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Pauline Baynes has produced hundreds of wonderful illustrations for the seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia. In 1968 she was awarded the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal for her outstanding contribution to children's literature.; Title: The Narnia Cookbook: Foods from C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia
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1,001 | 0 |
Grade 2-4-Nine-year-old Noah loves living on the Colorado prairie in the 1880s where he helps his parents with all of the work. When Aunt Dora comes from the East to teach him how to read, he sees no need to do so and refuses to cooperate with her. However, his aunt refuses to give up. She asks Noah to show her the land even though he warns her that her wheelchair may make it difficult to get around. As he wheels her along, she consults the book in her lap and begins to tell him about the natural things around them. Impressed by her knowledge, the child decides to learn to read and write, and realizes that his aunt has opened a world beyond the prairies to him. Warm, soft-edged illustrations capture the intimacy of the loving family relationships and the vastness of the landscape on dark, starlit nights and glorious, sky-blue days. A combination of double-page spreads, full-page, and half-page illustrations appealingly reinforce the mood and action of the text. This gentle story with a great message that is nicely woven into the daily events would make a pleasant read-aloud as well as a good addition to easy chapter-book collections.Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-4. This I Can Read Chapter Book is a good introduction to historical fiction. Noah loves the freedom of the prairie when his family moves to Colorado in the 1880s. Why does he need to read? His parents are barely literate and they do all right. But they want him to learn, and when his aunt arrives to visit, she sets up school for him in the sod house. At first he's resistant and he excuses himself to do lengthy chores. Eventually, his aunt, who is confined to a wheelchair, gets Noah to wheel her outside, where they share the joy of the prairie and she shows him that reading can help him know more. Avi's clear, simple language never sounds condescending, and the pictures show the tough kid's bond with those who love him. The adults are a bit too nice and understanding, but new readers will enjoy both Noah's rebellion and his awakening to the astonishing facts, stories, and poetry he can find in books. Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Prairie School (I Can Read Level 4)
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Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson grew up reading the Little House books. Hoping to answer some of their questions about Laura and Little House, they visited every Little House site and museum and did in-depth research on Laura and her family. The result is The World of Little House. Both authors live with their families in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area of Minnesota, about a four-hour drive from where Laura lived in On the Banks of Plum Creek. In addition to writing The World of Little House, they are also the authors of My Little House Crafts Book, The Anne of Green Gables Treasury, and The Little Women Treasury.; Title: Inside Laura's Little House: The Little House on the Prairie Treasury (Little House Nonfiction)
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Caldecott Medalist Young (Lon Po Po) opts for elegance in this deceptively simple adaptation of Chinese myth. In piquant phrases and minimalist collages, he summarizes the antics of the Monkey King, a trickster hero. Monkey has learned "the art of turning cloud somersaults, riding the wind, changing shape, and disappearing in the blink of an eye," and he uses his magic for mischief. While serving the Jade Emperor, he "plucked all the forbidden fruit from the immortal peach tree and gobbled them up. Then he tumbled home before anyone could punish him." Monkey's evocatively named opponents, including Dragon King and Red Beard Bandit, cannot defeat him, and finally Jade Emperor seeks Buddha's intervention. In an impressive gatefold spread, Monkey is trapped in the shadowy Five Finger Mountain, actually Buddha's obsidian hand. Upon his release 500 years later, Monkey improves his behavior on the path to enlightenment--"but it wasn't always easy to stay good." Young bases this distilled saga on Wu Cheng'en's Buddhist epic, The Journey to the West, which he glancingly mentions in an afterword. The tale may be better suited to older readers who can handle its epic qualities and some characters' cameo appearances. His cut-paper compositions, in earthy shades of spice and sky, might be described as freestyle; pencil marks remain visible and shapes are imperfectly carved, requiring plenty of imagination. Young's dynamic artwork and his mercurial transitions between spreads mimic Monkey's own shape-shifting, making for deliciously unpredictable reading. All ages. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-A rock explodes, a monkey emerges, and thus begins a very abbreviated version of the first part of the Chinese epic, Journey to the West. Following his dramatic creation, Monkey evolves into a trickster and entangles himself in many adventures, outwitting numerous adversaries and falling out of grace with others. His encounters with mortals, animals, and deities reveal his multifaceted character; at times, greedy and conniving, he can also be resourceful and loyal. And as he serves as a disciple to holy monk Tang, he learns a lesson about admitting to weakness-but "Did Monkey's humility last? That's another story for another book." Vibrant paper collages set against purple and gold backgrounds swirl and plunge with energetic Monkey and reinforce his quicksilver nature. However, the sheer number of characters he meets, and escapades in which he indulges, can be overwhelming, especially since they are, of necessity, briefly introduced. Even the striking illustrations (including an extravagant double gatefold) are confusing at times. The typestyle is large but the vocabulary will challenge readers attracted to the open format. The author provides a helpful list of major characters with a one or two sentence summary of their roles in the saga as well as a more detailed history of the epic itself. This is a simplified and serviceable introduction to a long and complex Chinese tale but its staccato presentation is likely to leave young listeners confused and more than a bit breathless.Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Monkey King
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1,004 | 2 |
Grade 3-5The Herdmans are back and still causing havoc. This large family of ruffians has terrorized the community in the past by turning on the sprinklers and nearly drowning all the turkeys, spray painting kids, stealing cakes, and making kids buy back their own candy. This time, in an effort to avoid the inevitable Herdman-induced chaos of the Halloween activities, Principal Crabtree proposes that the celebration be held at the school, under the watchful eyes of parents and teachers. The kids are bummed because it will be a trick-or-treatless night, and they would rather face the Herdmans on the street than miss the candy. However, the Herdmans manage to turn the event into a disaster for the adults, and the best Halloween ever for the children. The writing is fast paced and funny, and the plot takes some unexpected if not entirely believable twists; for example, a trap door in the teachers' lounge leads to a boiler room filled with holiday candy stolen and stashed by the Herdmans over the years. This book will have a wide readership, particularly with fans of Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1972) and The Best School Year Ever (1994, both HarperCollins).Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 3-6. Except for Imogene, the Herdmans have stayed out of sight, and that's been worrying Beth Bradley and the other kids at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. It's also worried the mayor, who has canceled trick-or-treating and suspended all candy sales because of previous Herdman Halloween mayhem. The kids aren't looking forward to the alternative celebration--a tame, school-sponsored party, "with a lot of fake witches and spooky music on the PA, and little kid games." But could the Herdmans be planning to sabotage the event? With all the kids in one place, the possibilities are terrifying! Robinson's suspenseful romp will delight fans of previous books featuring the Herdman kids: the buildup to the mischievous collaboration is deliciously tense, the actual pranks are satisfyingly scary, and readers will agree that the Herdmans' interference results in the best Halloween ever. Chris ShermanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Best Halloween Ever
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Grade 4-8. Sipho's idyllic country life ends when his nurturing grandmother dies and he returns to his mother's shack. Shocked to discover he now has a stepfather who is brutal and abusive, Sipho lasts for six months before running away to the mean streets of Johannesburg. He is taken in by a rather tame gang and taught the ropes of survival by the good-natured Jabu. Money for food and arcade games is almost painlessly earned by helping to carry groceries. Joseph, Jabu's opposite, tries to steer Sipho to ruin by offering him iglue (glue) to sniff. After a traumatic episode with a vigilante group, he is rescued from the harsh streets by a white shop owner who grudgingly gives him shelter in response to the pleas of his daughter. Unfortunately, the man's malevolent son chases the boy away. Sipho finds Jabu and salvation at a shelter that seems too good to be true. An understanding nun takes him home to visit his mother and new baby sister. With the stepfather conveniently offstage (looking for a job), it appears that all will be well for this family. Naidoo's latest offering will disappoint those expecting a convincing look at the street life of homeless South African children. Her palette seems limited to black and white characterizations (steadfast Jabu, glue-sniffing Joseph, drunken stepfather, etc.). Changes are driven by plot and are not true to character. Jabu seems content with his street life?so why would he suddenly decide to sign on at the shelter? For a more convincing look at the strife and turmoil in South Africa, choose Hazel Rochman's Somehow Tenderness Survives (HarperCollins, 1988).?Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MOCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.In 1965 as a young student, Beverly Naidoo was forced into exile from South Africa, where she had been imprisoned for her involvement in resistance to apartheid. She moved to England at the age of 22. She wrote her first children's book, Journey To Jo'Burg: A South African Story, in 1985. Although originally banned in South Africa, this acclaimed and enormously successful novel helped thousands of young readers elsewhere to understand what life under apartheid meant for children. A sequel, Chain Of Fire, followed. Naidoo is also the author of No Turning Back.; Title: No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa
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1,006 | 14 |
Many, many children know and love the Nutcracker story. Every year, in every city, countless ballet troupes, accompanied by Tchaikovsky's thrilling music, perform this Christmas classic about a girl who helps a wooden nutcracker man defeat a nasty army of mice and winds up in the magical dreamworld of the Land of Toys. But the ballet leaves a few questions unanswered. How did the Nutcracker and the King of Mice become such mortal enemies? And how did the Nutcracker turn into a handsome prince? Acclaimed children's author and editor Janet Schulman (The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury) adapts E.T.A Hoffman's 1816 original, faintly sinister, tale and helps answer these questions. The lines between good and evil are drawn less sharply than in the familiar ballet, and more attention is paid to all that happens before the ultimate battle between the toys and the mice. The King of Mice, by the way, is a nightmare-inducing seven-headed fiend. Renée Graef's warm, old-fashioned artwork softens the scarier aspects of this exciting edition of The Nutcracker, which includes a full-length CD featuring Tchaikovsky's music and a narration of the story by celebrated actress Claire Bloom. Schulman's version is bound to become a happy holiday tradition for the entire family. (Ages 5 and older) -- Emilie CoulterThough many children are familiar with the Nutcracker ballet, Schulman's (The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury) more complete version of Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" will keep young readers on their toes. This vivid tale of intrigue, wicked curses and rodents hot on revenge satisfyingly reveals why the Mouse King and the Nutcracker were such bitter enemies. The text was originally published in 1979; kids and parents will like the way it's presented here, with a CD containing actress Claire Bloom's reading of the story and selections of Tchaikovsky's music, and with Graef's slightly dark, antique-flavored paintings, themselves spiced with 19th-century decorations, toys and sweets. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Nutcracker
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1,007 | 2 |
A young boy, whose dad left before he was born, imagines what it would be like to have a father around: they could leave the house together, do the dinner dishes, and play checkers.Dad would help with homework and reassurethe boywhen he has nightmares. "He would always be on my side, and I could always talk to him." But that's all wishful thinking. Yet his mother likes the father the boy describes, and shetells him,"In case he never comes, just remember when you grow up, you can be a father like that yourself." The first-person voice adds poignancy to the boy's daydreams. The warm-toned illustrations and close-up perspectives of the pretend family reflect an affectionate relationship between father and son. Originally copyrighted in 1971, at a time when fatherless families were becoming a societal issue, the text was most likely intended to be a reassuring, positive message. The handsome paintings depict a contemporary setting, but will today's young boys be consoled by the prospect of being a great dad when they grow up, or is that day too remote to make a difference in a boy's outlook? Cummins, Julie Copyright American Library Association. All rights reservedZolotow handles a delicate situation with compassion. (Kirkus Reviews)Powerful. The text captures the hopes and wishes of all children for the perfect parent. (School Library Journal); Title: A Father Like That
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1,008 | 0 |
In a riotous collection of rhymes about such unusual characters as Old Ned, who walks with a horse on his head; squeaky-clean Keith, who brushes his teeth--and his head--right out of existence; and Mr. McFyfe, who has been sitting on his wife for a long, long time, Bill Grossman keeps his readers rolling in the aisles. Take "The Barber," for instance. She was cutting his hair, But he slipped in his chair, And she lopped off his ears as she cut. She shouted, "My shears Have lopped off your ears!" And he looked up and said to her, "What?" There's nothing like a dose of slapstick poetry to inspire kids to read--and maybe even write--more. Outrageous and quirky color-soaked paintings by Kevin Hawkes, prominent illustrator of My Little Sister Ate One Hare (also by Grossman), Weslandia, and many others, add immeasurably to Grossman's hysterical, verging on the bizarre, verses. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie CoulterGrossman and Hawkes, the team behind My Little Sister Ate One Hare, serve up a collection of short verses about characters with silly names who meet equally silly fates, including the titular Timothy; Hannibal, who encounters a cannibal; and Harold B. Bound, whose eyeballsAwell, never mind. Grossman's creations have the infectious jump-rope rhythm and tongue-in-cheek humor of classic nursery rhymes ("You're walking, old Ned/ With a horse on your head/ Why? That can't be much fun./ 'I'm walking,' says Ned,/ 'With my horse on my head/ Because I'm too tired to run' "). Many of the poems trade on anomalies like multiple noses and ballooning waistlines for their laughs. "Walter Lackwards/ Head on backwards/ Tripped on things he passed" starts one; others star characters skinny enough to slide down drains, or flattened by passing trucks into Frisbee-sized discs. Hawkes's full-bleed acrylics playfully exploit these oddball characters. His illustrations, peopled with pop-eyed, slack-jawed innocents who never know what is going to hit them next, provide satisfying visual counterparts for Grossman's topsy-turvy world. Kevin T. Moses, the man with all the noses, stumbles in pinstripes through a field of tulips, reaching for his Kleenex; John Paul Mullers, the victim of a paint explosion, floats crazily inside a carved wooden frame on a museum wall, as two bespectacled visitors peer at him. The happy combination of wildly exaggerated illustrations and cracked humor make this a promising read-aloud choice. Ages 3-7. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Timothy Tunny Swallowed a Bunny
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1,009 | 0 |
An Edward Lear Alphabet was first published in 1871, illustrated with the King of Nonsense's own incongruously matter-of-fact pen-and-ink sketches. Evidently Lear composed this rhyming alphabet for some children he befriended in a hotel, leaving a poem a day on the family's breakfast table. "A was once an apple pie, / Pidy / Widy / Tidy / Pidy / Nice insidy / Apple pie," he begins jauntily. Kids will love repeating the verses out loud--"E was once a little eel, / Eely / Weely / Peely / Eely / Twirly tweely / Little eel"--particularly early readers just learning to sound out words. Vladimir Radunsky's modern, explosively colorful, rather Monty Python-like collages (reminiscent of Yucka Drucka Droni) complement Lear's simple verse remarkably well, considering the century-long leap in style and attitude. These bold illustrations, many of which conjure a bald, bearded, bespectacled Lear, make the whimsical poet's verse all the more accessible. Readers who adore Lear and his joyful frivolity should also investigate the 1846 classic A Book of Nonsense, a rollicking, ridiculous poetic romp that no child or adult should be without. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin SnelsonLear published these nonsense rhymes in 1871, yet the intervening century has not tarnished their brightness. In this exhilarating update, Lears whimsical presence makes itself felt in singsong verse and in antic images of a white-bearded gentleman who flies a letter-K Kite and runs from a letter-M Mouse. Lears choice of key words is delightfully eccentric, gaining steam through the course of the 26 letters with a predictable formula: E was once a little eel,/ Eely/ Weely/ Peely/ Eely/ Twirly tweely/ Little eel precedes F was once a little fish,/ Fishy/ Wishy/ Squishy/ Fishy/ In a dishy/ Little fish. Readers will find themselves wagging their heads and swaying to the words, which demand to be announced in a seesaw rhythm. The Victorian poets flair for ageless verse is pumped up by the pared-down, color-saturated illustrations. Radunsky (Yucka Drucka Droni) places collage-style images against flat, featureless backdrops of deep pink, hot yellow and Astroturf green. Each letter of the alphabet is posted on the page in a geometric shape, as if snipped from a book of clip art. The illustrator, like the poet who inspires him, takes the unserious quite seriously, and the result is an unpredictable alphabet that sustains its zany energy over repeated readings. Ages 3-6. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: An Edward Lear Alphabet
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1,010 | 11 |
Grade 3-6-This installment in the series features Princess Sonora as Sleeping Beauty. The fairies in this fractured tale endow the princess with a few too many gifts at her naming ceremony; not only is she "the smartest human in the world," but she is also "ten times as smart as any human in the world." As a result, Sonora crawls only in perfectly straight lines and perfectly round circles, reminds the Royal Nursemaids to wash behind her ears, and diagnoses her own illnesses. She also refuses to sleep, preferring to spend her evenings reading, or thinking up questions and then answering them-she knows she'll get plenty of sleep during the 100 years promised by the spiteful fairy Belladonna. The more-than-a-little precocious princess decides that she will choose the most opportune moment to prick her finger, thereby putting the castle grounds to sleep. However, things don't go exactly as planned. Levine's witty takeoff is clever and humorous, but without the depth or thorough character development that so distinguished Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997). This amusing, light read will stir children's imaginations and encourage them to explore further the richness of fairy tales.Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.A spiteful fairy. A beautiful princess. An outstretched finger.A spindle. A hundred-year snooze. A charming prince. A kiss. All the familiar ingredients.But wait! Where did that extra prince come from? And those fairy gifts that have never been before? And what does a flock of blading sheep have to do with anything?Gail Carson Levine has waved her magic wand over this old standby, and presto! It reappears, transformed -- new sparkling, and funny! Hoots and guffaws are likely, chuckles and giggles are guaranteed.Gail Carson Levine is the author of ELLA ENCHANTED, a spirited retelling of "Cinderella" and a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. In this third of her Princess Tales, Levine shows a precocious but lovable girl taking control of a destiny she never asked for, with hilarious and happy-ever-after results.; Title: Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep (Princess Tales)
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1,011 | 20 |
Cone (Who Knows Ten?: Children's Tales of the Ten Commandments) updates her 1966 The Jewish Sabbath in a lively edition newly illustrated by Lisker (When the Beginning Began). Viewing Shabbat through a variety of lenses, the text ranges gracefully through history, ritual and folklore. Cone can be compelling and evocative: "A person thinks a little bigger on the Sabbath. A person stands a little taller on the Sabbath. A person is a person on the Sabbath." She admirably streamlines complex ideas. For example, she describes a poem about a prince turned into a dog by a witch's spell, except that he is restored to his human form every Sabbath. Then she adds: "The poem was not just a fairy tale, for Jews often felt persecuted in those days. Only on the Sabbath did those Jews feel like themselves again." Lisker's acrylics, rendered in dense, saturated colors and bold shapes, have an edginess that serves the book well when brought to bear on historical subjects, such as the Jews' Egyptian servitude, but the contemporary family scenes are problematic. Readers may appreciate her efforts to show diversity, as in a picture of what appears to be a Falasha family eating challah. Lisker's fans, however, may miss the folkish warmth and exuberance of her previous works: many of the modern celebrants here seem less reverent or uplifted than simply glum. Instructions for making challah and a challah cover conclude the volume. Ages 7-10. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Grade 1-4-Originally published in 1966, this newly illustrated explanation of the Jewish observance of Shabbat retains an old-fashioned style that is awkward to modern readers. Though descriptions of the holiday and its traditions are well done, Cone's attempts to explain the emotions it invokes fall flat. She includes several briefly told folktales whose purposes are not always clear, and she uses words that children are unlikely to know, such as "fallow" and "barren," without giving definitions. In some places the text is repetitive to a fault ("-Sabbath-begins with candlelighting. With candlelighting and blessing. First the candlelighting, then the blessing-"), while in others it provides insufficient explanations. The bold, childlike acrylic illustrations imply a young audience, which the complexity of the language and concepts seem to belie. The pictures are also uneven: some work quite well, while others appear awkward and amateurish. Eyeglass lenses change from blue to pink to white, Egyptians look like circus strongmen, and perspective changes from page to page. Lisker provides a somewhat multicultural feel by portraying a black family at the Sabbath table. Despite the need for more children's books on this subject, most libraries will want to pass on this one.Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Story of Shabbat
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Validation
|
1,012 | 11 |
Do you know how a handful of weeds turned into the Christmas flowers called poinsettias? Or who hid Baby Jesus in a bowl of bread dough? And why a woman named Babushka brings toys to Russian children at Christmastime instead of Santa Claus? This lively collection of traditional Christmas tales from around the world answers these questions with stories from five different cultures. The dialogue-rich, fast-paced folktales are skillfully retold by Saviour Pirotta, a storyteller from Malta who now lives in England. Pirotta's words beg to be read aloud, or even acted out as a play or puppet show. Young readers will revel in "The Brave Little Camel" (Syria), "Baby in the Bread" (Malta), "Flowers for Jesus" (Mexico), "The Gourd of Plenty" (Ghana), and "Babushka" (Russia), all cheerfully illustrated with Sheila Moxley's colorful folk-art-style paintings. Joy to the World is a festive global tour, and a refreshing change of pace from the usual holiday fare. (Ages 4 to 8) --Marcie BovetzGrade 3-4?Loose retellings of five stories from around the globe. Readers learn why children leave offerings for baby camels in Syria, the reason bread dough rises in Malta, the significance of poinsettias in Mexico, how kindness is repaid in Ghana, and why gifts in Russia are delivered by Babushka. Underscoring each selection is the event of Jesus's birth, the very first Christmas. The handsome, brightly colored folk illustrations help establish the locale for each story, support its succinct text, and provide a strong visual focus. Source notes reveal that the reteller has drawn for the most part upon other contemporary retellings rather than from primary material; these tales are thus only indirectly linked to the cultures represented. Despite that caveat, teachers looking for a multicultural approach to the celebrations and meanings of Christmas may find this useful.?SHPCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Joy to the World
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1,013 | 2 |
"'We're going on a journey,' my father said. 'To a secret place. We'll catch the air! We'll catch the breeze!'" And indeed, one Saturday, a young boy and his father head off on a fishing trip while it's still early-morning blue-black outside. As they drive and drive, the dad points out that the street lamps glow like tiny moons--and then they are tiny moons--and that the trees look like tall green soldiers. At last the dreamy duo smells the river, and the fishing and the talking begin. The father tells of the house he lived in when he was a boy, and as he describes it, Caldecott Honor artist Chris Raschka's swirling strokes of color transport the boy in time and place. As his father continues his reverie, the boy, with his unhooked fishing line, catches a slice of sun, a white, white cloud... he catches it all, including the air and the breeze as first promised. This is Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech's first picture book, but fans of her novels will recognize its power and poetry. Raschka's gorgeous illustrations, reminiscent of Russian lacquered boxes, manage to portray the world of imagination, where the similes and metaphors of memory are allowed to take shape quite literally. This is a beautiful book about storytelling and the mind's eye, but also simply about a little boy and his dad who go on a fishing trip with a can of worms and a sack of sandwiches. We're hoping this one works its way onto the shelf of classics. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonIn an inspired pairing, Creech and Raschka combine their considerable talents for the poignant exploration of the ties that bind one generation to another. Creech (The Wanderer) sets the stage for a father-son fishing expedition that's about much more than catching supper. As the two start out in the "blue-black" early morning, the father tells his son, "We'll catch the air! We'll catch the breeze!" The father fires his son's fancy, pointing out street lamps like "tiny moons" and trees like "tall green soldiers standing at attention"; Raschka (Yo! Yes?) subtly traces their transformation across neat horizontal rows. When the pair reaches the river, the man drops his line into the water at the top left-hand corner of the spread while the boy casts his line into the air from the bottom right-hand corner of the spread. The father then enters a reverie, recounting memories of his childhood home to his son, in a narrative that winds as gracefully and smoothly as the river itself; in a cumulative echo, the son prompts him to fill in more details. Raschka gradually incorporates each new detail in his illustrations until the reverie overtakes the page; the two characters, once upright, now seem to float like Chagall figures across the spreads, or somersault down the sides-always remaining separate yet answering each other visually as much as verbally. This gradual building up of narrative and illustrative brush strokes erupts in a glorious climax, in which the father expresses his nostalgia for that lost time ("Oh, where is that house?? And where are those fields and that river and that father and that boy?"), and the boy and the father now reach for each other, the father having caught his son's line (the little boy having answered, "Right here"). Creech's narrative is more poetry than prose; her quicksilver description and quietly repetitive phrases serve to deepen the growing connection between father and son, and her images are made for Raschka's brush. Author and artist evoke an idyllic outing between parent and child and demonstrate that while they may return empty-handed, their hearts are full. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Fishing in the Air
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Train
|
1,014 | 0 |
Grade 3-6-Two novellas that are grounded in well-known tales and set in the magical kingdom of Biddle. The Fairy's Mistake is a play on "Toads and Diamonds," a story from Perrault about gifts given by a witch to two sisters, one kind and the other unkind. The Princess Test is based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea." Illustrated with full-page pen-and-ink drawings, both retellings are delightfully lighthearted, with little doubt that good will ultimately triumph over evil. There is a rich use of language and spirited characters, especially the females. Although "The Princess Tales" lack the complexity of plot and fantastical invention found in Levine's Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997), they make a nice addition to the genre of novels based on and yet departing from traditional tales. Although their short length and sly humor would make the books appeal to reluctant readers, the difficult font makes it hard to recommend them to that audience.Carol A. Edwards, Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, CA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gail Carson Levine's first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Ever, a New York Times bestseller; Fairest, a Best Book of the Year for Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and a New York Times bestseller; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; A Tale of Two Castles; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction books Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink, as well as the picture books Betsy Who Cried Wolf and Betsy Red Hoodie. Gail Carson Levine and her husband, David, live in a two-centuries-old farmhouse in the Hudson Valley of New York State.; Title: The Princess Test (Princess Tales)
|
[
500,
1010,
1068,
1108,
1314,
1527,
2431
] |
Validation
|
1,015 | 2 |
PreSchool-K-In their latest adventure, Sarah is heading off to school and that rotten rascal Ralph does not want to be left behind. With the mannerisms of a younger sibling, the cat jealously contrives to keep the girl at home with childish pranks and ploys. When Sarah, who has an adultlike ability to see through his antics, continues on to school determined to make new friends, that devilish red feline disguises himself and follows her. He thwarts her every effort to make friends until his pranks backfire. From start to finish, Ralph's dual personality is evident as he alternates between being a loving, helpful pet and a gleefully mischievous cat. As in previous titles about this pair, Sarah continues to love Ralph despite his bad behavior. "I made a lot of new friends today. But you'll always be at the top of my list." Large-print text along with entertaining pictures invite children to enjoy another milestone in Sarah and Ralph's lives. The vibrantly colored artwork, filled with humorous details, will endear this comical cat to pet lovers everywhere.Kit Vaughan, J. B. Watkins Elementary School, Midlothian, VACopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.Ages 4^-8. When Sarah starts school in the fall, her famously rotten feline, Ralph, is left at home, all alone by the telephone. But not for long! The rotten--and wily--one has a plan: with the aid of a disguise, HE will become Sarah's new school friend. But with friends like Ralph, who needs enemies? As Sarah tells her teacher, with masterful understatement, "I've had a difficult day." But even Ralph can come a cropper, and despite his jealous efforts to keep her to himself, Sarah at last manages to make lots of new friends. Does that mean there's no room left in her heart for Ralph? Let's just say that even rotten cats can hope for happy endings. Gantos and Rubel have collaborated to create another wickedly funny adventure about a cat so rambunctiously rotten that you've just gotta love him. Michael Cart; Title: Back to School for Rotten Ralph
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Train
|
1,016 | 2 |
Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the author of the first story about Tulip and Rex, Tulip Loves Rex, as well as the bestselling Biscuit books and many other beloved children's books. She lives in a book-filled home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.; Title: Hello, Biscuit!
|
[
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Train
|
1,017 | 2 |
★ “Spinelli adroitly balances emotional tension with introspective moments in this smart and funny story.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))“Spinelli is a poet of the prepubescent…Nobody is better than Spinelli when it comes to creating the grade-school world of qualified innocence—and treading a fine line between challenge and reassurance.” (New York Times Book Review)“Each character is portrayed with emotional subtlety and conviction, while their juxtaposed viewpoints bring the energy of opposing forces to the story.” (Booklist)“Double the feelings, double the fun.” (Kirkus Reviews)“Spinelli’s hallmark issues—individuality, nonconformity, alienation, standing up for the little guy—figure prominently, and the messages are convincingly worked into the story.” (Horn Book Magazine)This is a story about me, Lily.And me, Jake.We're twins and we're exactly alike.Not exactly!Whatever. This is a book we wrote about the summer we turned eleven and Jake ditched me.Please. I just started hanging out with some guys in the neighborhood.Right. So anyway, this is a book about goobers and supergoobersbulliesclubhousestrue friendsthings getting built and wrecked and rebuilt and about figuring out who we are.We wrote this together(sort of)so you'll get to see both sides of our story.But you'll probably agree with my side.You always have to have the last word, don't you?Yes!; Title: Jake and Lily
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Train
|
1,018 | 2 |
Melissa Wiley, the author of Little House in the Highlands, Little House by Boston Bay, and The Far Side of the Loch, has done extensive research on life in the late 18th century Scotland. She lives in New York City.; Title: Little House in the Highlands (Little House the Martha Years)
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Train
|
1,019 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 3-Illustrated with cartoonishly cute animals, this book shares advice on ways to be a good friend ("Be a good listener," "Share your feelings," "Don't be afraid to say 'I'm sorry'") and on where one can find friends (at school, in a book, in the park). Beginning readers may have difficulty with the typography, which resembles paintbrush strokes. While fans of Ross and Rader's A Book of Hugs (HarperCollins, 1999) are the most likely audience for this book, adults might consider using it as an introduction to the importance of maintaining friendships.Maura Bresnahan, Shawsheen School, Andover, MA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.PLB 0-06-028362-9 Ross reduces a topic as enigmatic and multi-faceted as friendship to didacticism and platitudes. ``Friends come in all different sizes and shapes and colors,'' the text intones; friends can be big and small, new and old, best and imaginary. The things Ross suggests pals do togethertake new experiences, confide troubles, have an adventure, sharewill hardly be news to children, and becomes somewhat bald in these pages. The asides are worse: ``It's not the size of your friends that counts. It is the size of your heart'' and ``It doesn't matter how many friends you have. . . . It's quality, not quantity, that counts!'' Some people won't mind the presentation; the bestseller lists are full of such volumes as Ross and Rader's A Book of Hugs; still, most children will want to dodge the finger-wagging. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.; Title: A Book of Friends
|
[
493,
502,
4552,
5416
] |
Validation
|
1,020 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 1-Another successful easy reader from the creators of Biscuit (1996) and Biscuit Finds a Friend (1997, both HarperCollins). This time, the appealing tan puppy finds lots of fun things to do instead of having a bath. When Biscuit sees another puppy, they have twice the fun, and get twice as dirty. Finally Biscuit's owner insists on a bath for everyone, and ends up taking one herself. Full-color drawings reinforce the simple text. A familiar theme with plenty of repetition, large print, and just a few short sentences per page make this a good choice for the youngest readers and listeners alike.Sharon R. Pearce, formerly at San Antonio Public Library, TXCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc."A good choice for the youngest readers and listeners alike."--" School Library Journal"; Title: Bathtime for Biscuit (My First I Can Read)
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Train
|
1,021 | 11 |
Grade 8 UpThe swift flow of these short poems carries readers along in thoughts, conversations, and scenes as Damien and Junice's romance begins. He is a high achiever who has been accepted to Brown University and is expected to go far. Junice has just lost her mother to prison and is trying to keep her younger sister and her grandmother together as a family. Damien and Junice question who they are and who they will become. Hip-hop-style phrases feel like Shakespeare telling of these African-American teens in Harlem, struggling to keep it together. Intellect meets Street as true love conquers all. This is a quick and satisfying read, simple and timeless.Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* In short lines of free verse, teens in Harlem tell a story of anger, loss, and love across social-class lines. Damien, 17, is a basketball champion and academic star, accepted into a top college. His parents want him to date middle-class Roxanne, but he falls in love with gorgeous Junice, 16, who is desperate to protect her little sister after their single-parent mom is sentenced to 25 years for dealing drugs. Written with rap beat and rhyme but no invective or obscenity, the switching viewpoints make this great for readers' theater--from Damien's furious "manhood jam" when he confronts his rival, and Junice's anguished visit to her raging mama in prison ("a wolf caught in a trap") to the lyrical simplicity of the teens' love ("Flying through an endlessly / Expanding universe / Away from the me that was / Toward a me that is beyond / understanding"). The young people also invoke their history in the tradition of Langston Hughes and other great writers ("these hands have scrubbed mats on the banks of / the Congo"). The realistic drama on the street and at home tells a gripping story. Readers will want to reread the lines they loved. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Street Love
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Train
|
1,022 | 0 |
PreSchool-Grade 1-Biscuit bounds onto the scene ready for action in his newest adventure. Teaching her dog to fetch a ball takes patience and perseverance from his little girl and creates lots of fun along the way. Daisy the cat distracts him from his task, but when the ball rolls into an appealing mud puddle, the pup can't resist running after it. Schories's colorful cartoonlike illustrations draw readers into this simple story that provides plenty of repetition for new readers.Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the author of the popular books about the little yellow puppy named Biscuit. She lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. You can; Title: Biscuit's New Trick (My First I Can Read)
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Test
|
1,023 | 1 |
PreSchool-Grade 2?Paddington is overwhelmed by the choices of activities at the Spring Carnival so his friend Mr. Gruber suggests the Busy Bee Adventure Trail, the object being to find as many things as possible that begin with the letter B. The bear gets right to business, but readers will see that trouble is already brewing. A young boy trailing the two is copying their list. Not surprisingly, when it's time to judge the contest there's a tie. The problem is solved when the bear finds another B, the most important one of all. Emerging readers and their parents will have the makings of a new game after they see the relish with which it's played here. Children will enjoy Bond's dry humor that will make them feel the wiser. Alley's watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the soft colors of the spring day and the crowd's happy sense of anticipation, with deft touches that remind readers that this is not just any city, but Paddington's London.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PACopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.Ages 4^-6. Visiting London's "Little Venice" carnival with Mr. Gruber, Paddington Bear decides to enter a contest by listing everything he sees that begins with the letter B. Each turn of the page brings a new scene showing Paddington exploring the area and writing down things that start with B. A boy surreptitiously follows the bear and Mr. Gruber, spying on them and adding objects to his own contest list. This sneaky character adds a welcome bit of intrigue to the pictures as well as to the plot. Alley's detailed ink-and-watercolor-wash illustrations make the most of the low-key plot and offer plenty of affable characters and intriguing details. Teachers and parents will appreciate the practice on the letter B, but young children will enjoy just hanging out with Paddington for the space of this pleasant picture book. Carolyn Phelan; Title: Paddington Bear and the Busy Bee Carnival (Paddington Bear Picture Book)
|
[
3751,
4357
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Train
|
1,024 | 2 |
Grade 9 Up-Behind the glossy hipness and lush sensory detail that characterize Block's fiction, her fans will find here the sad story of the friendship between two teens. Violet remembers the tough, excited kid she was in sixth grade, the one who wanted to be president, and the one who entered junior high, became Vile, and wanted to die. Her love for movies and her passion to write screenplays save her and connect her to Claire, an ethereal poet with gauze wings sewn on the back of her shirt. They become instant friends, but the outside world intrudes. Violet is bedded by a rock star, who sends her on to a job as a girl Friday for a screen agent, who gives her the impetus to write an enormously successful screenplay, which propels her into a sickening, drug-filled world. Meanwhile, Claire enrolls in a poetry-writing class and becomes attached to the instructor, deeply disturbing Violet, who resents the loss of her friend's attention. Up to this point in the plot, the story is told in alternating sections of first-person narration. The climax and denouement, however, are even more consciously movielike, shifting to third person and focusing on the externals of the scenes in which Claire and Violet separately attend and flee a wild party, heading for the desert where they come together in the end. The sex and violence are explicit; the colors, odors, and tastes of Claire and Violet's Los Angeles world are even more distinctly described. Block's style is still light and frothy here, but there is substance within.Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Author of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Weetzie Bat books, Francesca Lia Block is renowned for groundbreaking novels and stories -- postmodern, magic-realist fairy tales for all ages. Her work transports readers through the harsh landscapes of contemporary life -- including prejudice, AIDS, and drug abuse to magical realms of the senses where love is always our saving grace.Born in Los Angeles, where she still lives in a pink cottage with her springer spaniel, Vincent Van Go-Go Boots, Block writes fiction that pulsates with the language and images of the city's sprawling subculture. "Yes, I once had short bleached-blond hair," Block says, "wore engineer boots with 1950s prom dresses, drove around in a red-and-white 1955 Pontiac convertible, and slammed to bands in underground clubs like the punk pixie flower child Weetzie Bat, star of my first novel." Block found the name "Weetzie" on the license plate of a pink Pinto when she was sixteen, "My Secret Agent Lover Man" in a graffiti scrawl, and other characters' names came from what she describes as "my rampaging subconscious." Weetzie, My Secret Agent Lover Man, and other unforgettable beings, such as Witch Baby, Cherokee, and Slinkster Dog, coexist in the "jasmine-scented, jacaranda-purple, neon-sparked city" that Block likes to refer to as "Shangri-L.A." Lauds a reviewer for The New York Times Book Review "Block writes about the real Los Angeles better than anyone since Raymond Chandler."Though grounded in the realities of L.A. and urban life -- at both its grittiest and most beautiful -- Block's work is otherworldly and almost transcendent in its reach. The daughter of a poet and a painter, Block has been influenced by the visual arts, by her childhood love of Greek myths and fairy tales, as well as by music and dance. While at the University of California at Berkeley, Block's early influences expanded to include the magic -- realist fiction of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende, as well as the modernist poetry of H.D. (Hilda Doolittle).Block has described her work as "contemporary fairy tales with an edge," where the real world and its troubles find solace through "hope and magic..." Although she has received numerous awards, including citations from the American Library Association, School Library Joumal, and The New York Times Book Review, responses from her readers are the most rewarding. "I have received letters from lovers who read my stories to each other in bed, people who have named themselves, their pets, or bands after my characters, gay kids who tell me my books let them know 'it's okay to be gay,' and wounded kids thanking me for helping them feel empowered. These are the greatest gifts I could receive."; Title: Violet & Clare
|
[
2199
] |
Train
|
1,025 | 2 |
K-Gr 2King's remembrance of his father is an intimate introduction to the civil rights leader, revealing happy family moments as well as fear and personal pain amid the turbulence engulfing the nation in the 1960s. Kids will enjoy and perhaps identify with the playful interactions between Marty and his dad, who would put his son on top of the refrigerator and then catch him in his arms. Contrasting such warm memories are those of the King children hearing on the radio about their father's arrest and enduring bigotry at their new, integrated school. King's son is frank about the ugly clashes of the Civil Rights Movement, but he writes about them in an age-appropriate manner. The style is simple and conversational, as though the author were chatting with readers, reinforcing the personal spirit of the book. His effort to share some of the legendary leader's life as a private citizen makes his father approachable and real, a nice beginning to the relationship students will have with the influential man in their American history classes. It also provides an important firsthand account of the agony and frustration of prejudice experienced by many African American families. Ford's artwork is laudable, but in some illustrations, the heads of Dr. King and his wife are disproportionately large and oddly rendered. Overall, though, the forthrightness of Ford's palette and technique complement the text.Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.This picture-book biography, written by the second child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., offers an intimate portrait of his father and some family stories from their unusual household. In the opening scene, his father explains to Marty and his sister that their family wont be going to Funtown because its for white people only. Later, Marty avoids identifying himself to other kids because he bears his fathers controversial name. One Christmas, he and his brother are given toy guns, but in keeping with their familys values, they burn the guns in a bonfire. The story ends on a high note, with King and his sister entering a newly desegregated school. An appended page acknowledges his fathers death (when Marty was 10 years old) and appreciates his ongoing legacy. The figures look awkward in some of the paintings, but Ford illustrates many scenes effectively and captures likenesses of individuals. Clearly written, the book has an obviously unique persepctive, and it offers insights into the period as well as Kings family life. Grades K-3. --Carolyn Phelan; Title: My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Test
|
1,026 | 2 |
Starred Review. Grade 3–6—Wells was born into slavery in 1862 in Mississippi. Myers follows her remarkable life from raising her siblings after the death of her parents, to her rise to national fame as a writer and speaker who worked tirelessly on behalf of African Americans and suffrage, and against the horrors of lynching. Throughout the book, her words, taken mostly from her autobiography, The Crusade for Justice, are highlighted in bold text and emphasize her strength of character and commitment to justice: "I'd rather go down in history as one lone Negro who dared to tell the government that it has done a dastardly thing than to save my skin by taking back what I have said." Readers will learn that long before Rosa Parks made history on a Montgomery bus, Wells refused to move from the ladies' coach on a train, was forcibly removed, then sued the railroad. Christensen's detailed and historically accurate watercolor illustrations bring the story of this amazingly accomplished and courageous woman to life. An important and inspiring book.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This picture-book biography covers basic information about Wells life: her birthinslavery in 1862; her outstanding ability as a student; and her work as a teacher, journalist, and crusader. Myers masterful text iswell matched by Christensens somber watercolor illustrations: neithersoft-pedals the injustice and cruelty to African Americans. Wells stand against lynching and the peril in which that put her are covered,but there are no graphic scenesin the illustrations. The explanations of some complex topics, such as suffrage, are seamlessly woven into the narrative, while othersfor instance, segregationare not.Whatwill come across to young readers, however, ishowshe helped make America a better place. Quotes from Wells autobiography are placed throughout, and a time line of the major aspects of her life is included. A fine introduction. Grades 2-4. --Randall Enos; Title: Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told
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Train
|
1,027 | 2 |
If you take a mouse to the movies, he'll ask you for some popcorn. When you give him the popcorn, he'll want to string it all together. Then he'll want to hang it on a Christmas tree. You'll have to buy him one....The energetic little mouse from If You Give A Mouse A Cookie is back again, this time with a host of holiday antics. Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond have created yet another irresistible tale in the tradition of the best-selling If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, If You Give A Moose A Muffin, and If You Give A Pig A Pancake.Laura Numeroff is the New York Times bestselling author of many books for young readers in addition to the If You Giveseries, including The Chicken Sisters and Laura Numeroffs 10-Step Guide to Living with Your Monster. She lives in Los Angeles, California, and is involved with several childrens charities, including First Book. You can visit her online at www.lauranumeroff.com.; Title: If You Take a Mouse to the Movies (If You Give...)
|
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Test
|
1,028 | 2 |
Grade 2-5 When a writer spends six weeks in a fourth-grade classroom, Lucy begins to understand the power of the written word. Colorful Ms. Mirabel introduces the students to the idea that writing can change their lives and inspires them to find their own stories and to write them. Lucy doesn't believe her life is interesting enough to write about, but Ms. Mirabel insists that everyone has an important tale to tell. She begins by reading passages from famous pieces of literature that eloquently describe places, characters, and moments in time. After school, Lucy and her friends Evie, Henry, and Russell discuss the tumultuous events that have shaped their own lives, including Lucy's mother's cancer, Evie's parents' divorce, and the death of Henry's dog. MacLachlan creates marvelous characters, children who can empathize with and support one another and who produce amazing poetry that captures their sadness and courage. The result is a tale that draws readers into a dichotomous world that is serious and lighthearted, sad and happy, real and unreal. Children will enjoy the lively characters and warm friendships depicted in this early chapter book, and it will make a memorable read-aloud to help teach the important story elements that will encourage young readers and writers to explore the world of words as they find their own voices. Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Ms. Mirabel, a visiting poet, works with a fourth-grade class over several weeks as they first discuss why people write poetry and then attempt to express themselves in verse. I, myself, write to change my life, to make it come out the way I want it to, states Ms. Mirabel and thus, she becomes a catalyst for the students growing awareness in writing and gives them a means to cope with changes in their lives. Narrator Lucy, whose mother is recovering from cancer treatments, often meets her friends to talk about their hopes, their fears, their families, and their charismatic poetry mentor. Children reading the book may long for such friends, who talk so openly about serious matters, support each other in direct and indirect ways, and find plenty to laugh about, too. As the story draws to a close, even the adults in their lives are drawn into the magical power of words. Showing great respect for both her readers and her craft, Newbery Award winner MacLachlan makes every word count in Lucys smooth-flowing, economical narrative. Though a number of characters cry along the way, the story is anything but sad, and even poignant is too soppy an adjective for the swift, subtle depiction of characters realizations, revelations, and connections. A memorable chapter book. Grades 2-5. --Carolyn Phelan; Title: Word After Word After Word
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Train
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1,029 | 0 |
One day a little girl said to her brother... Do you know what I'll do at the seashore? I'll bring you a shell to hold the sound of the sea. In a little girl's magical question-and-answer game, Charlotte Zolotow captures, with unerring childlike simplicity, a sister's special love for her little brother. Javaka Steptoe's bold artwork offers a stunning new interpretation of the reassuring, lyrical text and brings to yet another generation of children this well-loved story.; Title: Do You Know What I'll Do?
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Train
|
1,030 | 2 |
In this episodic fantasy, the moon topples from his perch and lands in a farmer's lawn: "The rye smelled sweet,/ The night winds whirled,/ Circling Moon in a misty wreath,/ And he beamed in awe/ At this wondrous world / The stars above and earth/ beneath." Wearing cowboy boots and a zippered sweater on the torso and limbs that support him, Moon meets a cow who accompanies him to town. Moon is entranced by a blinking sign, while Cow "poke[s] around the milkman's cart." Their adventures come to an abrupt halt the next morning, when he orders them back where they belong. The late Smith's rhyme is lilting and soothing, while Brown's watercolors are agreeably inviting. But in their adherence to a uniform perspective, they underserve one of the themes the pleasure of seeing a familiar object from a new angle. Moon is an eager observer: "He'd never seen the trunks of trees/ Or blades below the farmer's plow./ Moon didn't know a horse had knees,/ But things were strangely sideways now." Reminiscent of both e.e. cummings and "Hey Diddle Diddle," Smith's rhythms and phrasing create a fanciful entertainment for bedtime fun. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-This whimsical story captures an evening when Moon inexplicably falls to Earth and explores the environs of a small town in the company of an endearing cow. They explore until dawn, when the farmer sends both back to their rightful places. Gently humorous touches, such as Cow and Moon admiring the perfect half-moon slices of cheese displayed in a shop, Moon falling in love with a blinking sign, and his delight in seeing the world sideways and close-up instead of from above, are fresh and light. However, the rhyming text does not always scan, some lines work pretty hard to keep both meaning and meter in mind, and the farmer's scolding of the two friends at the end conflicts with the quiet theme of the rewards of seeing things from a different point of view. Still, Brown's watercolor illustrations glow with Moon's reflected light and shapes swirl across the page and around the nighttime action while the palette lightens as morning approaches. Youngsters may see nighttime in a new light.Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: When Moon Fell Down
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Train
|
1,031 | 0 |
Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the author of the first story about Tulip and Rex, Tulip Loves Rex, as well as the bestselling Biscuit books and many other beloved children's books. She lives in a book-filled home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.; Title: Biscuit's Picnic (My First I Can Read Book)
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Train
|
1,032 | 12 |
PreSchool-Grade 1-This fine offering introduces the concept of patterns. Kevin has red, yellow, and blue cars that he always lines up in a special way on his shelf. His little sister Molly wants to play, but is told she is too young. Of course, she takes a turn the second Kevin leaves the room. Overhearing the "vrooming, crashing, and beeping," Dad and Mom remind her that she must put the cars back on the shelf exactly the way Kevin left them. This allows her several opportunities to arrange the vehicles in different ways. This clever book not only gives young readers the opportunity to identify color patterns, but also has the added bonus of a repetitive story, complete with sound effects. Whenever the children play with the cars, some variation of the refrain "VROOM VROOM zoomed the red cars. BEEP BEEP honked the yellow cars. CRASH CRASH banged the blue cars" ensues. Primary-color cartoon illustrations depict the family, a playful pooch, and plenty of toy-car action. Two concluding pages provide discussion questions and activities to reinforce the math as well as a few suggestions for further reading. However, many children will enjoy this book simply for the story and the colorful pictures.Jackie Hechtkopf, Rose Ruth Freudberg Memorial Library, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Like all Murphy's MathStart titles, this lively picture book uses a story from a child's daily world to teach a basic math skill. Here the math is pattern recognition, and the story combines sibling rivalry with hands-on play. Molly loves playing with cars, but her brother, Kevin, tells her she's too young. He lines up his 12 cars--four red, four green, four yellow--in special order on the shelf and tells her not to touch them while he's gone. Of course, she does play with them (Vroom! Beep! Crash!), and every time someone comes in, she lines up the vehicles in different sequences, until, finally, she gets her own sets of cars to add to the game. At the back are practical suggestions for adults and kids to find patterns on the pages and make their own patterns with pebbles, buttons, coins, and kitchen utensils. Demarest's clear, simple pastel pictures express the fun of playing with cars as the vrooming action reveals the patterns in everyday things. Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Beep Beep, Vroom Vroom! (MathStart 1)
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Validation
|
1,033 | 15 |
Kindergarten-Grade 2AOriginally published in 1981, this title gets a facelift with the addition of some new information, including a brief list of Web sites, plus new illustrations. Though given to dogmatic statements like "The most important part of the solar system is the sun," Branley makes his points briefly and precisely, steering clear of distracting dialogue and side commentary. Also, rather than the more common one-planet-after-the-other tour, he groups together heavenly bodies, discussing temperature, size, and orbital length in comparative terms; the effect is to reinforce the idea of the solar system as a system rather than an assemblage of isolated elements. He finishes with instructions for a planetary mobile and several other simple projects. O'Malley creates a rudimentary story line in his illustrations, in which an African-American version of Ms. Frizzle guides a class around a planetarium, and inserts small astronomical photos into his cartoon scenes. Still one of the most basic books on the subject, this is a welcome replacement for the old edition.AJohn Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.Franklyn M. Branley is the originator of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series and the award-winning author of over 140 popular books for readers of all ages. He is Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium. Dr. Branley lives in Brunswick, Maine.; Title: The Planets in Our Solar System (Let's-read-and-find-out Science Stage 2)
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Train
|
1,034 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 2-This British team's sequel to A Little Bit of Winter (HarperCollins, 1999) features Rabbit (with bulging forehead and Keane-size eyes) and bristle-backed Hedgehog in a tale of birthday irony. The two friends discover that although neither knows the date of his own birthday, they share a desire for a celebration. They set the following day as one of joint commemoration, and each one busies himself with a quest for the perfect gift. That evening, Hedgehog imagines Rabbit sleeping in the dark silence and dampness of his burrow and decides on a bottle of moonlight as the ideal present for his buddy. Early the next day, Rabbit, snug in his underground bed, pictures his friend as sleep deprived in the open air and creates a box of coziness for him. Good manners prevail as the animals exchange packages and express delight at gifts that don't quite hit the mark. After each creature finds a more practical use for the item, he honestly tells the other that his present is the best ever. Muted golds, greens, and blues dapple the pen-and-watercolor illustrations. A modest story with an appealing message.Sue Sherif, Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, AK Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Rabbit and Hedgehog, very dissimilar friends, have found ways to share in the past (A Little Bit of Winter, not reviewed), and they charmingly do so again in their second appearance. Neither one of them knows the day of his birth, leaving them with no exact dates to celebrate. They resolve this problem by deciding to celebrate both birthdays the next day, complete with an exchange of presents at Hedgehog's insistence. Now the friends have the joint problem of what to give each other, a puzzle they resolve: Hedgehog dips a bottle into the moonlight spilling over the lake to capture some for Rabbit's dark burrow, and Rabbit packs a box of coziness in the form of earth and leaves from his burrow to soften Hedgehog's bed in the wide open. Each is surprised to find his gift useful, although perhaps not in the exact way that was intended. The message, that barriers between friends can be overcome with a little thought, is delivered with warmth and humor in this gentle book's perfectly complementary text and illustrations. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright 2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.; Title: The Birthday Presents
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[
1090
] |
Train
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1,035 | 2 |
Grade 4-6-This series chronicles the unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire children: Violet, 14; Klaus, 12; and the infant, Sunny. In Bad Beginning, their parents and possessions perish in a fire, and the orphans must use their talents to survive as their lives move from one disastrous event to another. Surrounded by dim-witted though well-meaning adults, the Baudelaires find themselves in the care of their evil relative, Count Olaf, a disreputable actor whose main concern is getting his hands on the children's fortune. When Olaf holds Sunny hostage to force Violet to marry him, it takes all of the siblings' resourcefulness to outwit him. Violet's inventive genius, Klaus's forte for research, and Sunny's gift for biting the bad guys at opportune moments save the day. However, the evil Count escapes, only to return in The Reptile Room just as the children are settling into a far more pleasant life with their new guardian, Uncle Monty, who is promptly murdered by Olaf and his cohorts. Though the villain escapes again, and beloved Uncle Monty is dead, the children are safe...for now. While the misfortunes hover on the edge of being ridiculous, Snicket's energetic blend of humor, dramatic irony, and literary flair makes it all perfectly believable. The writing, peppered with fairly sophisticated vocabulary and phrases, may seem daunting, but the inclusion of Snicket's perceptive definitions of difficult words makes these books challenging to older readers and excellent for reading aloud.Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Lemony Snicket claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. He is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lump of Coal.; Title: The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)
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Validation
|
1,036 | 0 |
PreSchool-Grade 1-Those familiar with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985) and If You Give a Moose a Muffin (1991, both HarperCollins) will have no trouble guessing what happens in this charming "what if" scenario. The humor and pacing are maintained in this fine Spanish translation. Readers follow as a playful pig is enticed by the aroma of pancakes being made by a patient little girl who starts the chain reaction by sharing her breakfast. The rollicking pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are sure to please youngsters. Of course everyone knows what happens when you give a pig a pancake followed by maple syrup-and the sweet and irresistible results will be requested again and again.Marisa Parish, New York Public Library Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Text: Spanish (translation) Original Language: English; Title: Si le das un panqueque a una cerdita (Spanish Edition)
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Train
|
1,037 | 2 |
In Nutik and Amaroq Play Ball by Jean Craighead George, illus. by Ted Rand, another picture book adaptation of a scene from Julie's Wolf Pack, Nutik, the wolf pup, leads his master, Amaroq, on a mysterious mission, then home again in time for lunch. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 2-In this sequel to Nutik, the Wolf Pup (HarperCollins, 2001), the Eskimo boy and his companion set out on a summer day to entertain themselves. Normally, they love to play football, but their ball is missing since some neighboring pranksters have come by. No other games appeal to Nutik, and the pair's restless wandering takes them far across the tundra. The pup leads the boy to a rusted oil barrel and he finds the football hidden inside. When Amaroq can't find his way back again, it is Nutik who leads them home. This is a sensitive story full of observations of the Arctic wilderness. Rich watercolors capture the beauty of the land as well as the special bond between boy and wolf.Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Nutik & Amaroq Play Ball
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[
1125
] |
Train
|
1,038 | 2 |
In this visually arresting picture book, Sophia "receives" an olive tree from her grandfather on her seventh birthday, one that still grows on his native Greek isle. Months later, her dying grandfather requests that Sophia and her mother travel from California to Greece to the olive tree to hang the beads that had belonged to Sophia's grandmother, as a remembrance. During the course of the trip, Sophia learns a great deal about her family's homeland. Bunting (Smoky Night) spins a quietly nostalgic tale that transports readers to the exotic setting with images of whitewashed houses "sleeping in the sun" and a sponge seller's wares "stacked around him like great lumps of honeycomb." In a visual homage to Greek culture, Barbour (Street Music) deftly adapts her folk-art style to incorporate elements of local art and architecture in everything from the color schemeAcobalt blue against white, lemon yellow and olive purpleAto the characters' profiles, as stylized as those stamped on Greek coins. The townspeople wear traditional peasant dress; the legs of a table resemble Corinthian columns; and in a nod to Greek mythology, a sofa pillow is decorated with a winged horse. Barbour gives the tale a dramatic pause with a vertical spread showing the story's central image. The olive tree stands against a Van Gogh-esque landscape of flowing lines and swirling dabs of paintAand takes on a life of its own. Ages 4-8. (May) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-For her seventh birthday, Sophia's grandfather gives her an unusual gift-an olive tree, a symbol of this Greek-American family's heritage and ancestral home. Although the girl would have preferred a skateboard at the time, the gift takes on more import when her grandfather dies a year later. Sophia and her mother then make a pilgrimage to Greece to hang her grandmother's beads on the family tree in accordance with her grandfather's last wishes. Placing the beads in the barren, aging olive tree behind the family's former home enables Sophia to feel connected to her roots and she vows to return someday. The folk-art illustrations' color, style, and choice of subjects lend flavor to a story that celebrates ethnicity. At times, though, the palette seems more vivid than the tale itself, which is a contemplative memory piece. Quiet and touching, it may encourage youngsters to explore their own family origins.Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: I Have an Olive Tree
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Train
|
1,039 | 6 |
There's nothing Harold can't create with his purple crayon--and that's just why children have loved his magical world for decades. Crockett Johnson wrote several other books about Harold after the original Harold and the Purple Crayon in 1955, each one tracing different themes--from Harold at the circus to Harold on Mars. This time the imaginative young artist takes his purple crayon on a search for a Christmas tree. He finds himself at the North Pole just in time to help Santa who is snowed in with his reindeer, his sleigh, and all the toys. Harold's purple crayon to the rescue! He draws his own solutions, solving both Santa's problem and his own. This would be a dandy Christmas gift wrapped up with a big pad of paper... and a purple crayon, of course. (Ages 3 to 6) --Marcie BovetzCrockett Johnson was born in New York and spent his childhood on Long Island. He acquired his art education at New York University and at Cooper Union.For many years the author and illustrator of the popular comic strip Barnaby, Mr. Johnson also illustrated many wonderful children's books, including Ruth Krauss's The Carrot Seed. He is perhaps best remembered for his own slyly engaging books about a small boy named Harold and his journeys with a purple crayon.; Title: Harold at the North Pole (Purple Crayon Books)
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|
1,040 | 2 |
Gr. 2-4. Edelman takes that sturdy statement and breaks it down into 12 components, easily understandable by kids, and then decorates each with meaningful poems, stories, and memorable art. Ways to make a difference are stated in the personal affirmative: "I can make a difference by loving myself and others as God loves us and treating others respectfully and fairly"; "I can make a difference by being courageous." The section about making a difference by working with others begins with a Persian proverb about individual drops becoming a sea. A short tale from China shows how the same situation can be either heaven or hell, depending on whether people cooperate. There's also an except from Leo Lionni's Swimmy (1963), an Aesop's fable, and a saying from Sitting Bull. An oversize format allows Moser to mix full-size paintings, portraits, and spot art in artwork that ranges from utilitarian to effective to stunning. Edelman, a well-known children's rights activist and winner of such awards as the MacArthur Prize Fellowship and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, discusses her hopes for inspiring children to see their lives as a means of improving the lives of others. A strong package that will lead to fruitful discussions between adults and children. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedMarian Wright Edelman is the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours, and eight other books. She is the winner of many awards for her work, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, a Heinz Award, and a Niebuhr Award. In 2000, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award for her writings. Edelman is a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School. She and her husband live in Washington, D.C., and have three children and four grandchildren.; Title: I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children
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Validation
|
1,041 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 3–In this simple, soothing bedtime story, a little girl asks the title question, and her striped orange cat offers a litany of those who love her until the child drifts off to sleep. Their quiet conversation covers everyone from her parents and brother to the family dog, who would love her even if she didn't give him treats. Shepherd's stylized illustrations are bathed in rich, warm shades of goldenrod and ochre, through which MacLachlan's cozy, comforting dialogue meanders like a song. A warm and lyrical selection.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. In MacLachlan's latest picture book, a little girl preparing for bed asks her marmalade cat, "Who loves me?" In a drifting dialogue that suggests a nightly ritual, the pair identify the child's many admirers and free-associate cozy details appropriate to each: grandfathers demonstrate their love by teaching "about the fish in the pond"; friends don't stop loving one another just because "[they] argue sometimes." Shepherd's stylized watercolors, reminiscent of Giselle Potter's work, balance the text's saccharine notes with angular, folk-art-style depictions of girl, cat, and their spare, dreamlike surroundings. MacLachlan's examples of parental love--Mom plants a "lily garden," Dad builds a "playhouse with blue shutters and a stone path"--may not trigger the strong, universal emotions of the less-material tributes, and Shepherd's bright palette, bathed in soft yellows and sky blues, seems to contradict the bedtime premise. Still, the reassurance that children are cocooned in love even as they sleep is just what many young ones need during those anxiety-prone moments before slumber. Jennifer MattsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Who Loves Me?
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[
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1,042 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 1It is Biscuits first birthday and the pups young owner is determined to celebrate in style. Party hats, balloons, dog biscuits shared with friends (another dog and a cat), and an assortment of gifts all enter into this lighthearted story. Colorful two-page spreads bring this adorable canine and others to life. A charming addition to a popular series that young listeners and beginning readers can enjoy.Lisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.In addition to the picture books that are meant as read-alouds for the youngest child, the Biscuit series offers I Can Read Books aimed at beginning readers. The star is a frisky puppy, who, in this latest adventure is celebrating his first birthday with his dog and cat friends, Puddles and Daisy, and his young owner. There are balloons to chase, presents to open, and delicious birthday treats. Schories' cheerful illustrations capture the festive spirit, and youngsters paging through on their own will find it easy to follow the story. Librarians who find it difficult to sustain a squirmy toddler's interest for a story time will appreciate the simple language, short plot, and colorful pictures this has to offer, while recognizing the very limited appeal for older kids. A good alternative to Eric Hill's Spot series. Lauren Peterson; Title: Happy Birthday, Biscuit!
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Validation
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1,043 | 2 |
Grade 5-7-This is "Book the Third" in a series about the wealthy and clever but unfortunate Baudelaire children who were orphaned in a tragic fire. Pursued by the evil Count Olaf, who murdered their parents and their last caregiver, 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus, and baby Sunny are sent to elderly Aunt Josephine, a strange, fearful widow and grammarian. She lives in a house built on precarious stilts on the side of a hill overlooking Lake Lachrymose, inhabited by killer leeches. Of course, Count Olaf tracks them down and, disguised as a sailboat captain, fools Aunt Josephine-at least for a while. Olaf is ultimately exposed but not before he pushes Aunt Josephine into the leech-infested waters. So, the Baudelaires must find a new caregiver, who will be revealed to readers in "Book the Fourth." The writing is tongue-in-cheek John Bellairs, E. Nesbit, or Edward Eager with a little Norton Juster thrown in. The style is similar to the many books with old houses and rocky shores in Maine or Great Britain including the Edward Goreyesque illustrations. Unfortunately, the book misses the mark. The narrator is humorous but intrusive, explaining words and providing many obvious clues that surface later. Aunt Josephine's constant correction of vocabulary and grammar, while at first humorous, becomes annoying. The book is really not bad; it just tries too hard and there are so many similar books that are much better.Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.paper 0-06-440768-3 The third book in A Series of Unfortunate Events (The Bad Beginning, 1999, etc.) has all the stuff of its predecessors' melodrama--bold narration, dark humor, exaggerated emotions and dialogue, humorously stereotypical characters, and an overriding conflict between good and evil. The orphaned Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny, experiencing still more misfortune, are sent to live with their irrationally fearful, grammar-spouting Aunt Josephine in a drafty old house that teeters dangerously above the leech-filled Lake Lachrymose. Here, they encounter Captain Sham who dupes Aunt Josephine but not the Baudelaires. They suspect evil of him, for he is really the villainous Count Olaf, who aims to steal their fortune. Their heroic efforts and a few harrowing escapes make up the giddy, preposterous plot, full of hurricanes and leeches, a peg-legged pirate and a place called Curdled Cave. Children and fortunate adults will relish the good-natured wordplay and the attempts at the heights of Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll; the three likable, independent orphans wend their way through modern fairy-tale action in a darkly humorous, look-out- for-the-next-one novel. (b&w illustrations) (Fiction. 10-12) -- Copyright 2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.; Title: The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 3)
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1,044 | 2 |
K-Gr. 2. In this striking edition of Brown's tender Christmas story, the illustrator of The Elves and the Shoemaker (2003) provides lush new paintings to replace Barbara Cooney's 1954 artwork. Although the omission of carol music and lyrics removes the original's sing-along possibilities, the story is unchanged, recounting how a living pine tree is brought indoors each Christmas and how it bears witness to the miraculous healing of a sick little boy. Even if children are confused by the nature of the bedridden boy's "lame leg," which readers in the 1950s probably interpreted as polio, Brown's distinctive, rhythmic storytelling ("Seven times the Summer had droned its hot bee-buzzing days around him. Seven Autumns had whirled their falling leaves and milkweed parachutes past his head") reaffirms her legendary status in children's literature. Casting an equally potent spell are LaMarche's acrylic-and-pencil scenes, evoking the picturesque harmony of a Currier & Ives print. Topped off with a jacket proclaiming "By the author of Goodnight Moon," this lovely treatment guarantees an expanded audience for Brown's seasonal tale. Jennifer MattsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reservedMargaret Wise Brown, cherished for her unique ability to convey a child’s experience and perspective of the world, transformed the landscape of children’s literature with such beloved classics as Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Other perennial favorites by Ms. Brown include My World; Christmas in the Barn; The Dead Bird; North, South, East, West; and Good Day, Good Night.; Title: The Little Fir Tree
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|
1,045 | 0 |
Grade 2-3-When Ned finds dinosaur bones on his father's Wyoming ranch in the 1880s, a fossil hunter tries to trick him into giving them up. However, the astute boy is able to outwit the swindler and eventually sells his treasure to a collector who promises to put the bones in a museum for all to enjoy. An author's note at the end tells of two paleontologists of the period. Illustrations in dull browns and blues are lightened by the red of Ned's shirt. Plenty of white space and the division of the story into six short chapters increase the book's accessibility, but the less than compelling plot makes it merely an adequate selection for transitional readers.Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TXCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 1-2. From the I Can Read series, this fictional story takes place in Wyoming in the 1880s. The morning after a storm, Ned is helping his father check the fences on their ranch when he discovers the bones of a triceratops. Outwitting a fossil hunter who tries to cheat him, Ned finds a better place to sell his find. In an appended note, Alphin gives background information about the noted fossil collectors and paleontologists of the period, who collected, prepared, and preserved the dinosaur skeletons that were coming to light in Wyoming and Montana. Bolognese contributes a series of sturdy line drawings, tinted with subtle shades of color that enhance the story rather than distracting the eyes. The clearly written story, historical context, western ranch setting, and, of course, the dinosaur connection also contribute to the book's appeal. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Dinosaur Hunter (I Can Read Book 4)
|
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Train
|
1,046 | 4 |
Two-time Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon (Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears and Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions) have joined their ingenious artwork with the magic of Margaret Wise Brown's words. Brown, beloved author of Goodnight Moon, wrote Two Little Trains more than 50 years ago. Now a new generation of the youngest readers will be filled with wonder at this timeless story with its splendid new illustrations.Two trains are heading west. One is streamlined, the other small and old. On their parallel journeys, the trains encounter rivers, hills, snow, and dust storms, but neither is thwarted. But look closer and see that these two trains, though similar in many ways, have a surprising difference: one is the real thing, traversing the countryside, and the other is a toy, making its way across rug fringe "tracks," along the edge of a bathtub, through a tunnel made from a book, and past a broom and dust pan. Brown's brilliant yet simple text and the Dillons' clever and striking pictures, will serve as inspiration to many flights of fancy in young readers' minds. Truly exquisite. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie CoulterTwo-time Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon team up with Margaret Wise Brown in Two Little Trains, first published in 1949. Right from the cover, the sleek, horizontal illustrations chronicle the parallel journeys of the titular trains: a toy train wrapped in a gift box waits on the platform next to a massive modern train. "One little train was a streamlined train,/ Puff, Puff, Puff to the West./ One little train was a little old train,/ Chug, Chug, Chug going West." In one spread, the trains look down at the "deep dark river." The streamlined train races across a purple bridge while, opposite, the toy train crawls along the edge of a bathtub, the purple soap and tub basin connecting the tub scene to that of the locomotive.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Two Little Trains
|
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Train
|
1,047 | 16 |
PreSchool-Grade 2-Edwards and Cole team up once again in this vibrantly illustrated rhyming concept book set against the bright backdrop of a lush African savanna. When a restless lion cub embarks on a search for someone to play with, he frightens everyone away, from one red monkey to eight brown gazelles, until he finally finds nine little yellow lion cubs that aren't the least bit afraid of him. Perfect as a read-aloud to teach colors and numbers, the text features rhymes that are both rhythmic and repetitive without being monotonous. Cartoon illustrations rendered in acrylics and colored pencil bring the setting and characters to life, beginning with the little cub's pride of lions and ending with a full-spread stampede of safari animals. A roaring good time.Catherine T. Quattlebaum, Bartram Trail Regional Library System, Washington, GA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Pamela Duncan Edwards has wowed audiences with a wealth of winning tales.Her children's books include Roar, Livingstone Mouse, Some Smug Slug, Barefoot, and Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke.She lives in Virginia.; Title: Roar!: A Noisy Counting Book
|
[
7698,
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Train
|
1,048 | 12 |
Grade 1-3-The Ocean City Sharks swim team needs money to attend swim camp. Fortunately, a local bank has promised to send them if the sharks can swim a total of 75 laps by the end of the week. Each day, Coach Blue subtracts the number of laps completed from the total, providing examples of two-digit subtraction. Bright cartoons show a group of enthusiastic sharks carrying book bags and wearing colorful bathing suits. The coach writes the math problems out on a big sign and discusses each new subtraction, allowing readers to follow along and cheer the team on. Regrouping is included, but the concept of changing tens into ones is not fully explained. Still, this entertaining story would work well as a supplement to lessons on two-digit subtraction.Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-4. Like other books in the MathStart series, this presents a mathematical concept in the framework of a story. Here, a shark swim team practices subtraction of two-digit numbers as it tries to reach a goal of 75 laps. The focus is on the subtraction, which gets progressively more difficult as the predictable story goes on. Swordfish Coach Blue explains the process in each example. Perceptive children will note that the swimmers' performance improves with practice and that one shark uses division to determine the number of laps each teammate must still swim. Lynne Cravath's illustrations, in swimming-pool hues, feature amusing details and an interesting assortment of sharks, from twin hammerheads to Tiny, the hair-bowed whale shark. An appendix suggests activities to extend the lesson and includes a list of other books with a subtraction theme. Sharks, sports, and subtraction--a winning combination. Catherine AndronikCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Shark Swimathon (Mathstart. Level 3)
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Test
|
1,049 | 2 |
Anyone who has ever let go of a balloon string and watched the bright object go up and up and out of sight will appreciate this whimsical picture book that ponders the age-old question Where Do Balloons Go? This "uplifting mystery"--examined in singsong rhyme by Jamie Lee Curtis and playfully explored with Roz Chast-like illustrations by Laura Cornell--is a new offering from the team behind Today I Feel Silly, When I Was Little, and Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born."Do they tango with airplanes? / Or cha-cha with birds? / Can plain balloons read / balloons printed with words?" Cornell's splashy colorful spreads (one which folds out to four full pages) pop with plenty of witty details. One balloon, for example, waits nervously with a suitcase outside the Bates Motel. In a balloon-ridden urban scenario, advertisements promote balloon-friendly services such as "The Detanglers, professionals since 1934." This exuberant book will have you half-believing that balloons are people, too. Next time your child's balloon drifts away, it'll be much easier for him or her to imagine it dancing in Bolivia than caught up in phone wires! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonThis far-fetched tale by the creators of Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day may well raise youngsters' spirits as verse and art muse fancifully on the possible fates of wayward balloons. Cornell casts the balloons in human roles as the young narrator, a boy who has accidentally let go of his balloon's string, wonders, "Where do they go when they float far away? Do they ever catch cold and need somewhere to stay?" The zany accompanying cartoon pictures show a balloon sitting on the couch in a doctor's waiting room and another approaching a hotel, its string attached to a suitcase. In other scenarios, balloons dine in a restaurant, write postcards home and "cha-cha with birds" on the wing of an airplane, culminating in a four-page fold-out spread of "a big balloon dance." Bursting with color and balloons of all shapes, sizes and functions (many balloons making encore appearances bear clever messages or advertisements), Cornell's busy art provides ample diversion for young readers. Though not as memorable as some of the collaborators' earlier work, this volume, like the high-flying balloon that sets a boy's imagination soaring, is way out thereAin a kid-pleasing way. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery
|
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Train
|
1,050 | 2 |
The first in a series of children's titles by radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Why Do You Love Me? (written with Martha Lambert) is a warm and fuzzy 32-page picture book about unconditional love. Unlike the treasured, bunny-centered Guess How Much I Love You, Schlessinger's text--aimed at a similar, if slightly older, age group--is intended to be reality-based. You won't find any fantastical elements here, just a straight conversation between mother and son about the enduring love the mother feels for her child. Unfortunately, the story's low-key "slice of life" approach isn't reflected in Daniel McFeeley's exaggerated, cartoonish line drawings--a stylistic merging of R. Crumb and Jim "Garfield" Davis.Schlessinger delivers an important message beneath the Sunday-comics-style presentation: A mother's love is forever and always, no matter how her child behaves. Sammy thinks he might be loved because he's good at sports or is helpful around the house. No, Mother explains, it's because "he's the one and only Sammy there will ever be in the whole world--and you're mine. And that's enough for me to love you all the time." Then Sammy asks if there is ever a time when she doesn't love him, and he offers suggestions of recent bad behavior. "I did not love the yelling, or the hitting, or cleaning off the crayon marks," says Mother. "But I still loved you." Further, she says, "the love in my heart is like the sun in the sky. It is always there, even when you can't see it."The mother here is never shown to be distracted, overwhelmed, snappy, or sad. And parents may bristle that there's no real discussion of the existence or whereabouts of a parent's love when working, absent, sick, or tired. (Dr. Laura would ask now, "Who cares? It's your kids we're thinking about here.") But this story is meant purely to comfort the young child who fears that their parents' love comes and goes at whim. At that, it fully succeeds. (Ages 3 and older) --Jean LenihanPreSchool-Grade 1-Books written by celebrities or social-service professionals are often disappointing, but this particular volume by a radio talk-show host is well done. A young boy asks his mother why she loves him and wonders if it's because he picks up his toys and helps his friends. He also wonders why she loves him if he crayons on the walls and loses his temper. She explains that although she doesn't always love what he does, her love is like the sun on a cloudy day-it's always there even though he can't see it. While the message works in context, the illustrations don't, as the heavily drawn cartoons are at odds with the gentle mood of the text. Still, this is a reassuring, warm book to share with youngsters at bedtime or any time when presented with those "why" questions that children are so fond of asking.Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Why Do You Love Me?
|
[
1319,
52479
] |
Validation
|
1,051 | 1 |
Kindergarten-Grade 3--This is a great book marred by a few unclear pictures. The well-organized text explains how worms improve the quality of soil and covers the basics about the animal's body structure, movement, diet, and reproduction. The writing is clear and engaging; in one instance, Pfeffer compares the segments on a worm's body to "the coils on a Slinky toy." Although the collage artwork is visually appealing, some of the images are a bit confusing. In one illustration accompanying the explanation of how a worm tunnels, the creature looks as if it has been chopped in two or torn up. In another, it looks as if it is decomposing. The book ends with suggestions for examining a worm in the field and a science-fair-type project using castings. Better choices include Kevin Holmes's Earthworms (Bridgestone, 1998), Michael Elsohn Ross's Wormology (Carolrhoda, 1996), and Bobbie Kalman's Squirmy Wormy Composters (Crabtree, 1992; o.p.).--Jean Lowery, Bishop Woods Elementary School, New Haven, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.K-Gr. 3. From the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, this book provides a good introduction to a familiar animal: the earthworm. Pfeffer discusses the worm's habits, anatomy, locomotion, food, and life cycles, as well as explaining the importance of castings and tunneling in maintaining soil richness, moisture, and aeration. The final two pages encourage children to explore earthworms on their own by closely observing a worm and a tunnel entrance and by planting seeds in ordinary soil and in soil enriched with worm castings. Though children may need to read or hear the text more than once to absorb all the information presented, the book offers a solid, interesting introduction to the subject. Jenkins' distinctive cut-paper collages illustrate the text with clarity and style. A good title for backyard scientists and a fine addition to primary-grade units on the subject. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Wiggling Worms at Work (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
|
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Test
|
1,052 | 1 |
Grade 2-4-When Mrs. Crump finds a cat on her porch step, she is determined to get rid of it. However, when she rushes out in the rain to buy a pint of cream, she ends up with a shiny red pet dish and a dainty yellow collar with a silver bell. As the woman continually makes excuses for not putting the animal out, expressive language implies the underlying loneliness and hope for companionship she feels. It would be foolish to turn out a dry cat only to have a wet one on the porch step again-it seemed such a shame to waste a half pint of cream-. But the most telling sign that she really wants him to stay is when she describes him as a finicky troublesome WET yellow cat with FLEAS on the Found flyer that she hangs. A mix of traditional and art-deco-style artwork and furnishings draws readers in to peruse each page and to marvel at the insides of the classic old-fashioned grocery store. This evenly paced story is great for a read-aloud and discussion and units on descriptive writing.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Linda Smith is the author of When Moon Fell Down, Mrs. Biddlebox, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Boot, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book Mrs. Crump's Cat. Linda lived a full life in a short period of time. On June 28, 2000, she passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer, but she left behind a world of language, love, and good humor that shines through in her books.; Title: Mrs. Crump's Cat
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Train
|
1,053 | 0 |
Rendered in paint on wood, Kimble's (Warren Kimble: American Folk Artist) antique-looking folk art occasions this attenuated, hokey tale about an unnamed animal portraitist who wanders the Vermont countryside looking for work during the summer of 1846. Both the credibility and flow of the narrative stumble as Bowen (My Village, Sturbridge) strains his plot to accommodate the pictures. Traveling from town to town, the protagonist learns that animals of all species and of all colors save white have been disappearing. The only witnesses are other animals, and though he has a knack for interpreting animal language, the artist cannot decipher the word "Ite-osh-urr," which each of them repeats (most readers will quickly connect the phrase to the whitewasher hovering around the scene of the crime). Despite some threads that are left hanging, the dual mystery of the missing animals and the unintelligible utterings is solved during an auction of white livestock at a county fair. Presented as a series of dated entries, the prose attempts to capture a period feeling while adapting a tongue-in-cheek humor: "A tragedy was suffered by the residents of Hinesburg when red hens disappeared from numerous coops, leaving young chicks as orphans!" Locals may enjoy the references to Vermont cities (in order of their appearance, their initials spell "whitewasher"), but the chief appeal here will be to existing fans of Kimble's art. Ages 6-10.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Grade 3-6-Kimble's magnificent folk-art animals and rural scenes are the inspiration for this clumsy, perplexing tale set in the Vermont countryside in the summer of 1846. A "mare's nest" is defined as a deliberate hoax or a desire to cause confusion, and this unfortunate story is replete with confusing language, situations, and characters. Unfolding as a series of dated entries, interspersed with occasional "artifacts" like newspaper headlines and handwritten letters, the narrative concerns an itinerant artist who paints animal portraits while traveling throughout New England. A mystery evolves: people's pets and livestock are disappearing, and the remaining animals give a clue to the whereabouts of their missing counterparts by crying, "Ite-osh-urr!" (It is also noted that none of the missing animals were white in color.) The upshot is that a scoundrel has stolen the creatures and has whitewashed them. The concept of creating a story around existing, artfully arranged illustrations is a clever one, but Bowen's attempt falls flat. The illustrations, rendered in paint on distressed wood, are reproduced in full color with their texture and rich, warm earth tones intact. It's too bad the story cannot begin to touch their charm.Mary Ann Carcich, Mattituck-Laurel Public Library, Mattituck, NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Mare's Nest
|
[
35950
] |
Train
|
1,054 | 1 |
Grade 2–5—Partnering with the Smithsonian Institution, the noted science writer captures readers' attention immediately as he describes the "clever, curious, and mischievous" dolphins that seem to be unafraid of humans. He admits that there really isn't that much difference between dolphins and porpoises and reveals the way to tell them apart—"dolphins often swim on or just below the surface, riding the bow waves of fishing boats." The brightly colored photographs take up one side (or more) of each spread, and the accompanying text balances descriptions of the characteristics of the animals with the threats posed to their survival in today's world. A half-page glossary defines a range of terms, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 that complements the environmental information included in the text. The index leads readers to discussions of such terms as "beached dolphin," "red tide," "pollution," and "commercial fishing," as well as "aunties" (female dolphins other than the mother who help raise babies), "dominance," and "prey." Simply outstanding.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Seymour Simon has been a leading author in science-related books for children for a number of years. Collaborating here with the Smithsonian, Simonpresents fascinating facts about these playful mammals and describes the difference between dolphins, porpoises, and whales in terms that children can understand. Without being didactic, he discusses the physiology and habits of dolphins,as well as the greatest threat to the specieshumans. Accompanied by full-page color photographs of dolphins, the text is presented with considerable white space in the margins. The book includes a brief glossary, an index, and links to the Smithsonian and the Dolphin Institute Web sites. Children, teachers, and librarians alike will be drawn to this clear, colorful book. Grades 1-4. --J. B. Petty; Title: Dolphins (Smithsonian)
|
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Test
|
1,055 | 1 |
In this cheeky burlesque, the Three Little Pigs tangle with a wolf and an unseen illustrator who is short on art supplies. The tale begins as usual, with the pigs constructing homes of straw, sticks and bricks. "The first little pig had just finished building his house when he heard a splash. `Oops!' said a Voice from nowhere in particular. `I spilled my juice.' " An authentic-looking glass and its shiny liquid contents lie across the cartoon image, drenching the white page and two-dimensional straw house. "The house collapse[s] with a wet plop" before the big bad wolf can blow it down, and the soggy pig scurries to his brother's place. Later, the artist runs out of red paint and whimsically substitutes chartreuse for the pigs' customary rosy tint. The pigs don't find this amusing. Whatley (Captain Pajamas: Defender of the Universe) saddles the book with an unmemorable title that doesn't do justice to his comical trompe l'oeil spreads. Photorealistic paintbrushes, whittled pencils and squeezed-out paint tubes are superimposed on stylized cartoons, and the pigs confront their glib creator eye to eye. All the characters, wolf included, behave like frustrated actors with a maddening director. By interrupting familiar characters with technical concerns, Whatley turns the story into a theater piece in which offstage antics appear front and center. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 3-Although familiar elements from "The Three Pigs" are included here, several threads are new. A cup of juice spills on the first pig's straw house, causing it to collapse before the wolf blows on it, and the wolf's nose is erased and redone after he slams into the door of the second pig. It turns out that the force behind these events is the Voice, which belongs to the illustrator. He has run out of red paint and so the pigs are white. After making them green, patterned, and polka-dotted, and realizing that with no red paint there can be no fire to boil the wolf, the four characters are given a whole new identity. Children will laugh at the last picture in which the characters are placed into the story of "Goldilocks." The book will be of great help in starting discussions on what an illustrator does. The pigs' expressions are priceless; their exasperation at being the wrong color comes through clearly. Whatley's accessible variation joins David Wiesner's unique vision and masterful technique in The Three Pigs (Clarion, 2001) and Barry Moser's humor in The Three Little Pigs (Little, Brown, 2001).Debbie Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Wait! No Paint!
|
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Train
|
1,056 | 4 |
In Seymour Simon's Book of Trains, the author dedicates one spread each to various kinds of trains, with a full-color photograph on one side and, opposite, a couple of paragraphs describing it. He covers everything from old-fashioned diesel trains to subways that run on electricity to France's TGV (with speeds of between 200-300 mph). A series of spreads on the freight train details different kinds of cars. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.reSchool-Grade 4-Trains and individual freight cars are displayed in glorious full color in this oversized book. Simon offers information on different types of these machines from the earliest steam locomotives to France's TGV, which can reach speeds of 300 miles per hour. The section on freight trains delves into each car from boxcars to the now-obsolete caboose. The sharp pictures cover half of each spread. One small complaint is that while the TGV and Japan's bullet trains are mentioned, they are not pictured. But never mind. Even preschoolers will be drawn in by the large, abundant photographs. Another winner from a popular author.Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WICopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Seymour Simon's Book of Trains
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Train
|
1,057 | 0 |
"Gideon the Genius" and "Dave the Daredevil," their father called them: two Jewish boys growing up in 1920s New York, playing stickball and--in Dave's case--getting into trouble. But when their father dies, Dave finds himself separated from his older brother and thrust into the cold halls of the HHB, the Hebrew Home for Boys (which he later dubs the "Hopeless House of Beggars" and the "Hell Hole for Brats," among other things).Eager to escape the strict rules, constant bullying, and tasteless gruel of the orphanage, the Daredevil hops the wall one night to explore the streets of Harlem. He hears what he thinks is someone--or something?--laughing, but traces the sound to a late-night trumpeter shuffling backward into a wild "rent party." And just as quickly as he'd found himself stuck in the HHB, Dave is immersed in yet another world--the swinging salons and speakeasies of the Harlem Renaissance. Cramped, crazy parties packed with the likes of Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen give Dave refuge from life at the orphanage and awaken his artistic bent. And Dave's new friends, among them a grandfatherly "gonif" ("somebody who fools people out of their money") and a young "colored" heiress who takes a shine to him, help turn things around for him at the HHB.The skilled Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Medal-winning author of Ella Enchanted, clearly tells this tale from her heart, as the story is based on her own father's childhood spent in the real-life HOA (Hebrew Orphan Asylum). (Ages 8 to 12) --Paul HughesIn a dramatic departure from her fairy tale fare, Levine (Ella Enchanted) creates a chiaroscuro effect as she contrasts the bleak days and colorful nights of Dave Caros, an orphan growing up amid the Harlem Renaissance. When his woodcarver father dies in October 1926, Dave's older brother, Gideon, goes to live with their Uncle Jack in Chicago, but none of Dave's relatives can afford to take him. Dave's stepmother places him at the Hebrew Home for Boys (nicknamed Hell Hole for Brats), and the 11-year-old vows to run away. But first he must retrieve his most prized possession, his father's carving of Noah's Ark, which was stolen by the superintendent Mr. Bloom (aka "Doom"), who is infamous for beating up boys. In the meantime, Dave finds a way to sneak off the grounds for the evening. Thus begins Dave's secret life, revealed through his first-person narrative. On his first night out, he meets Solly, a self-proclaimed "gonif" with a heart of gold, who uses Dave as a sidekick in his fortune-telling gigs. Solly introduces him to an avant-garde group of thinkers, painters, writers, musicians and Irma Lee, the young niece of a prominent African-American socialite. As Dave waits for the opportunity to reclaim his carving, he settles into his double life. His fellow "elevens" at the orphanage emerge as distinct, colorful personalities who come through for him time and again. Mr. Hillinger, the unwittingly hilarious art teacher who cannot complete a sentence, becomes a champion for Dave's artistic talents. And his nocturnal adventures lead to an abiding friendship with pretty and kind Irma LeeAas well as shed light on a fascinating corner of American history. In describing 1920s Harlem from a child's perspective, Levine articulates what it might have been like for anyone exposed to such innovation in art or the sounds of jazz for the first time: "It was wide-awake music, nothing like the waltzes Papa used to whistle. If I could have painted it, I would have used bright colors and short straight lines." This poignant and energetic novel, inspired by the author's father's childhood, comes with an all's-well-that-ends-well conclusion that brings a sense of belonging to Dave and his orphan friends, yet delivers a surprise as well. The Artful Dodger has met his match in Dave. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Dave at Night
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Train
|
1,058 | 0 |
Kindergarten-Grade 3-A beginning reader with gentle humor and charming characters. Inspector Hopper, a fedora-wearing grasshopper, solves three separate mysteries with the assistance of McBugg, a bowler-topped beetle. The first case involves the disappearance of Mrs. Ladybug. Her husband says, "I called out 'Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home!' But she did not come home. I am worried." Following his instinct and some blueberry-stain clues, Inspector Hopper finds the missing spouse. The humor continues in "A Boat Disappears," in which the inspector interviews the Eensy Weensy Spider and a jogging snail in his search for the thief of a leaf. In the last episode, the detectives think that the moon is following them and assume it wants to help them solve a case. This "New Detective" ably shines its light on a rat that is caught stealing some seeds, leading to his arrest. The short sentences, catchy dialogue, and repetitive vocabulary are just right for beginning readers, and many of the pictures provide visual clues. Children will find the colorful cartoon characters appealing and enjoy Cushman's detailed world of these small creatures.Maura Bresnahan, Shawsheen School, Andover, MA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Doug Cushman is the creator of many favorite mystery stories for young readers featuring such memorable heroes as the intrepid Aunt Eater, the grasshopper gumshoe Inspector Hopper, and the ace reporter Dirk Bones. He has also illustrated many books written by other authors, including Jack Prelutsky's What a Day It Was at School! He lives in Paris, France.; Title: Inspector Hopper (I Can Read Level 2)
|
[
827,
1735
] |
Validation
|
1,059 | 13 |
Whatley (Elvis Presley's The First Noel) gussies up the singing cowboy's bouncy classic. Complementing the familiar lyrics, the visual story tells of a boy whose note to Santa explains that he "already asked for a genuine cowboy hat" for Christmas but really wants a puppy. Fortunately, as jolly old Saint Nick heads "right down Santa Claus lane," it appears he has a stowaway who fits the bill. Interesting perspectives include an aerial view looking down on the reindeer-borne sleigh. Music and lyrics are included on the endpapers. Ages 3-up.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 1-Written in 1947 when Autry heard children repeat the title phrase at a Christmas parade, this song is still popular today. Whatley makes it even more inviting with his realistic, full-color paintings that include an endearing visual subtext that dovetails with the lyrics. As readers follow a family through Christmas Eve, a puppy stows away on Santa's sleigh and ends up as a much-wished-for gift. This story-within-a-story adds another layer of meaning to the words. The score and all of the verses appear on the endpapers. Great for storytimes or for one-on-one sharing.-M. W.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Here Comes Santa Claus
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Train
|
1,060 | 0 |
Camouflage endpapers set the stage for Myers's (Handbook for Boys: A Novel, reviewed below) unusual and gripping picture book set in Vietnam and geared to older readers. "The land of my enemy has wide valleys, mountains that stretch along the far horizon, rushing brown rivers, and thick green forests," the riveting narrative poem begins. Grifalconi's (the Everett Anderson books) sophisticated mixed-media collage shows a breathtaking vista, lush with trees, jagged mountains and terraced hillsides. On the next spread, Myers drops readers into the jungle with the narrator, a young American soldier, and his squad of nine men. The protagonist makes a nerve-wracking trek ("Somewhere in the forest, hidden in the shadows, is the enemy"), witnesses a bombing raid ("My body shakes. I tell myself that I will not die on this bright day") and comes face-to-face with an enemy soldier ("In a heartbeat, we have learned too much about each other"neither fires). Myers, who fought in Vietnam, lays bare the young man's emotions. Short phrases combine power with grace as the author artfully conveys the outward events of warfare and the resulting inner turmoil: in the village, the young man sees "the enemy. A brown woman with rivers of age etched deeply into her face. An old man, his eyes heavy with memory." Grifalconi, too, subtly highlights war's absurd contradictions. One particularly striking scene finds the G.I. facing his enemy across a field alight with heartbreakingly lovely flowers and wildlife. Readers will hope this is as close as they ever get to the real thing. Ages 8-12. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Grade 4 Up-Myers's verse powerfully evokes the experiences of a young soldier in this picture book. Searching the unfamiliar landscape, his squad tries to sense the presence of the enemy in the jungle. But who is the enemy? The old man in the village? The babies? Planes pass overhead, dropping bombs "at a distance that is never distant enough." The author captures the young man's fear, uncertainty, and weariness. "We move again. We are always moving." The layers of Grifalconi's full-page collage art conceal and reveal the flickering images of the text. Figures blend into the forest. Shadow and shape converge. The repetition of words and a landscape scene at the beginning and near the end of the book are particularly effective because they are the same except for the addition of fire and plumes of smoke in the "wide valleys" and "thick green forests" after the patrol has finished its mission. These pictures are difficult to erase from one's memory. When the soldier does encounter an enemy as young as himself, neither fires. Close enough to see one another, they cannot kill. "In a heartbeat, we have learned too much about each other." Myers and Grifalconi's presentation is one that is hard to forget.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, MankatoCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam
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Test
|
1,061 | 2 |
But Koly never gets a chance to find out if she does care for her intended groom. Married and promptly widowed at 13, Koly finds herself in the grim position of being cast out by a society that has no place for girls like her. With a seemingly hopeless future in India, this courageous and spirited young woman sets out to forge her own destiny. Through perseverance, resourcefulness, and sheer luck, she manages not only to find a niche for herself, but even to find happiness again.Gloria Whelan's tale of a remarkable girl in an extraordinary situation will linger with the reader long after the last page is read. The shaping of Koly's life, as anyone's, is in her own hands, as well as the hands of the society in which she lives. Her ability to express herself--and ultimately support herself--with her exceptional skill in embroidery is a symbol of the creative ingenuity that will serve her well throughout her tribulations. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie CoulterGrade 5-8-Thirteen-year-old Koly's arranged marriage seems a blessing for her impoverished family. Her mother embroiders a wedding sari, while the girl stitches her family memories into a quilt. But when she arrives at the home where, according to custom, she will live for the rest of her life under the supervision of her mother-in-law, she discovers that her 16-year-old husband Hari is gravely ill with tuberculosis. She learns that her dowry was needed to finance a journey to Benares, with the hope that the holy water of the Ganges River will cure him. Hari dies there and she is trapped, a widow with no future. Luckily, her father-in-law recognizes her desire to learn and teaches her to read. A few years later, when he, too, dies, her mother-in-law abandons her in another holy city, Vrindavan. Raji, a young rickshaw driver, helps Koly find a place to live and keeps track of her progress. Eventually, she finds work embroidering saris. Raji has a plan, and a dream. He wants to make enough money to buy seed and tools and return to his village, with Koly as his wife. In a happy ending that suggests that established custom can be challenged in positive ways, she agrees. Whelan has enhanced a simple but satisfying story with loving detail about traditional Indian life, the harsh reality of feudal customs that persist today, and the complexity of cultural change. Readers with a curiosity about other worlds and other ways will find Koly's story fascinating.Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Homeless Bird
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Train
|
1,062 | 2 |
Grade 4-6-This series chronicles the unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire children: Violet, 14; Klaus, 12; and the infant, Sunny. In Bad Beginning, their parents and possessions perish in a fire, and the orphans must use their talents to survive as their lives move from one disastrous event to another. Surrounded by dim-witted though well-meaning adults, the Baudelaires find themselves in the care of their evil relative, Count Olaf, a disreputable actor whose main concern is getting his hands on the children's fortune. When Olaf holds Sunny hostage to force Violet to marry him, it takes all of the siblings' resourcefulness to outwit him. Violet's inventive genius, Klaus's forte for research, and Sunny's gift for biting the bad guys at opportune moments save the day. However, the evil Count escapes, only to return in The Reptile Room just as the children are settling into a far more pleasant life with their new guardian, Uncle Monty, who is promptly murdered by Olaf and his cohorts. Though the villain escapes again, and beloved Uncle Monty is dead, the children are safe...for now. While the misfortunes hover on the edge of being ridiculous, Snicket's energetic blend of humor, dramatic irony, and literary flair makes it all perfectly believable. The writing, peppered with fairly sophisticated vocabulary and phrases, may seem daunting, but the inclusion of Snicket's perceptive definitions of difficult words makes these books challenging to older readers and excellent for reading aloud.Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Lemony Snicket claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. He is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lump of Coal.; Title: The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 2)
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Train
|
1,063 | 0 |
From two masters who need no introduction comes a handsome reprint of the classic Newbery Honor book Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories. With wit and whimsy, Maurice Sendak illustrates seven tales about the legendary village of fools, Chelm, written by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Silly, outrageous, and sometimes poignant, the stories (translated from the Yiddish) reflect the traditions, heroes, and villains of middle European folklore. The devil makes an appearance more than once, as do the ever-so-foolish yet highly revered Elders of Chelm. In "The Mixed-Up Feet and the Silly Bridegroom," four sisters wake one morning to discover that their feet have become mixed up in the bed they share. A wise Elder advises their mother to whack the bed with a big stick, thus causing each girl to grab her own feet in pain and surprise. When their feet are sorted out, he then recommends, the sisters should be married off as soon as possible, to reduce the possibility of similar mix-ups in the future. Of course, none of them count on the breathtaking stupidity of the first bridegroom. Another not-so-clever fellow stars in "The First Shlemiel." When this man's wife asks him to do three things for her, he promptly and accidentally proceeds to breach each one of his promises, resulting in a baby with a bump on his head, an escaped rooster, and an emptied pot of jam. Somehow, though, possibly because ignorance is bliss, fools always come out on top in these wonderful stories, making for terrific read-aloud, laugh-aloud fun for the entire family. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter"Singer and Sendak for all ages -- how simple, how perfect! The first, 'Fool's Paradise, ' and the last, the title story, are masterpieces."--" The Kirkus Reviews""Beautiful stories for children, written by a master."--" The New York Times""Timeless tales with their subtle wisdom and universal appeal. Perfect read -- aloud fare for families."--" Parents' Magazine; Title: Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories
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Validation
|
1,064 | 2 |
Father and son bugs have a jolly time in this jaunty tale, in which Degen (Jamberry) again reveals his knack for creating and combining words in playful verse. "We doodle things together" explains the young narrator, first seen drawing pictures with his father. The cheerful son repeatedly draws a parallel between himself and his dad as he describes the adventures they share: "We walk our poodlebug down the lane,/ We ride the caboodle car on the train,/ We padoodle the canoe in the sun and rain./ That's what doodlebugs do./ 'Cause Daddy is a canoedlebug, and I'm a canoedlebug too." Degen works in a style reminiscent of vintage animated cartoons, achieved by creating the artwork in two stages: he executes a black pen-and-ink overlay and gouache color artwork on separate sheets. The star characters, as well as the other four-armed, anthropomorphic bug residents of Doodletown, are all the funnier for their useful extra limbs: a waitress in Mayfly's Diner, for instance, balances an entire meal on her quartet of appendages, and a fellow serenades his date on the banjo while holding a parasol for her in a canoe. Degen's noodle has come up with some fittingly quirky visuals for this splendoodle rhymoodle. Ages 3-6. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-K-A charming picture book full of clever wordplay and distinctive illustrations. Written as if a young boy-er, bug-were describing favorite activities shared with his dad, Degen's rhyming text incorporates freshly coined words such as "potoodle chips," "firefloodles" and "fairytoodles." Like kids everywhere, the narrator enjoys visiting the zoo, sharing a meal, playing in the park, and listening to bedtime stories. The language is occasionally visually challenging ("canoedlebug," for example) but flows well with a little bit of practice. The attractive typeface, crisp and dark, complements the brightly colored gouache illustrations outlined in black ink. Visual humor abounds, often linked to verbal puns. The zoo, for example, features a caged dog tick, an ant lion, and a rhinoceros beetle. Various bugs perch on toadstools at the counter of "Mayfly's Diner" where a friendly looking green bug serves the narrator and his dad (noodle soup and apple strudel, of course). The layout features mostly double-page spreads depicting father-son outings. They contrast nicely with the cozy interiors and the little bug's imagined versions of storytime scenes, both shown in smaller single-page pictures. From the stylized buggy endpapers to the bouncy rhythm and delightful details, this is a carefully created ode to the loving connection between parent and child.Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Daddy Is a Doodlebug
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[
24376
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Train
|
1,065 | 1 |
PreSchool-Grade 1–Children fond of call-and-response will enjoy this humorous nursery rhyme. A scholarly looking owl in pearls peers from behind her green-rimmed glasses to ask her animal acquaintances what they've been up to and records their responses in a big book. Brown's slight verses are brought to life by the humor and verve of the Dillons' richly shaded watercolor paintings. On the left-hand side of each spread, the inquisitive owl interrogates an animal–a race-winning bunny, a saxophonist lion, a motorist frog, and so on–and on the right, readers are treated to a full-page, visual recounting of the creature's adventure. The simple, rhythmic text starts out strong but unravels toward the end, as its tight rhyme scheme grows irregular and sloppy. Still, the illustrations are as lively as they are charming, and have enough detail to keep children interested. This book could supplement titles such as Bill Martin, Jr.'s BrownBear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1983) and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (1991, both Holt).–Sophie R. Brookover, Camden County Library, Voorhees, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. In each of the 14 verses in this rhythmic, rhyming picture book, an owl asks a different animal where it has been. The illustrations interpret the words in a fantasyland inhabited by tiny folks with purple or green skin, winged fairies of various sizes, and animals that act like people. "Little Old Bee / Little Old Bee / Where have you been? / In a pink apple tree / Said the Little Old Bee / That's where I've been." On a tree branch, the bee perches on a stool across the tea table from a diminutive, elegantly dressed green fairy with a crown and high heels. The first few verses set up the rhyme scheme, but the occasional shifts break the pattern and sound a little faltering. Though the text is far from Brown's best, the Dillons' well-executed, imaginative paintings will please those who enjoy flights of fancy. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Where Have You Been?
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5366,
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Train
|
1,066 | 1 |
PreS-Gr. 2. As it turns out, if you give a pig a pancake, she'll eventually want a party--with balloons, a party dress, and guests. In the latest of the best-selling demanding-animal-meets-long-suffering-human series, the small pig protagonist needs as much activity and as many supplies as ever. This time, there's a search for friends, which leads to a street fair, a game of hide-and-seek, a sleepover, and the necessity of linens for a pillow fight. A blanket fortress needs balloons decorations. Balloons! They scream out for a party. . . . In Bond's crisp, cheerful illustrations, the pig's joie de vivre is contagious, except, that is, to her expressionless, ultra-accommodating little girl caretaker. Even considering its deliberate "if-then" pattern, the story feels loosely hinged, but young fans of the series will squeal with delight to see their pancake-loving pig once again. Karin SnelsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedIf you give a pig a party,she's going to ask for someballoons. When you give her the balloons, she'll want to decorate the house. When she's finished, she'll put on her favorite dress. Then she'll call all her friends -- Mouse, Moose, and more.The little pig from If You Give a Pig a Pancake is back, and this time she wants to throw a great big party! Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond have created another winning story for this beloved character in the tradition of the best-selling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.; Title: If You Give a Pig a Party
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Validation
|
1,067 | 6 |
Kindergarten-Grade 2-This newly illustrated edition of Why I Cough, Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn (Crowell, 1983) offers very basic explanations. In his trademark succinct style, Berger describes how automatic reflexes cause us to try to generate heat (shivering) or to get more oxygen (yawning). He also explains that the nervous system carries messages back and forth from the brain like telephone wires, and that these automatic reflexes help protect us from burning ourselves, from breathing in foreign objects, etc. In this new edition, the author suggests ways to test one's reflexes and describes "startle" reflexes and goose bumps. The writing is simple but effective, and the charming, colorful pen-and-ink and watercolors are much more detailed than the original black-and-white artwork by Holly Keller. Attractive introductory nonfiction.Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Melvin Berger is the author of many classic LRFOs, including Germs Make Me Sick!, Oil Spills! and Why I Cough, Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn, as well as other nonfiction on the Harper backlist. He lives in East Hampton, NY.; Title: Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, & Yawn (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
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Train
|
1,068 | 0 |
Grade 3-6-Two novellas that are grounded in well-known tales and set in the magical kingdom of Biddle. The Fairy's Mistake is a play on "Toads and Diamonds," a story from Perrault about gifts given by a witch to two sisters, one kind and the other unkind. The Princess Test is based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea." Illustrated with full-page pen-and-ink drawings, both retellings are delightfully lighthearted, with little doubt that good will ultimately triumph over evil. There is a rich use of language and spirited characters, especially the females. Although "The Princess Tales" lack the complexity of plot and fantastical invention found in Levine's Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997), they make a nice addition to the genre of novels based on and yet departing from traditional tales. Although their short length and sly humor would make the books appeal to reluctant readers, the difficult font makes it hard to recommend them to that audience.Carol A. Edwards, Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, CA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.PLB 0-06-028061-1 This hand-sized volume features delicate black-and-white line drawings that are very much in keeping with the tone of many fairy tales, but those familiar with Levine's Ella Enchanted will wisely expect, and be gratified by, the sly and unexpected foolery of this story and its companion, The Princess Test (0-06-028062-X; PLB 0-06-028063-8). In The Fairy's Mistake, Ethelinda is horrified to discover that her fairy blessing on the kind Rosella, that jewels fall from her mouth when she speaks, is being exploited by her greedy new husband, Prince Harold. Her curse on Rosella's sister, Myrtle, who drops slimy and creepy things from her mouth when she speaks, is also going awry; Myrtle uses this to get whatever she wants from people. The Princess Test takes on Lorelei's ability to feel a pea under 20 mattresses: this young thing is a great trial to her family as she is allergic to, or injures herself with, almost every household item she touches. Genuinely delightful and funny, both tales are set in the village of Snettering-on-Snoakes in the Kingdom of Biddle, a place readers will want to visit again. (Fiction. 7-12) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.; Title: The Fairy's Mistake (Princess Tales)
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[
500,
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Train
|
1,069 | 13 |
Kindergarten-Grade 4-This book is full of color photographs of big, shiny trucks, all on the job. In comparing their size and weight to dinosaurs and elephants, the text also emphasizes the vehicles' power and strength. Pictures show these oversized transports hauling logs, moving a house, carrying and dumping heavy construction materials, taking children to school, and carrying gasoline from refineries to gas stations. Simon explains what a semitrailer truck is, and why the drum of a cement mixer rotates while the truck is moving. The exciting photographs, many of them close-ups, will captivate youngsters. Though the sentences are long and the vocabulary sophisticated in places, the visual appeal of this book is very high and the information is clear and equally engaging.Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Seymour Simon has been called “the dean of the [children’s science book] field” by the New York Times. He has written more than 300 books for young readers and has received the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children’s science literature, the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. He and his wife, Liz, live in Columbia County in Upstate New York. You can visit him online at www.seymoursimon.com, where students can post on the “Seymour Science Blog” and educators can download a free four-page teacher guide to accompany this book, putting it in context with Common Core objectives. Join the growing legion of @seymoursimon fans on Twitter!; Title: Seymour Simon's Book of Trucks
|
[
2263,
15818
] |
Test
|
1,070 | 1 |
As a tribute to his dearly departed pooch, Maurice Sendak wrote this odd little tale in 1967 about Jennie, a Sealyham terrier who is not content with having everything but must go out in the world to find something she doesn't have. Right off the bat, she comes across a pig wearing sandwich boards advertising the need for a leading lady in the World Mother Goose Theatre. Jennie leaps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, the position requires someone with experience, so she sets off to find it. One hungry lion and a stubborn un-hungry baby later, Jennie definitely has experience, if nothing else anymore, and off she goes to play the leading role in a nursery-rhyme-turned-theatrical-production:Maurice Sendaks childrens books have sold over 30 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages. He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are and is the creator of such classics as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, and Nutshell Library. In 1970 he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration, in 1983 he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association, and in 1996 he received a National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. In 2003, Sendak received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an annual international prize for childrens literature established by the Swedish government.; Title: Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life
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Train
|
1,071 | 2 |
Imagine if you were given a grant by the National Science Foundation to spend four months in Antarctica to sketch, take pictures, and write home to friends and family. Antarctic Journal is the record of Jennifer Owings Dewey's trek to the bottom of the world: "a planet as remote as the moon in its own way," she writes. Antarctica, home to 100 million penguins, has ice up to three miles thick, covering 98 percent of the land. The author writes her account of this icy-cold adventure at Palmer Station in an accessible journal, sprinkled with letters home and colored-pencil sketches and photographs of various landscapes and Arctic creatures. Discussions of penguin behavior are interrupted by the history of Gondwanaland and continental drift, while snippets about trying to cook krill (the tiny phytoplankton that blue whales eat) in garlic and butter add a comic and personal touch to her adventure. Descriptions of the "green flash" that happens just before sunset, red tide, and a mirage effect called the "fata morgana" (named after the fairy Morgan who built castles in the air) are sure to intrigue and inspire young explorers. This is a charming, personable introduction to a forbidding, fascinating continent. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin SnelsonGrade 3-6-Readers get a glimpse of an artist's four-month stay in Antarctica through her sketches and photos, journal entries, and letters home. Her personal experiences (having Ad?lie penguins examine her typewriter, falling into a crevasse on a glacier) are interspersed with facts about the history, landforms, weather, and life of Antarctica. The combination of softly colored sketches and photos is effective, although the photos are small and some lack crispness. A great deal of fascinating information is included in the text, which flows easily from fact bites to narrative. The book is similar to Sophie Webb's My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journal (Houghton, 2000). Both artists spent one season in Antarctica learning, sketching, and writing. Both mix fact with personal experience. Because Webb is also a scientist and her interest is penguins, her book has a tighter focus. Dewey's title gives more general information about the continent. (Webb's book is assigned to the 500s; Dewey's to the 900s.) Neither title has an index, and, although both are short enough for researchers to skim, they are both meant to be read cover to cover. Libraries already owning Webb's book will want to consider Antarctic Journal as well because of its broader scope. Fans of Antarctica will want to read both.Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World
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Train
|
1,072 | 0 |
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) was born in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods. With her family, she pioneered throughout America’s heartland during the 1870s and 1880s, finally settling in Dakota Territory. She married Almanzo Wilder in 1885; their only daughter, Rose, was born the following year. The Wilders moved to Rocky Ridge Farm at Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894, where they established a permanent home. After years of farming, Laura wrote the first of her beloved Little House books in 1932. The nine Little House books are international classics. Her writings live on into the twenty-first century as America’s quintessential pioneer story.; Title: The Little House Treasury: Little House in the Big Woods/Little House on the Prairie/On the Banks of Plum Creek
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[
4271
] |
Validation
|
1,073 | 15 |
Five minutes with this book, and no one will be able to say they "don't know much about the solar system." Chock-full of facts, questions, and answers about the sun, gravity, planets, astronauts, space exploration, asteroids, the moon, and so much more, Kenneth C. Davis's Don't Know Much About the Solar System is a terrific resource for anyone interested in what's out there. Geared toward readers aged 6 to 9, the book uses a fun question-and-answer format, as well as riddles and humorous illustrations by Pedro Martin, to make learning about the solar system a positively sunny experience. Young readers discover why the moon is different shapes on different nights, which planets (besides Saturn) have rings, what's beyond the Milky Way, and why, if the earth is round, people on the other side don't fall off.Davis, author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About History, has turned to a younger audience with his Don't Know Much About series. Don't Know Much About the 50 States is a great companion to the solar system title, while Don't Know Much About Planet Earth and Don't Know Much About Space work well for older readers. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie CoulterGr 3-5-The author of the popular "Don't Know Much about" series for adults and Don't Know Much about Space (HarperCollins, 2001) for middle readers goes after a somewhat younger audience here. Many of the facts are recycled, but the writing and art are all new, and the title doesn't reflect the book's scope. Davis covers the solar system's components, stars, constellations, galaxies, and space travel, too. Not in much depth, of course: with one to three questions per page and a several-sentence answer for each one, the intent here is plainly to spark interest in a topic, rather than lay out a systematic picture. The tone is anything but earnest; Davis sprinkles his tour with lame jokes ("What planets are the saddest? Answer: Uranus and Neptune-they're always blue!"), and Hallmark-artist Martin chimes in with plenty of lighthearted cartoon illustrations featuring wisecracking celestial bodies with faces and young explorers in space suits. Except that Galileo is wrongly credited with "proving" Copernicus's heliocentric theory, the information is accurate, as far as it goes, and budding astronomers ready to expand their view of the high frontier even further will find a generous selection of Web-site addresses at the end. Though this tour is but one in a crowd, its combination of visual appeal and lively exposition should attract and hold even less able or interested readers.John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Don't Know Much About the Solar System
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Train
|
1,074 | 0 |
Grade 4-6-Whelan writes a convincing third novel in her series about a young woman who lived during the early 1800s on an island between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Mary returns to Michilimackinac after a visit to her sister in England. The beauty of an island she knows intimately; the strong roots of the family farm; and the bond she shares with a special friend, White Hawk, are all reasons for her excitement about returning home. To her disappointment, his commitment to his tribe at L'Arbre Croche leaves him little time to spend with her. The plot gets most interesting when a suitor Mary met in her travels comes to the island with the hope of winning her heart; readers are kept wondering if the adventurous young woman will choose to stay home with a Native leader or return to England to marry the son of a duchess. Throughout, the author deftly integrates history into the novel. This book stands on its own as small hints are dropped throughout the story about events that took place in the earlier titles.Carrie Lynn Cooper, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 4-7. This follow-up to Once on This Island and Farewell to the Island, set during the early nineteenth century on Mackinac Island, finds Mary handling the family farm, with a little help from her hotheaded brother, Jacques, and a gentle neighbor, White Hawk. The difficult work of farming and the fractious relationships between the local native peoples and Mr. Astor's Fur Company form the backdrop of what is essentially Mary's struggle to decide between two men in her life--White Hawk, an orphan raised by a white family who acts as spokesperson for his people; and. James, an English painter whom Mary met while visiting her married sister in London. James has come to the island to paint, and to woo Mary. It's pretty obvious where Mary's heart really lies, and the tale ends with a handful of weddings. There's a lot of historical detail that doesn't always spark into life, but readers of the first two books will want this one anyway. GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Return to the Island (Island Trilogy)
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[
910,
963,
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Validation
|
1,075 | 1 |
Grade 3-6-Ten-year-old Sarah Marshall expects to be totally bored by spending the summer with her grandparents in the Florida Keys until she discovers a baby lemon shark with the other fish she feeds from the dock every day. Using her snorkel, she follows it to its nursery in the shelter of a mangrove swamp. Her interest leads her grandfather, a retired marine biologist, to take her to see sharks in deeper waters. Eventually, she joins him in swimming with grown sharks and tracking them. Together, they pursue fishermen who are illegally capturing and killing sharks to remove their fins, which are highly prized for soup. The message is unmistakable, but youngsters will be so captivated by the snorkeling adventures that they are unlikely to mind the increasingly didactic tone of the book or the wooden characters. Although some of the scenes are a bit unrealistic, the author presents a great deal of information about shark behavior, varieties, and habitats that dispels popular stereotypes. Simple black-and-white illustrations help readers visualize Sarah's activities as well as the underwater life she so admires. A list of groups to contact for further information about these fish and places to see them are appended.Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Twig C. George was inspired to write Swimming with Sharks after she spent time studying and swimming with sharks in the Bahamas. She is also the author of A Dolphin Named Bob, illustrated by Christine Herman Merrill. She lives in Maryland.; Title: Swimming with Sharks (Trophy Chapter Books)
|
[
4523,
31367
] |
Test
|
1,076 | 2 |
Grade 4-7-This fourth book in the series about the Baudelaire orphans works fine as a stand-alone. The "poor little rich kids" lead lives filled with unhappiness, gothic horror, and melodramatic despair. Here, the protagonists are sent to work in a lumber mill in Paltryville, where they are fed only a stick of gum for lunch and are forced to perform backbreaking labor. Their enemy, Count Olaf, is not far from the scene, and will certainly utilize any disguise to get at the siblings' inheritance. Violet, Klaus, and Baby Sunny are responsible for their own fate and, as usual, they take matters in hand. This is for readers who appreciate this particular type of humor; it exaggerates the sour and makes anyone's real life seem sweet in comparison.Sharon R. Pearce, Geronimo Public School, OK Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.The fourth in Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events opens with the Baudelaire orphans aboard a train bound for Paltryville, where they will meet their new guardian, the owner of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Even children who have not read the earlier books will soon learn that the Baudelaire children are heirs to a large fortune, that their evil nemesis Count Olaf plots against them in hopes of stealing their fortune, and that the children must depend upon each other, since the banker who (mis)manages their affairs has placed them in one wretched, disastrous situation after another. Now they find themselves working in the lumbermill (yes, even baby Sunny), and given nothing for breakfast, chewing gum for lunch, and (shudder) casserole for dinner. The story is deliciously mock-Victorian and self-mockingly melodramatic. Helquist's deft pencil drawings and the author's many asides to the reader underscore the droll humor, which many children will relish. Another plum for the orphans' fans. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 4)
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Validation
|
1,077 | 18 |
From the author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About History comes a terrific new series for kids. In Don't Know Much About the 50 States, young readers will be amazed to discover how entertaining U.S. geography and history can be. Using an engaging question-and-answer format, Kenneth C. Davis reveals the mysteries and claims to fame behind each state in the United States. What is a Tar Heel, anyway? Why do many buildings in New Mexico look different from those in other states? To build Nevada's Hoover Dam, did it really take two years of continual concrete pouring? What state is nicknamed the Flickertail State? Each state gets its own page (except Texas, California, and New York, with two apiece), with an outline of the featured state, a couple paragraphs of text, and miscellaneous sidebars and quizzes. Tucked in among the tidbits of trivia are some substantial pieces of information about each state, including its nickname, year of statehood, capital, state flower, and state bird. Goofy illustrations by Renee Andriani contribute to the lively, upbeat tone of this useful resource. It's not comprehensive, by any means, but it'll certainly spark an interest in geography.Other titles in the series include Don't Know Much About Planet Earth, Don't Know Much About Space, and Don't Know Much About the Solar System. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie CoulterKenneth C. Davis, author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About series for adults, has adapted the concept in a group of books for younger readers. Using his signature approach of presenting facts in a q&a format, Don't Know Much About the 50 States, illus. in full color by Rene Andriani, begins with a picture of the American flag and an explanation of the 13 stripes. Each of the 50 states get its own page, with a drawing of the state and five facts, and a few warrant a spread (California, New York, Texas). Serious questions ("How many United States presidents were born in Ohio?" [Seven]) share space with jauntier queries ("I'm big, I'm green, I'm America's Welcome Queen. Who am I?" [New York's Statue of Liberty]). Endpapers unite all of the states and list the original 13 colonies. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Don't Know Much About the 50 States
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Validation
|
1,078 | 1 |
Seymour Simon has been called "the dean of the [children's science book] field" by the New York Times. He has written more than 250 books for young readers and has received the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature, the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. He and his wife, Liz, live in Great Neck, New York. You can visit him online at www.seymoursimon.com, where you can read "Seymour Science Blog" and download a free four-page teacher guide to accompany this book, putting it in context with Common Core objectives. Many of Seymour's award-winning books are also available as ebooks.; Title: Penguins (Smithsonian)
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1,079 | 2 |
Ah, mice. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond, creators of the bestselling picture books If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, are back with If You Take a Mouse to School. As you might imagine, there are great risks in bringing your mouse to school. For starters, he'll ask you for your lunchbox. And then a sandwich. And a snack for later. Still not satisfied, he'll want to participate in everything from math to soccer. Children and adults alike will revel in the hilarious, very cute illustrations of the mouse in the classroom: hanging from the top corner of the blackboard to spell (aptly enough) "precocious" and "adrenaline," writing "'Goodnight Mouse' by Mouse," sitting inside the boy's open backpack playing with a yo-yo, etc. This book is more episodic in nature than the truly cause-and-effect formula of the previous books: "If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it." Nonetheless, kids who know and love this rollicking read-aloud series will laugh and play to see a mouse at school. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonIn a rollicking romp, Numeroff and Bond send the energetic, exuberant star of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Take a Mouse to the Movies (and his boy sidekick) into the classroom. After pulling on his overalls, the diminutive character makes his first request ("He'll ask you for your lunchbox") and then demands a snack, notebook and pencils before climbing into the boy's backpack. Once at school, the mercurial mouse happily bounds from one activity to the next: he spells "a word or two" on the blackboard (Bond shows these as an impressive list headed by "onomatopoeia"), conducts a science experiment (purple matter erupts from his beaker), builds "a little mouse house" out of blocks (the edifice looks quite elaborate) and fashions furniture for it with clay. Realizing he needs something on his new bookshelf, the ambitious critter collects paper and pencils and creates his own book, which he then wants to take home, in "your" lunch box. As animated as the whiskered student it depicts, Bond's art lives up to expectation, featuring her customary crisp colors and kid-pleasing details. Its school setting, tried-and-true tone and popular protagonist mark this title as a winner. Ages 3-7. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: If You Take a Mouse to School
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Train
|
1,080 | 15 |
PreSchool-When a little girl finds a flowerpot filled with soil and a tiny green sprout, she announces to her comical pup, Fred, "I will grow this flower." She watches it every day, feeding it all her favorite foods-pizza, cheeseburger, spaghetti, chocolate chip cookies, and strawberry ice cream. The astonished pet watches as she even offers up one of his juicy bones. Finally, when nothing happens, she throws the plant outside in disgust: "Silly flower!" There, nourished by soft rain and warm sunshine, the tiny plant begins to grow and one day surprises Fran with a big, beautiful flower. The expressive, full-page illustrations rendered in creamy primary and pastel colors on textured paper depict the small girl's misguided efforts as well as her ultimate delight. Right on target for a young child.Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Lisa Bruce is a former children's librarian and the author of both picture books and fiction for children. She has published numerous books in the UK including Pix and Pax, a young fiction series based on the phonic method of reading.; Title: Fran's Flower
|
[
17515,
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Train
|
1,081 | 1 |
Kindergarten-Grade 2—Living alone in his little house on a hill with a tiny yard big enough for his dog and a single tree, Mr. Potter has a perfectly cozy arrangement. However, the night he decides to let the dog in to enjoy the fire begins a chain of events that includes bringing the tree inside, too. Soon the growing tree wants to go back outside, so Mr. Potter makes a big hole in his roof to accommodate it. Now the tree has plenty of sunshine and critters, and all is well until it begins to storm. After days of rain, Mr. Potter moves his favorite chair, stove, and teapot into the dry, warm barn just as his house collapses. He is happy with his new arrangement until he realizes how lonely the cow out in the field looks, but this is a thought that the dog immediately nips in the bud. Smith's text is perfectly complemented by the illustrations. Without saying a word, the dog clearly wonders along with readers what ill-advised thing will Mr. Potter do next. Parkins uses a mix of realistic details, excellent facial expressions, and varying perspectives to bring the story to life. This kindhearted tale is best read aloud with plenty of extra time for laughter and bemusement.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Mr. Potters cozy, logical worldhis tidy home with a tree in the yard and a dog beneath itis turned topsy-turvy when he makes some illogical decisions. After bringing the mopey dog indoors, Mr. Potter also decides to plant the tree inside so it will not be so alone. Eventually a hole must be cut in the roof so the tree can grow, which causes all sorts of zany calamities. He and the dog ultimately make themselves comfortable in the barn, at which point Mr. Potter contemplates moving a forlorn cow in with them . . . until the dog nips him in the seat to bring him to his senses. The cartoon-style illustrations depict placid, richly colored scenes of Mr. Potter surrounded by his accoutrements in his cottage-style house and give no hint of the chaos that will soon ensue with twisty tree branches, nesting birds, and rainwater everywhere. For another story about a special tree, look for This Tree Counts! by Alison Formento (2010). Preschool-Grade 2. --Randall Enos; Title: The Inside Tree
|
[
1030,
1117,
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Train
|
1,082 | 18 |
Ready for some quirky facts about the presidents of the United States? Andrew Jackson had to sneak out of his own inauguration party and sleep in a hotel because his fans got so wild. Poker-playing Warren G. Harding once gambled away a set of White House china. Lyndon B. Johnson was an auto mechanic, a grape picker, and a high-school teacher before becoming president.Kenneth C. Davis's tremendously popular Don't Know Much About... series takes on America's commanders in chief in this entertaining, often enlightening guide to the 43 presidents. Each president is allotted a page or three, which includes years in office, highlights of his time in power, and weird bits of trivia, including George Washington's propensity for brushing his horse's teeth every morning (although he himself didn't believe much in bathing) and spiffy dresser Chester Arthur's habit of changing his pants many times a day. A timeline runs along the bottom of most pages, describing major milestones in American history. It's fun and educational, how about that? (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie CoulterKenneth C. Davis once again uses a Q&A format, this time detailing the lives of the 43 men who have led the nation, in Don't Know Much About the Presidents, illus. by Pedro Martin. Alongside amusing stories (e.g., "By the time Washington became president, he had only one tooth of his own"), each section also includes each president's term, a timeline of major events and opens with a presidential quote. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Don't Know Much About the Presidents
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|
1,083 | 0 |
Grades 1-3--This title focuses on one emperor penguin family's survival. The parents' care of their young is central, shown by deft yet perfunctory watercolors depicting a harsh, challenging habitat. The danger of the baby's starvation is emphasized; one adult must keep it protected from the elements and the other must fish for food and return in time to feed it before it dies. Trading places, the caregivers share these duties until the chick is old enough for both adult birds to hunt for food together. A summary of a penguin's life up to the laying of an egg is followed by a section that describes the egg laying and nesting patterns of kings, Adelies, rockhoppers, jackasses, and little blues. Brenda Guiberson's The Emperor Lays an Egg (Holt, 2001) and Martin Jenkins's The Emperor's Egg (Candlewick, 1999) will have wider appeal because of their sparkling language and vibrant art. This book's value rests on its accessibility to beginning readers.Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. This well-illustrated book from the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series follows the growth of one penguin chick from egg to adulthood. The story has been told before, but the clear, simple text provides intriguing details and inherent drama that will keep young children involved straight through till the end. Using cool, wintry hues, Davie's paintings illustrate the penguin's world in a series of varied compositions that are often beautiful in their clean lines and subtly modulated colors. The appended two-page section "Find Out More about Penguins" discusses five species and suggests two activities, walking and tobogganing like penguins, that young children will be itching to try. A fine contribution to an excellent series. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Penguin Chick (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)
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1,084 | 2 |
Grade 5-7On the Nasel River, Washington state, in 1899, 12-year-old May Amelia Jackson feels overwhelmed with her seemingly unlimited supply of brothers and manages to get herself in trouble with animal traps, bears, floods, and more. Everyone, especially her stern father, asks her why she is such a no-account girl and admonishes her to act like a Proper Young Lady. Her fondest wish comes true with the birth of a little sister who is put in her care while her mother recuperates. When the baby dies, May Amelias vituperative Finnish grandmother publicly blames her at the funeral. The girl gives in to grief and rage, swearing that she will never again live with her family. A stay with a kindly aunt and uncle in a bustling city provides more adventure, a bit of polish, and a best girl friend. But when news arrives that Grandmother Patience has passed away, May Amelia must make an important decision. Her first-person narrative, in an almost stream-of-consciousness style, has plenty of hilarity to lighten the pathos inevitably found in the harsh reality of pioneer life. Holm also pays much attention to the limited roles allowed women of this era, describing Indian healers, tavern keepers, teachers, and even an aunt who is supported by an affluent gentleman. An engaging family story, portions of which will make dramatic read-alouds.Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.Jennifer L. Holm is the grandniece of Alice Amelia Holm, a Finnish-American girl born on the Nasel River in Washington state during the nineteenth century. The recent discovery of her grandaunt's diary and her ancestors' adventures in the Pacific Northwest inspired the character of May Amelia.Ms. Holm produces television commercials and lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she is working on her next book.; Title: Our Only May Amelia (Newbery Honor Book)
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|
1,085 | 2 |
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Poor Pip Squeak, a long-nosed, beady-eyed mouse, can't sleep because his roof is leaking. As he lies in bed, first a drip hits him on his head, then his foot, and then his chin until his bed is covered with pots and pans. As the leaks multiply, the water fills all of his containers from tub to shoe, from hat to glass, until finally the weary rodent's home is nearly submerged. Just as he hangs his head in defeat, the sun comes out and the drips stop as suddenly as they started. While his friends now want to jump in puddles, Pip just wants to jump back in bed. Rhyming text and the repetition of a couple of key phrases ("Drip! Drop!/Plip! Plop!") make this title effective as a beginning reader. Short, simple sentences keep the action moving along while a single problem focuses readers' attention. The snappy narrative is coupled with expressive, silly illustrations. With a smooth wash of color, these bright and flowing cartoons create a sense of growing disorder. Pip, with his orange-and-yellow striped pajamas, loose sagging bathrobe, and enormous mousy ears, is an endearing character who gamely battles the growing tide with "Cat in the Hat" ingenuity. It is thus surprising that he gives up the fight and even more puzzling that he chooses to jump back in bed (where did all the water go?). Yet, as he contentedly dreams of cheese, readers can't help but smile at his well-earned sleep.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. K^-2. A leaky roof torments a sleepy mouse in this appealing I Can Read Book. Pip Squeak is just nodding off when a drop lands on his head. A well-placed teacup seems to solve the problem until another drop lands on his toes and another on his chin. Soon he is racing back and forth with pots and pans, trying to stem the flood of water that's beginning to swirl around his pajamas. He's ready to give up just as the storm breaks and the leaks stop. His friends stop by ready to splash in puddles, but tired Pip Squeak goes back to bed. In a few words per page, simple rhymes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss tell the funny, calamitous story. The language is appropriate for the youngest readers, while the animated illustrations make the story's action clear and fun to follow, picturing Pip Squeak's helpless war against the drips, before he finally settles to sleep, a dream wedge of cheese above his head. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Drip, Drop (I Can Read!)
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Train
|
1,086 | 15 |
?The most charming of Ruth Krauss's books! Maurice Sendak has never done more delectable children. A book to laugh over and love. Recommended for all picture book collections.?-- "Library Journal"Ruth Krauss was one of the most widely celebrated children’s book authors of all time. Her long list of award-winning books includes The Carrot Seed, The Happy Day, A Hole Is to Dig, Open House for Butterflies, A Very Special House, and many others. Her books continue to be read and cherished by children throughout the world.; Title: Open House for Butterflies
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Train
|
1,087 | 0 |
Now in its second season, HarperCollins's reissue of 22 Sendak classics continues. This time, his collaborations with Ruth Krauss take center stage. In Charlotte and the White Horse, first published in 1955, creamy pages frame Sendak's softly lit illustrations of a girl who convinces her father to keep a wobbly legged horse and cares for him until he can stand on his own. Sendak's delicate watercolors suit the dream-like mood of a boy who accomplishes all that he sets out to do in his imaginary world, in I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue (1956), also by Krauss. A boy's imagination also comes to the fore in A Very Special House (1953) by Krauss, as the artist depicts the hero creating a home filled with a turtle, a giant, a very old lion and "some monkeys and some skunkeys." Oversize pages brim with the creatures as well as his house's "very special" furnishings. Open House for Butterflies (1960) takes a similar format to these collaborators' classic A Hole Is to Dig, and lastly, Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes (1965) by Sendak conveys as much plot through the artist's wordless spreads as with the minimal text. For collectors and budding readers alike. Nov. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Once again in few words Ruth Krauss reveals the innermost feelings of little children..." -- The New York Times Book Review; Title: I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue
|
[
1098,
32339
] |
Validation
|
1,088 | 2 |
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Despite her allergies, Emma wants a pet as a birthday gift. Her parents agree to her request-as long as she selects an animal without fur. Emma chooses a lizard, and she and her brother Max delight in its eating habits and changing color. When Emma realizes that Max is unhappy because he doesn't have his own pet, she convinces her father to get him a lizard. Little portrays real characters who bring everyday problems to satisfying conclusions. Simple, full-color line-and-watercolor illustrations do a great job of capturing expressions of confusion, worry, anger, and joy. An exceptional beginning reader.Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TXCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 1-2. In this I Can Read book, the words are simple but the story is complex, with several chapters and a fair amount of dialogue to challenge readers' skills. The story also gives readers something to think about beyond translating letters into words. Max wants a dog, but his sister, Emma, is allergic. A family visit to the pet store eventually solves the problem--a lizard seems the perfect pet--but lessons are learned about animal care and family relationships before the sweet ending occurs. Stephanie ZvirinCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Emma's Strange Pet (I Can Read Book 3)
|
[
498,
541,
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3891,
4351,
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Train
|
1,089 | 14 |
"A snappily paced story and kicky watercolors brimming with comic detail give Rader's holiday outing plenty of panache." -- Publisher's Weekly (starred review)"Rader's solo debut will have children caroling with laughter. Ho, ho, ho." -- Kirkus Reviews Laura Rader is the illustrator of the What to Expect Kids series by Heidi Murkoff, as well A Book of Hugs, A Book of Friends, and A Book of Kisses, all by Dave Ross. She also wrote and illustrated Santa's New Suit, which Publishers Weekly called in starred review "[a] holiday outing [with] plenty of panache." Ms. Rader lives in Los Angeles.; Title: Santa's New Suit
|
[
2238,
6195,
14412,
18517,
53886,
56433,
63375,
63408,
70385
] |
Train
|
1,090 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 2-Every year just before winter arrives, Hedgehog settles down for a long nap. Wondering what that season is really like, he enlists Rabbit to save "a little bit" of it for him. Rabbit agrees to help but is forgetful. Midwinter, Rabbit comes across a message inscribed on the bark of a tree reminding him of the request and comes up with an ingenious way to preserve a piece of winter for his appreciative friend. Children will laugh at the animals as they toss zippy dialogue back and forth as real friends do. Riddell alternates full-color and white backgrounds and full-page and spot illustrations effectively. The facial expressions and comic mannerisms of the creatures will allow youngsters plenty of opportunities to surmise how the story is progressing while the endpapers and illustrations echo the seasonal changes beginning in the throes of winter and ending in the lushness of spring.Lisa Gangemi Krapp, formerly at Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc."Expressive illustrations capture the warm friendship at the heart of this lightly humorous story." -- The Horn Book ; Title: A Little Bit of Winter
|
[
1034,
1191,
3336,
6735,
14695,
14995,
53632,
63066
] |
Test
|
1,091 | 2 |
PreSchool-Grade 2-When Katie's water phobia threatens to exclude her from the Porker twins' pool party, gentle swimming lessons with Patsy Polarbear save the kitten's social life. Meisel and Rockwell offer a practical tale populated by genial cartoon animals dressed in an amusing assortment of swimming attire. Although this book joins ranks with stories like Martha Weston's Tuck in the Pool (Clarion, 1995) and Jonathan London's Froggy Learns to Swim (Viking, 1995) for reassuring those who are hydrophobic, it has no surprises. However, the peripheral characters, such as a rabbit in oversized trunks and a boogying cow, have plenty of charm.Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.I don't remember learning to read; it seems as though I've always known how. In the same way, I don't know when I first began to draw and paint. I've always loved books and have always known I wanted to be an artist. So making picture books for children was my natural calling. I still remember how the world looked to me when I was very young, so communicating with children just starting off on what I hope will be a lifetime love of books feels right.Many of the books I write I illustrate myself, but I've also been lucky to have collaborated with other illustrators who bring their own special gifts and vision to the words I write.One of these is my daughter, Lizzy Rockwell. She has collaborated with me on a series of books about a group of children learning about the world, and telling the reader about themselves, in the sort of charmed and happy classroom all children should have. Two of the titles are just right for the fall back-to-school season Halloween Day and Thanksgiving Day.Paul Meisel has illustrated Morgan Plays Soccer, published in August 2001. This is the first of a series of books about what it means to be a "good sport". Sports are a big part of childhood. Even those who aren't good at them must learn the rules of the game. As Morgan Brownbear finds out, it isn't easy although if you have good friends who are also good sports it helps.I've never met a child who wasn't intrigued by insects. Steve Jenkins' illustrations for Bugs Are Insects, Let'S Read And Find Out (May 2001) show why children like my youngest grandson, Christian, are taken with the beauty and variety they see in the insect world.I believe that once a book is published it belongs to its readers. So now I'm busy working on ideas for new books. I love doing this, for I'm always refreshed by starting this kind of adventure carrying an idea all the way turning it into a book for others to read and enjoy.; Title: Katie Catz Makes a Splash (Good Sports)
|
[
5454,
25356,
36248
] |
Train
|
1,092 | 2 |
Shed's (The Butterfly House) intimate, soft-focus oil portraits add a nostalgic quality to this sweet story of a grandmother recollecting the arrival of her grandchild. "Even before you were born, I was your grandma and I loved you," muses the narrator as if addressing the child directly. She then goes on to enumerate all the wonders of babyhood ("I imagined your soft sighs and sweet smells/ and your tiny toes lined up/ like pink pearls on a necklace") and times shared ("I imagined holding you close,/ rocking you,/ watching you make faces as you dreamed"). Her imaginings span a full year, through baby's first Christmas and birthday ("I saw you eating birthday cake, pink and yellow frosting finger painted across your face") and culminate with the infant's actual birth. Debut children's author Bowen captures the eagerness and anticipation attendant upon the birth of a new family member, and her poetic descriptions ("hands spread out, like little starfish"; "ribbons of autumn sunlight weaving through your hair") brim with sentimental tenderness. Shed's realistic portraits evoke the feeling of a family photo album, including close-ups of the fetching baby and various beaming family members. Just right for sharing on Grandma's lap. All ages. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-This gentle story celebrates the love of a grandmother for her new grandchild. The opening refrain, "Even before you were born," is repeated throughout the text, coupled with "I loved-," "I wondered-," "I imagined-." The sense of waiting and anticipation is almost tangible, and many of these hoped-for events (smiling at daddy, rolling over, sharing a book) come to fruition in the illustrations. Shed's full-page images are set opposite warm, pastel text pages. The realistic yet soft-edged paintings convey the loving intimacy of family, and perfectly complement the joyful text, which is sweet without being saccharine. A perfect gift for a grandchild and lovely for sharing one-on-one.Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: I Loved You Before You Were Born
|
[
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56333,
56544,
57025,
58076,
58499,
61968,
63284,
69380,
69464,
69477,
73956
] |
Test
|
1,093 | 1 |
Poor little Lori. All he wants is to go see Times Square, but somehow he is thwarted every step of the way. First he takes a subway but gets out at South Ferry. Then he takes a bus but finds himself at 242nd Street. So he tries a taxi, and here's what happens: The driver says, "Do you have enough money to pay me?" Lori answers, "What a silly question! I am much too little to have enough money for a taxi." So the driver says, "Please get out then." Will Lori ever get to Times Square? Maybe with a little help from a very... slow... moving... friend.The incomparable Maurice Sendak illustrates Amos Vogel's enormously amusing story, which first appeared in 1963 and has been rereleased for a new generation of lucky readers. Lori's melodramatic range of emotions throughout his arduous day is pure delight for fans of Sendak's familiar artwork, as seen in such classics as Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. Try not to be overly concerned at the idea of a small child wandering the streets of New York alone. This was written in another era, after all, and the silliness factor far outweighs the "unsafe" aspect. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterAmos Vogel was born and educated in Vienna and came to America during the War. He founded Cinema 16, which was at one time the world’s largest film society, sat on international film juries, and has written and lectured on films.; Title: How Little Lori Visited Times Square
|
[
884,
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48586,
58071
] |
Train
|
1,094 | 2 |
PreSchool-K-Even the closest friendship must weather the occasional storm. Such is the case with a preschool boy and girl who share in all kinds of creative play. Theirs is a relationship made in heaven until harsh words are spoken and they shout at one another. The boy describes his anger, feigned indifference, sadness, and loneliness all resulting from the spat. He muses that if his friend were as sad as he is "She would come and say, 'I'm sorry,' and I would say sorry, too." While the youngster's desire for reconciliation is admirable, these sentiments give a mixed message about apologizing. Additionally, the cause of the disagreement is not explained in either the pictures or the text. Since many young children are very concerned with issues of fairness, this omission may be troubling, even though the point is clearly not to assign blame to either child. Lovely illustrations represent the preschoolers and their familiar surroundings with a softened realism. Renderings of the children's faces are especially effective in conveying the emotions McBratney describes. Despite some modest quibbles with the story line, this gentle vignette nicely portrays a friendship between the genders.Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.The author of Guess How Much I Love You (1995) offers a simple, straightforward contemporary story about a falling-out between two best friends that hints at a resolution but cleverly leaves it up to young listeners to decide if they agree. Eachus' gauzy, dappled watercolors and 1940s-style English countryside settings convey an old-fashioned, cozy feeling to the story about a subject that might otherwise have been upsetting to youngsters. The young boy narrator tells of his friendship with a little girl--exploring the farm, teaching dolls to read, being doctors and fixing broken bones. Then there's a sudden argument ("I SHOUTED at my friend today, and she SHOUTED back at me"), and the children avoid each other. The friendship seems irreparable until the little boy imagines what his friend would do if she were as sad as he. Gentle and understated in both text and art, this has a great deal to teach about empathy and forgiveness. The rich paper quality allows for repeated reading. Connie FletcherCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: I'm Sorry
|
[
5462,
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75527,
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] |
Train
|
1,095 | 2 |
"You don't like to get dressed in the morning? It's a good thing you're not an octopus. If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants!"The world of small children is filled with day-in, day-out challenges and tiresome activities. If someone's not telling you to get dressed, they're making you eat lunch, climb into the car seat, or take a nap. However, young humans should count their blessings. Baby birds have to eat worms for lunch. Tigers may not ever have to climb into a bathtub, but that's because their mothers are always licking them clean! And imagine being a shark when it comes time to brush your teeth--all 200 of them. Julie Markes hits her mark with this clever picture book, which will probably make at least a few human children appreciate their relatively simple daily routines (at least when compared to shoeless caterpillars). Maggie Smith's playful, detailed illustrations bring every character to life, with continually changing expressions even on the faces of the protagonist's many stuffed animals. Smith's artistic humor, combined with Markes's wise, wonderful text, will make this a favorite among kids and their parents, who may even want to expand and personalize the game for their own daily skirmishes. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie CoulterFirst-time author Markes serves up a bit of inventive psychology for dealing with an uncooperative child in this subtle picture book. The unseen caretaker of a preschooler with a penchant for eschewing any idea of a daily routine presents the boy with alternate scenarios that make his own lot seem palatable. As the pajama-clad protagonist grins from beneath his bed covers, the narrative reads, "You don't like to get dressed in the morning?/ It's a good thing you're not an octopus./ If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants!" The boy then envisions an octopus struggling to get dressed on the bed next to him. Similar scenes unfold as the boy realizes that being himself--and doing what's asked of him--is better than being any of the animal characters he imagines. In a simple question-and-answer format, Markes addresses a common and frustrating challenge for parents and suggests a disarming, nonconfrontational solution. Smith (There's a Witch Under the Stairs) uses a crisp watercolor palette to depict a realistic setting filled with child-friendly touches (car seat, bright toys and books) and lots of humor. (Don't miss the shark brushing its teeth.) Ages 3-6.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Good Thing You're Not an Octopus!
|
[
1359,
3344,
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33460,
36426,
50452,
51673,
54465,
56474,
69428,
71631,
75905
] |
Validation
|
1,096 | 2 |
What 12-year-old Ana Rosa Hèrnandez wants more than anything is a notepad of her very own. Writing is her passion, and words flow out of her pencil onto the paper bags that Papi brings his rum home in, onto napkins, onto gray shop paper. In the República Dominicana, however, only the President can write books. But as Mami sighs and says, "Ana Rosa, there always has to be a first person to do something." These supportive words are difficult for her mother to muster, as everyone on the island knows too well that writers do not have freedom of expression--and in their political climate "silence was self-defense."When the chilling news arrives that the government wants to buy all the land in the village to build hotels and generate more tourism, people learn what it means to break their silence. Ana Rosa's handsome 19-year-old brother Guario Hèrnandez is appointed as official spokesperson for the villagers' cause, but when an out-and-out rebellion against the government erupts, he--and everyone else--is endangered. As the bulldozers roll in, Ana Rosa and her family discover how utterly worthless words really are in the face of brute force.Lynn Joseph paints a vibrant, colorful landscape of this Caribbean island where love, warmth of community, and abundant natural beauty soften the kind of poverty that makes paper--and sometimes doing what you think is right--a luxury. Ana Rosa's engaging, heartfelt poems--"Merengue Dream," "My Brother's Friend"--begin every chapter, setting the tone of the events to follow, and reinforcing how words shape her life and how her life shapes her words. Young readers will be inspired by Ana Rosa's drive and talent, warmed by vivid stories of her close-knit family, and moved by those who fight for what's right at the greatest possible cost. This lovely, lyrical book dances the merengue, glimmers with sunshine, and sways with island breezes. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin SnelsonIn finely wrought chapters that at times read more like a collection of related short stories than a novel, Joseph (Jump Up Time) presents slices from the life of Ana Rosa just as she is about to turn 13. Through the heroine's poetry and recollections, readers gain a rare intimate view of life in the Dominican Republic. Ana Rosa dreams of becoming a writer even though no one but the president writes books; she learns to dance the merengue by listening to the rhythms of her beloved ocean; and the love of her older brother, Guario, comforts her through many difficulties. The author's portraits of Ana Rosa and her family are studies in spare language; the chapters often grow out of one central imageAsuch as the gri gri tree where Ana Rosa keeps watch over her village and gets ideas for her writingAgiving the novel the feel of an extended prose poem. The brevity of the chapters showcases Joseph's gift for metaphoric language (e.g., her description of Ana Rosa's first crush: "My dark eyes trailed him like a line of hot soot wherever he went"). When the easy rhythms of the girl's island life abruptly change due to two major events, the author develops these cataclysms so subtly that readers may not feel the impact as fully as other events, such as the heroine's unrequited love. Still, it's a testimony to the power of Joseph's writing that the developments readers will empathize with most are those of greatest importance to her winning heroine. Ages 8-12. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Color of My Words
|
[
1337,
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6680,
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10108,
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10204,
10965,
12205,
12560,
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51761,
58071,
62733,
68219,
68461,
70539
] |
Test
|
1,097 | 18 |
Grade 3-5-This engaging, anecdotal biography will acquaint readers with some of Clemens's own boyish exploits, which eventually became memorable moments in the lives of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Clemens is portrayed as an adventuresome, fun-loving person who, from an early age, became an expert at exploring new venues, and who became a great writer and humorist despite the fact that his formal education ended at age 12. The people in Andreasen's illustrations have the same round-cheeked, homespun look as those found in Norman Rockwell's paintings. The pictures have a softness that suggests an earlier time, and many of them have an appealing luminescent quality. A chronology on the endpapers lists key events in Clemens's life. For a younger audience than Kathryn Lasky's equally well-written A Brilliant Streak: The Making of Mark Twain (Harcourt, 1998), River Boy has only one flaw: the lack of source notes or bibliography to substantiate the anecdotal information. Otherwise, it is a perfect introductory biography that will appeal to both children and teachers.Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OHCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 1-4. Anderson has done a fine job of shaping Sam Clemens/Mark Twain's long and extraordinary life into a coherent narrative for young children. The Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri, defined much of the boy's early life--a place to explore, play, and dream. He left school at 12, when his father died, learned about printing, then steamboat piloting, then lit out for gold in Nevada Territory, along the way honing his talent for storytelling. Anderson slips in a few vignettes, such as the time young Sam had to whitewash the fence, which alert readers will note found their way into Twain's other books. Andreasen's burnished paintings capture the gold of imagination and memory, broad vistas of sky and land, architectural details that create a setting (the wheel of a riverboat, the edge of a family porch), and bright-eyed, apple-cheeked figures. A chronology on the end paper hints at the sadness of Twain's later years. GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: River Boy: The Story of Mark Twain
|
[
17291,
47420
] |
Train
|
1,098 | 2 |
Now in its second season, HarperCollins's reissue of 22 Sendak classics continues. This time, his collaborations with Ruth Krauss take center stage. In Charlotte and the White Horse, first published in 1955, creamy pages frame Sendak's softly lit illustrations of a girl who convinces her father to keep a wobbly legged horse and cares for him until he can stand on his own. Sendak's delicate watercolors suit the dream-like mood of a boy who accomplishes all that he sets out to do in his imaginary world, in I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue (1956), also by Krauss. A boy's imagination also comes to the fore in A Very Special House (1953) by Krauss, as the artist depicts the hero creating a home filled with a turtle, a giant, a very old lion and "some monkeys and some skunkeys." Oversize pages brim with the creatures as well as his house's "very special" furnishings. Open House for Butterflies (1960) takes a similar format to these collaborators' classic A Hole Is to Dig, and lastly, Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes (1965) by Sendak conveys as much plot through the artist's wordless spreads as with the minimal text. For collectors and budding readers alike. Nov. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Most, most special indeed! What fun! Sheer nonsense in text and pictures, the inimitable drawings of Mr. Sendak. -- Saturday Review; Title: A Very Special House
|
[
884,
996,
1086,
1087,
1103,
12441,
15915,
23005,
26896,
33333
] |
Train
|
1,099 | 2 |
The horse wallowing in the pigpen is just the beginning of a girl's laughable lament in this rhyming barnyard romp by the creators of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. When the youngster yells to her mother, "Horse is in the pigpen, rollin' in the slop," the woman calmly answers, "Tell it to the pigs, dear. It's time for me to mop." Thus begins a domino effect. Lloyd shows the horse on its back, wallowing like its porcine neighbors, and succeeding good-natured vignettes and full-bleed spreads portray the comical turn of events as one species displaces another. Finally, the girl finds the ducks (banished from their pond when the cat takes a swim) in the cow barn and in the book's funniest image of all the dozing bovine in her own bed. The mother then rises to the occasion, launching a reverse chain reaction that lands all of the critters back in their proper digs. Except one: a diminutive mouse that observant readers will have noticed lurking in preceding pages, whose antics just may launch the merry mayhem all over again. This farmyard frolic is sure to elicit gleeful groans of "Oh, no!" from young listeners. Ages 3-6. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.reSchool-Grade 1-Welcome to a farm where all of the animals are not where they are supposed to be. The story begins with one displaced horse rolling in mud like a hog. As the farmer's daughter discovers one disaster after another, she asks her mother for help, with a yell of "Heeey, Ma." Whether mom is talking on the phone or darning socks, she just does not have time to deal with the mess today. So each time, she tells her daughter to tell someone else about the situation. Pretty soon, a cow decides to take up residence in the house, and Ma finally takes notice. Everything seems to be in order, until the little girl climbs into bed for a last-page surprise. Each mixed-up situation is told in rhyming stanzas with a predictable beat, rhyme, and conclusion. Sometimes, it all seems a little forced, but youngsters will be caught up by the flow of the text. The oil illustrations are vibrant and full of motion. There is a lot of action on these spreads, and very little text, which should keep the attention of listeners. This book begs to be read aloud, as almost every stanza is in dialogue with a singsong rhythm. A funny and attractive addition to any library.Hannah Hoppe, Miles City Public Library, MTCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Horse in the Pigpen
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