time she’s coaxed into trying chocolate cake, it’s love at first bite. She loves it so much, she wants to marry it. She can’t wait for her next piece, which leads to a host of very funny misadventures. This is the tale of a child who needs to learn patience but can’t quite get the hang of it. Kaplan fills the book with exuberance and laugh-out-loud dialogue. The text tends to be wordy and repetitive, though, and the net result is a book that may be too long for its intended audience. This problem is largely alleviated by Jorisch’s adorable watercolor-gouache illustrations, which add loads of kid appeal. Postures, facial expressions, and situations are depicted with skill and humor– and the chocolate cake looks pretty good, too. A fun, surprise ending will leave readers smiling.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

KATZ, Karen. The Babies on the Bus. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt. July 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-9011-6. LC 2010039229.
PreS–“The Wheels on the Bus” gets a facelift with new illustrations and a few new verses focused on babies. Each of the 13 verses is complete on a spread. Bright colors and simple patterns are eye-catching for all, but will have special appeal for babies and toddlers. Katz’s familiar round-faced youngsters of different ethnicities will delight readers (singers), even when “the babies on the bus cry, ‘Waah! Waah! Waah!’” The size and simplicity of the pictures make this an appropriate choice for groups, as well as for one-on-one sharing. The new verses are no more creative than those made up by librarians and children who regularly sing the song, but the illustrations make this a good buy for the youngest audience.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

KIMURA, Ken. 999 Tadpoles. tr. from Japanese. illus. by Yasunari Murakami. unpaged. NorthSouth. June 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4013-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–Kimura chronicles a tale of family teamwork, accompanied by Murakami’s comic art. Mother and Father Frog, proud of their 999 offspring’s energy and growth, lead the youngsters toward a bigger home. En route, they escape a snake, but a hungry hawk grabs Father. Mother, then each tadpole in succession, latches on to create a heavy, winding line that the youngsters enjoy, but the bird can not keep hold, despite his delight in this “year’s supply of frogs.” All of the amphibians fall into a large pond and end with a rousing chorus of “ribbits.” Use this story for comic relief when discussing life cycles or food chains. Murakami’s simple cartoons and panoramic vistas of the journey will also entertain storytimers.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

KORNELL, Max. Bear with Me. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Putnam. 2011. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25257-0. LC 2010023202.
PreS-Gr 1–An unnamed boy tells the story of his parents bringing home an unexpected addition to the family. He says, “I don’t like surprises. Surprises are never as good as you hoped for.” The new arrival is a bear who shares his room, snores all night, breaks his tree swing, and forgets to put the caps on his markers. The child slowly gets to know Gary and learns to appreciate the fun things they can do together. With inventive humor in both the text and the illustrations, this picture book is all about the adjustment to an unexpected sibling. Its sweet message, “Some surprises turn out even better than you hoped for,” will resonate with plenty of youngsters. The pleasant watercolor, ink, and acrylic illustrations are expertly drawn, with an interesting use of outlining, perspectives, and layout. Details like the changing pictures on the walls and the use of panels reflect the progress of the relationship between the boy and bear. This charming offering can be enjoyed even by those whose families are staying just the way they are.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

KREIE, Chris. Who Wants to Play Just for Kicks? illus. by Jorge Santillan. 56p. (Sports Illustrated Kids: Victory School Superstars Series). photos. chron. glossary. Stone Arch. 2011. PLB $25.32. ISBN 978-1-4342-2229-9; pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-1-4342-3079-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-4–Young hockey player Josh and his superstar-athlete friends decide to take a break from their respective sports and play soccer just for fun, learning that it’s not always necessary to be the best. Simple sentences with basic vocabulary and vibrant, cartoon illustrations make this an easy transition book for reluctant readers. The book has the look of a trading card catalogue, starting with a page about Josh and his stats. It ends with a soccer time line and small photographs of real stars. While the ultimate lesson is a bit heavy-handed, the fast-paced story, action-packed art, theme, and little extras will create a following among younger readers. –Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

LAMB, Albert. The Abandoned Lighthouse. illus. by David McPhail. unpaged. CIP. Roaring Brook. June 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-525-4. LC 2009042734.
Gr 1-3–There isn’t a wasted word in this existential gem. Its main character is a mysterious little rowboat that first appears to a bear, who climbs in for a nap. He drifts to the open sea and lands on a little island, an abandoned lighthouse guarding its cliffs. The boat drifts off again and beaches itself near a little boy and his dog who, while fetching an errant ball, are similarly taken off. They, too, land on the island and are befriended by the bear. All are asleep in the lighthouse when the little dog wakes and barks a warning to his companions: a big ship, lost in a storm, is on a collision course with the island’s rocky cliffs. The boy and bear manage the lighthouse light to steer the ship to safety. The next day, the little boat deposits the characters onto their home beaches where they resume their activities; the ship is safe in its harbor; the rowboat is on the waves. McPhail’s pen-and-ink drawings have a dark quality even when depicting sunshine and are a perfect match for Lamb’s spare narrative and purposefully underdeveloped characters. The chapter-book format might attract children for an independent read, but the story is best suited for sharing; its last page is an invitation for children to invent the rowboat’s next adventure and a question begs to be discussed: Is the story a dream or a life lesson?–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

LYNCH, Kelly. Mighty Mike Repairs a Playground. ISBN 978-1-61641-132-9. LC 2010016265.
–––– . Mighty Mike Saves a School Bus. ISBN 978-1-61641-133-6. LC 2010016266.
ea vol: illus. by Casey Lynch. unpaged. (Mighty Mike Series). glossary. CIP. ABDO/Magic Wagon. 2011. PLB $28.50.
K-Gr 2–These additions to the series deliver character-education lessons about being responsible and dependable. In the first story, Mighty Mike finds “sweet little Daisy” on the ground after she falls off a broken slide ladder. He looks around, sees that the whole playground in disrepair, and devotes an entire weekend to fixing all of the equipment. He is so tired that he sleeps through the luncheon held for him in appreciation of his work. In the second book, the heavy-equipment operator uses his smarts to diagnose a broken-down bus in the middle of a rainstorm. Naming engine parts and maintaining a cheerful attitude throughout the trying experience (Mighty Mike doesn’t want to go back in the rain after a long day working in the gooey mud), he demonstrates his reliability. Each book offers some “What Would Mighty Mike Do?” questions for discussion. The bright illustrations and subject matter will probably create some fans for this hero, but the didactic delivery of the texts will turn off many children. Additional purchases where character-education books are in demand.–Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

MCKAY, Sindy. Magic Tricks. illus. by Meredith Johnson. ISBN 978-1-60115-337-1; ISBN 978-1-60115-338-8. LC 2010932589.
ORSHOSKI, Paul. Sports Dream. illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. ISBN 978-1-60115-335-7; ISBN 978-1-60115-336-4. LC 2010932588.
–––– . Talent Night. illus. by Joe Kulka. ISBN 978-1-60115-339-5; ISBN 978-1-60115-340-1. LC 2010932590.
ea vol: 32p. (We Read Phonics Series). Treasure Bay. June 2011. Tr $9.95; pap. $4.99.
K-Gr 3–Each book contains rhyming text written in a large font and engaging illustrations. The front and back matter offers resources for parents on phonics skills to improve their child’s reading development. In addition, the publisher site offers sight word and game materials. In Magic Tricks, readers follow a group of children performing a show for neighborhood friends. The representational illustrations offer many decoding clues to assist early readers, and the tricks are simple enough for children to do on their own. In Sports Dream, a boy envisions himself a superstar, but when he actually tries each sport, he seems to fall a little short. Done with warmhearted, humorous illustrations, this story will grab and keep the attention of most sports fans. In Talent Night, a daring penguin performs tricks and feats like jumping through fire hoops and juggling eggs while standing on one leg as he tries to win the talent show. However, a plot twist occurs when he calls a shy classmate from the audience to assist him, creating a funny fast-paced story that children will enjoy.–Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

MALNOR, Carol L. & Sandy F. Fuller. The Blues Go Extreme Birding. illus. by Louise Schroeder. unpaged. Websites. CIP. Dawn. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-133-4; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-134-1. LC 2010031036.
K-Gr 1–Five little bluebirds travel the world finding candidates to include in their checklist of bird records, such as fastest, slowest, pinkest, and boldest. They are trying to decide which category might best suit their qualifications. Each possibility profiles a breathtaking feat of avian accomplishment. In the end, the Blues decide to become X-treme bird-watchers. This thin story line holds together a variety of random information that might interest children who enjoy knowing record-breaking facts. The watercolor illustrations of birds in their natural environment are pleasant and attractive. However, the bluebirds and their travels seem superimposed on the natural scenes rather than being fully integrated. Also, the authors work too hard to convey each one’s characteristic personality, resulting in a somewhat superficial aspect to the story. Overall, the volume is appropriate for interesting children in unusual birds and perhaps translating that interest into backyard bird-watching. –Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY
MEADOWS, Michelle. Traffic Pups. illus. by Dan Andreasen. unpaged. CIP. S & S. July 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-2485-2. LC 2007037882.
PreS-K–A lively follow-up to Pilot Pups (S & S, 2008). Leaving from a shopping bag left on a bedroom floor, eight stuffed animals travel a town of blocks via toy car, scooter, tow truck, jeep, and motorcycle with sidecar. The traffic-pup cops ticket a drag-racing mouse and frog, catch a red-light-running goose, and assist at a minor highway crash of toys. Finally, it’s time to resume original positions, but since the playthings have gone from being scattered across the floor to being perfectly aligned by type, the young owner’s puzzled look ends the story–to readers’ insider’s glee. Meadows’s rhymes offer plenty of energy for this tale of motion, and Andreasen’s double-page oils have clean lines and block compositions. The eventful scenes will work well for groups, so tell children to “Fasten helmets./Rev it up,” because they’ll enjoy this ride.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

MEDINA, Meg. Tía Isa Wants a Car. illus. by Claudio Muñoz. unpaged. Candlewick. June 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4156-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Tía Isa has a dream. She wants a car, a green one like the sea in her homeland. A vehicle that can take her family to different places, maybe to the beach, which is far from their urban dwelling. The problem is that she has no extra money. Tía Isa works at the bakery, she helps support her young niece, who lives in this country, and her family back home, and her brother scoffs at her notions. Isa is determined, however, to save up and to prove her brother wrong. They will have a car soon she tells her niece, the narrator. Obtaining it becomes the child’s dream as well. As she goes about her days, she finds that people are ready and willing to pay for her help and her Spanish-language skills. Before long, the two find the perfect sea-foam green car. It has no air-conditioning and a bad radio, but it’s just what they need to take everyone to the beach. Done in pencil, ink, and frequently complementary watercolors, this story is a pleasant selection about ambition, resourcefulness, and never letting go of one’s dreams.–Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA

MILLS, Claudia. Fractions = Trouble! illus. by G. Brian Karas. 116p. CIP. Farrar. June 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-374-36716-9. LC 2010008395.
Gr 2-3–In this sequel to 7 x 9 = Trouble! (Farrar, 2002), Wilson is struggling with fractions. When his parents decide to hire a math tutor, the third grader is embarrassed to be the only kid at Hill Elementary to have this extra help. He is determined to make sure nobody finds out, especially his friend Josh. Meanwhile Wilson, his younger brother Kipper, and Josh are all working on their science-fair projects. Wilson’s project involves his pet hamster, Kipper’s tests camping tents, and Josh is trying to figure out at what temperature a pickle explodes. As Wilson starts his math tutoring, he is surprised to find that he is allowed to draw hamsters as a method of learning fractions. Can he pass the fractions test and finish his project? Will keeping his tutoring sessions a secret ruin his friendship with Josh? All ends well as Wilson learns that he isn’t the only student struggling at school. Short chapters and several full-page illustrations make this title perfect for new chapter-book readers. In addition, students having difficulty with math will relate to this lighthearted story.–Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
MOSS, Marissa. Amelia’s BFF. illus. by author. unpaged. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0376-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–In her latest journal, Amelia’s in-town and out-of-town best friends meet for the first time. Jealousy ensues and Amelia is caught in the middle. She wants to enter a school baking competition with both friends but they are determined not to like one another and are now both angry at Amelia. With a handwriting-like font, color doodles, sketches, and thought bubbles, this is an easy read that feels like a chapter in a larger story. Amelia may be in middle school, but her journal is appropriate for the elementary school crowd, and her fans should be satisfied with this offering. For more of Amelia’s story, look for the 20+ journals that came before this one.–Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

MYERS, Laurie. Escape by Night: A Civil War Adventure. illus. by Amy June Bates. 128p. Holt. June 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8825-0. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–A boy and his dog find a wounded soldier’s journal as the man is taken to a makeshift Confederate hospital at the First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA. When 10-year-old Tommy returns it to its owner, Redmon Porter, the two develop an unlikely relationship. Tommy finds Red likable yet mysterious, especially when he begins to read portions of his journal aloud, which include his poetry with lines like, “I only tell the stars above the longing of my soul/To fight till death in early morn/to make a nation whole.” Red’s clothes seem oversized, and his silence with everyone except a slave and Tommy is also confusing. Could he be a Yankee soldier or a spy? This adventure combines intrigue with soul-searching moments as Tommy weighs his options against the values of his Christian teachings by his father, the Reverend McKnight. The succinct and simply written narrative will appeal to reluctant and younger-grade readers while the full-page black-and-white pen-and-ink sketches provide the visual time and epoch setting of the story. –Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

NEWMAN, Vivian. Ella’s Trip to Israel. illus. by Akemi Gutierrez. unpaged. CIP. Lerner/Kar-Ben. 2011. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-6029-2. LC 2009043785.
PreS-K–A young girl travels to Israel with her parents and shares her experiences with her stuffed monkey, Koofi. Together they enjoy mango juice on the plane ride, place a message in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, visit Tel Aviv, taste falafel, swim in the Dead Sea, and milk a cow on a kibbutz. Each time Koofi gets torn, dirty, or spilled on, the Hebrew phrase Eyn ba’aya, meaning “no problem,” is repeated in a larger, pink font. The cartoonlike, gouache illustrations of smiling characters with enlarged oval heads are idyllic and cheerful but don’t capture the sights, sounds, and unique essence of the country. Unfortunately, the bland text also fails to give readers any sense of Israel’s location in the world; the people who live there; the languages spoken; or the country’s customs, religions, rich history, or cultural diversity. Sylvia A. Rouss’s Sammy Spider’s First Trip to Israel (Lerner/Kar-Ben, 2002) and Charlotte Herman’s First Rain (Albert Whitman, 2010) provide more substantial and authentic introductions for young children.–Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

OHRT, Kate. The Rainbow Book. illus. by author. unpaged. Accord. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4494-0171-9. LC 2010932959.
PreS–Children love rainbows, and even though this one includes pink and omits indigo, it effectively articulates the ways that emotions can be evoked and depicted through color. Illustrated with heavy, cut-paper pages in pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet/purple, the story tells how these hues make the narrator feel. Orange is energetic and strong, purple is mysterious and exciting, blue is peaceful. Each page is cut in a different shape (reminiscent of snowflakes), and a kaleidoscopic image appears with the accreted layers. The black background gives the package great visual punch, and in the final collage-style foldout, readers see all the colors as a metaphor for the full range of human emotion. Unfortunately, the author avoids negative feelings like sadness or anger (blue and red, anyone?), effectively invalidating them; in this sense, the title is not a useful instrument to approach a discussion of feelings. The concept will be freshest for a preschool audience and will appeal to their desires for a tactile reading experience along with their lesson.–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PAPP, Lisa. The Town That Fooled the British: A War of 1812 Story. illus. by Robert Papp. unpaged. (Tales of Young Americans Series). CIP. Sleeping Bear. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58536-484-8. LC 2010032867.
K-Gr 2–Determined to destroy the shipbuilding abilities of the new United States, the British fleet is moving up the Maryland coastline, attacking seaside towns. Receiving word that St. Michaels is the next target, the local militia mobilizes, including young Henry’s father. Once his mother and sister are settled and in hiding, the child convinces his mother to allow him to take lanterns to his father on the front. It is then that he comes up with the idea to hang many lanterns high in the trees. With the town enshrouded in heavy fog and rain, the canons aim for the lights and miss hitting St. Michaels’s homes and businesses. The uneven text includes plenty of sound effects, but the choppy sentence structure detracts from the drama. Robert Papp uses light in the illustrations to highlight his figures and make them almost glow. The striking illumination is appropriate for a story in which the lights themselves help save the town. The artist effectively captures the urgency and determination of his characters even in the dim night scenes. Not a high priority purchase for every library, but this book will be of interest to children who live near or visit St. Michaels.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

PERLMAN, Willa. Good Night, World. illus. by Carolyn Fisher. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Beach Lane Bks. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0197-4. LC 2009053078.
PreS-K–Good Night Moon (Harper, 1947) goes global in this lovely ode to the world. A child getting ready for bed bids good night to everything he knows about. Starting large with the sun and the stars, he includes Earth’s deserts, mountains, oceans, and animals, and then narrows in on his neighborhood, family, and friends. The evocative rhyme scans perfectly: “Turning Earth, good night to you./Good night, deserts pink and blue./Good night mountains capped in white./Ocean’s breaking waves, good night.” Each verse is grandly illustrated with a large, double-page painting. Fisher’s multicolored, textured drawings match the expansive tone of the book with a wide palette of swirling colors and layered details. Children will love poring over the lush pictures in this gentle nighttime lullaby.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PRIMAVERA, Elise. Louise the Big Cheese and the Back-to-School Smarty-Pants. illus. by Diane Goode. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Paula Wiseman Bks. July 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0600-1. LC 2010018488.
K-Gr 2–In her latest adventure, Louise Cheese takes an academic turn as she begins second grade. Inspired by her older sister, Penelope, she decides that she can become a Big Cheese not by acting or wearing sparkly shoes but by being a straight-A student. “If she could get straight As, everybody would want to be her friend. She would probably even get to skip a grade–two grades–three grades! She would probably be promoted to college!” Alas, Louise’s new teacher turns out to be a demanding taskmistress–and a stingy giver of As. When the no-nonsense woman is briefly replaced by a laissez-faire sub, Miss Sprinkles, Louise finally earns her coveted A–but so do all her classmates. Upon Mrs. Pearl’s return, Louise receives her first report card and begins to appreciate the value of her teacher’s Bs. With its snappy pace, numerous characters (including a talking dog), and narrative text alternating with dialogue balloons, this tale would work well as a dramatic read-aloud by an adult and/or several children. Watercolor and black-line illustrations energetically depict the irrepressible Louise and host of supporting characters; the scenes representing the child’s imagination are especially funny. Comiclike endpapers depict female big-cheese and little-cheese smarty-pants, both real and fictitious, and underscore the importance of striving for one’s personal best at any age.–Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

ROBEY, Katharine Crawford. Where’s the Party? illus. by Kate Endle. unpaged. bibliog. glossary. CIP. Charlesbridge. July 2011. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-268-1; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-269-8; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-315-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Kate wakes up to a robin’s song and a cardinal whistling,“Par-ty!” Grabbing her basket, she follows the calls of a titmouse, meadowlark, yellowthroat, oriole, bluebird, blue heron, and killdeer until she discovers a pair of mallards and their babies. She gives them a present of wild strawberries gathered along the way to celebrate the ducklings’ one-week birthday but wisely heeds Mother Duck’s warning not to touch them. Realizing the party is over, she returns home to join her parents for a breakfast of toast and wild jam. Robey’s inquisitive heroine clearly appreciates nature as she looks for clues for what the party is about and where it is located. Endle’s realistical collages set the birds against speckled and printed backgrounds and focus attention on the different types of wildlife mentioned in the story. A glossary of the 10 birds mentioned gives more information for budding bird-watchers. A pleasant additional purchase for young nature lovers.–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

ROCKWELL, Anne. Apples and Pumpkins. illus. by Lizzy Rockwell. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Aladdin. July 2011. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0350-5. LC 2009035317.
PreS–This mother-daughter team’s classic title (1989) has new cover art that punches up the fall colors, adds a chicken, and features apples and pumpkins in the foreground. The text’s typeface has changed, but everything else is kept in its original perfection so that yet another generation of youngsters will celebrate autumn, from orchard visits to trick-or-treating.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

ROODE, Daniel. Little Bea. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-199392-3. LC 2009053681.
PreS–This slight story lacks a narrative thread, and the cloying, greeting-card art fares no better. A bee gets up in the morning and has a series of random interactions with other animals, who are delighted to see her. Eventually, evening arrives, the Moon comes up, and Little Bea goes to sleep. “Good night, Little Bea. Bzz. Bzz. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.” The encounters with each animal appear page by page with no transition from one to the next, and children are likely to be lost as Little Bea jumps from one episode to the next with no apparent reason. Readers have the sense of looking through someone’s snapshots with no one to explain why the pictures are meaningful. The computer-enhanced full-bleed art stylistically marries greeting cards with cartoons. All of the characters are cutesy stuffed-animal look-alikes. Libraries are filled with wonderful picture books on character interactions and their small adventures. Save room for more good ones, and pass on this offering.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

ROSENTHAL, Amy Krouse. Al Pha’s Bet. illus. by Delphine Durand. unpaged. Putnam. 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24601-2. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–This unimaginative fantasy about the invention of the alphabet seems to be a clear case of the title having been written before the story. Quotidian and episodic, the tale is mostly filler to cover 26 letters worth of alphabetical organization. “A long time ago,” a king of an unnamed country decides that the newly invented letters need to be organized. A man named Al Pha – as one would have already guessed – makes a bet with himself that he can put the letters in some kind of order. He then proceeds to do this, with all 26 decisions inspired by random occurrences happening around him. When a bee flies by, he says, “‘Hey, that’s it. A. B. Thanks, bee!’ “ Later Al is hungry and eats an apple. “‘Mmmm. Delicious.’ All that mmmming led to the next letter.” Readers who somehow make it past the awkward title and overhyped premise of Al’s unintimidating quest will be bored long before he completes it. Durand’s cheerful squat figures, stylized plant life, and inventive forest creatures add some interest, but each busy page is as lacking in a focal point as the meandering story. –Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

RUBBINO, Salvatore. A Walk in London. illus. by author. 40p. CIP. Candlewick. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5272-2. LC 2010038769.
PreS-Gr 3–Rubbino’s follow-up to A Walk in New York (Candlewick, 2009) is jam-packed with sights, sounds, and facts–much like a full-day of sightseeing in London. The narrative is from the point of view of a child, most helpfully told in a bold font, as she relates the journey she and her mother take from Westminster (also known as Central London) into The City (olde London) and back again. The story focuses on details that will interest young children, such as sitting on the lions in Trafalgar Square, talking to pelicans in St. James’s Park, or trying to lift a bar of gold at the Bank of England. Trivia of a more general nature is scattered throughout, filling readers in on historical details and quirky facts. In this way, Rubbino connects the wide-eyed visitor to readers who might be hoping to learn a thing or two from the book. And considering there is so much going on in these pages, the layout manages to engage readers without overwhelming them. The mixed-media illustrations have a retro look that enhances the many iconic symbols of this city: Beefeaters, red double-decker buses, Underground signs, the London Eye. The end pages are particularly attractive; at the front there’s a map of the journey that the child and her mother will take. Upon closing the book that map has been supplemented by ticket stubs, coins, and an index that retraces their steps. This is an Anglophile’s delight and a fantastic introduction to the city.–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

SALZANO, Tammi. One Little Blueberry. illus. by Kat Whelan. unpaged. Tiger Tales. 2011. Tr $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58925-859-4. LC number unavailable.
PreS–”One little blueberry fell onto the ground.” This event sends nine different kinds of bugs chasing after the shiny, tasty treat, but a bluebird dives down to retrieve the “yummy prize” before any of the insects can get a taste. Children will enjoy the rhyming and shiny laminated accents in the illustrations and the classic counting-book style. The heavy cardstock pages make the book easy to manipulate for the targeted audience. This is an average offering, but the ending will delight toddlers.–Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

SANDALL, Ellie. Birdsong. illus. by author. unpaged. Egmont USA. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60684-193-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS–A clutch of birds perches on a tree, all piping their various songs in this cumulative picture book. Each song, from “Chucka/chucka/weet/weet/weet” to “Kitcha/kitcha/kee/kee/kee,” will certainly inspire repetition and participation. When the biggest bird lands on the branch and scares the others off with his loud “Keeyaaaaaaaa!,” however, the peace (and quiet) is threatened. The arrival of a tiny butterfly causes the branch to break, teaching the big bully a lesson. Though storytime participants will likely enjoy the bright illustrations and the opportunity to tweet along, the message is not as profound as the book seems to think it is, and the story itself is rather thin.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

SAZAKLIS, John. Royal Rodent Rescue. ISBN 978-1-4048-6307-1; ISBN 978-1-4048-6622-5.
STEPHENS, Sarah Hines. Midway Monkey Madness. ISBN 978-1-4048-6305-7; ISBN 978-1-4048-6619-5.
ea vol: illus. by Art Baltazar. 56p. (DC Super Pets! Series). glossary. Picture Window. 2011. PLB $22.65; pap. $4.95. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-4–It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a super-pet? Yes, the pets of the DC superhero universe have their own new series. Featuring Baltazar’s bright, graphic cartoons, these books are great additions for the early-chapter-book set. In the first book, Streaky the Super-Cat saves Queen Markela of Kardamyla’s pet hamster, Prince Zouli, from the clutches of the evil cat, Rozz. In the second, Beppo the Super-Monkey battles Gorilla Grodd when Bazooka’s Carnival comes to Metropolis. A day of fun turns into a nightmare when the evil ape starts opening cages, freeing wild beasts and terrorizing humans. Beppo saves the day, aided by the Wonder Twins, Jayna and Zan, and Gleek, their space chimp. Both books are full of action, including colorful graphics within the text, reminiscent of the old live-action Batman TV show. Each title has a colorful spread in the heat of the action. Solid introductions to comic-book-style writing.–Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN

SCHNEIDER, Josh. Tales for Very Picky Eaters. illus. by author. 48p. CIP. Clarion. 2011. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-547-14956-1. LC 2010024767.
Gr 1-3–James is a very picky eater, but after hearing his father’s alternatives, he reconsiders. Dad’s choices are outrageous and will have children laughing and turning the pages. In the first of five, “The Tale of the Disgusting Broccoli,” it’s either eat the broccoli or eat dirt “walked on by the most skilled chefs”; “fine gum, carefully chewed”; or a “very sweaty sock.” In another tale, James eats mushroom lasagna that “smells funny” because he doesn’t want the troll that lives in the basement to lose his job as cook. The sophisticated yet silly humor will appeal to new readers wanting something a little different. The comical illustrations are done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil and are surrounded by plenty of white space. A perfect segue into chapter books, this easy reader is sure to be a crowd pleaser.–Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

SHEA, Susan A. Do You Know Which One Will Grow? illus. by Tom Slaughter. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-062-7. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–This standout concept book is engaging, fun, and interactive. It begins by explaining that, “Some things grow/like you and me./Others stay the way/they’re made./Until they crack, or rust,/or fade.” Simple, spare rhyming text flows smoothly with illustrations that follow on pages that include die cuts and flaps; “If a kitten grows,/becomes a cat ,/can a cap grow and become… a hat ?” The answers are provided at the end. Layers of painted paper collage are done in a brightly colored palette, including end pages with bold paintbrush stripes in primary and secondary colors. White space is creatively used, but the flaps and die cuts steal the show. For example, the spread featuring snakes in saturated black, yellow, and green pops on the white background. A pickup truck grows to be a rig when the flap is opened. The flatbed becomes the trailer enhanced with a pattern that resembles the American flag. Readers will be challenged by the questions and some unusual words for the names of a few baby animals: a kit, an owlet, a kid, and a joey. This clever title begs for multiple readings and will be a favorite in storytimes or in one-on-one settings. Spot-on. –Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ

SIERRA, Judy. We Love Our School!: A Read-Together Rebus Story. illus. by Linda Davick. unpaged. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. June 2011. Tr $7.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86728-6; PLB $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96728-3. LC 2009039581.
PreS-K–This is a simple but thoroughly charming little gem of a book. While the story line covers no new ground–four animals enjoy typical school activities–the presentation raises it to the next level. For one thing, Sierra has told the tale in effortless rhyme. For another, the rebus format makes it a perfect lap-sit choice with a parent or caregiver reading the words and a child “reading” the easily decipherable pictures. The illustrations have a flat quality and appear to be digitally done, but they are bright and cheerful and should have considerable appeal for the new-to-school set. Not an essential purchase, but an appealing addition to any collection.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

SINGER, Marilyn. What Is Your Dog Doing? illus. by Kathleen Habbley. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. June 2011. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7931-9. LC 2010016351.
PreS-Gr 1–This imaginative rhyming story shows myriad behaviors that a dog might engage in. Some are simply two-word phrases such as “dog dreaming,/dog scheming,/… dog sharing,/dog daring,” while others are longer lines, such as “Dog that works the circus tent/Dog that’s with the president.” Each phrase has its own page with an apt illustration depicting the action. Habbley portrays a wide array of breeds in a plethora of locations from kitchen to sidecar to red carpet to vet’s office and everywhere in between. The last illustration is of a child reading a book to his dog while the text asks, “Tell me, what is your dog doing?” This fun look at canine activities will be a hit with dog people, cat people, and all people at storytime or anytime.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
SMITH, Michael. Thomas the T. Rex: The Journey of a Young Dinosaur to Los Angeles. illus. by Gayle Garner Roski. 44p. photos. CIP. East West Discovery. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-9821675-3-3. LC 2010040139.
Gr 3-5–Cousins Thomas and Rita love dinosaurs, and they enjoy meeting at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Junior Scientist Club. While the members are on a field trip to the Montana badlands, Thomas discovers a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. It takes three summers to excavate and six years to reconstruct the dinosaur, and when all the work is completed, the skeleton becomes the focal point of the new dinosaur gallery since it is one of the most complete ones ever discovered. The text is full of facts about paleontology and digs, and the book ends with photographs and facts about the discovery. Unfortunately, the illustrations of the people are stiff and awkwardly rendered. A map has incorrect information, showing that the trip home goes through Idaho instead of Wyoming as the text states. At the end of the book, nine years have passed, but the children still look the same as at the beginning of the story. The tale of finding Thomas the T. rex is worth reading; the illustrations are disappointing.–Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN

SOUZA, Claudia. Princess to the Rescue. illus. by Christelle Ammirati. unpaged. Second Story, dist. by Orca. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-897187-93-7. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–In this turnabout fairy tale, a princess saves princes who were turned into frogs, kidnapped by an ogre, locked in a dungeon, or buried in a cave. But her greatest challenge comes when a prince is trapped in a jewelry box in a castle, surrounded by snakes, dragons, and hideous monsters. The quick-witted royal manages to reach the lad, who falls instantly in love with her. The princess tricks a monster that has discovered her, escapes the castle, and frees her beloved. The end. Confusing narration, awkward artwork, and a lackluster story line plague this fractured fairy tale. The color-saturated cartoon illustrations are unremarkable, and the ending is unsatisfying. Instead choose Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess or Cornelia Funke’s Igraine the Brave (Scholastic, 2007). –C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

STANLEY, Malaika Rose. Baby Ruby Bawled. illus. by Ken Wilson-Max. unpaged. Tamarind, dist. by IPG. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-84-853017-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Theo’s baby sister cries and cries whenever it is time to go to sleep. Dad tries soothing Ruby with a bath, Mum feeds her, Nana takes her for a ride in the car, Grandad carries her around in the baby backpack, and Uncle Clyde pushes her in the buggy. Nothing works until Theo sings her a lullaby. Soon, Ruby is calm and quiet and the rest of the family is fast asleep. Bright, bold painterly illustrations, sharply outlined in black, beautifully depict the love, and frustration, of this mixed-race family. Anyone who has ever struggled to get a fussy baby to sleep will relate to this British import, and the ending will give older siblings a sense of pride and empowerment.–Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

STEAD, Philip Christian. Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-562-9. LC 2010012952.
K-Gr 3–When Jonathan learns that his parents have traded his stuffed bear for a toaster, he seeks solace at the wharf where he and Frederick have spent happy hours viewing a big blue boat. In a flash of inspiration, Jonathan decides to take the retired vessel on a voyage, around the world if necessary, to find his bear. Several animals join him: a goat who frees the boat marooned overnight atop a mountain, an elephant retired from the circus, and a whale that saves the sinking ship after it is fired upon by pirates. They eventually arrive at a pawnshop where they find the girl who now owns Frederick, and she and the bear also come aboard. Youngsters will enjoy repeating the sentence that announces each traveler’s addition to the expedition: “And that is how ___ came to sail the sea on a Big Blue Boat.” And they will especially relish poring over the collage, acrylic, and ink artwork. Sepia-colored vignettes alternate with large illustrations that incorporate maps, stamps from distant places, postcards, and marine signals. Stead skillfully employs color to reflect Jonathan’s mood: an initial bright sky when the boy and Frederick are together, growing darkness as he sets off alone, and a final scene in which an orange-bright “globe” sun beams its rays on the reunited travelers. A gentle tale heralding imagination’s triumph over disappointment.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

THOMAS, Jan. Pumpkin Trouble. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Aug. 2011. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-169284-0. LC 2010007029.
PreS-K–Duck happens upon a pumpkin and decides to turn it into a jack-o’-lantern to surprise Pig and Mouse. He falls into the pumpkin, gets it stuck on his head, and goes in search of his friends to help him extricate himself. When he finds them, they think he is a pumpkin monster and run away. Duck crashes into the barn, smashing the pumpkin and leading his pals to believe that he has vanquished the monster. Duck makes a second jack-o’-lantern to celebrate and again ends up trapped inside. The plot is thin and the writing pedestrian. The computer-generated illustrations are flat and uninteresting. With so many wonderful stories featuring pumpkins, this one is a marginal purchase.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

THOMAS, Shelley Moore. A Good Knight’s Rest. illus. by Jennifer Plecas. unpaged. Dutton. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42195-5. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–The Good Knight, worn out from performing heroic deeds, is given a few days to get away and rest. Unfortunately he takes along his little dragon friends who, like any youngsters on vacation, need frequent stops and lots of attention. Instead of the anticipated nap by the peaceful stream, the peaceful meadow, and the peaceful mountain, the Good Knight must attend to the many needs of the little dragons. They listen at last when he shouts, “I want to REST! I want to RELAX! I NEED a BREAK!” Letting the knight sleep atop the wagon, they drive his long-suffering horse back to their quiet, peaceful cave. There they make him a simple meal, massage his tired feet, and kiss him good night. The cartoon-style illustrations are done in watercolors and ink, perfectly capturing the weariness of the Good Knight and the antics of his friends. With a larger trim size and more extensive vocabulary than earlier easy-to-read titles in this series, this well-told tale is a good choice for listeners and early readers alike. The Good Knight’s newest adventure has broad appeal.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
TILLMAN, Nancy. Tumford the Terrible. illus. by author. unpaged. Feiwel & Friends. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-36840-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Tumford the cat can’t bring himself to apologize after he breaks dishes, tramples the garden, or knocks over paint cans. He chokes on the words, “I’m sorry,” and hides to avoid saying them to his kind owners. The elderly couple love Tummy anyway. In fact, they even take him to a fair after he promises to apologize for any mess he might make. There he knocks a dish of kippers on the Village Fair Queen and hides until he realizes that saying “sorry” might make the Stoutts proud and happy. The entire crowd cheers his apology. The artwork, done in collage and paint, includes varying amounts of detail and white space, but all feature the feline. Sometimes Tumford moves about like other black-and-white cats, but in other illustrations, he strides upright wearing yellow rubber boots. Other characters are secondary, as they probably are in Tummy’s self-centered universe. The rhymed couplets reinforce the same message Tillman included in earlier books: no matter what a child (or cat) does, unconditional love prevails. Those who prefer a less cloying and more nuanced look at learning to apologize might consider Samantha Berger’s Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry! (Little, Brown, 2009). Collections in which Tillman’s previous works circulate might want this title, but others can probably pass.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

TORREY, Richard. Because. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-156173-3. LC 2010010510.
PreS-Gr 1–Young Jack promises to show examples of why “because” is a “real answer.” Amusing drawings and the boy’s single-sentence clarifications for questionable behavior justify why cereal is spread across the floor, why the dog is in time-out, and why boy and dog are covered in strawberry icing. Readers don’t truly learn why Jack is swathed in Band-Aids, but Torrey skillfully counterpoints scenes such as the child relinquishing his teddy and blanket, then reclaiming the toy “Because he needs me.” The final “because” effectively wraps up the tale, as Jack gently embraces his tethered tail-wagging pooch: “Because sometimes I have to play with my other friends.” Torrey paints scenes of a suburban family with a fully stocked kitchen and toy chest, a beach vacation, and an iPod. The story will allow youngsters to recall fondly their own “because” moments.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
VAN CAMP,
Katie. CookieBot!: A Harry and Horsie Adventure. illus. by Lincoln Agnew. unpaged. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-197445-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–The boy and his toy horse are back, and this time they set out to rectify what is obviously a mistake. For some unknown reason, Mom has placed the cookie jar out of reach. The only solution is to build a giant robot to retrieve the treats for them. CookieBot gets the cookies all right, but then takes off through the streets in search of more, and Harry realizes that he forgot to give the robot an off switch. Quick thinking by Horsie saves the day in this satisfying adventure. Agnew’s digitally done illustrations, in a palette of blues, beige, and gold highlighted by splashes of red, lend a retro feel, and the expressions of the characters match the light and humorous tone of the text.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

VERNICK, Audrey. Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums. illus. by Daniel Jennewein. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins/Balzer & Bray. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-176253-6. LC 2010007478.
PreS-Gr 2–Vernick and Jennewein are known for giving advice to young buffalo owners, and in this follow-up to Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? (HarperCollins, 2010), the animal’s owner is going to help him become a drummer, even if she has to tie the drumsticks to his hooves and build him a soundproof room in which to practice. The child applauds his early successes and encourages him to join the school band. The text asks questions that will help identify an interest in drum playing in buffalos. “Has your buffalo always loved music?” “How’s his rhythm?” Several small pictures appear on most pages, surrounded by ample white space, showing the huge animal trying to engage in human activities like skateboarding and showering, resulting in some very funny scenarios. His expressions are priceless as he attempts to sit on a stool or hold drumsticks. By the end of the book, concerns about excess noise in the house and time management issues have been addressed and the creature is ready to begin his first concert, but not as a drummer as expected. It appears this buffalo has a short attention span, and a curiosity about juggling.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

VIVA, Frank. Along a Long Road. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Little, Brown. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-316-12925-1. LC 2010019751.
PreS-K–The old adage that the journey is more important than the destination is whimsically demonstrated in this picture book. The illustrations were created as a continuous 35-foot-long piece of art using Adobe Illustrator, a fun fact tucked away in the front matter. Kids won’t be able to resist tracing a finger along the featured bicyclist’s route, shown in relief with glossy ink and running page to page and onto the covers without interruption. The bike rider winds his way through the countryside and the city, all created in a style reminiscent of 1950s-era graphic art. Readers may want to put on the brakes for just a moment to enjoy searching out smaller details, such as a whale’s tail and a minuscule passenger on a Ferris wheel. The sophisticated palette–black, cream, rust red, slate blue, and burnished gold–is unusual in children’s books and is another feature that makes this title a stand-out. The text is minimal, subtly reinforcing the action. This outstanding visual treat about the open road will inspire readers, whether on three wheels or two, to pedal faster and farther. –Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

WAHMAN, Wendy. A Cat Like That. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Holt. June 2011. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8942-4. LC 2010026952.
PreS-Gr 2–In a story that doubles as a barely disguised primer on the dos and don’ts of handling a cat, a winsome but finicky feline lists all of the things he wants and does not want from a best friend: privacy when using the litter box–good; shouting in his ear–bad; an ability to read tails–excellent; dropping him to see if he lands on his feet–don’t even try it. Fortunately, this feline narrator is confident that the reader is just the sort of person he’d want for a best friend, because he finishes with, “If I could pick a best friend in the whole wide world…I would pick YOU!” The artwork, created with Photoshop, has a Fauvist look about it. Wild colors and fluid lines capture the essence of being a cat without any bearing to the way felines or their environments look naturally; one illustration of the animal cleaning himself is in shades of blue and looks as if it had been created with a nod to Matisse. The dynamic artwork and playful prose make this an appealing book to share individually with a prospective cat owner or in a cat-themed storytime.–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

WALKER, Anna. I Love to Dance. CIP. June. ISBN 978-1-4169-8323-1. LC 2010018987.
–––– . I Love to Sing. CIP. June. ISBN 978-1-4169-8322-8. LC 2010018986.
–––– . I Love Vacations. ISBN 978-1-4169-8321-7. LC number unavailable.
ea vol: illus. by author. unpaged. S & S. 2011. RTE $9.99.
PreS-K–Ollie, an adorable zebra with soft gray stripes, returns in these titles. He loves to dance loudly as well as quietly, and to shake his “wobbly belly.” He loves to sing anywhere: on the stairs, in the bathtub with a cup of tea, in the lemon tree. On vacation, Ollie eats ice cream, loves “sandy sandwiches,” listens to owls hooting, and goes sailing. And whatever he does, his best buddy, Fred, a dog wearing a red collar, is along for the fun. With plenty of repetition and sight words, Walker makes good use of rhyme. The colored-ink illustrations are set against ample white space and give the book an airy feel. The story lines are simple enough for toddlers to understand, and the books will also appeal to budding readers.–Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

WARGIN, Kathy-jo. F Is for Fireflies: God’s Summertime Alphabet. illus. by Linda Bronson. unpaged. CIP. Zonderkidz. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71663-1. LC 2008044102.
PreS-K–Summer holds magic, especially for children, and this alphabet book takes some of that season’s beloved symbols and associates them with a metaphor for God’s love and bounty. “He made the fireflies/light up the night,/a flash and a flicker–/his love is so bright.” Most of the couplets have a bouncy rhythm, and many of Wargin’s choices will indeed remind children of summer: daisies, ladybugs, picnics, swimming, etc. However, the word associations for some letters are haphazard and general, e.g., “O is for Owl.” Bronson’s vivid, loose paintings capture the season well. In a crowded field, this is an additional alphabet book.–Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

WELLS, Rosemary. Max & Ruby’s Bedtime Book. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Viking. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01141-4. LC 2009049441.
PreS-Gr 1–When Grandma reads a bedtime story to her grandchildren, one story morphs into three dynamic tales, each starring these irresistible rabbit siblings. The ever-helpful, yet exasperating Max tries to assert his independence with humorous results. In “Ruby’s Restaurant,” he tries desperately to include himself in the imaginative dinner his sister and her friend prepare, though he is halted at every opportunity. Max’s persistence reveals a child-centered perspective as he concocts a positively gross creation of chocolate mousse for dessert (combining dirt, shampoo, and bird-seed shavings) to his accepting grandmother’s loving satisfaction. Max’s heroism shines in “Splish Splash” when he saves his friend Lily’s dolly from the lake’s disastrous depths and reaps a refreshing reward, a savory cherry-lemon-lime rainbow pop. In “Max Goes to School,” Max and Lily refuse to attend playschool and sit idly in their toy airplane, much to their older sisters’ dismay. With the girls lending a helping hand, Max and his friend experience the best of both worlds–school in their airplane. Punchy dialogue serves this inviting and oversized layout well; light pastel spreads suit each whimsical story line and its sweetly realized conclusion. A solid selection particularly for those already enamored by this lovable bunny duo.–Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

WILD, Margaret. Hush, Hush! illus. by Bridget Strevens-Marzo. unpaged. Little Hare, dist. by Trafalgar Square. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-92-127286-8. LC number unavailable.
PreS-K–Because he is not yet sleepy, Baby Hippo takes a walk through the jungle. He hears a constant “Hush, hush!” as the parents of the other animals gently encourage them to settle down. Of course, the Hippo’s journey makes him very tired, and soon he snuggles up with his mother. The large illustrations, saturated with color, are soothing, simple, and sweet, and the story is gentle and comforting. But with so many bedtime stories available, this appealing book by the team who created Kiss, Kiss! (S & S, 2004) may be an additional purchase.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

WOODROW, Allan. The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless. Bk. 1. illus. by Aaron Blecha. 140p. HarperCollins. 2011. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-200587-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-5–Ten-year-old Zachary Ruthless’s parents are nice, really nice. When they learn that there are bad influences in town, they decide to send their son away to Sister Celia’s School for Good Samaritans for the summer. Little do they know that Zachary is the mastermind behind the evil pranks happening in Plentyville, and he goes to great lengths to get accepted into the Society of Utterly Rotten, Beastly, Loathsome, Lawbreaking Scoundrels, otherwise known as SOURBALLS. The black-and-white cartoon drawings help the story along, as when Zachary opens a box of goodies that he has ordered from evilbadguystuff.com. Zachary’s antics are a little over-the-top, the irony may be lost on younger readers, and some of the vocabulary is a little advanced for its intended audience. However, fans of Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” series (Scholastic) will probably enjoy it. It meets the “gross” requirement with bugs, snakes, barf, and zombies. An additional purchase for those looking for series chapter books.–Tammy DiBartolo, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA
YAMASHITA, Haruo. Seven Little Mice Go to School. tr. from Japanese by Missy Debs & Masako Irie. illus. by Kazuo Iwamura. unpaged. NorthSouth. July 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7358-4012-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Mama Mouse has seven little mice who are about to start school. Even though she has outfitted them in new hats, shoes, and book bags, the septuplets are reluctant to go. They worry that school is too far away, they will be too sleepy, there will be bullies, or they might encounter a snake on the way. Clever Mama gets an idea. The night before the big day she takes two blue balls of yarn and makes a path through the forest all the way to school. The next morning she announces, “All aboard! The train for school is leaving now!” and makes her way on the path. The children eagerly pick up on the game and follow along, holding on to one another’s tails. When the Mouse Train goes through a tunnel, Mama Mouse and the children encounter a snake. It is as surprised as the mice and slithers away in fright. By now, many more mice youngsters have joined the train and Mama marches everyone off to school. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the story. The mice are all individualized with gently humorous details and the palette is appropriate for the woodland setting. The scene in the tunnel with the snake is dark and ominous. This clever take on the afraid-to-go-to-school theme should have broad appeal.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

YOLEN, Jane. Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters: A Lullaby. illus. by Kelly Murphy. unpaged. Candlewick. July 2011. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4201-3. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 1–A whimsical bedtime story to share again and again. Yolen’s rhythmic, sometimes repetitive verse is perfectly matched by Murphy’s double-page illustrations. Children will enjoy the contrast of a familiar routine with a cast of bright-eyed and animated monsters. After making their way home from school, two monster children eat dinner, play inside, bathe, pray, and go to bed, reluctantly at first. However, their attempts to keep each other awake with funny noises and silly games eventually prove futile. Through the text and pictures, the mundane machinations are brought to life with humorous and charming details. Background colors fade from light to dark as the sun goes down, and the light at home is less bright but warmer than that of the sun. Descriptions grow shorter and more specific until the only words are the noises the youngsters make as they go to sleep. As monster stories go, this one is ultimately more sweet than scary. Pair it with James Otis Thach’s The Tickle Monster Is Coming (Bloomsbury, 2008) for a storyhour or recommend it as a bedtime book. A first choice for any library serving sweet, silly little monsters.–Heather Talty, Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

ZENZ, Aaron. Chuckling Ducklings and Baby Animal Friends. illus. by author. unpaged. Walker. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-2191-4; RTE $16.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-2192-1. LC number unavailable.
PreS–Large toddler-friendly illustrations and rhyming text picture and name 54 baby animals ranging from the familiar (puppy, kitten, fawn) to the unfamiliar (cria, eyas, puggle). However, despite the large variety of creatures, there is an uncanny similarity among them. Rounded square faces, each with a humanlike countenance, smile at readers. On one spread, the goat kid and the human “kid” look amazingly alike. Other animals are even more difficult to discern one from another. A helpful pictorial spread at the conclusion of the book identifies each animal and matches it to its baby name. Although the artistic style doesn’t lend itself to scientific identification, children will find the colored pencil drawings likable. The verse moves readers from page to page with just enough text to keep young listeners happy.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

ZIA, F. Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji. illus. by Ken Min. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Lee & Low. 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-443-0. LC 2010034694.
PreS-Gr 3–This debut for both author and illustrator is a winning story of family traditions as well as a rollicking tall tale. When his Indian grandparents come to stay, young Aneel begs Dada-ji for a story. The old man obliges, regaling the child with an episode in which he ate his great-grandmother’s famous roti–the unleavened bread that villagers “trampled tall fields and swam angry rivers to sniff.” Apparently the delicacy endowed him with the power of a tiger, and he could wrestle snorting water buffalo and twist cobras into knots. Zia has an ear for the storyteller’s cadence. She creates lyrical lines for the framing narrative and then alters her voice, animating the interior story with exaggeration and exclamations. Min’s style is dynamic; he borrows a variety of techniques from graphic novels to delineate time and place and to focus attention. From inset boxes and monochromatic background figures to silhouettes and sequential panels, the effect is exciting and fresh. As Aneel stands on his head in imitation of his grandfather, the room tilts and smoke from the burning incense spreads across the page, carrying light green colored-pencil sketches of the “wheat fields and swaying coconut palms” of the elders’ village. This contrasts with the bold colors of the boy’s modern living room, rendered in acrylics. Inspired by the story, Aneel starts mixing ingredients. Boy and man chomp and chew. Do the roti still do the trick? Hunh-ji! Yes, Sir!–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

ZIEFERT, Harriet. Grandma’s Wedding Album. illus. by Karla Gudeon. unpaged. Blue Apple. 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-60905-058-0. LC number unavailable.
PreS-Gr 2–Michael and Emily are trying on their grandparents’ wedding clothes in the attic. Grandma asks, “Would you like to see the real bride and groom?” The children gather round her as she tells them the love story between her and Poppy while looking at the album. It begins with how they met and takes the children through the steps and traditions of a wedding. The illustrations are colorful and full of detail. The faces of the characters display joyful expressions, and the details on Grandma’s dress are exquisite. Children can lift the flap of the wedding invitation for an added bit of fun. The last few pages are full of wedding traditions from around the world.–Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

Nonfiction

ARNOSKY, Jim. At This Very Moment. illus. by author. unpaged. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42252-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-3–Moment by moment, as children brush their teeth in the morning, take a drink at the school water fountain, or slip into sleep at night, Arnosky’s rhythmic text reminds them of small happenings in the natural world. Pelicans fly “home” to roost, an 11-point buck sips from a forest pool, and an elf owl peers from its home in a saguaro. Arnosky’s signature dramatic, realistic artwork keeps perfect step with the simple words. An author’s note casts a personal glimpse over all, with the author explaining that the finback whale “rose in the Atlantic Ocean on a foggy Maine afternoon,” and the roaring lion is “in my dreams,” while the raccoons are “in my woodshed.” An eye-catching, serendipitous global tour for young imaginations.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

BARRAGER, Brigette, retel. Twelve Dancing Princesses. illus. by reteller. unpaged. CIP. Chronicle. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-7696-4. LC 2010011580.
K-Gr 3–The traditional tale of the enchanted princesses who dance the night away plays out as ballet in this sprightly telling. Barrager adds a bit of detail and nuance to the familiar plot, naming the girls after blooms in the garden–Rose, Iris, Daisy, Tulip. “Each one was lovelier than the flower she was named for.” The digital depictions render the girls as flat figures with large, cartoon-style eyes, but they waft lightly across the royal lawn, their petal-shaped skirts all in pretty colors. Readers quickly learn that they are a droopy, sleepy lot most of their days, and the text offers a hint of things to come in the figure of the shoemaker. He mends the royal shoes, eventually solves the mystery of the enchanted nights, and wins the hand of his favorite princess, the red-haired Poppy. “Poppy really liked Pip, too, but she just couldn’t keep her eyes open long enough to say so.” With art resembling that of animated film and several graceful dance scenes, this story could easily be set to a sound track. The plot is true to that told by the Grimms, and nice bits of dialogue and observations by Pip thread easily through the narrative, bringing the characters to life and offering a pleasing tale for reading aloud and storytelling.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

BERKES, Marianne. Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under. illus. by Jill Dubin. unpaged. photos. score. CIP. Dawn. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-135-8; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-136-5. LC 2010031038.
PreS-Gr 2–Berkes incorporates some of Australia’s unique animals in her latest variant of the familiar song, “Over in the Meadow.” Among them are wallabies, brolgas, lorikeets, wombats, and bilbies. Each spread provides listeners with a number of baby animals to count in the cumulative verse. A final map of Australia incorporates all of the creatures for additional practice. Dubin’s charming paper collages deftly use a variety of patterns plus a bonus “hidden” animal noted on one of the informative pages after the song text. That section also includes more facts about all the mentioned animals, offers suggestions for class activities, explains Dubin’s illustration process, and provides the score for those unfamiliar with the tune. A useful supplement for a variety of curriculum areas and a pleasant read just for fun.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

BESEL, Jennifer M. The Army Rangers. ISBN 978-1-4296-5381-7. LC 2010029383.
–––– . The Delta Force. ISBN 978-1-4296-5382-4. LC 2010029385.
–––– . The Green Berets. ISBN 978-1-4296-5379-4. LC 2010029386.
–––– . The Navy SEALs. ISBN 978-1-4296-5380-0. LC 2010029387.
ea vol: 24p. (Elite Military Forces Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Capstone. 2011. PLB $23.99.
Gr 2-4–The first chapter of each title is a contrived scenario in which the featured special force challenges a foe and is victorious in a matter of two pages. Content is limited though vocabulary is relatively good. Unfamiliar words are printed in blue in a large font and defined in boxes at the bottom of the page, as well as in a glossary. Most of the photos have an “erased spot” with a “FACT” printed in it. Some readers will notice that in Green Berets there is only one photo of anyone wearing a beret, and it is black. In Delta Force, a caption describes a photo of a group of Middle Eastern men as containing a “gorilla” (meaning guerrilla). Bits of text in each title are similar, though not quite verbatim. Students, having read one book, will essentially have read all four. References to Afghanistan and to the Taliban will rapidly date these titles. The simple story lines and easy reading level do not salvage them.–Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS

BOULER, Olivia. Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf. illus. by author. 32p. photos. Websites. CIP. Sterling. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4027-8665-5. LC 2010046002.
Gr 3-5–An 11-year-old from Long Island spends her vacations on the Gulf Coast with her grandparents. After hearing about the April 2010 oil spill, she volunteered to raise money to save the birds endangered by the disaster. A self-proclaimed “decent drawer,” she wrote to the Audubon Society and offered to sell her drawings as a fundraiser (she raised more than $150,000). Her love of birds and drawing gives the book touching beauty and lyricism. The child’s straightforward voice is engaging, evocative, and insightful, and her bird-watching advice is spot-on–”And don’t just look up. I once found a hummingbird nest on the ground of a wooded area.” Her lively drawings capture the avian personalities, often with just a few lines. The letter she wrote is reproduced and she encourages children and adults to participate in environmental causes. Budding naturalists, artists, and activists will be inspired and galvanized by Olivia Bouler.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

BOZZO, Linda. Food Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. glossary. ISBN 978-0-7660-3541-6. LC 2010006171.
–––– . Gross Body Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. ISBN 978-0-7660-3540-9. LC 2010004192.
HOLLOW, Michele C. Animal Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. photos. ISBN 978-0-7660-3544-7. LC 2010004189.
NIVEN, Felicia Lowenstein. Ha-Ha Holiday Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. photos. ISBN 978-0-7660-3542-3. LC 2010004193.
–––– . Weird Science Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. photos. ISBN 978-0-7660-3543-0. LC 2010004191.
THORNLEY, Stew. Sports Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone. ISBN 978-0-7660-3545-4. LC 2010006170.
ea vol: 48p. (Funny Bone Jokes Series). illus. further reading. index. Websites. CIP. Enslow Elementary. 2011. PLB $21.26.
Gr 3-4–These books offer an assortment of limericks, riddles, knock-knocks, tongue twisters, and fun facts about each topic. The black-and-white cartoons complement the subject matter, either completing the joke by illustration or just adding to the humor. Each title also has a page about how to write your own joke book. These books are great fun for elementary-age children and will be well received.–Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

BRUZZONE, Catherine & Susan Martineau. Hide & Speak Chinese. Chinese text by Liming Guo Barrett. illus. by Louise Comfort. 32p. Barron’s. 2010. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7641-4518-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3–Featuring an ethnically diverse cast, this book goes beyond the standard picture dictionary to introduce children to Mandarin Chinese vocabulary. The versos feature a large, bright watercolor picture of a family dinner, a party, the zoo, the classroom, the beach, and more. Parts of the scene are numbered and described in sentences that appear in Chinese characters, Pinyin, and an English translation. The facing pages have two columns: one with pictures of key vocabulary words, and the other with the words in characters and Pinyin. The back cover features two “wipe clean” flaps so students can cover one column to test their language skills and write their answers with a water-based felt-tipped pen or marker. The Pinyin system is briefly explained, as are the characters, but the book incorrectly refers to them as the “Chinese alphabet.” Some entries would benefit from some cultural explanation, such as the fact that there are different words for older brother and younger brother. Although this title will be most beneficial to supplement more formal Mandarin instruction, kids wanting to learn some vocabulary will easily pick up key words and will enjoy using the flaps to test their new skills. –Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

CATT, Thessaly. Migrating with the Arctic Tern. ISBN 978-1-4488-2542-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-2668-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-2835-7. LC 2010025389.
–––– . Migrating with the Humpback Whale. ISBN 978-1-4488-2543-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-2670-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-2836-4. LC 2010027076.
ea vol: 24p. (Animal Journeys Series). map. photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2011. PLB $21.25; pap. $8.25; ebook $21.25.
Gr 2-4–These books follow the yearly migratory patterns of the featured animals and cover anatomy, diet, mating, parenting, climate change as caused by people, pollution, and more. Animals’ roles in the food chain as predator or prey are explained briefly. Maps depict traditional routes and specific populations’ territories. Each topic in the table of contents is covered in a glossy spread, with clear color photographs dominant over brief text that includes terms in bold type defined in the glossary and measurements of anatomy, habitat, and routes. Go-to nonfiction for animal enthusiasts.–S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA

COLEMAN, Miriam. Earth-Friendly Living. ISBN 978-1-4488-2592-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-2773-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-2881-4. LC 2010038438.
–––– . Earth-Friendly Transportation. ISBN 978-1-4488-2590-5; ISBN 978-1-4488-2769-5; ISBN 978-1-4488-2879-1. LC 2010036208.
GOSMAN, Gillian. Earth-Friendly Food. ISBN 978-1-4488-2589-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-2767-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-2878-4. LC 2010034685.
–––– . Earth-Friendly Shopping. ISBN 978-1-4488-2591-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-2771-8; ISBN 978-1-4488-2880-7. LC 2010036765.
ea vol: (How to Be Earth Friendly Series). 32p. photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2011. PLB $23.95; pap. $10; ebook $23.95.
Gr 3-4–Although the majority of adults pictured on the covers detract from these books’ kid appeal, the age-appropriate texts convey basic environmental concepts like the greenhouse effect, sustainability, recycling, and conservation. Readers will also be able to follow food’s path from farm to table or a plastic bottle from production to disposal and learn how traditional methods of farming, traveling, and consumption can harm the environment. Each spread has bright, captioned color photos. While there are doable suggestions for being Earth conscious, such as turning off the water while brushing teeth, taking reusable bags to the store, and checking a product’s label, these titles serve better as resources for reports than as handbooks for living green. –Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library
DANIS, Naomi. It’s Tot Shabbat! photos by Tod Cohen. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Lerner/Kar-Ben. 2011. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7613-4515-2. LC 2009030918.
PreS–This entry depicts a synagogue Shabbat Club where young children play while their parents attend services. Mixed in with blocks and games like ring-around-the-rosy are listening to a story from the Torah, prayers, and a Shabbat snack of challah and grape juice. Finally, the children join their parents in the sanctuary for the concluding prayers. The title of the book is somewhat misleading since many synagogues define Tot Shabbat as a family-friendly worship service–see Paula Feldstein’s The Tot Shabbat Handbook (Urj Press, 2009)–as opposed to a separate baby-sitting scenario. This “what to expect” photo-essay will be most useful in congregations using the model depicted. The text is simple, and despite the inclusion of a basic glossary, the story is clearly meant for readers familiar with Shabbat. Hebrew, English, and transliterated blessings for wine and bread are included at the back. The color photos are realistic and sweet, if a bit cluttered. The style of dress implies non-Orthodox Judaism, and the boys are inconsistent in keeping their heads covered. Several photos near the end of the book may disturb some readers, as they show children holding toy and miniature Torahs upside down or sideways. This may make the book unacceptable in some Jewish settings.–Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children’s Library at Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

DEVORE, Janna. Ballerina Cookbook. photos by Zac Williams. 72p. CIP. Gibbs Smith. 2011. ebook $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4236-0793-9. LC 2010030688.
Gr 2-6??An elegant and beautifully arranged cookbook of desserts and drinks. The recipes are organized into four sections: “Ballerina Basics,” “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Swan Lake.” The recipes have “ballerina” names that for the most part describe the dish; however, some are more ambiguous. For example, “Christmas Eve Treats” are cupcakes with buttercream frosting and pomegranate seeds. The overall layout is appealing with the recipe on one page and a luscious, full-page picture on the other. The recipe page includes serving amounts and ingredients in a narrow column and the directions on the other side of the page. Recipes range from the quick and easy “Fairy-Tale Fantasy” (melting chocolates over popcorn) to “Swan Lake Homemade Marshmallows,” which take two days to prepare. Despite the differences in difficulty, all recipes require adult assistance or supervision. Cooking terms and measurements are not explained. The recipes are perfect for a party or a tasty treat any day of the week.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

DOWNING, Johnette. Amazon Alphabet. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Pelican. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-879-9. LC 2010029022.
K-Gr 2–A colorful introduction to the Amazon River watershed area. Many entries are generic–hummingbirds and toucans appear without specifying which species are illustrated. Some of the information seems a bit sketchy, e.g., the jaguar featured is a black one. It is known as the Black Panther and comprises only about six percent of the jaguar population. Simple cut-paper collages illustrate each animal, and a portion of a typed sheet of the featured alphabet letter, upper- and lowercase, is a part of each spread. However there is no real sense of the creatures’ size or scale, which could be confusing for youngsters. Kathy Darling’s Amazon ABC (Lothrop, 1996) and Martin and Tanis Jordan’s Amazon Alphabet (Kingfisher, 1996) are similar, but better titles.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

FREDERICKS, Anthony D. Around One Log: Chipmunks, Spiders, and Creepy Insiders. illus. by Jennifer DiRubbio. unpaged. Websites. CIP. Dawn. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-137-2; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-1-58469-138-9. LC 2010031037.
K-Gr 2–An old and majestic oak falls deep in the woods. This picture book seeks to answer the question of whether the tree is now dead or still alive by introducing the many creatures who inhabit its remains. The simple verse, which become a repetitive cumulative rhyme, acquaints readers with termites, garter snakes, red velvet mites, daddy longlegs, chipmunks, and roly-polies. Eventually a class comes by, and a child asks, “Is this log alive?” Readers are left to draw their own conclusions. The lavish, full-page watercolor illustrations done in muted shades of brown and yellow are naturalistic, but lack visual excitement. Supplementary pages encourage further exploration through simple research and art projects. This title might be useful for simple science or nature lessons by offering information on an easily found habitat.–Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

GALBRAITH, Kathryn O. Planting the Wild Garden. illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. unpaged. bibliog. CIP. Peachtree. 2011. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-563-8. LC 2010026898.
Gr 2-4–No one “plants” a wild garden, but this attractive book, with its simple, often lyrical text and watercolors full of motion, shows how wild seeds make it in an unplanned world. A flock of goldfinches “bobbles” among the thistle-heads, a fox-chased rabbit scatters cockleburs as she flees, and a child blows on a dandelion–all dispersing seeds across the landscape. Galbraith’s gentle words remind readers that wind, water, birds, animals, and people plant the wild meadow–”All of us. Together”–while Halperin’s soft watercolors in pastel shades of peach and lavender, tan and green show young wonderers how it all happens. A shade more identification of some seeds (or their development stages) would be helpful, but, from the elegant seed-full endpapers to the carefully selected font, this is a lovely introduction to the modes of seed dispersal evolved by some common meadow plants.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

GANERI, Anita. Arabian Oryx. ISBN 978-1-4329-4769-9; ISBN 978-1-4329-4778-1. LC 2010022817.
–––– . Fennec Fox. ISBN 978-1-4329-4771-2; ISBN 978-1-4329-4780-4. LC 2010022819.
–––– . Meerkat. ISBN 978-1-4329-4773-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-4782-8. LC 2010022821.
–––– . Scorpion. ISBN 978-1-4329-4776-7; ISBN 978-1-4329-4785-9. LC 2010022827.
ea vol: 24p. (A Day in the Life: Desert Animals Series). diag. map. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Heinemann/Raintree. 2011. PLB $22.; pap. $6.49.
K-Gr 2–From the scary-looking giant hairy desert scorpion to the “let’s get one” baby meerkat, the engaging full-color photographs are key to these well-organized books. Basic information about the animals is provided, including where they live, what they look like, what they eat, and their predators. Basic global maps show where the animal is found, and a diagram called a “body map” labels its parts. The texts are appropriate for the age group, and the pictures will draw in youngsters. Excellent purchases if material is needed on these animals.–Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

GANERI, Anita. On Expedition with Lewis and Clark. maps. ISBN 978-0-7787-9896-5; ISBN 978-0-7787-9917-7. LC 2010032433.
HAWES, Alison. Go Greek! maps. ISBN 978-0-7787-9894-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-9915-3. LC 2010030820.
MASON, Paul. Sports Heroes of Ancient Greece. maps. ISBN 978-0-7787-9911-5; ISBN 978-0-7787-9932-0. LC 2010030822.
ROYSTON, Angela. Ancient Greek Adventure. ISBN 978-0-7787-9900-9; ISBN 978-0-7787-9921-4. LC 2010030821.
ea vol: 32p. (Crabtree Connections Series). illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Crabtree. 2011. PLB $19.95; pap. $8.95.
Gr 3-5–Two of these volumes are serviceable, providing decent dabs of information. Go Greek! features browsable factoids on Greek life interspersed with interesting activities like making a decorative oil lamp, an actor’s mask, and a recipe for pasteli. Lewis and Clark offers more substantial material, including a time line, and will be of greater assistance with reports. The well-spaced layouts in all four volumes are an attractive mix of clear photographs, illustrations, and text. Unfortunately, Sports Heroes and Greek Adventure suffer from bad writing. To convey information about Greek athletes, Mason relies on the clunky gimmick of a mouthy trainer attempting to convince readers to become Olympic champions. The effort is very weak and downright silly in several places. Royston writes her rather mawkish volume from the viewpoint of a slave boy, which distracts considerably from the factual material. Younger readers may struggle with the rampant fictionalization in these latter two volumes, not knowing what or who is real or created. The books by Ganeri and Hawes would make satisfactory purchases. Those by Mason and Royston would not.–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

GOLDISH, Meish. Baghdad Pups. map. ISBN 978-1-61772-150-2. LC 2010035187.
–––– . Prison Puppies. ISBN 978-1-61772-151-9. LC 2010037154.
STAMPER, Judith Bauer. Eco Dogs. ISBN 978-1-61772-152-6. LC 2010041191.
ea vol: 32p. (Dog Heroes Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Bearport. 2011. PLB $25.27.
Gr 3-6–Baghdad Pups explores how a special division of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI) has been rescuing dogs who have befriended service people in Iraq, despite the clear disapproval of the United States military, which has strict laws about removing property, including animals, from war zones. In Prison Puppies, readers learn about the “Puppies Behind Bars” program, where inmates train dogs for careers as service animals. While the future work duties of the dogs are evident, the real story here is how they give the inmates an opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way. Eco Dogs help scientists by sniffing out scat, which is analyzed for signs of pollutants or changes in the food chain that might have harmful effects on the environment and on indigenous species. These books are engaging not just because the content is so compelling, but also because the authors have highlighted specific dogs currently working in their fields. The use of real names and full-color photographs on every page, many contributed by the individuals who work with these dogs, makes reading these books a personal experience. A “Just the Facts” page at the end of each volume provides additional details. Excellent introductions to these new developments in service-dog training.–Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

GOURLEY, Robbin. First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew. illus. by author. 36p. further reading. Websites. CIP. Clarion. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-48224-8. LC 2010024643.
K-Gr 4–The author and illustrator of Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie (Clarion, 2009) returns with another book that celebrates the joys of gardening and sharing healthy foods with others. Beginning with an introduction to the White House and its grounds, Gourley then describes some of the children who have lived there and the ways in which they used the outdoor space. A portrait of the Obama family introduces the section on gardening for food at the White House, from John Adams in 1800 through Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943. The narrative then turns to Michelle Obama and how she invited children from nearby schools to help prepare the soil, plant, cultivate, and ultimately cook and eat the produce; how the White House chefs became involved in the process; and how food from the First Garden now helps feed the Obamas as well as people at a Washington, DC, homeless shelter. General advice on home gardening and healthy eating is provided at the end of the book, and some White House recipes are included. With many schools developing instructional gardening spaces and an overall growing awareness of the problem of childhood obesity, this book fulfills many needs. The watercolor illustrations depict diverse groups of people gardening and enjoying eating together. The fruits and vegetables look so delicious, they may well inspire a child to plant some seeds or partake of a new food. A beautiful and timely addition.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

GUILLAIN, Charlotte. My First Day at a New School. ISBN 978-1-4329-4796-5; ISBN 978-1-4329-4806-1. LC 2010024189.
–––– . My First Sleepover. ISBN 978-1-4329-4802-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-4812-2. LC 2010024196.
–––– . Visiting the Dentist. ISBN 978-1-4329-4804-7; ISBN 978-1-4329-4814-6. LC 2010024198.
PARKER, Vic. My First Trip on an Airplane. ISBN 978-1-4329-4801-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-4811-5. LC 2010024195.
ea vol: 24p. (Growing Up Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Heinemann/Raintree. 2011. PLB $22.; pap. $6.49.
PreS-Gr 2–These books examine common, often scary events in children’s lives and guide readers through them step-by-step. The authors discuss the who, what, and why of each experience, from what to pack for a sleepover to introductions to new faces to what happens before and during a flight. Much of what makes children uneasy about these events is the promise of change, so the series’ true strength is in discussing the differences introduced by each event–new foods one might eat at a friend’s house, less attention from mom and dad, and so on. By confronting these fears head-on, children will feel “in the know” and be prepared to experience these firsts. The text–two sentences per page in a large font and placed on white space–is accompanied by large color photos of children, families, and adults of a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Each volume includes boldface vocabulary words, a picture glossary, and dos and don’ts. Must-haves for public and elementary school libraries.–Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library

HOPKINS, Lee Bennett. Hear My Prayer. illus. by Gretchen “Gigi” Moore. 29p. CIP. Zonderkidz. 2011. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-310-71811-6. LC 2009007188.
K-Gr 2–This slim volume consists of 13 verses written in simple, straightforward language. “I see the moon./The moon sees me./God bless the moon,/And God bless me.” The prayers are arranged chronologically, moving from first thing in the morning to bedtime. The selections, the majority of which are from anonymous sources, range from prayers of thanks and requests for God’s help to blessings and a prayer for peace. Hopkins includes two of his own verses, “Your Touch” and “Good Night.” The title of each poem is set in large, colored letters, and the cheerful cartoon illustrations are painted in a bold rainbow of colors. A multicultural cast of school-aged children and their families is depicted engaging in familiar activities. Children play outside, attend dance class, and ride bikes. Families enjoy a board game and gather around the supper table. Although these prayers touch on all-encompassing themes and situations from everyday life, Jeremy Brooks strikes a more universal chord with My First Prayers (Frances Lincoln, 2009) and Lois Rock offers a more varied selection of traditional prayers in Our Father and Other Classic Prayers for Children (Lion UK, 2010).–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

HOROBIN, Wendy & Lee Wilson, eds., et al. Animals Alive: The Fight for Survival in the Wild. 80p. illus. maps. photos. glossary. index. DK. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7213-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–This excellently crafted book begins with an overview of evolution and explains the need for biodiversity and each species’s role in an ecosystem. The next sections include information about extinction and the threats that different species face, such as habitat loss, climate change, etc. The different categories include “Near Threatened,” “Vulnerable,” “Endangered,” “Critically Endangered,” “Extinct in the Wild,” and “Extinct.” The bulk of the book focuses on specific animals within the following groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. For the highlighted animals, information includes a brief overview, the main threats to their survival, population, size, weight, diet, habitat, and lifespan. The last few pages give tips on how children can become involved by studying tracks and projects to create homes for frogs, bugs, bees, and birds. The layout invites readers in through the use of different fonts and bolded words, small paragraphs, circular quotes, and fact blurbs. Each spread has stunning photos of the animals and simple illustrations. A good choice for reports, and a great read for anyone interested in endangered species.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

JENKINS, Steve & Robin Page. Time for a Bath. ISBN 978-0-547-25037-3. LC 2010025126.
–––– . Time to Sleep. ISBN 978-0-547-25040-3. LC 2010025128.
ea vol: illus. by Steve Jenkins. unpaged. CIP. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $12.99.
K-Gr 3–Jenkins and Page introduce an array of creatures, showcasing how they bathe and sleep. Both titles conclude with an appendix detailing further information about the featured animals. The illustrations are rendered in torn- and cut-paper collage, with each animal is set against a white background. The brief text floats nearby, resulting in a pleasant balance that focuses on the creature in question. In Bath, readers are informed that animals bathe for different reasons: to clean themselves, to cool off, to warm up, and to dissuade parasites. A “vulture takes a sunbath. The sun’s warmth feels good, and the sunlight helps kill bacteria.” The gecko, lacking eyelids, keeps its eyeballs dirt-free by licking them with “its long, flexible tongue.” Sleep introduces animals from the familiar red fox to the lesser-known basilisk. Fascinating behaviors are detailed with explanations, such as the “white stork sleeps in flight…by taking a series of naps that last just a few seconds each.” Among the myriad curiosities is the bottlenose dolphin: “one half of its brain stays awake to tell the dolphin when it’s time to surface and take a breath.” Readers will be captivated.–Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

KARMEL, Annabel. My Favorite Recipes. 96p. photos. DK. 2011. ebook $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-7195-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–These recipes, compiled from four of the author’s previous books, look good enough to eat. Each one includes a full-page, full-color picture of the dish, as well as step-by-step instructions, with smaller pictures. Most recipes are featured on two pages. The first contains a list of ingredients and often tips on how to serve or substitute ingredients. The second page has the preparation time, cooking time, servings, and directions. The stand-up, flip-over format is frustrating because the directions do not include the ingredients’ measurements, requiring that young cooks flip back and forth between the pages. All recipes need adult assistance, and some require more than basic cooking skills. The recipes are organized in four sections: light bites, main meals, fruity treats, and cakes and cookies. They include children’s favorites like spaghetti and chicken dippers (with a cheese chip twist), as well as more exotic dishes like paella and lamb tagine. Where this cookbook really shines is in the creative and fun plating. Karmel often creates faces or animals out of a dish. Twice baked potatoes become Baked Potato Mice by adding raisins for eyes, chives for whiskers, cherry tomatoes for a nose, radishes for ears, and a scallion for a tail. A bright and colorful cookbook that is sure to appeal to children.–Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

KILODAVIS, Cheryl. My Princess Boy. illus. by Suzanne DeSimone. unpaged. S & S/Aladdin. 2010. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2988-8; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3063-1. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2–Kilodavis introduces the difficult themes of bullying and being different, based on the experiences of her four-year-old son. The book tells of a boy who “plays dress up in girly dresses” and is laughed at when he wears them to school but has the support of his family. It is tenderly written and simple enough to be understood by young children. Readers learn about the child’s experiences, good and bad. At the end, powerful questions are directed to them for thought and discussion: “If you see a Princess Boy….Will you call him a name? …Will you like him for who he is?” DeSimone’s illustrations are colorful, bright, and positive. Children may ask why the people depicted have no faces, which may spark discussions about how we are all the same. This is a book about unconditional love, social acceptance, and a strong family. It is also a call for diversity, tolerance, and an end to bullying and judgments. It will be well placed in elementary school counseling offices as well as in school and public libraries.–Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

KIRK, Ellen. Human Footprint. 32p. photos. bibliog. National Geographic. 2011. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0767-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–Kids hear about “carbon footprints,’” but Kirk’s slim book shows exactly how big our “human footprint” is during a lifetime: 3796 disposable diapers for each baby (using 1898 pints of crude oil just to manufacture the liners); 12 cars (which have footprints for their own integral parts); 4376 loaves of bread, and 1055 pounds of sugar from candy bars. These statistics (garnered from the National Geographic Channel’s presentation of “Human Footprint”) and the clear color photos are startling evidence of our demands on our planet. The pages are busy, with text in different fonts, sizes, and colors superimposed on a full-bleed illustration on each spread. Sadly, the “What You Can Do” section offers a meager three hints: lower the thermostat, collect rainwater for car washing, and unplug electrical appliances when not in use, which may be outside the provenance of many kids (what’s wrong with drinking tap water instead of wheedling canned sodas from Mom, for example?).–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

LEAR, Edward. His Shoes Were Far Too Tight. introduction by Daniel Pinkwater. illus. by Calef Brown. unpaged. photos. CIP. Chronicle. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8118-6792-4. LC 2010008549.
Gr 3-8–An enjoyable introduction to Lear, accompanied by whimsical art. Pinkwater succinctly introduces the shy, complicated poet who briefly gave drawing lessons to Queen Victoria; these lessons were cut short “possibly because his behavior was too silly to allow him to hang around the royal court.” The oversize paintings reiterate Pinkwater’s lighthearted introduction, and Brown’s offbeat, naïf style complements Lear’s comic creations. A nattily clad Owl and Pussycat set sail in their pea-green boat as the blue-handed, green-headed Jumblies take to sea in a sieve with banners flying and horns blowing. Mrs. Blue Dickey-bird goes walking with her chickies. The Pobble with no toes gazes anxiously toward his feet; later, readers see that he’s found a place among the other happy denizens of the Quangle Wangle’s Crumpetty Tree. There are many fine versions of Lear’s poems, but libraries will want to make room for this playful celebration of his genius for nonsense.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

MCCARTHY, Meghan. The Incredible Life of Balto. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. Aug. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84460-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94460-4. LC 2009052707.
Gr 1-5–Beginning with the diphtheria outbreak of 1925 in Nome, AK, this book relates how musher Gunnar Kaasen and sled team leader Balto embarked on a heroic relay race to deliver the crucial serum through the frigid snow and ice. Unlike many other books on the subject, the story does not end there. Readers follow the canine to Los Angeles for the opening of the biopic, Balto’s Race to Nome, where he received a bone-shaped key to the city. Sadly, “A grapple over money caused the dogsled team to be sold…first to a vaudeville act and later to a paltry sideshow. “There Balto and the others were all but forgotten.” Here, the once-energetic racers are depicted inert with heavy chains and an upside-down dish of kibble. An indignant businessman in Cleveland helped popularize the animals’ cause; the public rallied with school collections and fundraisers to help buy the team, after which he donated them to a zoo “so that all of the people who had helped rescue them could visit….There Balto could relax and enjoy the rest of his life.” McCarthy’s signature childlike cartoons feature bug-eyed characters rendered in acrylics on gessoed paper. The endpapers show a map of the serum run and Iditarod route. This engaging, informative nonfiction picture book is an ideal read-aloud. Concise, well-chosen text and bold, humorous illustrations make it a first choice.–Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY

MCGRATH, Barbara Barbieri. Teddy Bear Math. illus. by Tim Nihoff. unpaged. CIP. Charlesbridge. 2011. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-283-4; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-284-1; ebook $6.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-314-1. LC 2010023548.
PreS-Gr 3–Similar in style to McGrath’s Teddy Bear Counting (Charlesbridge, 2010), this picture book uses a rainbow of bears to explore sorting, graphing, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and ordinal numbers. Despite the rhyming text and bright illustrations hand drawn digitally in Adobe Photoshop, readers may get more out of Stuart J. Murphy’s “MathStart” series (HarperCollins) or Greg Tang’s math riddle books (Scholastic), where one concept is introduced as the topic for the book rather than several at once. This book would make a great preview to using bear counters as math tools and is best suited for early-learning classrooms where children have access to these manipulatives.–Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

MANDELL, Muriel, adapt. A Donkey Reads: Adapted from a Turkish Folktale. illus. by André Letria. unpaged. CIP. Star Bright. 2011. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-59572-256-0. LC 2010002989.
K-Gr 3–When a Mongol tyrant demands tribute from everyone in a small Turkish village, a poor man with a large family can only give an aged donkey. The outraged despot orders the man beaten for this insult, but fortunately Nasreddin Hoca, the village wise man, intercedes. Calling attention to the donkey’s intelligent eyes, he claims he can teach the animal to read and begins feeding it barley placed between the pages of a book. A month later, the tyrant sees the donkey intently turning pages of a large book with his tongue and, because there is no grain, braying loudly. Nasreddin says the animal read the entire book and even some pages aloud, though everyone knows a donkey does not read like a man. The villagers laugh, and the puzzled Mongol smiles. Nasreddin is almost comically small under his great round turban in contrast to the menacing Mongol and the poor villagers with their anxious eyes. Full-color illustrations feature textured backgrounds with bits of color showing through, which deftly suggest layers of peeling paint, poverty, and age. An endnote tells of this 13th-century teacher who is still honored in Turkey and the Middle East for his wisdom, common sense, and humor. Pair this title with Demi’s The Hungry Coat (S & S, 2004), another Nasreddin tale illustrated in a very different style.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

MARZOLLO, Jean. The Little Plant Doctor: A Story About George Washington Carver. illus. by Ken Wilson-Max. unpaged. photos. CIP. Holiday House. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2325-5. LC 2010024064.
K-Gr 3–Marzollo’s sweet, simple biography begins, “I’m a very old tree. I live in Diamond, Missouri. Old trees like me have stories to tell.” Told from the perspective of a tree on the grounds of the George Washington Carver National Monument, the story is a heartfelt testimony to Carver’s innate curiosity and delight in the natural world. The book is written conversationally, an engaging tactic that draws readers in. Although some might find the fictionalizing off-putting, the nonfiction elements are blended seamlessly with factual details about the man’s desire to attend school and his subsequent accomplishments in botany. The vivid, full-bleed illustrations add much to the story; the vibrant, painterly strokes are visible throughout. This lovely book is worthy of a place on most shelves.–Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

MOORE, Elizabeth & Alice Couvillon. How the Gods Created the Finger People: A Mayan Fable. illus. by Luz-Maria Lopez. unpaged. Pelican. 2011. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-1-58980-889-8. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 4–After the gods in heaven created trees, flowers, birds, and animals, they were still lonely. So in order to feel loved, they decided to create humans. The first man, made of clay, could not survive the God of Water. The second man, made of wood, could not survive the God of Fire. So the gods decide to create an indestructible man made of gold, but he was cold and unfeeling. Finally, the Good-Hearted God made man by cutting off the fingers of his left hand and letting them fall to the earth. These people thrived and the gods were happy. Later, they learned that the finger people had found the man of gold and treated him kindly. They were rewarded for their kindness by serving the man of gold, not enslaved, but forever allowed to earn fair wages. Lopez’s striking renderings of Mayan culture, art, and landscape set this picture book apart. Elaborate headdresses, masks, and jewelry punctuate the illustrations of royalty and even nature appears decked out in sparkling attire. The paintings range from simple and childlike (a butterfly, trees) to the elaborate (a god in full costume). The story is fairly simple, but the bilingual Spanish and English text cries out for more exploration and explanation of the Maya. Children may enjoy this selection based on the strength of its illustrations but will need to look elsewhere for a better understanding of the culture. –C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

MOORE, Willamarie. All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and More. illus. by Kazumi Wilds. 64p. map. further reading. index. score. Websites. CIP. Tuttle. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-4-8053-1077-9. LC 2010040843.
Gr 2-5–In this treasure-trove of information, two children, one a Tokyo urbanite and the other from a rural village, introduce readers to their country and its culture, including geography, language, traditional arts, costume, etiquette, sports, and festivals. The dual narrators’ conversational descriptions of their homes and daily routines will engage young readers while highlighting the differences between the Westernized big-city existence and the traditional way of life in Japan’s countryside, deftly demonstrating the rich variety of lifestyles within this island nation. The scope of this book is remarkably comprehensive, covering almost anything a child would want to know, from traditional folktales to contemporary video games and anime. Tactile learners will enjoy the recipes and craft projects, and can even try their hand at the multiple writing systems of the language. Information is consistently presented in a kid-friendly way, enhanced by cheerful, vivid illustrations and colorful text that draws attention to important concepts. The pleasantly meandering structure of the book makes it ideal for leisurely browsing, more than a source for school reports, although the presence of an index ensures that this book can be used for academic purposes as well. Despite a rather abrupt ending with no conclusion, this book will serve as excellent preparation for a visit to Japan, a school project, or simply as a delightful resource to enjoy learning about the country and its traditions.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

NIVOLA, Claire A. Orani: My Father’s Village. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-35657-6. LC 2009047598.
Gr 2-5–Nivola reminisces about her time spent as child in the small village in Sardinia where her father was born. She describes running free down cobbled streets with her cousins, participating in family festivities, enjoying everyday occurrences (new babies, flatbread baked in open ovens, flour ground by a local miller), and watching horsemen gallop through the village streets on Corpus Christi day. The quiet, descriptive text might not immediately attract today’s tech-savvy youngsters, but it could strike a chord with well-traveled children, especially those with ancestral links to the Mediterranean–or other countries abroad. In addition, Nivola’s charming primitive-style art works well in both the up-close images as well as in the broad landscape scenes that she loving captures. A book to inspire young writers and artists to interview and write about their own parents’ (or grandparents’) lives.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

OLLHOFF, Jim. African Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-716-6. LC 2010032577.
–––– . Chinese Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-718-0. LC 2010032582.
–––– . Norse Mythology. ISBN 978-1-61714-726-5. LC 2010032590.
ea vol: 32p. (World of Mythology Series). photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. ABDO. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 3-6–Unlike the encyclopedic presentation of the “Mythology A to Z” series (Facts on File), these books have more illustrations, are more conversational, and are clearly directed at a younger audience. While the general outline is identical in all three books, Ollhoff approaches the civilizations individually with a focus that details the unique qualities of their traditions. The books offer only the briefest glimpse into the cultures, but serve as explanatory introductions to the role that folklore plays in a society. Readers will learn the definition of African trickster tales, why China has multiple mythologies, and which days of the week are named for Norse gods, and get an overview of the creation myths of each culture. Sagas, legends, fables, and folklore are defined. Every spread devotes at least a full page to images of cultural artifacts, photographs, or illustrations related to the stories. While the photos and anthropological art are of high quality, the references are rather forced, and the original art tends to be dramatic as seen in representations of characters on the covers: sensationalized to be enticing, but lacking depth or quality. The books conclude with summaries of traditional stories central to each civilization. Missing are source notes for the stories and pronunciation guides.–Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

OWENS, L. L. Jupiter. ISBN 978-1-60-954382-2. LC 2010039959.
–––– . Saturn. ISBN 978-1-60954-387-7. LC 2010039964.
–––– . Uranus. ISBN 978-1-60954-389-1. LC 2010040463.
–––– . Venus. ISBN 978-1-60954-390-7. LC 2010040462.
ea vol: 32p. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. The Child’s World. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 1-3–Aside from the use of boilerplate in both texts and illustrations, these titles offer a serviceable combination of colorful photos and art matched to a substantial but not overwhelming blend of general statements and specific facts. Each volume features a (not to scale) solar-system map that even includes the five dwarf planets, systematically describes what we have learned through direct observation and from space probes, and closes with leads to further print and web resources. Jupiter is the weak link here–opening with an unlikely-to-be-taken-up invitation to view the planet by “looking high in the sky just before sunrise,” misleadingly claiming that “[f]rom Earth you can see Jupiter’s four largest moons,” and superimposing an axial grid over an incorrectly angled photo. Saturn, Uranus, and Venus merit consideration as alternatives or additions to equivalent volumes in Lerner’s “Early Bird Astronomy” series (2009) and older titles.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library

PENROSE, Antony. The Boy Who Bit Picasso. 49p. photos. reprods. glossary. Abrams. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-9728-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3-6–In this delightful volume, the author recounts growing up with Pablo Picasso as a family friend. Appropriate for the topic, the book is a work of art in itself, featuring brightly colored pages and stunning black-and-white photos, all supplemented by images of the work of Picasso, his children, or the author’s mother, Lee Miller, a photographer and painter. Although the book may work well as an approachable introduction to the well-known and influential artist, it is not really a biography of Picasso or of the author. Short, simple paragraphs briefly introduce Picasso, his family, and the author’s family, and describe the man’s work and legacy in a voice clearly meant to imitate that of a child. While some readers may be turned off by the faux-childish tone, visual readers will be attracted to the bright, playful design. The book will also appeal to art lovers or students interested in the artist’s life. For those whose interest is piqued, the last page features a glossary, a guide to museums where one can see Picasso’s work, and brief summaries of people mentioned and relevant art styles. A solid purchase for any collection with an emphasis on art or artists.–Heather Talty, Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

SAYRE, April Pulley. Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant. photos by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Beach Lane Bks. June 2011. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2141-7. LC 2010034360.
PreS-Gr 2–This cheerleader chant for vegetables in all their variations is perfectly timed to ride the impassioned slow-food movement popularized by the First Lady and Food Network celebrity chefs. Sayre’s catchy, rhyming verse has an infectious rhythm that begs to be read aloud. “Rah, rah, radishes!/Red and white./Carrots are calling./Take a bite!/Oh boy, bok choy!/Brussels sprout./Broccoli. Cauliflower./Shout it out!” Sayre goes far beyond the traditional vegetables shown in picture-book classics like Lois Ehlert’s Growing Vegetable Soup (Harcourt, 1987), introducing readers to Swiss chard, shallots, a variety of South American peppers, fennel, parsnips, and other veggie delights. Each page calls out a cheer-worthy vegetable in two short lines of text, accompanied by a large, colorful photograph. Sayre’s work in this department is not the most polished; the images have the homegrown feel of pictures taken at the local farmer’s market during a family outing, setting just the right tone for a work that will have high appeal for families eager to learn about the food world beyond the grocery store. The author closes with a thank you to farmers and bees, as well as the charge, “Sun and season, leaf and stalk./Know them. Grow them!/Veggies rock!” With its upbeat, easy-to-digest text and large, clear images, this book will become a go-to choice in spring-themed preschool storytimes and early elementary health or environmental units.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

SINGER, Marilyn. A Full Moon Is Rising. illus. by Julia Cairns. 48p. maps. CIP. Lee & Low. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-60060-364-8. LC 2010034693.
Gr 3-6–Starting and ending in New York City, this book takes readers full circle on a 17-poem journey that celebrates the rising of the full moon around the globe. Singer’s poetry presents a world of science facts, cultural events, and some of the unusual customs that surround the cyclical occurrence. Her poems create marvelous pictures. She personifies Manhattan’s Broadway moon, “It waits behind skyscrapers,/a brilliant actor in the wings,/ready for its monthly debut,” and describes the monthly optical illusion in Broome, Australia, “Its glow builds a magic staircase from mudflats to the sky.” Along the way, titles invite readers to celebrate the “Moon Festival” in Hong Kong, a “Camel Fair” in India, “Harvest Time” by moonlight in Iowa, and the amazing “Coral Spawning” in the Caribbean. Cairns’s vibrant watercolors and warm folk-art style successfully capture the excitement of the around-the-world occurrences. Each poem is graced by her artwork on a bold, brightly colored spread. An introductory page contains lunar facts and figures, and endpapers depict a world map so that youngsters can follow the journey. The combination of descriptive poetry and eye-catching illustrations will invite children to wonder and imagine while the multicultural themes and science facts will excite and satisfy. This title will work quite well as a read-aloud for younger children, and independent readers will find much to think about and appreciate.–Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

TOCHER, Timothy. Odd Ball: Hilarious, Unusual, & Bizarre Baseball Moments. illus. by Stacy Curtis. 64p. CIP. Marshall Cavendish. 2011. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5813-5. LC 2010013847.
Gr 3-6–Tocher and Curtis serve up an enjoyable, offbeat collection of trivia, from unusual pitchers (including Mark “the Bird” Fidrych) to the intervention of nonhuman fans, such as the seagulls that made their home in the Cleveland Indians’ ballpark and sometimes interfered with on-field play. There are accounts of ballplayers playing with and without mitts; balls dropped from airplanes, blimps, and the Washington Monument; and the poor Phillies fan who was struck by two foul balls, once as she sat in the stands and again as she was being carried out on a stretcher. Tocher’s deftly limned accounts are broadly humorous and supplemented by Curtis’s giggle-inducing cartoons. One section focuses on differently abled athletes, such as one-armed fielder Pete Brown, and Jim Abbott, who pitched for the Angels for 11 seasons though he was born with only one hand. Ranging from baseball’s early days to the present, this collection offers an appealing selection of entertaining baseball facts.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

WOLFE, Gillian. Look! Really Smart Art. 45p. (Look! Series). reprods. index. Frances Lincoln. 2011. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-84780-010-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 2-5–In this fifth volume of the series, Wolfe discusses techniques that artists use to make viewers “see things differently.” It’s an intriguing premise that falls slightly short in its execution. A spread introduces each artistic concept with large, full-color art reproductions and a creative use of fonts to emphasize important ideas. Wolfe provides an excellent overview of clever techniques meant to fool the eye, such as perspective and vanishing point. Less clearly tied to the book’s theme are sections about depicting things that don’t physically exist, such as dreams or mythical creatures. The narrative is accompanied by brief, fairly standard suggestions for projects based on the techniques discussed, like creating a drawing from small dots to imitate George Seurat’s pointillism technique, and a useful appendix that includes brief biographical information about the featured artists. Wolfe writes from a Western perspective, assuming that her audience comes from one as well as she notes, “In China, dragons are colorful, friendly….Yet we think of the poor old dragon as terrifying.” Also of concern, in her discussion of techniques used to depict movement in Alexander von Wagner’s The Chariot Race, Wolfe explicitly states that horses cannot have all four legs off the ground at one time, a fallacy famously disproven in 1878 by photographer Eadweard Muybridge. An additional purchase for libraries with a generous budget.–Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

ZAPPA, Marcia. Black Holes. ISBN 978-1-61714-686-2. LC 2010028580.
–––– . Constellations. diags. ISBN 978-1-61714-687-9. LC 2010031065.
–––– . Eclipses. diags. ISBN 978-1-61714-688-6. LC 2010029670.
–––– . NASA. ISBN 978-1-61714-690-9. LC 2010034217.
ea vol: 32p. (The Universe Series). illus. photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. ABDO/Buddy Bks. 2011. PLB $27.07.
Gr 2-3–These volumes offer short, simply phrased introductions to topics in astronomy enhanced by generous quantities of fairly high-quality space photography and art. Zappa bravely attempts to explain at least the “ins” of black holes–there aren’t any “outs”–but founders on the subject’s intrinsic complexity. (She makes the accurate but baffling observation that an object falling past an event horizon “becomes part of the black hole’s singularity.”) Readers should come away from Constellations with a clear understanding of why many star patterns move in the sky from season to season, Eclipses confines itself to the lunar and solar types but includes specific eclipse-related discoveries about how light behaves and other phenomena, and the author’s history of NASA is up-to-date enough to close with mentions of the Space Shuttle program’s end and its probable successor, Orion. Resource mini-lists for each title are available on the publisher’s website. In general, sturdy fare for fledgling sky watchers.–John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library

ZOEHFELD, Kathleen Weidner. Where Did Dinosaurs Come From? illus. by Lucia Washburn. 40p. (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). chron. glossary. CIP. HarperCollins/Collins. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029022-1; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-445216-8. LC 2009020543.
Gr 3-5–This slim, colorful title is all about evolution, but, sadly, it never addresses what the term means and how it works. The brief text tries to cover everything from 3.5 billion-year-old stromatolites to the giants of the Cretaceous period but makes some jumps that might seriously puzzle neophytes to the evolutionary branchings of life. Think of why the large dicynodonts and gorgons of the late Permian ended up as squirrel-sized mammals in the Cretaceous, for example. The colorful illustrations portray the ever-evolving parade of interesting critters (some sure to be unfamiliar to many young readers), and all those with “ID tags” are described in the glossary (which contains no definitions per se). Nicely, one clear combo of text and illustration demonstrates the essential differences between the skulls of a Gorgonops and an Archosaurus, showing how that difference defines dinosaurs appearing higher on the evolutionary tree. Covering the development of tough-shelled eggs and the emergence of huge true sauropods, the interesting text is sure to raise a plethora of questions in readers not up on the evolutionary process. Eye-catching and on the ever-hot topic of dinos, this slender book will certainly attract children’s attention, but they will be left asking for more information.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

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