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Percy THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CHICKEN Author: Rick Rieser Illustrator: Daniel Seward ISBN: 9 781607 469995 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Percy THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CHICKEN is a delightful rhyming story that follows “Percy” through a few growing pains. When Percy hatched out of his egg, all the other chickens in the flock came to give him a thorough inspection and to make sure he was “perfect” from his “beak to his toes.” But when they look at his speckles they are colored red – instead of brown. Percy’s mom is sorry she let him be inspected so closely and decides he must hide until his speckles turn brown. Percy hides in the grass and the woods and does change – but not in the right way – even his wings are too long! When the hens gather around Percy they talked about “pecking” him. Percy got scared and then he got mad and started flapping his wings. In fact, he flapped them so hard he started to fly. As Percy flew in the sky he watched the hens below and when he landed he had a few things to say. He asked one hen about the spot on her beak and another about the four toes on her feet. Follow along with Percy in Percy THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CHICKEN as he finds out what being “perfect” means. Percy THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CHICKEN is illustrated by Daniel Seward. The illustrations in this story are remarkable as the characters are brought to life on every page. Related websites: www.FastPencil.com
No Baths For Betsy Author: Katherine Blanc Illustrator: Swapan Debnath ISBN: 978-1-936046-40-9 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart No Baths For Betsy is a humorous story about a girl named Betsy who does not like anything at all about taking a bath. Although her mother and father pleaded with her to, “Please, please take a short bath,” Betsy didn’t budge. To top it off she decided she would never ever take a bath again. She was dirty and stinky and she was happy about being that way. But one day, strange things started growing – right on Betsy! Can you imagine? A squishy tomato was coming right out of her belly button! Again, Betsy’s mother and father begged, “Please, PLEASE, take a bath.” Again, Betsy didn’t budge. When they told her she could take a bath or sleep outside – she chose to sleep outside. However, Betsy wasn’t able to sleep at all because of everything growing on her. Can you imagine sleeping with a bird’s nest on your head? Or a mouse in your pocket? So when got up the next morning she was very tired and she was still very dirty. When the fish in the pond laughed at Betsy she had to decide if, in fact, she might really need a bath after all. But first she has to figure out what to do with all the things that are growing on her. No Baths For Betsy is illustrated by Swapan Debnath. The illustrations are rich and colorful as well as humorous and delightful. Related websites: www.pagesofwonder.com
Messy Tessy Author: Leah Orr Illustrator: Josephine Lepore ISBN: 978-1-4389-9398-0 Reading Level: Ages 3-10 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Messy Tessy is a delightful rhyming book written by Leah Orr along with her three daughters. The story is about an adventurous and fun-loving child named Tessy. When Tessy’s mom heads off to the gym Tessy’s Aunt Fran comes to babysit. But when Aunt Fran falls asleep on the couch Tessy takes full advantage of the situation. She gets into her mom’s make-up, she writes on the wall, she plays beauty shop with her dolls – and even cuts her own hair! What will happen when Aunt Fran wakes up and finds Tessy’s mischievous messes? Messy Tessy is illustrated by Josephine Lepore. The illustrations are humorous and entertaining and bring Tessy’s mischievousness to life on each page. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of Messy Tessy are generously donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Related websites: www.leahorr.com www.authorhouse.com
Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster Author: Mayra Calvani Illustrations: Kit Grady ISBN 13: 978-1-935137-92 ISBN 10: 1935137921 Age Level: 4 – 8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster is a story about a hamster who loves books so much he doesn’t have time to make friends – let alone have time to play with friends! Yes, Humberto is always too busy reading. However, one day disaster strikes while Humberto is away and he must decide whether to rescue his much loved books – or possible friends. Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster is illustrated by Kit Grady. The illustrations are delightful, fun and colorful. Related websites: www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com www.kitgrady.com www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com
Finn the Half-Great Author: Theo Caldwell Publisher: Tundra Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-88776-931-3 Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Rating: 4 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker With the popularity of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy fiction has become very popular. Set in Eire (Ireland), Fyfe (Scotland), and Alba (England) at a time when “There were Giants in the earth in those days” and apparently based on Celtic legends, this young adult fantasy novel is about the “half-Great” Finn, whose father was a Giant and his mother a human. Chapter one tells that before he was born, the Northern Frost Giant king Ymir kidnapped his mother, so his father went to rescue her, and she escaped, but his father was killed in the process. When Finn, who was raised by his aunts Liath and Bodhmall, and his uncle Finegas, is grown, he goes to destroy Ymir. The rest of the book takes place many years later, after Finn has married Oonagh and settled down in his home at Knockmany. A group of humans under the leadership of the “Little King” Artek, his general Dunbar, and their assistant Jack in the Green, a notorious Giant-killer, attack his home and kidnap his wife while Finn and his friend Cuhullin of Fyfe are away visiting the Leviathan of the Black Loch in Fyfe. So Finn, Cuhullin, and another friend Iskander the Cyclops, set out to rescue Oonagh, receiving help from the Banshee, a necromancer, the blue wyvern, and a group of fairies known as Spriggans along the way, as they seek to locate other giants who will join them in their quest. Will they ever find Oonagh, and if so will they be able to defeat their enemies and save her? While there are some fascinating features in this book, especially for those who enjoy fantasy based on folklore, it did not hold my attention as well as others, although it still has its exciting moments. The promotional material that I received with the book says, “One reviewer has suggested Finn the half-Great could do for Ireland what Tolkien has done for England, by creating and codifying national fairy tales.” One problem that I have with Finn, the half-Great, is that the fantasy of Tolkien and Lewis has a definite good versus evil theme. The story of Finn has some of that, but it is a little murkier in that Finn seems more bent on simply taking vengeance than on righting a wrong, and the humans appear to have some just grievances in having been mistreated by the Giants. Another minor complaint is the amount of references to cursing and profanity. The euphemistic “Blast it” is said often, and the euphemistic “darned” is found a few times. Thankfully, no actual curse words or profane language is used, but it is frequently mentioned that the Giants, especially Cuhullin, curse as though cursing is an accepted, normal activity, and on occasion Finn even smiles at it, which would imply that it is just something humorous and there is nothing really wrong with it. We do not curse in our house, and children’s authors who want me to buy their books and read them to my children are going to have to keep the cursing and even references to cursing out. A final warning is that this book is for young adults, not small children. While not overly gratuitous, some of the battle scenes are especially descriptive and would not be appropriate for sensitive youngsters. However, from this standpoint, I would have no problem letting my thirteen-year-old read the book. It is not the best fantasy book that I have ever read, but it is certainly not the worst either.
Ferdinand Uses the Potty Author: Jay Tucker Illustrator: D.E. West Publisher: Loving Healing Press ISBN(s): 1-93269-82-4 & 978-1-932690-82-8 Reading Level: Pre-school Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Written in fun rhyme by author, Jay Tucker, Ferdinand Uses the Potty is about a frog named Ferdinand who wets his bed and is scared of the flushing sound the toilet makes. Ferdinand hates the sound so much he tries his hardest to not go to the potty all! Until one day with help from a friend, Ferdinand bravely faces the flushing toilet. Ferdinand Uses the Potty is a good book for preschoolers and parents alike. Ferdinand’s bravery will encourage a child to be confident and face his or her own potty training fears. For parents, Ferdinand Uses the Potty will assist in giving children the encouragement needed to overcome the challenges of potty training. The illustrations in Ferdinand Uses the Potty are done by D.E. West who was a former production artist for Hallmark Cards. The colorful and entertaining illustrations are sure to provide the opportunity for laughter between parents and children as they face the obstacles that potty training may bring. Children can find color book sheets and other fun continuing activities at www.FerdieTheFrog.com. Related websites: www.LHPress.com www.FerdieTheFrog.com
The Double Cousins and the Mystery of the Missing Watch Author: Miriam Jones Bradley Publisher: WinePress Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-57921-999-4 ISBN-10: 1-57921-999-3 Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you had a long lost relative, what do you think would be the best way to go about trying to find him? Ten-year-old double cousins Max Rawson and Carly Johnson, along with Max’s younger brother Chad and Carly’s older sister Dorie and younger sister Molly, all arrive for their annual summer visit to their grandparents’ ranch. To help them pass the time away, Grandpa suggests that they try to uncover the mystery surrounding his grandfather’s twin brother Zachary who left home at the age of eighteen to seek his fortune in the West more than 100 years ago and was never heard from again. The only clue is Grandpa’s pocket watch which is an exact match to the one Zachary carried. Their search is complicated by the arrival of a new ranch hand named Slim, a young man who left his family and has been homeless but has a watch that appears similar to Grandpa’s. Will the children be able to solve the mystery about Zachary? And can Slim be trusted or does he have something to hide? I have the privilege of reading and reviewing a lot of books for young people, and this is truly one of the best stories that I have read in a good while! First, it is very realistic. In fact, author Miriam Jones Bradley wrote, “This book is a work of fiction. However, many of the events portrayed in this story are based on the experiences my cousins, siblings, and I had as children visiting our grandparents’ ranch….Sadly, we never had a mystery to solve as the children in this story do. The seed of the idea for the mystery did, however, come from a true-life event. My Great-great-grandpa Jones left home to find work and never returned.” The children are not portrayed as perfect. Max especially is suspicious of Slim and grumpy because of it, and they do make some mistakes, but their grandparents lovingly help them to see their errors and correct them. In the process, they learn some valuable lessons about forgiveness and acceptance. And second, it is well-written and fun to read! The suspense will keep youngsters turning the pages, and the surprise ending will be a delight. The Double Cousins and the Mystery of the Missing Watch gets a high five from me.
Dead Fred, Flying Lunch Boxes, and the Good Luck Circle Author: Frank McKinney (with Kate Mason) Publisher: Heath Communications Inc., 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-1382-0 ISBN-10: 0-7573-1382-5 Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Ppeekk (pronounced “Peekie”) Rose Berry is a thirteen-year-old eighth grade girl who has just moved with her dad, a vacuum cleaner salesman, and mom, who is a caterer, from Indiana to Delray Beach, FL. Because she played peek-a-boo with her parents when she was young, they nicknamed her Peeker, and when she got older she changed the spelling to make it unique. Since her parents don’t seem to have much time for her, she begins walking to school, although her dad does drive his old Yugo behind her till she crosses the drawbridge from the barrier island to make sure that she is safe. One day, when some workers are pouring concrete for a new sidewalk, one of the men blows a smoke ring toward her. When they leave, she picks up a stick and draws a “Good Luck Circle” in the soft concrete. As she walks on, she picks up a dead-looking fish which talks to her and tells her that he is Frederick the Ninth, King of High Voltage, a magical underwater kingdom in the Intracoastal Waterway channel beneath the bridge. She calls him “Dead Fred.” Ppeekk learns that a prehistoric monster named Megalodon has returned, dethroned Dead Fred, and is trying to take over High Voltage. However, Dead Fred has a plan to save his kingdom which involves Ppeekk, who seeks help from the two neighbor children, Quatro and Mini Romey, and six of their other friends from school. In High Voltage, they find that manatees talk, clownfish encourage children to throw their lunch boxes off the bridge, and flying fish carry the lunch boxes to nearby rocks. But when a hurricane comes, will Ppeekk’s plan to destroy Megalodon and save High Voltage work? Author Frank McKinney conceived the idea for this children’s fantasy novel while walking his daughter Laura (the inspiration for Ppeekk) and her friends to school, over the drawbridge on the Intracoastal Waterway in Delray Beach, FL. High Voltage has been likened to both Oz and Narnia. The book is well written and very exciting to read. Parents may want to know that there are a few euphemisms, an instance of tobacco use, and some references to life on earth 50,000,000 years ago. On one occasion, Mini Romey is said to be wearing short shorts and a halter top. Also, there is a time when “Ppeekk felt funny telling a lie, but it was for a most important cause.” As to age range, the scene where Megalodon’s remoras turn into a voodoo priestess, an albino demon, and a blood-spitting monster might be a bit intense for children who are younger or a little sensitive. However, there are beneficial lessons portrayed about believing in oneself, friendship, and parent-child relationships, especially when Edward Berry goes out into the hurricane looking for his daughter. In addition, proceeds from book sales go to benefit Frank McKinney’s Caring House Project Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides a self-sustaining existence for the most desperately poor and homeless families in Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Africa, Indonesia, and the United States with homes, medical clinics, orphanages, schools, churches, clean water, and renewable agricultural assets such as livestock and crops. If you are interested in a breath-taking journey into a magical fantasy world, you should enjoy Dead Fred, Flying Lunch Boxes, and the Good Luck Circle.
Billy Bones: The Road to Nevermore Author: Christopher Lincoln Illustrations by: Christopher Lincoln Published by: Little, Brown & Co (Hatchette Book Group) ISBN: 978-0-316-01475-5 Age Group: 8 on up Rating: Five PLUS Stars! This is the second in the series of Billy Bones, the little skeleton boy, books. Not only do Billy Bones, Millicent, Uncle Grim and the other fantastic characters come vividly alive, but so does the writing skills of author/illustrator Christopher Lincoln as well. Chris’ use of carefully-chosen descriptive language and his terrific storyline are “right up there” with his awesome skills as an illustrator. He definitely paints an awesome “word picture” throughout this fun book – it was riveting! Your child will feel “right there” in the intense action of the underworld when the evil Shadwick Gloom captures Billy’s friend, Millicent, and his Uncle Grim. When Uncle Grim is captured, time comes to a standstill since Grim is the one in charge of “time” as we know it. It’s up to Billy to rescue them before time starts up again, causing both Millicent and Uncle Grim to perish in the underworld. Who will help Billy? Will he succeed in rescuing the Grim Reaper himself from death? You will just have to read this action-packed story yourself to see if a ten-year-old skeleton boy can pull off a rescue when time has come to a dead stop! The author’s fantastic imagination conjures up all sorts of evil frights in the land of Nevermore that will keep your child on the edge of his/her seat as they eagerly turn the page to see what happens next. Readers of the first Billy Bones book will rejoice when re-acquainting themselves with all the familiar characters of this rollicking adventure. This book is definitely a keeper!
Bond and the Big Green Hill Author: Bridget Kendall Illustrator: Pablo Niz ISBN: 978-1-4490-1458-2 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Bond and the Big Green Hill is sure to warm the hearts of children and cat lovers everywhere. Bond is an adventuresome Tuxedo cat who discovers what he believes to be a big green hill one day – and begins climbing. Up, up and up he climbs – only to realize it’s not a big green hill at all – but a big green couch! Bond’s parents encourage him to only climb the big green couch when they are around to catch him in case he falls. After all, climbing a big green hill alone was a bit scary for Bond. Bond and the Big Green Hill is illustrated by Pablo Niz. The illustrations are delightful, colorful and fun. Children (and cat lovers) can send Bond paw mail at bondthecat@live.com. Related websites: www.authorhouse.com
Benjamin Franklin, American Genius: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities Author: Brandon Marie Miller Illustrator: Monica Baziuk (cover and interior design) Publisher: Chicago Review Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-55652-757-9 Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne S. Walker Who do you think was one of the greatest men of colonial and early America? Several names might come to mind, such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but someone that would likely be on everyone’s list is Benjamin Franklin. Of course, Franklin knew and worked with Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. In fact, Franklin reviewed Washington’s Continental troops in Cambridge, MA, at the beginning of the American Revolution. He was on the same committee with Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. And he served together with Adams in Paris, France, as emissaries of the new United States government seeking help in the war. Yet, in addition to being an important statesman, Franklin was also a printer, a scientist, a philosopher, and an inventor. This well-illustrated book starts with Franklin’s birth into poverty in 1706 at Boston, MA, through his running away from home to Philadelphia, PA, to his fame as an American Renaissance Man. To make his story more meaningful to youngsters in a hands-on way, there are 21 activities that relate to Franklin’s life. His father was a chandler who made candles and soap, so there are soap and candle making exercises. Franklin became a printer, so students can learn how to make paper and the leather apron that printers wore. While he was not a perfect man but made his share of mistakes in life, Benjamin Franklin exhibited many qualities which can well be emulated. Author Brandon Marie Miller points out that near the end of his life, he wrote that he believed that God is the “Creator of the Universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render him is doing good to his other children.” The use of original writings, illustrations, documents, and articles from the era, along with a time line, a glossary, a list of resources for further research, and an index all help to make this book a wonderful tool for learning more about the life of this great American historical figure. Previously, I had the privilege of reviewing another book in this series, Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities by Kerrie Logan Hollihan for Stories for Children Magazine. Other books in the series include Abraham Lincoln for Kids, George Washington for Kids, Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Kids, and The American Revolution for Kids. Related website: www.ipgbook.com (distributor)
Snow Valley Heroes, a Christmas Tale: Planet of the Dogs, Volume 3 Author: Robert J. McCarty Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty Publisher: Barking Planet Productions, 2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-9786928-2-7 Reading Level: Ages 6-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne S. Walker What would happen if someone kidnapped a couple of Santa’s reindeer so that he could not deliver his presents on Christmas Eve? The dogs from The Planet of the Dogs have returned. After they had helped to save the hard working farmers of Green Valley from an invasion by the Stone City Warriors in Planet of the Dogs and then rescued two kidnapped children to prevent a war between the Stone City Warriors and the Black Hawk Tribes in Castle in the Mist, the dogs have another job. The evil King of the North, who was banished by the Tribe of the North and now lives in the forbidding Ice Castle, takes his vengeance by sending some of his Royal Guards to steal two reindeer from Santa Claus and thus stop Christmas. Daisy and Bean from Green Valley head north to help the dogs rescue Dasher and Dancer, and they meet a host of new friends in the process. But will they make it in time to save Christmas? All of the “Planet of the Dogs” books are well written. Not only are they fun to read but also they exhibit good attitudes and beneficial attributes on the part of the main characters so that good overcomes evil, sometimes in surprising ways. The short chapters are perfect to keep the attention of the target audience. Dog lovers will especially like these tales, but everyone else can enjoy them too. Snow Valley Heroes has the potential of becoming a favorite holiday story for both children and adults. Related websites: www.planetofthedogs.net http://barkingplanet.typepad.com
Robox Written and Illustrated By: Mark Rogalski Published by: Running Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-7624-3545-6 Ages: 3 and up 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier Award-winning author and illustrator Mark Rogalski has out done himself this time with a one of a kind storybook for children. If you and your children love Star Wars’ R2D2, Wall-E, and/or Oz, then you’ll love Robox; a build your very own Robox robot, eye-catching and interactive book. The young hero, Renny, is sick of being bullied at school and forced to eat food he hates like grusseled sprouts. Yuck! Renny locks himself in his room with hope it will also lock out his problems. However, his problems just sit and wait outside his bedroom door. What is a boy to do? Renny comes up with a solution . . . the helpful Robox. Now with Robox at his side, Renny can feed his grusseled sprouts to him instead of eating the yucky, slimmy things himself. And the bullies better watch out . . . with Robox at his side even they don’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, Robox has much too big of an appetite and doesn’t just eat the gross the sprouts. Nope he ends up eating all of Renny’s enemies and friends! Robox is not only entertaining, but innovative and interactive for those curious minds. Children can even build their own Robox. However, this one has less of an appetite unlike Renny’s so no need to worry about your friends being eaten by a robot.
Pemba Sherpa Author: Olga Cossi Illustrator: Gary Bernard ISBN: 978-0-9768655-8-2 Reading Level: 7 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart The Sherpa (meaning “eastern people” in the Tibetan language) are known for their expert mountain climbing skills. Many young boys dream of becoming porters or guides on Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain. Pemba, the young schoolboy in this story, dreams of becoming the best porter and guide in all of Nepal. Yang Ki is Pemba’s sister. She too wishes to become a porter or guide; however, no girls were allowed to work as a guide at this time. But that doesn’t stop her from following her brother on the treacherous mountain trail. Although Pemba is adamant that Yang Ki remain behind at home she continues to follow him. Pemba finds himself in peril when loose rocks on the mountain trail give way to a landslide – and he realizes his life is now in Yang Ki’s hands. Yang Ki’s actions show her brother, Pemba, that she is a strong and brave girl – someone he is proud to call his sister. Pemba Sherpa is a delightful and inspirational story between a brother and his sister. This story encourages children to dream beyond traditional boundaries. The watercolor and pencil illustrations in Pemba Sherpa are exquisite works of art. Pemba Sherpa is dedicated to the memory of Pemba Doma Sherpa (1970-2007) the first Sherpa woman to reach the summit of the North Face of Mt. Everest.
Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug Author: Ellie Bethel Illustrator: Alexandra Colombo Publisher: Worthwhile Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1--60010-392-6 Reading Level: Ages 3-7 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Would you like to live on the top of a garbage dump? Most people would prefer not to do so, but near a clean little town in a beautiful valley, there was a mountain of waste which was the home of Litterbug Doug. No one wanted to go near, except a hundred-odd rats and two fat tabby cats. It was a rotting, moldy, smelly, stinky mess! But then one day there came a green-caped crusader named Michael Recycle. What did he do? And did Doug learn anything? We all need to help the environment by wasting less and recycling more. The rhyming text by Ellie Bethel and humorous illustrations by Alexandra Colombo of this sequel to Michael Recycle (2008) will help to reinforce this important fact in the minds of children and to promote the idea of working together to protect our planet. In the back there are two pages of trash facts from Doug, which are based on information from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and two more of Go Green Tips from Michael himself. Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, which is printed on recycled paper, of course, will prove both interesting and useful for youngsters, teachers, and parents alike. Related website: www.MyWorthwhileBooks.com (publisher)
Menorah Under the Sea Author: Esther Susan Heller Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-7386-9 (hard cover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-7390-6 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 5-9 (grades K-3) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Would you think that there is any life in the frigid waters off Antarctica? Well, there is! Follow diver David W. Ginsburg, who is a marine ecologist from Los Angeles, CA, as he goes to the McMurdo Station on the Antarctic continent to study the underwater animals that live in the ocean. After getting on his dry suite and tramping through the ice, he and his partner Rob swim down to find sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and starfish. David is trying to learn how the sea urchins survive in the freezing water. However, he is in Antarctica during the time when his family back home would be putting candles on the Hanukkah menorahs. What might David do with the colorful sea urchins, starfish, and his camera to help him celebrate Hanukkah? After showing everyone the picture that he takes, some of the other Jewish scientists join David as he takes his metal traveling menorah and they celebrate Hanukkah, remembering how long ago the Jewish people stood up to their enemies and survived. David hasn’t yet learned how the sea urchins manage to stay alive, but he knows how the Jewish people survived. Author Esther Susan Heller does an excellent job telling this true story, which is lavishly illustrated by copious photographs of what David does and what he sees on the ocean floor. In addition, there is information at the back about sea urchins, McMurdo Station, and David himself. Children who want to learn more about life under the sea will especially enjoy this book, but it is fascinating reading for anyone. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher)
Life With Willie, The Weeping Willow Tree Author: Malinda Mitchell Illustrator: Sarah Lowe Publisher: Tex Ware, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-935500-03-2 ISBN-10: 19366600031 Reading Level: Ages 8-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Can you imagine what life would be like if you lived in an old, run-down orphanage with a cruel matron? Henrietta and Eve, both twelve, reside with eight other orphans from ages two and up at the Wide Wings Orphanage in northern California operated by Miss Emma Stanton who is very mean and sometimes abusive. One day, Willie, a magic weeping willow tree who can move about, comes to the orphanage and opens his trunk for all ten of the Wide Wings children to enter and live with Millie, Jenny, and Marvin Whithers, two sisters and a brother whose parents had been killed in a car wreck near where Willie was located. Miss Millie is a teacher. Without any children, Miss Stanton has to close the orphanage and leave. After a few years, Willie obtains the deed to Wide Wings and suggests that the now grown children return to the orphanage so that they can open it back up as a place to give other orphaned children a truly loving home. But what will happen when Miss Stanton hears about it and returns to get a job there? This story is certainly different but is well written and interesting to read. It has a beneficial message which will encourage children to make any changes that are needed to benefit themselves and also help them to develop concern for those who are less fortunate than they are. I believe that most children will enjoy it. Related website: www.tex-ware.com (publisher)
John Denver’s For Baby (For Bobbie) Author: John Denver Adapted and Illustrated by: Janeen Mason Publisher: Dawn Publications, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-120-4 (hardback) ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-121-1 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know what the first song that the late John Denver ever recorded was? It was “For Baby (For Bobbie).” He originally wrote it as a love song for a girl named Bobbie, but Mary Travers, of “Peter Paul, and Mary,” heard it differently and sang it as a love song for her daughter. This book is the fifth in Dawn Publications’ series of John Denver and Kids picture books. Janeen Mason, an award-winning artist, member of the Florida Arts Council, and illustrator of numerous children’s picture books, has adapted and illustrated Denver’s song. Toddlers and their parents will see mothers and babies of both different peoples and various animals in a song and picture journey around the world, including elephants from Sri Lanka, kangaroos from Australia, puffins from Iceland, cats from the United States, monarch butterflies from Mexico, baboons from Africa, giant pandas from China, llamas from South America, and orangutans from Borneo. At the end there is a section with a map and information about the animals and where they live, followed by a copy of the song itself and a biography of Denver. The hardback edition comes with a CD of Denver performing the song. Previous titles include Sunshine on My Shoulders, Take Me Home Country Roads, Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin Lullaby, and Grandma’s Feather Bed. Many people have loved the songs of John Denver, and they will enjoy sharing them with their own children and grandchildren through these books. Related website: www.dawpub.com (publisher)
Hanukkah Around the World Author: Tami Lehman-Wilzig Illustrator: Vicki Wehrman Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8761-3 (hard cover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8762-0 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 8-11 (grades 3-5) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What does Hanukkah mean to Jewish people? Author Tami Lehman-Wilzig discusses the origin of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and some of the standard practices that go with celebrating it, such as spinning the dreidel. Then she takes the reader to various places throughout the world where Jewish people live, such as the United States, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Italy, Australia, Poland, Tunisia, and of course Israel, to give some historical background and then describe many of the local customs that have arisen in the observance of Hanukkah. Also, there are recipes for several Hanukkah treats. At the end, a “Hanukkah Potpourri” section and a glossary to explain many of the words used provide additional information. This is a good resource to explain Hanukkah especially for Jewish students but also for anyone interested in learning more about this Jewish festival. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher)
Face to Face with Wild Horses Authors and Illustrators: Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4263-0466-8 Reading Level: Ages 7-11 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know the difference between a "feral" horse and a truly "wild" horse? Horses that used to live with people but have escaped or were let loose by their owners are called feral. But wild horses have never been tamed or kept in captivity. Authors and photographers Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott take the reader "face to face" with free-roaming horses who live off the rugged land of the American West. They explain how the native wild horses of the American plains spread through Asia and into Europe where they were later domesticated, then died out in North America, but were brought back to this continent in the early 1500s by Spanish explorers. Some of them escaped and became truly wild animals again. With stories of their first-hand experiences and copious full color photographs, Momatiuk and Eastcott tell about the wild horses' family, or harem, bands, consisting of a dominant stallion, his mares, and their foals. They also discuss the importance of managing the herds both to preserve them and to balance their needs with those of others. In addition to side bars with interesting tidbits on how horses communicate and what they eat, there are five pages of additional material at the end of the book with suggestions on how we can help protect wild horses, "Facts at a Glance," a glossary, and a section on where to find out more information, plus an index for quick reference. If children like reading about animals, "wild horses" won't be able to drag them away from this book. Related websites: www.nationalgeographic.com/books http://kids.nationalgeographic.com (parents and kids) www.ngchildrensbooks.org (librarians and teachers) Coconut’s Grandchild Author: Annika Singh and Eden Rahaman Publisher: Xlibris Corporation, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4415-4486-5 (soft cover) ISBN-13: 978-1-4415-4487-2 (hard cover) Reading Level: Ages 5-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How could a young girl bond with her grandfather who lives in a foreign country and has never seen her? Five-year-old author Annika Singh lives in Florida. Her ninety-year-old grandfather lives in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. He was a coconut vendor from an early age who climbed trees so that he might pick coconuts to sell for his livelihood. That’s how he received the nickname “Coconut.” Annika’s family cannot go to visit her grandfather because her baby brother is too small to fly, and the grandfather cannot come to Florida because he is too old. However, this lovely book consists of luscious color photographs and photocopies of letters that Annika has sent to her grandfather, along with his responses. Living in Florida, she tells how her family too gets coconuts from trees and uses them. Coconut’s Grandchild is a wonderful chronicle of the bonding between a girl and the grandfather she’s never met. Related website: www.xlibiris.com/CoconutsGrandchild.html
Earth Heroes: Champions of the Ocean Author: Fran Hodgkins Illustrator: Cris Arbo Publisher: Dawn Publications, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-119-8 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 10-14 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever wished that you could see what it like on the ocean floor? Earlier this year I had the privilege of reviewing the first book in this series, Earth Heroes: Champions of the Wilderness by Bruce and Carol L. Malnor. In this second book, author Fran Hodgkins takes eight remarkable explorers of the ocean and follows their lives, both as children and adults, to show how they have shaped the way in which we view our planet’s largest frontier. Some of them may be familiar, such as William Beebe, who was the first to dive in the bathysphere, and, of course, Jacques Cousteau, who invented SCUBA. Others may not be as well known, but they have also made a lasting contribution to the world of sea exploration. They include Archie Carr who worked with sea turtles, Margaret Owings who crusaded for sea otters, Eugenie Clark who was known as the “shark lady,” Roger Payne who recorded the songs of whales, Sylvia Earle who walked on the ocean floor in a “Jim suit,” and Tierney Thys who uses high-tech equipment to study the huge ocean sunfish. These accounts are very well written and quite interesting to read. Also, they are nicely illustrated by artist Cris Arbo’s shaded black and white drawings along with numerous photographs. Each chapter concludes with a two-page summary of “fast facts” providing a “ripples of influence” section showing how each person was influence by others and in turn was an influence to others, and a timeline of the person’s life put into a historical context. In the back, there are suggestions on what youngsters can do to help the oceans, a bibliography for further information, and an index. Parents who are concerned about the language in their children’s books may want to know that there is a single time where one of the subjects uses the exclamation “My God.” Otherwise, there is nothing objectionable. Reading works like this will help young people be more environmentally conscious by pointing out that everything we do affects life in the sea which in turn affects what happens over all the earth. The third book in Dawn Publication’s series “Earth Heroes” entitled Earth Heroes: Champions of Wildlife is due out in the Fall of 2010. Related website: www.dawnpub.com
Castle in the Mist: Planet of the Dogs, Volume 2 Author: Robert J. McCarty Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty Publisher: Barking Planet Productions, 2007 ISBN-13: 978-0-9786928-1-0 Reading Level: Ages 6-12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you think that it is possible for dogs to stop a war? The dogs from The Planet of the Dogs are back! Now that a year of peace has existed between the people of Stone City and the people of Green Valley, a new threat has arisen. Prince Ukko of the Black Hawk tribes does not like the fact that King Bik of Stone City has given up warfare, so he has Bik’s children, Nik and Nikki, kidnapped and brought to his Black Hawk Castle in the mist on Lake Ladok. Bik is prepared to turn his men back into soldiers and to lead them in battle against the Black Hawk tribes. Will the dogs who have come to earth to bring happiness and harmony to mankind be able to do anything to rescue the children and avert fighting? I said in my review of McCarty’s Planet of the Dogs (Volume I), “Author Robert J. McCarty has created a charming fantasy-allegory that can be read and understood on at least two different levels. Children will enjoy the story about dogs who come from another planet to help people on earth. But under the surface are the important messages of friendship, love, loyalty, and how to overcome evil with good.” The same things are true as the story continues in Castle in the Mist. The book is well written and easy to read. It will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next, and, as with Volume I, leads to a satisfying conclusion. Related websites: www.planetofthedogs.net (series) http://barkingplanet.typepad.com (publisher)
But Who Will Bell the Cats? Written and Illustrated By: Cynthia von Buhler Published by: Houghton Mifflin Books for Chldren, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-618-99718-3 Ages: 4-8 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier Mouse and his friend, Brown Bat, are wanting to leave their basement home for lively banquet hall. However, an escape won’t be easy when cats are blocking their way out. Every plan seems to be spoiled by these furry, but unlovable cats. What will Mouse and Bat do? Will they ever make it to the banquet hall and join in the frolicking and fun going on above their basement home? Award-winning artist Cynthia von Buhler does a wonderful job of taking readers on a whimsical journey in this stunningly illustrated picture book. This enchanting tale of determination, bravery, and innovation beautifully illustrates the rewards of the uncomplicated power of kindness. Hoppy Hanukkah! Author: Linda Glaser Illustrated by: Daniel Howarth PUblished by: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN#: 978-0-8075-3378-9 (Hardcover) Reading Level: ages 3-5 Rating: Five Stars Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset This darling picture book by Author Linda Glaser is what I call “warm and fuzzy”. The simplicity of the text, the warmth of the storyline, and the awesome illustrations by Daniel Howarth, along with the top-notch quality of an Albert Whitman & Company book, combine to make this book a keeper. Violet and Simon are excited about Hanukkah. They don’t remember lighting the family Menorah last year, but they are very excited about lighting it for tonight’s celebration. They each pick their favorite color candle and are eager to light them. Papa tells them they can’t light the candle until the sun sets. They want to light their candle immediately, but Mama and Papa explain that they have to wait until nighttime and… they light one candle each night for eight nights. Then the entire Menorah will be lit. Violet and Simon want to blow out all the candles at once. Papa explains that the Menorah is placed in the window, with all its candles lit, for everyone to see. Grandma and Grandpa are visiting. Grandma is cooking potato latkes for the Hanukkah meal. Suddenly, it is sundown. Papa says the blessing, and the Menorah candles are lit. Then Grandpa brings out a dreidel. What do you suppose a dreidel is? You will just have to read this charming book to find out about this and the rest of Violet and Simon’s Hanukkah! This book is a terrific vehicle for parents who want to teach their children about the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, and for Jewish children to learn about their very special holiday. Linda’s poignant text and Daniel’s warm and inviting illustrations make this book a winner!
Boker Tov! Good Morning! Author: Rabbi Joe Black Illustrator: Rick Brown Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-3950-2 (hard cover) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-3951-0 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 1-4 (grades PK) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever heard the expression “mazel tov”? It means “good fortune.” Can you guess what “boker tov” means? It means “good morning.” Joe Black is a congregational Rabbi, singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose infectious music for children and adults is sung in Jewish communities all over the United States, Canada, and Israel. In this children’s picture book, his 1998 song “Boker Tov!” about children arising to a new morning, from the CD Everybody’s Got a Little Music, is playfully illustrated by Rick Brown. All babies and toddlers, whether Jewish or otherwise, deserve to wake up in a pleasant environment and therefore will be filled with enthusiasm by the buoyant cheerfulness of this poetic text that depicts morning routines which relate to preschoolers, such as getting dressed, eating breakfast, and going to school. As a bonus feature, a CD of “Boker Tov” recorded by the author himself is included. And many of us gain a new phrase that we can use when we get up. Boker tov! Related website: www.rabbijoeblack.com (author) www.karben.com (publisher)
Are You Blue Dog’s Friend? Author and Illustrator: George Rodrigue Publisher: Abrams ISBN: 978-0-8109-4069-7 Reading Level: 3-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Debbie Smart Dog lovers everywhere are sure to enjoy this book about Blue Dog and the characteristics of friendship. Through a fun series of questions such as, “Are Blue Dog’s friends funny?” readers are introduced to a variety of unique friendship qualities. These questions provide the reader with an opportunity to interact with the author’s words in order to guess if certain traits are true of Blue Dog’s friends. Are You Blue Dog’s Friend is brilliantly illustrated by the author, George Rodrigue. Even the text in this book is colorful and whimsical. This book encourages readers to understand the special characteristics of friendship in a fun way. Related websites: www.georgerodigue.com www.abramsbooks.com
Face to Face with Orangutans Authors and Illustrators: Tim Laman and Cheryl Knott Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4263-0464-4 Reading Level: Ages 7-11 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know what kind of animal King Louie on Walt Disney's film The Jungle Book was? If you said monkey, you'd be wrong. He was an ape. But what kind? Gorilla? Chimpanzee? No. Orangutan. Do you know where orangutans live? The story of The Jungle Book takes place in India, yet orangutans live in Borneo and Sumatra, islands of the Indonesian archipelago off southeast Asia, although one source that I read says that in the past they were found in China and Java. Do you know what orangutans eat? They prefer fruits and nuts, but they also like termites as a snack! However, they do not eat bananas, at least in the wild, because bananas do not grow in the rain forest which is their natural habitat. Do you know what the word "orangutan" means? In the Indonesian language it means "person of the forest" because long ago local people realized how similar orangutans are to people. In this book, authors and photographers Tim Laman and Cheryl Knott take us "up close and personal" with some of the orangutans of Gunung Palung National Park on Borneo, such as Jari Manis who, when it started to rain, grabbed some leafy branches and held them over his head to block the rain like an umbrella. They tell about orangutan life. Where do orangutans live? In trees. In fact, they are the world's largest arboreal or tree-living animals. Laman and Knott also talk about what the future holds for orangutans. Side bars contain information on how to tell monkeys from apes, how to speak orangutan, and how one must study orangutans. Also there are five pages in the back with suggestions on how we can help orangutans and learn more about them, facts at a glance, a glossary, and a bibliography of books, articles, films, and websites for more information, as well as an index for reference. When it comes to learning about orangutans, don't let anyone "make a monkey out of you," but get this book and read all about this amazing animal. Related websites: www.nationalgeographic.com/books http://kids.nationalgeographic.com (parents and kids) www.ngchildrensbooks.org (librarians and teachers)
Dude Author: Christopher Aslan Illustrator: Emily Mullock Publisher: Benjamin Brown Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9782553-4-3 Reading Level: Ages 6 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What’s up, dude? Author Christopher Aslan, whose earlier two books, Lilly and Lucy's Shadow and Wenda the Wacky Wiggler, have been previously reviewed here, brings us his third book which is dedicated “to all of us who have feelings, to all of us who avoid feelings, to all of us who love feelings.” Everyone does have feelings, and everyone has different ways of expressing those feelings. Aslan says, “Just like a picture can represent a thousand words; a word can represent a thousand feelings. No other word can do this like Dude. Welcome to the world of Dude. One word, many feelings....” A cool little kid, humorously illustrated by Emily Mullock, uses this one simple word to take the reader on a fun-filled journey through the world of feelings. For instance, he says DUDE! when he’s happy, dude? when he’s surprised. And duuuuuuuude when he’s satisfied. As you look at each page, you can try to guess what Dude is feeling and then check out the guide at the end of the book to see if you are correct. He reminds us that “Feelings come, and feelings go. Say hello, and let them flow.” Dude is a simple and fun way for kids of all ages to explore their feelings. Related website: www.benjaminbrownbooks.com (publisher)
Carl the Frog Author: David N. Weiss Illustrator: Peter Whitehead Publisher: Worthwhile Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1--60010-338-4 Reading Level: Ages 3-7 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you were a frog and saw a gnat, what would you want to do with the gnat? Play with him or eat him? Carl goes from being an egg to being a tadpole to being a frog. He hops to the nearest tree to stretch his tongue. A friendly gnat encourages him in stretching his tongue, but then Carl feels hungry. After eating the gnat, he no longer feels hungry, but now he feels lonely. He plays cards with a friendly horsefly, but then he begins to feel hungry again. And there is the friendly fish who wants to swim with him. However, when a not-so-friendly kingfisher comes along and acts as if he is going to eat Carl, the frog learns an important lesson. In addition to the incidental information about the life cycle of a frog, children will see the valuable message from David N. Weiss's humorous story and Peter Whitehead's clever illustrations that they should never mistreat or harm their friends--or they may end up with no one to play with! Toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers will find Carl the Frog full of both laughs and a little thought-provoking. Related website: www.MyWorthwhileBooks.com (publisher)
Aurora of the Northern Lights Author: Holly Hardin Illustrator: Donald Vanderbeek Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc., 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-2439-9 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know what the word “aurora” means? In ancient Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn. Because dawn brings the light of a new day, the luminous bands of light that form in the night sky near the north and south poles are called “aurora.” The aurora australis lights the Southern Hemisphere, and the aurora borealis lights the northern skies. Author Holly Hardin tells the story of an elfin maid named Mistletoe who lived in the cold, crisp land of the Northern Fey but fell in love with a young man named William and, after becoming his wife on a Solstice night, left with him for a warmer climate because of his health. They had a daughter whom they named after the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, seven years later, both parents became ill and died. When Aurora fled to the town, the townspeople did not want her because she was different. Then she roamed to the Woodland Fey, but the sprites of the forest did not want her either because she was not their kin. So she kept journeying northward until she came to a great castle in a place that was cold and crisp. What famous person do you suppose lived in the castle, and what surprise did this individual have for Aurora? The colorful muted illustrations by Donald Vanderbeek join with Hardin’s poetic text to create what has the potential to become a wonderful new seasonal classic that children and adults will surely enjoy. Related websites: http://www.hollyhardin.net (author), http://outskirtspress.com (publisher)
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 Author: National Geographic (Susan Kehnemui Donnelly, Editor) Publisher: National Geographic, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4263-0501-6 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4263-0502-3 (hardcover) Reading Level: Ages 8–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Who says that learning about geography, history, and science can't be enjoyable? The new, first-ever National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, with over 500 stunning photographs and more than 300 pages, is the kind of book that I could have sat down with when I was a student and spent many happy hours leafing through—and for that matter still can! This backpack-sized reference book with full-color design and an easy-to-read format is filled with amazing facts arranged in nine chapters: Your World 2010; Awesome Adventure; Amazing Animals; Culture Connection; Geography Rocks (what else would you expect from National Geographic?), with lists of information about every nation on Earth and each of the US States; Going Green; History Happens; Wonders of Nature; and Super Science. In addition to fun crafts, games, jokes, and recipes, the almanac will help children get ready for school with a section entitled "Homework Help" at the end of each chapter explaining topics like how to write an essay, create a report, read a map, give a speech, and do a science project. Curious kids will find this book both interesting and useful. Related websites: www.nationalgeographic.com/books, http://kids.nationalgeographic.com (parents and kids), www.ngchildrensbooks.org (librarians and teachers).
Sukkot Treasure Hunt Author: Allison Ofanansky Photographer: Eliyahu Alpern Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8763-7 (hardcover) Reading Level: Ages 3–8 (Grades Pre-K–2) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Who knows what the Jewish festival of Sukkot is? If you said that it is a harvest celebration, you would be right, but it is more than just that. Literally the “Festival of Booths,” it recalls the temporary huts that the Jewish people built as they wandered in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Each family of Jews erects a sukkah, and every morning of Sukkot they wave the “four species” up, down, and around. Author Allison Ofanansky follows a young girl, her Abba (father), and Ima (mother), who live in the village of Tzefat, as they go on a scavenger hunt in the surrounding countryside to find the lulav or branch from a date palm, aravot or branches from a willow tree, hadas or nice-smelling myrtle, and etrog or citrus fruit that looks like a big lemon. Will they be able to obtain them all? Along the way, the family also notices a hyrax, a bay tree, a grapevine, a pomegranate tree, a wild orange tree, and an eagle. The visually stunning photographs by Eliyahu Alpern grace this text by illustrating both the plants and the animals mentioned and the family’s search for what it needs. In the back, there are two pages of “fun facts” about many of the species mentioned in the book as well as more information concerning Sukkot. For those who have read about the Festival of the Booths in the Scriptures, it is very interesting to see how it is observed by Jewish people today. The author, who lives in the village of Kaditah, near the mystical city of Tzefat, has written another children’s book, Harvest of Light, also published by Kar-Ben. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher), www.tziloom.com (photographer).
That Kind of Dog Written and Illustrated by: Debra Wainwright Published by: Pleasant St. Press ISBN: 978-0-9792035-4-1 Ages: 4 to 8 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor Mary Constance McAllister has a little dog and a big problem: the annual neighborhood dog parade is just a few days away, and her dog, Bramble, refuses to walk with her! Mary knows that sometimes having a pet can be a lot of work, and she tries every trick in the book to persuade Bramble to budge, but he just won’t. With a lot of love, even more determination, and a little imagination, Mary learns that almost anything is possible. This delightful picture book with vivid illustrations is one little kids will be begging parents to read over and over again. Debra Wainwright has outdone herself with the crazy antics Mary uses trying to get her stubborn dog just to walk down the street. Parents and children alike will relate to Mary’s problem as she tugs, pushes, and begs her little doggie to take a walk, and the ending . . . is one you won’t expect.
The Adventures of Snip in Oregon Author: Betty S. Moir Illustrator: Yumi V. Vong Publisher: Booksurge, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4392-2020-7 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If your family had just moved into a new community and needed some kind of glue to hold you all together, what do you think it would be? When the Moir family—Dad, Mom, Jim Jr., John, and Heather—return to the States after having been in the Philippines and other places for seven years and lived out of suitcases for eighteen months as they traveled to their new home near Eugene, Oregon, they find a Snip, a shaggy black sheep dog who is half poodle malamute and half husky. Snip has belonged to a couple from Bend, Oregon, who have had to relocate to Guam and cannot take the dog, so the Moirs adopt him. The Adventures of Snip in Oregon recounts various tales about this lovable dog as he wanders around the Moir family farm in the peaceful Northwest countryside and interacts with the family in their daily lives. Author Betty S. Moir gives us a picturesque view of a warm and friendly family life with a beloved pet during the 1970s in the six chapters of this book, which introduce Snip. Particularly interesting to me are Snip's encounters with the raccoon and with the skunk and the time when he rescues Jim Jr. While the reading level is ages 9 through 12, these are stories that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and would probably hold the attention even of youngsters ages 4 through 9 for reading aloud, especially with the combination of simple watercolor drawings by Yumi V. Vong and 1970s vintage photographs. My only complaint is that the print seems a little small for children. Otherwise, as a person who grew up with dogs around, I find this a very pleasant, even nostalgic, book to read. More chapters in Snip's life are promised to follow. Related website: www.Booksurge.com (publisher).
The Man Who Flies With Birds Authors: Carole Garbuny Vogel and Yossi Leshem Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-7643-3 (hardcover) Reading Level: Ages 10 and up (grades 5 and up) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Could you tell someone what an “ornithologist” is? If you said a scientist who studies birds, you’d be right! This book follows the life and work of Dr. Yossi Leshem, one of Israel’s best-known ornithologists. When he was child, his mother instilled in him a love of nature, and he always dreamed of flying with the birds. However, poor eyesight kept him from his goal of becoming a pilot with the air force, so after high school he joined the army and then studied zoology and genetics in college. However, he never lost his fascination with birds. His military background and his interest in birds placed him in a unique situation to help work on trying to solve an important problem. One of the greatest threats faced by military pilots was bird strikes. As a Ph. D. candidate, Yossi needed a research project, and he decided to study the migration of raptors. This project led him to consider the impact of migrating birds on aviation. Could he find out anything that would assist both in saving the pilots and protecting the birds? And if he did, would he be able to do anything about it? In addition to chronicling the efforts of Leshem and those who have been assisting him, The Man Who Flies With Birds also has lots of useful information about the different species of birds that live in or migrate over Israel, the migration patterns of birds, and the mechanics of bird flight as well as an explanation of thermals and a description of the Great Rift Valley, of which Israel is a part. A book such as this will acquaint young readers with the importance of birds and also encourage them to do what they can to ensure the survival of birds. In the back there are a couple of pages with lists of books, websites, and birding organizations for further research. Also, advanced readers can learn more about Dr. Leshem’s activities in a book for adults entitled Flying with the Birds, which he co-authored with Ofer Bahat. Related websites: www.recognitionscience.com/cgv (author), www.birds.org.il (author), www.karben.com (publisher).
The Cartoon Chronicles of America: Road to Revolution! Authors: Stan Mack and Susan Champlin Illustrator: Stan Mack Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-59990-371-2 (paperback) ISBN-10: 1-59990-371-7 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59990-013-1 (hardcover) ISBN-10: 1-59990-013-0 Reading Level: Ages 10–14 (Grades 5–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you remember even the most important events that took place in 1775 leading up to the beginning of the American War for Independence? If not, after reading this book, you probably will. Personally, I am not a big fan of graphic novels, but among today's youth, who have been raised on television, video games, and computer images, they are extremely popular, and if they can be used for educational purposes, why shouldn’t they be? This first book in a new series of graphic novels by authors Stan Mack and Susan Champlin that brings American history to vivid life begins with a Prologue to explain the background. As the action opens, Nick, an orphan, and Penny, the daughter of a tavern owner, both live in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1775, and both distrust the British. A chance encounter brings them together, and they see a way of helping the Patriots, including Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and Dr. Joseph Warren. Penny becomes a spy for the Committee of Safety among the British in Boston while Nick helps out during the lighting of Old North Church and Paul Revere's ride as well as in the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker (Breed's) Hill. Afterward, they even get to meet with General George Washington. The Epilogue explains which parts of the story are fact and which are fiction. The early days of the American Revolution are filled with accounts of bravery and heroism, and this story does a good job of capturing the spirit of actual events. Parents might want to know that Nick takes a swig of Madeira wine, but the Epilogue notes, "It was very common for everyone—including kids—to drink alcohol because the water supply in town was not safe, and even milk was potentially contaminated." Also, the exclamation "My God" is used once. My advance review copy is in black and white, but the finished book will be in full color. Also, a teacher's guide is available with discussion questions and suggestions for projects in language arts, reading, art, music, and history. The exciting suspense, humorous encounters, and visual attractiveness make Road to Revolution! a book that many students will find useful in learning more about the Revolutionary War. The authors are already working on a story set in the Civil War. Related websites: www.stanmack.com (author), www.bloomsburyusa.com (publisher).
The Secret Shofar of Barcelona Author: Jacqueline Dembar Greene Illustrator: Doug Chayka Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-9915-9 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-9944-9 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 5–9 (Grades K–3) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know what a shofar is? It is a musical instrument that is made from a ram’s horn and used by many Jewish people. In 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand decreed that everyone in Spain must be Catholic. Most people of other faiths were forced to leave the country or convert to Catholicism. Some Jews who remained and pretended to follow Catholic ways were called conversos and had to hide their religion during the Spanish Inquisition. There is a legend about one such converso named Don Fernando Aguilar, who was a famous composer and/or conductor of the Royal Orchestra of Barcelona in the late 1500s, and this book is based on that legend. Author Jacqueline Dembar Greene notes, “While such a man may have existed, there is no mention of him in history books. Nor is there record of a Royal Orchestra. But music was an important part of Spanish life.” Rafael Aguilar was listening to a new piece that his father had composed and was to conduct at a concert celebrating Spain’s colonies in the New World. It had parts for many strange instruments that were used by the natives of those colonies. At the same time, the Aguilars and their friends were planning to hold their secret observation of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, since it would appear that they were only celebrating the festival. Rafael had the idea of including a part for the shofar as a “native instrument,” saying, “Maybe it’s safest to hide the shofar in plain sight” and that hearing it would encourage the Jews. But who would be brave enough to play the shofar in public, and would he or she be able to get away with it? With period-appropriate illustrations by Doug Chayka, The Secret Shofar of Barcelona will be of special interest to Jewish children, but it is a well-written story that all youngsters should enjoy reading. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher).
The Turkey's Treat Author: Marie Sanderlin Metroke Illustrator: Victor Guiza Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc., 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3324-7 Reading Level: Ages 2–9 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How would you feel if it was almost Christmas and you didn't have either a tree or the traditional turkey for dinner? Four days before Christmas, it's snowing, but Jeff Watson doesn't see a turkey in the refrigerator or even a tree. He and his sister Tammy ask their mom if they can run to the store. She replies that if it doesn't snow too much, maybe they can make it after Dad cleans out their old Chevy van. First, they stop to pick out a Christmas tree. Then they go to the grocery store, which happens to have a live Christmas turkey to give away. Jeff wants it. The bird is being kept in a pen with a sign that says "Do Not Touch." Mom even warns Jeff, "Don't touch that bird." However, Jeff reaches over the fence to pet the turkey anyway, and when it bites Jeff's finger he loses his balance and falls into the pen, allowing the turkey to escape. You can imagine the chaos that ensues. But what lesson does Jeff learn from the experience? And what will Jeff do with the turkey if he gets it? The humorous antics, well-illustrated by the large, colorful drawings by Victor Guiza, will have youngsters laughing aloud while the story by Marie Sanderlin Metroke still emphasizes the importance of listening to parents by showing the consequences that can happen when you don't. Other underlying messages include understanding the value of family and learning that Christmas isn't just about presents under the tree or what to eat for dinner but that it's about being able to spend time with loved ones. Some readers might find the description of Jeff, who wears glasses and is called "the four-eyed redhead," a little questionable, but parents who must cope with children who have hyperactivity will surely appreciate Dad's observation, "When I try to keep up with you, I really feel my age." All in all, The Turkey's Treat is a fun holiday book that children should enjoy. Related website: www.outskirtspress.com/MarieMetroke.
When I First Held You: A Lullaby from Israel Author: Minik Snir Illustrator: Eleyor Snir Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5098-9 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 3-8 (grades Pre-K–2) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Can you imagine how a mother feels when she holds her baby for the first time after he or she is born? Author Mirik Snir, a mother of nine and a grandmother of thirteen who lives in Israel, shares this lyrical lullaby that captures the bond between parents and children at the moment of birth. “On the day you were born, / Mountains bowed down, / Rivers ran ‘round. . . .” Translated from the Hebrew by Mary Jane Shubow, When I First Held You is beautifully illustrated by the author’s daughter, Eleyor Snir, a mother of three herself who studied graphic design at the Vital College in Israel and has illustrated five children’s books. At the end of the book, there is a page on which to put the child’s photo and record the day the child was born. Whether they live in Israel or the United States and whether they are Jewish or not, all mothers, fathers, and their young children everywhere will enjoy remembering the emotions of the day of the child’s birth. Related websites: www.miriksnir.com (author), www.karben.com (publisher).
Zvuvi’s Israel Author: Tami Lehman-Wilzig Illustrator: Ksenia Topaz Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8759-0 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8760-6 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 3–8 (grades Pre-K–2) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How would you like to take a “straight-as-the-fly-goes” tour of a foreign country? Author Tami Lehman-Wilzig enables us to do exactly this. Zvuvi, which means “fly” in Hebrew, is just that—a fly! He meets his cousin Zahava at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel, and together they zoom to various other cities in Israel, such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Eilat, stopping to see various sights along the way, including the Soreq Cave, Dor Beach, Upper Galilee, Mt. Hermon, Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found), and the Dead Sea. Jewish children especially will be interested in learning more about these places, but even a lot of non-Jews who have studied the events recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures will enjoy seeing what many of those places are like today. There are both a glossary to explain the meanings of certain words used in the text and a map to help readers follow the route that Zvuvi and Zahava take. Also, on several pages, many of the colorful illustrations by Ksenia Topaz contain a “find the fly” exercise that kids will like to do (and if you can’t find them, there are some hints on the last page). This is a really neat book to get a “fly’s eye view” of the nation of Israel. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher).
What’s New at the Zoo? An Animal Adding Adventure Author: Suzanne Slade Illustrator: Joan Waites Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-93-8 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-38-8 (paperback) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-58-6 (e-book) Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you have two hungry pandas that are eating a bamboo lunch and they are joined by one cub, how many pandas are there to crunch and munch? Children love to look at pictures of animals, so this book is a wonderful way to introduce them both to the animals themselves, including elephants, pea fowl, monkeys, boas, brown bears, kangaroos, zebras, giraffes, penguins, and fruit bats, and to basic adding facts too! Suzanne Slade’s rhyming text combines with Joan Waites’s realistic illustrations to take youngsters on a trip through the zoo not only to learn all about the animals but also to count them. As usual with Sylvan Dell books, four pages in the back have more information in the “For Creative Minds” section, which includes more material on addition and an animal matching activity. There are also related websites, interactive quizzes, and teaching activities on Sylvan Dell’s website to help parents and teachers. What’s New at the Zoo is certainly an animal adding adventure. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com.
Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper Author: Gary Lamit Publisher: Book Surge, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4392-2541-7 ISBN-10: 1-4392-2541-9 Reading Level: Ages 2–7 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Did you know that there is an animal known as the “walking fish”? One day, a young girl named Madison is sitting with her Yellow Labrador, Cooper, and fishing in a pond. The fish aren't biting, but all of a sudden something nibbles on her worm. It is a fish known as Wally that is able to walk. It is able to talk too—but then, in this story, Cooper talks as well. Wally is a walking catfish. Wally, Madison, and Cooper go to see Betty the beaver, play in the sand, and hunt for mushrooms. But finally, Wally has to go back into the water. Will Madison and Cooper ever see him again? In his first children's book, author Gary Lamit, an educator for almost forty years who has taught second grade through university and written over thirty books on a variety of subjects in academic areas, uses a cute story to promote the value of friendship. The origin of the book itself is interesting. Madison, age six, is Gary's only grandchild. Cooper is his 100-pound yellow Lab. His son Jamie (Uncle Jamie in the book, who's a mushroom expert) did a Ph.D. thesis on fungus, and Jamie's girlfriend did her Ph.D. thesis on walking catfish. Gary himself has been interested in fishing for a long time. The whole group met for a family reunion at a lakeside house, and Madison actually caught a catfish, which she released, of course. In addition to being fun to read, the book is also educational, with panels containing information about each of the plants and animals mentioned in the story. Lamit plans for more Wally the Walking Catfish books, and after reading Wally the Walking Catfish Meets Madison and Cooper, I suspect that youngsters will be eagerly anticipating them. Related websites: www.walkingfishbooks.com (author), www.booksurge.com (publisher).
Vampires By: Dawn Martin Published by: Hammond World Atlas, 2009 ISBN: 978-0841-611009 Ages: 10 and up 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor Do you love reading books about the creatures of the night? How about vampires? If so, you will love this book with stories of vampires and vampire-like creatures. Some of the stories are so old they have been recorded as history in some parts of the world! Vampires is rich with illustrations and photos of all kinds of vampires from around the world, as well as pictures of creatures some believe are related to or are very closely related to vampires. What makes this book so unique is that this is not a tale of fiction. The stories within the pages of Hammond’s Vampires are based on folktales and true historical events, which have given authors like Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, and Stephenie Meyer the ideas for the books that we all know and love. However, I must let parents know some of the photographs might spook a few young children out. This isn’t a book for the weak-hearted. But if you want to know about everything from real living creatures that drink blood to the tales that children around the world have been told to keep them in line, open the pages of this book to enter a world that many of us never dream could truly exist and many hope never will.
Too Too Many Tutus Author: Suzanne Davis Marion Illustrator: Marj Hales Publisher: BookSurge Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4392-1847-1 (paperback) ISBN-10: 1-4392-3165-6 (hardcover) ISBN: 1-4392-1847-1 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 3–6 (read aloud), ages 7–11 (read alone) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever gone to your closet, looked over your clothes, and wondered what to wear? Christina is getting ready for her ballet class, but there are so many beautiful ballet costumes in her closet that she just can’t decide which one to choose. Neither Mommy nor Daddy can help her select one, but her brother Max suggests that they lay them all on her bed and look at them together. There is a green one that reminds her of grass and leaves, a blue one that looks like the sky and the sea, a pink one the color of roses, a yellow one that matches the sunshine, a violet one that is as fresh as springtime, and an orange one that makes her think of blazing fire and bright sunsets. Each one fits a different mood, but she just doesn’t know which one will be best right now. However, there is also one more. Which one will she pick? Author Suzanne Davis Marion has produced a charming book that also has some underlying lessons in it about seeking wise counsel and finding a satisfying solution to problems. Also, there are some added benefits for very young children: They can count the tutus for number reinforcement, and they can practice recognizing colors. All the time I was growing up, my father kept telling me that black is the absence of color and white is the combination of all colors. I never believed him then because whenever I colored with all my crayons it always came out pretty close to black and when I used none of them it was white. However, what he said is true, as pointed out in this book. It’s a basic physics lesson! And the soft, colorful illustrations of Marj Hale are a delight to the eyes. While the book would most likely appeal to little girls, the author says that she was asked to read it for a children’s story at church, and even the little boys paid attention. Related website: www.lullabiesbysuzanne.com (author).
The Zoopendous Surprise Author: Boots Hensel Illustrator: Andrea Gabriel Publisher: Pleasant St. Press, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9792035-5-8 Reading Level: Ages 3–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you were an elephant in a zoo and the keepers began whispering about having a surprise and not telling the elephants about it, what would you think? Mary and Ellen are Asian elephants who live in a zoo. One day, they watch a couple of keepers carrying a big box into the zoo. They see a delivery truck stop at the gate with a long table and balloons. As they take their walk, they ask Mahale the chimpanzee, BJ the giraffe, Nyla and Sidney the lions, and Einstein, the wise old owl, if they know what’s going on, but no one will tell them anything. What do you think it is? This book is based upon a true event. Mary and Ellen are real elephants living at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, and their surprise birthday party at the zoo in 2005 was just like what happened in this story. Author Boots Hensel’s daughter Courtney was the elephants’ keeper until her untimely death, which was the inspiration for the book. Andrea Gabriel’s colorful illustrations of the animals and action are quite attractive. A portion of the author’s royalties will be donated to the Little Rock Zoo. Children love to read about and look at animals, so The Zoopendous Surprise will be a great hit. Related websites: www.bootshensel.com (author), www.pleasantstpress.com (publisher).
The Private Eyes and the Mysterious Submarine Author: Neta Tzvieli Illustrator: David Bichman Publisher: Feldheim Publishers, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-59826-286-5 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you lived near the sea and found an old boat along the shore, what would you do with it, and what adventures do you think that you might have with it? It is the spring of 1966 in Israel's ancient port city of Jaffa. Four twelve-year-old Jewish boys, Mordy Leifer, Yanky Scharff, Reuvi Davidowitz, and Itamar Navoni, find an old ma'apilim boat that has been beached on a sand dune near the shore. These boats had been used by Jews who were escaping from the Nazis during World War II and trying to sneak into Palestine during the time of the British Mandate. During their summer vacation from school, the four boys intend to fix up the boat and sail to adventures, but they never imagine that they will come across an Arab submarine carrying terrorists who are plotting to destroy Tel Aviv. Will the boys be able to do anything about the plot, or will they even escape themselves? I suspect that Jewish children especially will enjoy reading a book in which the young heroes are Jewish boys who exhibit a great deal of courage and wisdom. However, this book has an exciting enough story that I think that all youngsters will find it interesting. In addition, author Neta Tzvieli has woven quite a bit of Israeli history and even geography into the action so as to give The Private Eyes and the Mysterious Submarine some educational benefit as well. My only complaint is that as someone who is not Jewish, a lot of the Jewish words and phrases used in the book are difficult for me to understand. Some of them are translated or explained, but many are not. An appendix with translations would be helpful. In spite of this, I found the story to be an imaginative tale of danger and suspense that will appeal to middle school–age readers. Translated into English by Chana Devorah Sklar, this is the first in a series of popular Private Eyes books by Tzvieli. Related website: www.feldheim.com (publisher).
The Mouse, the Monster and Me: Assertiveness for Young People Author: Pat Palmer, Ed. D. Illustrator: Betty L. Shondeck Publisher: Uplift Press, new edition 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9622834-3-7 Reading Level: Ages 8 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Young people need to have a positive self-image. Dr. Pat Palmer, a clinical psychologist and the author of many books for children, teens, and adults, offers them compassionate, positive ways to handle and express feelings and to be assertive and confident. The engaging artwork and hand lettering by Betty L. Shondeck illustrate passive “mouse” and aggressive “monster” behaviors so that children can identify these characteristics in themselves and others and focus on finding a balance between them. Out of print for ten years, The Mouse, the Monster and Me has been updated with the help of Pat’s longtime friend, Louise Hart, Ed. D, and is scheduled for republication in January 2010. The book helps students understand, manage, and talk about their feelings, thereby contributing to their social and emotional well-being. Various fun activities encourage them to work at developing a positive self-image and healthy and safe relationships with others. Topics of discussion include understanding your strength and power, knowing your rights and responsibilities, asking for what you want, saying “no,” handling both criticism and compliments, and being yourself. The goal is to give youngsters the tools to stop attracting bullies and bullying others and to start taking responsibility for their own feelings, words, and actions by teaching them non-violent problem-solving skills that are vital in today’s society. Related websites: www.drpatpalmer.com (author), www.upliftpress.com (publisher).
The green Green Pear Author and illustrator: Manjula Naraynan Publisher: Author Solutions, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4389-6597-2 Reading Level: Ages 3 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you were a green pear who wanted to be anything other than a green pear, what do you think you would want to be? Well, there was once a green Green pear who did not like being a Green Pear. Of course, he could not be a red apple, a purple grape, a yellow banana, an orange orange, or a blue blueberry. He looked at different animals on his computer, but he could not be a cow, a cat, a sheep, a pig, or a dog. He could not smell like a flower, feel like silk, taste like candy, look like a butterfly, or sing like a bird. He was a green Green Pear. But one night, he saw a shooting star that he could wish upon. What do you think he wished to be? And what lessons did he learn from it? Having a good, positive self-image is important for children. Author Manjula Naraynan, who has a degree in corporate secretaryship from the University of Madras and lives in Chennai, Southern India, tells us the adventures of this little pear who feels dissatisfied with himself and wants to be something else. We follow his journey as he tries to change what he is but finds nothing to help him succeed in his attempts to transform. However, what he experiences will encourage children to think independently and develop a sense of self-acceptance. Brilliantly illustrated by the author, The green Green Pear is a fine study for youngsters in recognizing goodness in themselves and others using an imaginative and fun story. It will be followed by two more titles in Naraynan’s Color Trilogy. Related website: www.authorhouse.co.uk (publisher).
The Dark Dreamweaver (The Remin Chronicles, Book 1) Author: Nick Ruth Illustrator: Sue Concannon Publisher: Imaginator Press, 2004 ISBN-13: 978-0-9745603-5-9 ISBN-10: 0-9745603-5-9 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit the dream world? David is an eleven-year-old boy who is suffering from bad dreams. He keeps seeing a man-like creature with gray skin, white hair, massive hands, and completely black eyes. His father reads from a newspaper article that says there are worldwide complaints of nightmares and restlessness. David and his parents are collecting Monarch butterfly eggs so they can watch the future Monarchs hatch into caterpillars, form a chrysalis, and become butterflies. However, one of them turns out to be a wizard named Houdin, who is from the dream world of Remin. Houdin has been cursed by a dreamweaver named Thane, who has stolen a device known as the Imaginator and is trying to take over Remin. Houdin needs David’s help to get back to the dream world. When David travels to Remin with Houdin, it turns out that Thane is the person David has been seeing in his dreams since Thane’s attempt to take over Remin has affected the dreams of people in our world. David and Houdin are joined in their quest by Houdin’s assistant, Kira; a mano guard named Aradel, whose brother Folin was betrayed and killed by Thane when he was trying to help in Thane’s rebellion; a couple of water serpents named Fred and Michelle; and Kira’s dog-like wolfat named Queenie. Together they set out for Lake Istep, where Thane is reportedly hiding. Along the way, they are joined by a visitor named Sir Heads-a-lot, who is from still another world, which is known as Inspire. However, Thane knows that they are coming and tries to stop them. Will David and his friends be able to defeat Thane, and will David ever get back to his world? With the popularity of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy literature for children is quite in vogue. In The Dark Dreamweaver, author Nick Ruth spins a tale that is intriguing right from the start and that continues with nonstop excitement to the very end. Each of the sixteen chapters is introduced with a black-and-white shaded drawing by illustrator Sue Concannon. In the back there is an exercise concerning Monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis, and butterflies. In fact, five percent of the proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to help reforest the Monarch butterfly overwintering sites. The book has won several awards, including The Just for Mom Foundation Mom’s Choice Award. It is truly a delightful story. The plot continues in Book 2, The Breezes of Inspire, published in 2005. The author is currently working on Book 3, tentatively titled Power Purloined. Related website: www.reminchronicles.com (series), www.ImaginatorPress.com (publisher).
Tell Me Another Scary Story . . . But Not TOO Scary! By: Carl Reiner Illustrated by: James Bennett Published by: Dove Books, 2009 ISBN: 978-1-59777-630-1 Ages: 4–8 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor Come take an adventure with a young boy and his monster-creating neighbor in this fun, colorfully illustrated storybook by Carl Reiner. The first book, Tell Me a Scary Story, was a hit in 2003, and I’m sure this one will be too! Kids will love reading the book or listening to the CD (included in the set) of the story of a young boy who finds his neighbor, a monster-creator for big movies, lying in a pool of something that looks a lot like blood. But it couldn’t be . . . or could it? Did the monster mask that the young boy’s neighbor had been making for him to wear this coming Halloween take on a life of its own? You’ll have to read the book to find out. As children read-along with their parents, friends, or the read-along CD, Carl Reiner gives readers a way out as the story becomes scarier with pauses and questions such as: “Shall we turn the page, or is it too scary?” That’s for the kids to decide on dark autumn night as they investigate the mystery of the monster-maker.
Queen Vernita Visits the Blue Ice Mountains Author: Dawn Menge Illustrator: Bobbi Switzer Publisher: Outskirts Press, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-1169-6 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What do you think might happen if a queen spent a whole year in a mountainous area and invited twelve of her friends to visit for one month each? Queen Vernita of Queen Vernita’s Visitors is back, and she continues her monthly visits with her friends in the Blue Ice Mountains. Each of these friends is interested in a different subject or activity, so during the year they and the Queen learn all about crabs, sea otters, glaciers, wildflowers, whales, bald eagles, bears, temperate rainforests, the Aurora Borealis, seals, snorkeling in the ocean, and the North Pole. Do you know what an Olympic marmot is? In addition to helping youngsters review the seasons, the months of the year, and the days of the week, author Dawn Menge’s second storytelling adventure concerning Queen Vernita and her activities is chock-full of interesting information on various kinds of plants, animals, and other natural phenomena that are brought to life by the bright, colorful full-page illustrations by Bobbi Switzer. Teachers and parents will find Queen Vernita Visits the Blue Ice Mountains a useful educational tool that is also fun to read. Oh, and when Queen Vernita returns to her castle at the end of the year, her astronomer is ready to teach next year’s visitors about astronomy. Related website: www.outskirtspress.com/QueenVernitaVisitstheBlueIceMountains.
My Sister, Alicia May Author : Nancy Tupper Ling Illustrator: Shennen Bersani Publisher: Pleasant St. Press, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9792035-9-6 Reading Level: Ages 4–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you have a brother or a sister who is very special to you? Rachel is Alicia May’s big sister. She remembers when Alicia May was born and the doctors had to fix her heart. Alicia May is special to Rachel for many reasons, one of which being that Alicia May has Down syndrome. In some ways, Rachel knows that her sister is like any other six-year-old girl. She likes dogs and horses. She enjoys going to the zoo. Yes, there are times when Alicia May cries a lot, and some days she is so annoying that Rachel doesn’t want to be around her. However, they’re sisters, and they love each other. Can you imagine how Rachel gets Alicia May to use the breathing machine that Alicia May doesn’t like? A couple of families who are good friends of ours have children with Down syndrome. Author Nancy Tupper Ling has based this children’s picture book on the real lives of her childhood friend’s daughters, Rachel and Alicia. Illustrator Shennen Bersani, whose lovely paintings grace the pages of this heartwarming story, grew up with one younger sister, Holly, who has Down syndrome. She writes, “When my editor asked me to illustrate this book, she had no idea of my background.” My Sister, Alicia May, written with humor and compassion, will go a long way to facilitate a better understanding and appreciation of both children with Down syndrome and the varied experiences that their families have. It is a truly touching book for both youngsters and adults. Related websites: www.NancyTupperLing.com (author), www.pleasantstpress.com (publisher).
Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy Author: Martine Groeneveld Illustrator: Brad Kunkle Publisher: PT Book Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9822959-0-8 Reading Level: For parents of children 0–6 years old to do with their children Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you realize that the first language of love is touch and the second is dialogue? Author Martine Groeneveld is the mother of two young children, a registered nurse, a licensed massage therapist, and a certified massage instructor who holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and psychology and a National Board of Massage Therapy certification, with twelve years of experience in traditional and alternative health care and five years in teaching baby and child massage classes. Groeneveld explains the background for this book in the introduction: “Positive touch plays a major role in my family. Besides daily hugs and kisses, many activities are easily combined with loving and playful touch. We enjoy touch-play activities in the car, in line at the grocery store, and before bedtime. . . . To expand my repertoire, I searched for books on combining touch with rhymes, games, and stories. I couldn’t find any. Excellent books have been published about baby and child massage, but I was looking for one on touch and play. I wrote down the games and stories I knew or had created, elaborated on them, and recorded their benefits. This book is the result of that effort.” What follows is a set of detailed descriptions of rhymes, games, songs, and stories that parents of young children can use for touch-play activities, along with luscious, colorful paintings by Brad Kunkle that illustrate them. Some of them will be familiar (“This Little Piggy” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”), and others will not, but most infants, babies, and toddlers should enjoy them. In the “Afterword,” Martine reminds us, “Nurturing touch within a family is the foundation of healthy child development. As parents, we have magic in our fingertips!” Studies on the benefits of touch have been conducted widely for nearly forty years, and the back of the book has a couple of pages with results showing how touch stimulates weight gain in babies, improves their alertness and responsiveness, enhances cognitive performance, stimulates brain development, and reduces aggression. There is also a list of resources and books for further information. Parents of small children should find this book very helpful. Related websites: www.mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com.
Little Shrew Caboose By: Tina Stolberg Illustrated by: Philomena O’Neill Published by: Pleasant St. Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-9792035-7-2 Ages: 4–8 4 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor This darling picture book is about the smallest shrew, who wishes he could lead his brothers and sisters as they form a train to follow their mother through the forest. It isn’t until one day, after the littlest shrew chases a butterfly into a clearing deep within the forest, that he finds himself lost and all alone. With night settling in, Little Shrew Caboose must face dangers while trying to find his way home. Author Tina Stolberg was inspired by her favorite job, motherhood, to write for children. It’s no wonder that this book teaches children to look deep within themselves to find the courage to set out on their own and become leaders. With rich watercolor-style illustrations by Philomena O’Neill, parents and children will find it easy to settle in for a quiet reading time. Come for an adventure with Little Shrew Caboose as he learns about being brave in this delightful tale.
Liking Myself Author: Pat Palmer, Ed.D. Illustrator: Betty L. Shondeck Publisher: Uplift Press, new edition 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9622834-2-0 Reading Level: Ages 5–10 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Over thirty years ago, Pat Palmer and Louise Hart met at their first graduate school class in Greeley, Colorado. Pat was the founder and director of the Assertiveness Training Institute of Denver, and when she spoke she surprised some of the men and the “nice girls” in the class, including Louise, to whom she offered a scholarship to her assertiveness class. Pat's dissertation on teaching assertiveness from an early age was published as two children's books: Liking Myself and The Mouse, the Monster and Me. They became international bestsellers in six languages, selling over a half a million copies around the globe, but they went out of print in 2000. Now, ten years later, these two longtime favorites, which teach social-emotional skills, are being revised and released with help from Pat's longtime friend Louise Hart, Ed.D. Liking Myself, written for children between the ages of five and ten and charmingly illustrated by Betty L. Shondeck, discusses the importance of liking yourself, having feelings, talking about your feelings, allowing yourself to be different, understanding body talk, and letting go. It offers advice on how to handle yourself when you feel depressed, upset, or overwhelmed. There are several ideas, including games, to improve assertiveness and build emotional literacy. The official republication date is January 2010. Related websites: www.drpatpalmer.com (author), www.upliftpress.com (publisher).
Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter By: Francesca Simon Published by: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2009 ISBN: 978-1-4022-1781-4 Ages: 6–12 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor The Horrid Henry series is an international bestselling juvenile fiction chapter book written by Francesca Simon, an American-born author who now resides in London. Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter has four stories about mischievous Henry and his horrid antics. Although Horrid Henry lives in what many of us would consider a normal household, with a little brother named Perfect Peter and parents who care about their children, Henry is anything but normal. However, don’t let the mischief that Horrid Henry creates turn you off. With the laugh-out-loud stories, such as “Horrid Henry Tricks and Treats,” “Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter,” “Horrid Henry’s Raid,” and “Horrid Henry’s Car Journey,” even the most reluctant readers won’t be able to put this book down. In Chapter One, “Horrid Henry Tricks and Treats,” Henry is faced with a real problem: his little brother, Perfect Peter, decides to trick or treat as a big, pink, bouncy bunny! Henry realizes this isn’t good and sets out to ruin Perfect Peter’s costume. But when the boys’ mom sees what Henry has done, Henry finds himself at home handing out candy instead of going trick-or-treating. What is a boy to do, especially a boy like Horrid Henry? You’ll have to read the book to find out! In Chapter Two, children will find themselves face-to-face with a fear they all share with Horrid Henry: a big, mean babysitter! In “Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter,” even Perfect Peter can’t do anything right to make this babysitter happy. It doesn’t take long before Horrid Henry finds himself exchanging wits with this nasty teenager named Rabid Rebecca. However, you’ll have to read the book to see who wins in the end. In Chapter Three, “Horrid Henry’s Raid,” kids will laugh as Henry and his neighbor Moody Margaret try and out-sneak each other. They both have rival clubs, and only one of them can be on top, but who will it be? Lastly, in Chapter Four, “Horrid Henry’s Car Journey,” this boy of mischief not only creates trouble for his parents on the long drive to his aunt’s house, but his parents find themselves in a dilemma of their own. Tony Ross’s illustrations only complement Henry’s craziness in every chapter with the comical expressions of the characters who have to deal with this out-of-control little boy nicknamed “Horrid Henry.”
Farmer Brown and His Little Red Truck By: Jean M. Cochran Illustrated by: Daryl Enos Published by: Pleasant St. Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-9792035-0-3 Ages: 4–8 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine Take a ride with Farmer Brown in his little red truck as he picks up a group of animals along his drive down a dirt road. But watch out! A frenzied group of frogs might just join the group, causing some trouble for the little red truck and Farmer Brown. This fun-filled crazy rhyme-time picture book takes children on an adventure they would never dream would happen to a small town farmer. With full-page illustrations by Daryl Enos, Farmer Brown’s world of motley farm and country animals comes to life. But don’t think that only the illustrations will keep your child entertained. Jean M. Cochran does a wonderful job of using rocking rhythm and rhyme to create the perfect read-aloud story. Children will beg their parents to read this book over and over again—I know because my four-year-old won’t give the book back to me unless I’m going to read it to her. However, once I finish and get ready to close the book, she grabs it from my hands and puts it under her pillow so mommy can’t take it back. Guess this is one book that will take some time to be donated to the local library.
Fairy Hunters, Ink.: A Book of Fairies for Children and (not so) Grown-ups By: Sheila A. Dane Illustrated by: Rose Csorba Published by: Dane & Co., LLC, 2008 Printed by Spectrum Press ISBN: 978-0-9820956-0-7 Ages: 8 to 12 3 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor What is Fairy Hunters, Ink? It is a collection of many different tales around the diligent fairy discoverers who formed Fairy Hunters, Ink. With the help of a few interesting characters such as: Big Rabbit and Turtle. Each chapter not only brings children into the whimsical world of the Fairy Hunters, Ink, but they also discover new and interesting fairies along the way. Not to mention a few gremlins and such. I found the book interesting and creative. The author goes beyond the normal fairy world most of us are use to and introduces readers to fairies most of us would never think would exists such as: Basket fairies, Pocket fairies, Attic fairies, and Chimney fairies to name a few. The book isn’t written like the “ology” books where you have lots of pictures and short little blurbs about different facts or myths. Fairy Hunters, Ink. is written more like a journal of the many different adventures these explores have. There are colorful illustrations of scenes from the adventures to the different kinds of fairies themselves. Yet you won’t find them on every page. I feel children who love magic and adventure will enjoy Sheila Dane’s book and the gift it gives in keeping one young forever through the glimpses into the lives of these magical creatures we all know as. . . Fairies!
Dino-Soccer Author: Lisa Wheeler Illustrator: Barry Gott Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-9028-6 Reading Level: Grades K–3 (ages 5–9) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Can you imagine what might happen if a group of meat-eating dinosaurs got together with a group of plant-eating dinosaurs for a friendly game of soccer? Lisa Wheeler, author of the popular Dino-Hockey, whimsically describes how the Biters in blue, with T.Rex as their striker, challenge the Grazers in gold, with Ankylosaurus as their striker, to a soccer match. The Grazers get the first point as Diplodocus makes a goal. Then Gallimimus scores one for the Biters. Next Apatosaurus makes it 2-1 for the Grazers. And Allosaurus hits the ball into the net to tie the game for the Biters at 2-2. So, who will win? And can you guess what the dinos will play next? Most kids love anything dealing with dinosaurs. And soccer has become a very popular sport in the United States. So why not put the two together into a fun story for young children? The rhyming play-by-play style of narration makes this a good read-aloud book for Kindergarten and early elementary–age students. And the comical paintings by illustrator Barry Gott emphasize the action moves. Wheeler has met hundreds of soccer-playing youngsters who asked her to write a dino-soccer book. Gott spent much of his childhood both playing soccer and playing with toy dinosaurs. Working with each other, they have produced a winning combination. Related websites: www.lisawheelerbooks.com (author), www.lernerbooks.com (publisher).
Davey Bighead: Dream Big Author and illustrator: Peter J. Hayden Publisher: Book Surge, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4392-2972-9 ISBN-10: 1-4392-2972-4 Reading Level: Ages 7–10 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How do you think you would feel if some part of your body were bigger than everyone else’s? Davey is a boy whose head is so large that he has trouble getting his shirt on. He gets stuck in the door trying to get on the school bus. And he is always the first one to be thrown out in dodge ball during gym class. The kids tease him, calling him “Davey Big Head,” and he feels sad. He doesn’t want to get up and go to school. But then he has an idea. He asks the coach if he can play soccer. Can you imagine what Davey might be able to do well with his big head in soccer? Each of us, including every child, is different from others in some way or another. The lovable Davey shows us how to turn what we might think is a liability into an asset! Peter J. Hayden’s story is both funny and inspiring, and his color illustrations are vivid and bold. Together they demonstrate how children can be loved and accepted even when they’re different. Written for beginning and intermediate readers, Davey Bighead: Dream Big is the first in a series of books by Hayden. I predict that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy it and find it beneficial. Related websites: www.daveybighead.com (book), www.booksurge.com (publisher).
Cookie Author and illustrator: Lisa Woomer Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc., 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3020-8 Reading Level: Ages 3–7 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker When you’re hungry, do you try to eat things that you know are good for you, or do you prefer something else? There was a girl named Catherine Isabella Marie Jenkins, but everyone called her Cookie because that is all she would eat. She had oatmeal cookies for breakfast, peanut butter cookies for lunch, chocolate chip cookies for dinner, and sugar cookies with pink frosting and purple sprinkles for a snack. Her parents wanted her to eat things like broccoli, spaghetti, and fish, but she refused. Her parents kept telling her that someday she would turn into a giant cookie, but she didn’t believe them. Then one day she noticed that everywhere she went she left a trail of crumbs behind her. Can you guess what happened and what important lessons Cookie learned from her experience? All parents know how hard it is to get kids even to eat what’s good for them, let alone get them to like it. This funny story, which should have youngsters laughing aloud, serves as a gentle reminder to all of us that while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional cookie, there are better things to eat than a steady diet of sweets with empty calories. Author and illustrator Lisa Woomer, a former schoolteacher and the mother of two, has studied fitness and nutrition as a hobby for many years. She wrote Cookie after the birth of her first child, who turned out to be a picky eater, in hopes that this story would motivate other children to choose a healthier diet. I give it five stars for providing an important message in such an entertaining way. Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/lisawoomer.
Hamster Holidays: Noun and Adjective Adventures By: Cynthia Reeg Illustrated by: Kit Grady Published by: Guardian Angel Publishing ISBN: 13-978-1-935137-62-7 E-book ISBN: 13-978-1-935137-63-4 Reading Level: Ages 5–12 Rating: Five Stars This adorable book is part of the Pet Grammar Parade Series and Academic Wings books published by Guardian Angel Publishing. Author Cynthia Reeg has put together a great story about child-friendly hamsters celebrating their own special holidays throughout the year. This book is actually printed in several different colors of ink to teach your child nouns (ink) and adjectives (blue or red ink). The regular text appears in black. The funny hamsters, aptly illustrated by Kit Grady, lead your child from one exciting holiday to the next: New Hat Day on January 1, Stick Horse Day on February 15, and Kite Dance Day on March 10. Can you guess the names of the other nine holidays that hamsters celebrate? You will just have to read this wonderful book to find out what they are! The hamsters cavort across the pages to lead your child through twelve whacky hamster holidays while teaching nouns and adjectives along the way. Ms. Reeg does an excellent job with her precise text and layout of each holiday. Your child will also find a calendar at the bottom of each page that highlights the holiday date, making the calendar an additional learning tool. Parents and teachers will love this book for the study guide and all the word activities, word match-ups, word scrambles, and puzzles located at the back of the book, after the final holiday of the hamster year—Toy Parade Day, December 6. I give this book a high-five for the excellent learning tools author Cynthia Reeg has included to make learning so much fun and for the colorful, kid-friendly illustrations by Kit Grady. This book is definitely a keeper!
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshall Author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-6764-6 Reading Level: Grades 3–6 (ages 8–12) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Did you know that, in spite of what we've seen in the movies and on TV, there were African Americans in the Old West? Bass Reeves was born around 1838 as a slave in Texas but ran away from his master during the Civil War and lived with the Native Americans in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) until after the war was over, when he settled in nearby Arkansas. However, in 1875, the U. S. Government sent Judge Isaac C. Parker to bring law and order to Indian Territory. The judge hired 200 deputy marshals to track down outlaws, and Bass Reeves was one of the marshals. Author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson describes some of the truly amazing feats that Reeves accomplished during his 32 years of service. He even captured bandit queen Belle Starr. You might also be interested to know that Gary Paulsen wrote a fictionalized account of Reeves called The Legend of Bass Reeves. Anyone, young or old, who is interested in the Old West should really like Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves! However, beyond its connection to the wild frontier, this book, with great illustrations by R. Gregory Christie, is a good one for children generally because it describes the life of a man who exhibited admirable character in his life through his dedication to duty and his courage, honesty, and strong sense of right and wrong. While it would be excellent for Black History Month, it should not be relegated to that month alone and could be used at any time that late–nineteenth-century American history is studied. Features at the end include a glossary of Western terms, a timeline of Reeves's life, further reading and websites, and more information on Judge Parker and the Indian Territory, along with a note from the author on how she came to learn about Reeves. It is a fascinating story that I highly recommend. Related website: www.lernerbooks.com (publisher). The Crypto-Capers in the Case of the Missing Sock Author: Renee Hand Illustrator: Alla Dubrovich Publisher: North Star Press of Saint Cloud Inc., 2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-87839-304-6 ISBN-10: 0-87839-304-8 Reading Level: Ages 8–12 (grades 4–7) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you had your choice, would you prefer a dirty, smelly old sock that purportedly belonged to Elvis Presley’s grandmother or a pair of diamond-studded, gold and onyx designer sunglasses? Maxwell Sherlock Holmes, age fourteen, and his sister Mia, age twelve, live in London, England. Their mother and father are ace detectives with Scotland Yard, and the brother and the sister seem to have inherited their parents’ abilities to solve crimes. Therefore, with their Granny, Nellie Holmes, and Max’s fourteen-year-old friend Morris Weedlesom, a computer whiz, Max and Mia have formed the Crypto-Capers and unravel mysteries by solving cryptograms that criminals leave behind. In this first volume of Renee Hand’s series, wealthy cereal company owner Charles Delacomb of Naples, Florida, had bought an expensive new pair of sunglasses as a birthday present for his wife and hidden them inside one of a pair of socks that was once owned by Elvis Presley’s grandmother. He had purchased the socks at an auction the year before and kept them in his library in a locked cabinet. However, both the one sock and the sunglasses were stolen, and since the thief left a cryptogram, Delacomb seeks help from the Holmeses. As the Crypto-Capers investigate, some of the evidence points to Mrs. Delacomb, while other bits of evidence point to the groundskeeper, Tom Kemper. In fact, on one occasion, Mrs. Delacomb had even given Mr. Kemper a ride. Will Max and Mia be able to figure out the mystery, identify the thief, and retrieve the stolen items? Most youngsters enjoy reading mysteries, and this is good because solving mysteries helps to develop critical thinking skills. In the Crypto-Capers books, there is the added benefit of language arts–related exercises in working on the cryptograms. On top of this, The Case of the Missing Sock is just a fun story that keeps the reader turning the pages. As the excitement and suspense build, inquiring minds want to know who did it and why! Also, I especially liked the scene at the end where Mr. Delacomb and his fifteen-year-old son, Robert, learn some important lessons about their relationship with each other. If you like mysteries, you will not want to miss the Crypto-Capers. Related websites: www.reneeahand.com (author), http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com/ (series blog), www.northstarpress.com (publisher). Sidikiba’s Kora Lesson Author and Illustrator: Ryan Thomas Skinner Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-59298-242-4 ISBN-10: 1-59298-242-5 Reading Level: Ages 6–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you know what a kora is? Sidikiba, a ten-year-old boy who lives with his family in a town near Bamako, Mali, which is a nation in West Africa, comes from seventy generations of kora players. The kora is a 21-string harp made from a calabash gourd and Guenou wood. It is a traditional instrument of the Mande people that is believed to have originated in the Kaabu empire (16th through 19th centuries) and been developed by a bard named Jeli Mady Wuleng. Sidikiba, a descendent of Jeli Mady, goes to school and plays with his friends, but the time has come for him to learn to play the kora like his father and grandfather before him. However, the first time that he tries, the jarring, dissonant noises produced by his fingers sound nothing like the melodies of his grandfather or his father. Will he ever be able to do it right? Author Ryan Skinner, who also illustrated the book with striking full-color drawings of the people and events told in the story, is an author, illustrator, musician, and ethnomusicologist. In his sophomore year of college, he was encouraged by his French professor, Cherif Keita, to visit Keita’s homeland of Mali, where Skinner stayed in the home of Grammy Award–winning musician Toumani Diabate. The book resulted from his experiences as he watched Toumani and his extended family teach Toumani’s young son Sidiki how to play the kora. During his initial four months in Mali, Skinner himself learned not only how to play the kora but also how to manufacture the instrument from raw materials. He decided to share his newfound knowledge in the book. Youngsters will benefit from Sidikiba’s encounter with his rich cultural heritage in a modern African city as he learns to balance the new and the old as part of growing up. There is also the important lesson that accomplishing anything well takes practice and dedication. The book won first place in the multicultural category of the Independent Book Publisher Association’s (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Awards. As a bonus, it contains a CD with seven songs arranged and performed by Skinner’s inspiration, Sidiki Diabate himself. There are notes in the text to play certain tracks on the CD that illustrate the songs that Sidikiba was hearing and learning. With a glossary at the back to explain the meaning of terms, Sidikiba’s Kora Lesson is both a fantastically interesting tale for children to read and a fun educational experience. Related websites: www.sidikibaskoralesson.com (book), www.ryanskinner.org (author), www.BeaversPondPress.com (publisher). Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys and Gulls Author: Lucy Nolan Illustrator: Connie McLennan Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-96-9 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-41-8 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 3–7 (Grades Preschool–2) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Can you imagine what it would be like if our favorite nursery rhymes had been told by Mother Osprey rather than Mother Goose? Of course, they would all relate to the water or the shore in some way. Mary might have a little clam instead of a little lamb. Jack and June would go up a dune. In “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” there are four and twenty pelicans. “One flamingo, two flamingo, three flamingo, four. A flamboyance of flamingoes is a group of three or more.” Rather than London Bridge, “Hatteras Light is Falling Down.” And the old woman of this book lives in a shell, not a shoe. Children will enjoy comparing the old familiar nursery rhymes that they have heard to author Lucy Nolan’s versions as told by Mother Osprey. They will also be exposed to a lot of fascinating information about the ocean, its animals, and related concepts as illustrated by Connie McLennan. The “For Creative Minds” section at the back of the book provides further material about the stories behind the book’s eighteen rhymes, a map of the United States showing the locations of various things mentioned in the poems, and some map activity– and poem-related questions. Teachers and parents will also like the “Teaching Activities,” “Interactive Quizzes,” and “Related Websites,” which can be found at Sylvan Dell’s website. “Twinkle, twinkle, starfish dear.” Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com (publisher). No, Never! Author and Illustrator: Sally O. Lee Publisher: Booksurge Publishing, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4392-3908-7 ISBN-10: 1-4392-3908-8 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Was there ever a time when your mom asked you to do something, and you responded, “No, I will never do that!”? Daisy, a young Dalmatian, does not like to do her homework, take out the trash, wash the dishes, clean her room, eat her vegetables, or even have a bath. She says, “No, Never! I will never do those things!” One day her mother asks her, “What will you do?” Daisy replies that she wants to write the greatest book of all time or win a famous bicycle race by climbing great mountains. Her mother then explains that while those are wonderful goals, Daisy will never achieve them if she doesn’t take care of other goals that are important too. Will Daisy understand what her mother is trying to tell her, and will she ever learn how to achieve her goals? Not every children’s book has to have a moral. Some books are just fun to read. But it is great when a book that is fun to read also contains an important lesson for youngsters to learn. Having reviewed a couple of other books by author Sally O. Lee, The Rabbit and the Snowman and The Tutu Ballet, both of which I enjoyed very much, I was really looking forward to reading No, Never! Not only does this book feature a nice story with a valuable message, but Sally’s full-color illustrations done in oil on paper are quite luscious for the eyes. Amazon gives the reading level as ages nine through twelve, but I think that it would be perfectly suitable for ages six through nine to read by themselves and for those even younger to have read aloud. Kids will benefit from it, and parents will love it. Related website: www.leepublishing.com (author), www.BookSurge.com (publisher). Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities Author: Kerrie Logan Hollihan Illustrator: Laura D’Argo Publisher: Chicago Review Press Inc. (2009) ISBN-13: 978-155652-778-4 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Who do you think is the greatest scientist of all time? Various people will likely have different opinions in answer to that question, but certainly everyone should be able to agree that one of them is Sir Isaac Newton. Born in 1642, Newton is perhaps best remembered for the story, which may or may not be true, of how he developed the law of gravity after watching an apple fall to the ground. However, Newton was truly a phenomenal figure in the history of science who contributed to the study of optics, calculus, astronomy, and chemistry in addition to the study of physics. Additionally, he served his country both as a Member of Parliament and first Warden and then Master of the Mint. Author Kerrie Logan Hollihan not only chronicles the history of Newton’s life and work but also introduces students to the methods of scientific discovery, including rational questioning, systematic experimentation, and rigorous exploration, by including 21 activities with step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations to help stimulate interest in science. Some of the activities include building a sextant, conducting a series of tests with a pendulum, and mixing up a batch of homemade ink. There is also information about many of Newton’s Enlightenment contemporaries and friends, such as mathematician Galileo Galilei and architect Christopher Wren. Newton was certainly not a “perfect” human being, and this book does not gloss over his faults. Two things stand out about Newton: First, “he firmly believed that God was the creator of all things” (p. 70). Also, in spite of what some revisionist historians have concluded, “Newton’s reputation as a great man of science stands firm” (p. 120). Some parents may not care for the reference to the claim made by some twentieth-century writers that Newton may have had homosexual relationships with John Wickins and Fatio de Duillier (which one source I checked says is purely conjectural and much-disputed). Otherwise, Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids is a fascinating look at a great scientist who, despite his personal weaknesses and failings, contributed much to our understanding of the physical universe. Related websites: www.chicagoreviewpress.com (publisher), www.ipgbook.com (distributor). Moose and Magpie Author: Bettina Restrepo Illustrator: Sherry Rogers Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-97-6 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-42-5 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 4–8 (Grades Preschool–3) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you were a full-grown moose at the age of one, what would you do when your antlers started coming in and began to itch like crazy? Moose, who lives where the willow trees touch the ground and the lily pads float on the water, has just become an adult, and his head prickles so much that he has to find a tree and rub his head against it with all his might. In so doing, he disturbs his friend Magpie, who starts to tell him jokes to ease his mind. Follow Moose and his friends as spring becomes summer, which turns into fall, which finally ushers in winter. What will happen to Moose’s antlers? Kids will love the jokes that Magpie tells Moose, and they will learn about an amazing and majestic animal of our natural world at the same time. There are sidebar tidbits of interesting information sprinkled throughout Bettina Restrepo’s text, and at the end is Sylvan Dell’s usual “For Creative Minds” section, which contains more information about the moose’s eating habits, antlers, and life cycle, as well as a “Match the Moose Body Part to its Adaptation” activity. There are also other “Teaching Activities” and “Related Websites” at Sylvan Dell’s website. And Sherry Rogers’s colorful illustrations are very attractive. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com (publisher). Moonlight on the Magic Flute Author: Mary Pope Osborne Illustrator: Sal Murdocca Publisher: Random House Children’s Books (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85646-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85647-1 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 7–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker This is the Magic Tree House book #41 and the thirteenth of the “Merlin Missions.” Jack and Annie have a new mission, which is to bring happiness to millions of people by seeking out a brilliant artist, someone who uses passion and imagination to create something beautiful, and putting that artist on the right path to sharing his or her gifts with the world. When the two travel to 1762 Vienna, Austria, for a party at the Summer Palace of the Empress Maria Theresa, their magical Wand of Dianthus is changed into a “magic flute,” and they meet a somewhat obnoxious little boy named “Wolfie” and his sister Nannerl. As a student of music history, I knew immediately what was going on, but how long will it take you to find out which great artist is the object of Jack and Annie’s mission? Related websites: www.magictreehouse.com (series), www.randomhouse,com/kids (publisher). Lucas and His Long Loopy Laces Author: Krystal Russell Illustrator: Cody Frusher Publisher: Tall Tails Publishing House (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9823519-0-1 ISBN-10: 0-9823519-0-9 Reading Level: Ages 3–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Did you ever buy a pair of tennis shoes on which the laces were so long that you could double, triple, or even quadruple tie them? Well, Lucas doesn’t tie his shoes, so his laces are full of loops and get knots in them. One day, he goes to the park, and his laces catch all kinds of animals and plants. Then when he rides home on his bike, his laces capture even more things. Can you imagine what happens with his laces when he is forced to walk the plank into the ocean by his friends with whom he is playing pirates and then is blasted into outer space by a whale? What will he do with those comets and stars that get trapped in his laces? The rhyming text by author Krystal Russell and the black-and-white line drawings, with just a touch of color (for the laces), by Cody Frusher combine to tell an imaginative story that little ones will find quite an amusing adventure. And any child who has ever tripped over those extra-long laces or had any other problems with them will be able to relate personally to Lucas’s plight. Maybe, just maybe, Lucas and His Long Loopy Laces might be a gentle reminder for some children to make sure that their shoes are tied before going out! It is a cute book that I found very enjoyable. Related website: www.talltailspublishing.com. The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut: Based on the Life and Works of G. K. Chesterton Author: Paul Nowak Publisher: Eternal Revolution, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-977223497 ISBN-10: 0-977-2234-9-3 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What do you think it would be like having a relative known as “Uncle Chestnut”? Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) was a wonderful English author and journalist who was known for his rotund figure and exuberant personality. He was nicknamed “Uncle Chestnut” by little Bernard Nicholls. I was first introduced to Chesterton’s writings in 1970, when one of his Father Brown mysteries was included in our high school sophomore literature book. It was so fascinating that I still remember “who did it”—it was the postman! I have since read the complete Father Brown stories collection, which consists of five volumes. After publishing a book of poems in 1900, Chesterton became a regular contributor for a couple of newspapers. As an academic, he was concerned with three main areas of interest: social criticism, literary criticism, and theology or religious argument. Popularly, however, Chesterton is best remembered today for his creative writing: poetry, essays, and short stories. Two plays were not very successful. Unlike a couple of his younger contemporaries whom he greatly influenced, J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, “Uncle Chestnut” did not write fantasy that appeals to children. Yet, he loved children. Most of his drawings, poems, and stories for children are very personal, created as gifts for specific children and left unpublished, whereas his works that have survived were geared for adults even while they praised the ways of childhood. The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut is the first of an intended series that is designed to present G. K. Chesterton in a more familiar light for youngsters as well as time-pressed adults, based upon his own observation, “An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.” Author Paul Nowak weaves actual events in Chesterton’s life and bits of wisdom from his writings into four fictional stories written especially for young people in which Chesterton is pictured as interacting with a nephew Jack (named for C. S. Lewis, whose nickname was “Jack”) and their neighbor Christie (named for Agatha Christie, who was a fellow member of the Detection Club with Chesterton). The setting has been moved from England to New Jersey, and the time is a little more recent, probably to make the book more appealing to today’s kids, but it is still delightful reading. A few typographical errors in the first print run copy that I had for review have already been corrected for later editions. I shall leave you with this bit of advice from Uncle Chestnut: “Without education, we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.” How true! Related websites: www.UncleChestnut.com (book), www.eternal-revolution.com (publisher). Earthquake Author: Susan J. Berger Illustrator: Eugene Ruble Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-66-5 (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-54-2 (EBook) Reading Level: Grades 2–4 (ages 6–9) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever experienced an earthquake? If you haven’t, how do you think that you would react to one? In this nonfiction book, author Susan J. Berger explains what earthquakes are, what causes them, what happens when they occur, and what we can do to be prepared for them. The scientifically accurate but highly readable text combined with the colorful illustrations by Eugene E. Ruble will help children understand earthquake terms and learn lots of interesting facts about the subject. For example, did you know that there is a 9 in 10 chance of a medium-sized earthquake happening on the New Madrid fault within the next 50 years? On April 18, 2008, when we were living in Affton, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis, my wife and I were awakened at 4:37 A.M. by a jolt that seemed to shake the bed. There are several things that can cause such a jolt: the blowing of an electrical transformer, an automobile crash nearby, or even a strong gust of wind, although my wife looked out the window, and the trees were still. However, as I went back to sleep, the possibility of an earthquake passed through my mind. Sure enough, when the radio went off at 6:00 A.M., the very first news item was that a 5.2-magnitude earthquake centered at Bellmont, Illinois, had been felt throughout the Midwest shortly after 4:30. Then, while sitting at my desk at 10:14 A. M., I felt another jolt that shook my chair. I immediately checked the Internet and found that a 4.7-magnitude aftershock had been recorded at around a quarter after ten. This is my personal experience with earthquakes. There was no damage done, and the jolts, while noticeable, were relatively minor. However, I’m sure that all of us have seen reports on television or read articles in the newspapers about other earthquakes that have produced massive destruction and killed many people. Youngsters will find Earthquake to be a fascinating yet fun source of useful information. Related website: www.guardianangelpublishing.com/earthquzke.htm. Dotty’s Topsy TaleAuthor: Donna J. Shepherd Illustrator: Kevin Scott Collier Published by: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc., 2009 ISBN: 978-1-935137-55-9 eBook: 978-1-935137-66-5 Ages: 3 to 8 5 stars Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine editor If you read Topsy Turvy Land by the very talented author Donna J. Shepherd, then you won’t want to miss the tale of Dotty, one of the fun-loving and colorful characters from Topsy Turvy Land. However, if you haven’t read the first book in this wildly imaginative collection of picture books, then you’re in for a real delight (well, you’re in for a treat even if you have read the collection). Dotty is a pink hippo who lives in Topsy Turvy Land, and as you might already have guessed, things are not as you might expect in this place. For Dotty, you might think she would feel part of the crowd, but even in her colorful, wild world, she feels like the odd hippo out. After enlisting the help of her best friend, Chizzy, a green monkey who knows how to get into trouble, they set off on an adventure to help Dotty fit in with all the other hippos. Along the way, Dotty and Chizzy realize it doesn’t matter how you look. After all, what’s wrong with being a pink hippo instead of a purple hippo as long as you’re a true friend and have a big heart? Of course, Donna doesn’t disappoint us in this newest tale in the Topsy Turvy Land collection. Because of everything from Donna’s smooth rhyme to her wild inventions of the animals living in Topsy Turvy Land, children will want to visit Dotty and her friends again and again. Kevin Scott Collier’s artwork is vivid and brings each page to life, adding the right blend of colors to accent the words written by Donna in Dotty’s Topsy Tale.
Count Down to Fall Author: Fran Hawk Illustrator: Sherry Neidigh Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-94-5 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-39-5 (paperback) Reading Level: Ages 4–8 (Grades Preschool–3) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What is your favorite time of year? For many people, and perhaps plants and animals too, it is fall. Begin with ten sweet gum leaves, then go through nine dogwood leaves, eight beech leaves, seven pine cones, six linden leaves, five chestnut leaves, four oak leaves, three maple leaves, and two birch leaves, and finally end up with one quaking aspen leaf. Through Fran Hawk’s poetic text youngsters will be introduced to the idea of counting down from ten, and from Sherry Neidigh’s true-to-life illustrations they will also be able to see various kinds of trees and learn how to identify them by the shapes of their leaves, along with the raccoons, opossums, cats, squirrels, bears, turtles, chipmunks, owls, deer, and beavers that need the trees to live. The “For Creative Minds” section at the back of Count Down to Fall has several activities related to plant parts, leaf shapes, and the ways in which leaves change color in the fall, as well as further information on how both animals and people depend on plants. As with other Sylvan Dell books, there are “Related Websites,” “Interactive Quizzes,” and other “Teaching Activities” on the website to help parents and educators expand the learning possibilities. This is a wonderful way for students to learn about how plants and animals prepare for the approaching winter chill. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com (publisher).
The Crypto-Capers in the Case of Red Rock Canyon Author: Renee Hand Illustrator: Corinne A. Dwyer Publisher: North Star Press of Saint Cloud Inc., 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-87839-309-1 ISBN-10: 0-87839-309-9 Reading Level: Ages 8–12 (grades 4–7) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker The Crypto-Capers are back! Fourteen-year-old Max Holmes, his sister Mia, their Granny Nellie, and their friend Morris are detectives who travel all over the world to investigate mysteries. Well, Max, Mia, and Granny go places while Morris stays at home because of his allergies and communicates with the others by electronic gadgetry. Each individual has his or her specific talents: Max is good at logic and deductive reasoning, Mia can solve just about any puzzle, Granny is fluent in several languages and provides muscle for the group, and Morris is a genius with computers. In this second book of the series, author Renee Hand takes the team to Las Vegas, Nevada, where show producer Julian Cross employs them to find a very expensive missing ruby necklace, which he had purchased for use in his presentation and has been stolen. The thief accidentally left a cryptogram, probably to communicate with his accomplices. There are all kinds of suspects: Cross’s girlfriend and lead singer Lucille Devereaux; Cross’s rival producer Pierson Long; Long’s girlfriend and lead singer Juliet, Lucille’s twin sister; and even the man who delivered the necklace, Mr. William Teague. Along the way, they match wits with an elusive criminal known as “the Panther.” Then Mia gets kidnapped! Will they find her? And will they ever recover the necklace? Not only is this a fun story to read, but it is one in which the characters engage in some self-discovery about themselves and exhibit a great deal of courage. In addition, the reader can help to solve the cryptograms and participate in the various activities. "These are not for the faint of heart, but for the bravest and most confident of souls. Can you do it? We are counting on you." All children, especially those who like to solve mysteries and work on puzzles, should enjoy The Crypto-Capers in the Case of Red Rock Canyon. Related websites: www.reneeahand.com (author), http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com/ (series blog), www.northstarpress.com (publisher).
Bugs in a Blanket Author and Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna Published by: Phaidon Press Limited, 2009 ISBN: 978-0714849-706 Ages: 3 to 8 5 stars Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier Little Fat Bug is having a party, and when his guest arrive, he wonders why all the other bugs are different from him. Some of his guests are skinny, while others are different colors and textures. As the guests show up, Little Fat Bug asks why they are the way they are, which starts a chain reaction among all the other bugs. They begin to wonder why they look different from the bug next to them until the question is asked of Little Fat Bug, to which he replies, “I don’t know! I was just born like this, a little bit fat.” All the other bugs think about this response and begin to answer why they look the way they do, and each bug learns to like the others for their differences. Children will learn it’s okay to be different because we are born that way and that’s okay. The book has a board book–style cover, but the inside pages are more like cardstock than your regular picture book pages, making it a great first book for little ones. The storyline is one that all children, parents, and teachers will want to read again and again. Beatrice Alemagna isn’t a stranger to picture books with over twenty books for children published. She is a consummate storyteller who creates intimate and imaginative tales in which words and pictures meld together seamlessly. Her illustration techniques vary depending on the storyline. In this charming little book of insects, she uses a new illustration technique developed by using a combination of mixed fabrics to create a surprisingly cozy and texture-rich world. This is one book you’ll want to add to your child’s book collection.
Billy Had to Move By: Theresa Ann Fraser Illustrated by: Alex Walton Published by: Loving Healing Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-1932690-873 Ages: 6–12 4 stars Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine Founder, VS Grenier Billy Had to Move is more than about a little boy who has to move to a new home. As many of us know, every month children are put into Child Protection Services for many reasons, from parents’ not being able to care for their children to abuse. However, sometimes children end up in the system because of death. This happens to be the situation for young Billy. As the story unfolds, we learn that Billy has been living with his grandmother for some time. Billy’s father and mother are not around to take care of him, so his grandmother has taken on the role of Billy’s caregiver. Billy loves living with his grandmother and his pet cat, and he even enjoys taking piano lessons. However, one day Billy’s grandmother becomes ill and passes away. Billy hopes the people who have come to help will be able to locate his mother; unfortunately, no one knows where she is. This places Billy in a situation most of us hope never to see our children in: no one to care for our children. What makes this book so important is that we learn sometimes children are put into Child Protection because there are no loved ones left to care for a child. These children are in situations where they have to live with strangers who are willing to help a child who has lost everyone they have ever cared about. Sometimes it is because a parent can’t care for them or because of abuse, but what about those children who have no loved one in the world to help them? I feel this book is great not only for children who are going through the loss of a loved one and having only strangers to turn to but also for children who have loving homes so they can better understand other children they may know who do live in foster care.
Alphabet Meditations for Teachers: Everyday Wisdom for Educators By: Nancy Oelklaus, EdD Published by: Loving Healing Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-1932690-880 Age: Adults 4 stars Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine Founder, VS Grenier Reading this book reminded me of my time in school as a student. Even though the book is written for teachers, I think that even high school and college students can appreciate what educators go through on a daily basis. Alphabet Meditations for Teachers contains 26 verses that cover topics from excellence to summer vacations. From A through Z, each poem topic is one teachers can relate to and has a meaningful message along with a photo that many teachers may even want to photocopy and put up as a reminder to help get them through a tough week or weeks. As teachers read Alphabet Meditations for Teachers, they will be reminded why they chose this profession. With the rhythmic cadence of each poem, teachers will get back in touch with themselves, understand why they care about kids, sharpen their intuitive abilities, and simply enjoy the relationships with students, parents, and other teachers.
A NEVER-ENDING TALE: Illustrated Parables of the Ba’al Shem Tov and His Disciples Written and Illustrated by: Gadi Pollack Published by: Feldheim Publishers ISBN: 978-1-59826-318-3 Reading Level: Ages 3–8 Rating: Five Stars Gifted artist Gadi Pollack takes parables from the Ba’al Shem Tov and brings them to life in a unique way. Fishel the Simpleton and Robert the Rogue take the reader into many fun and meaningful adventures that are based on the parables and that are told in a very kid-friendly way. Pollack’s cartoon-like illustrations contain little explanations of good behavior written by various rabbis. This book is a “must have” for any Jewish family that wants their children to understand the Ba’al Shem Tov parables in a unique and fun way, as well as for anyone who wishes to know more about the Jewish faith and its many hidden treasures, such as these parables. I give this book a High Five for the terrific quality of the book in all areas—text, illustrations, and learning in a fun way. The book itself is quite beautiful, too.
Pingo Author: Brandon Mull Illustrator: Brandon Dorman Publisher: Shadow Mountain (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-60641-109-4 Reading Level: Ages 3 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker When you were younger, did you ever have an imaginary friend? Like many other kids his age, Chad has one named Pingo. They fight ninjas, brew magical potions, and float in zero gravity. But as Chad grows older, his “real” friends begin to tease him about having an imaginary friend, and one day Chad decides that he is too old for Pingo. From that day forward, Chad no longer has an imaginary friend. He has an imaginary enemy! What will Pingo do as Chad becomes a teenager, an adult, and finally an old man? And what will Chad do? Brandon Mull is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series. Brandon Dorman is also the illustrator of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller The Wizard. Together, they have produced a touching story that children will think is great fun and adults will find a little bit nostalgic. I certainly agree with the observation on the inside jacket flap that “Pingo is a delightful read-a-loud picture book about the importance of imagination and friendship.” Kids may laugh at the antics of Pingo and Chad, but at the end those of us who are a little older may have to wipe a slight tear out of our eyes. A great children’s book! Related website: www.ShadowMountain.com (publisher).
Druscilla's Halloween Author: Sally M. Walker Illustrator: Lee White Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8941-9 Reading Level: Grades K–3 (ages 5–9) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Did you ever wonder why witches ride brooms? Well, as author Sally M. Walker tells it, the story all began a million spells ago with an ancient witch named Druscilla. In those days, witches crept about on tiptoe and scared children on Halloween from the ground. But Druscilla had the loudest, creakiest knees that anyone had ever heard, so she could not surprise people. Her knees even sent rabbits, squirrels, and fireflies scurrying. Not to be denied her fun, one Halloween she tried several different ways of being sneaky—riding a donkey, rolling in a wheelbarrow, and even making wings with chicken feathers so that she could fly. However, all these attempts failed. Then, as she was sweeping up the feathers, she had a brilliant idea. Can you guess what it was? This delightful tale of Druscilla's Halloween is a little spooky but not too scary for small children. Accompanied by the fascinating illustrations by Lee White, the story will be a welcome addition to the Halloween literature for kindergartners and elementary-age students. I found it enjoyable. Related website: www.lernerbooks.com (publisher).
A Christmas Fairy Tale Author and Illustrator: Ilia (aka Leigh Ann Lemire) Publisher: PublishAmerica LLLP (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1440460883 Reading Level: Grades 5–6 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you have any idea as to how the Christmas tree came about? Well, you could look up factual information in an encyclopedia, or you could look around in the realm of fairy tales. Once upon a time in a land far, far away where dreams come true, there was a bare and bleak community in which people thought that miracles didn't exist. This village was located at the very bottom of the world and was frozen in solid ice. There were only a few months each year when the people saw sunlight. One day, a slender fairy in a beautiful outfit was caught in a howling winter wind and had to land on the tundra nearby. Seeing the lights of the village, she made her way there. The townspeople helped her, and in return, she gave them a seed that was designed to stir up their hope. Can you guess what grew out of the fairy's seed? A Christmas Fairy Tale, another of the "Modern Day Fairy Tales" by Ilia, is a welcome addition to the cache of stories about the real meaning of the Christmas holiday. For many people, it could well become an annual tradition for their family Yuletide read-aloud. Fairy tales always have an underlying message, and this one is no different. In addition to the good example of the citizens’ willingness to assist the fairy in her time of need, there is the important lesson of the need for folks to have hope in their hearts, as illustrated by what the fairy does for the townspeople. It is a charming book that children should thoroughly enjoy. Related websites: www.winsometales.com (book), www.art-of-ilia.com (author), www.createspace.com/3361028 (publisher).
Wenda the Wacky Wiggler Author: Christopher Aslan Illustrator: Emily Mullock Publisher: Benjamin Brown Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9782553-2-9 ISBN-10: 0-9782553-2-1 Reading Level: Ages 4–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever heard certain people described as “marching to the beat of a different drummer”? It is often used to identify those who are willing to stand apart from the crowd and just be themselves. Wenda is a unique girl who is always wiggling and dancing and moving and tapping with joy to some kind of beat. Even in the middle of the night, her toe wiggles while she is asleep. However, when Wenda comes to town, the grumpy and gloomy townsfolk do not like her wiggling because it makes them grouchy and cranky, so the mayor orders that all music be stopped. But when Wenda keeps dancing, they wonder, “How can this be?” Well, there is still a little bird chirping its song. The mayor orders the animal catcher to get the bird and lock it in his truck. Now there is no music at all. What will Wenda do? Is she totally defeated? This is the second book in author Christopher Aslan’s series of children’s picture books, The Rainbow Collection. Like the first book, Lilly and Lucy’s Shadow, Wendy the Wacky Wiggler is based on the universal themes of love and wisdom that both parents and children can enjoy together. While we must always be concerned about our reputation and the ways in which our actions affect people, children also ought to learn that they should not let the negativity of others put a damper on their love of life and its resultant joy of spirit. As someone once said, it’s not so important what happens to us but what happens inside us that really counts. The rhyming text is quite appropriate both for preschoolers in a read-aloud setting and for beginning readers to try to read for themselves. And the storybook-like drawings by illustrator Emily Mullock are very attractive. The two combine to present an important lesson for children to hear. Related website: www.benjaminbrownbooks.com (publisher).
Babysitting SugarPaw
AUTHOR: VS Grenier
ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Scott Collier
PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing (2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1-93526-806-2
READING LEVEL: Ages 3–8
RATING: 5 stars
REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Have you ever babysat a child, and if so, do you remember the very first time you ever did? Bonnie Whiskers has never babysat SugarPaw for the Bear family before. While standing ready to knock on the door, she hears SugarPaw cry out, “Don't go!” and it makes her worry. SugarPaw does not want a babysitter and is very unhappy. When Bonnie goes into the kitchen to see Mother Bear, she notices a rule chart for SugarPaw on the wall and thinks that maybe it won’t be too hard. But when Mama Bear and Bonnie leave the kitchen, SugarPaw sneaks into the kitchen and changes some of the rules. What is going to happen? Will SugarPaw and Bonnie hit it off or not?
Anyone who has ever done any babysitting will be able to empathize with Bonnie and her plight. For that matter, so will anyone who has ever been babysat! Author VS Grenier has created a tender, heartwarming story that children will enjoy having read to them and that parents will enjoy reading to them. Babysitting SugarPaw should bring back a lot of fond, and perhaps a few not-so-fond, memories for both former babysitters and former children who were babysat. After all, what would we parents do without babysitters? Get an autographed copy at the Author's website and 25% of the sale will go to children in need through First Book http://vsgrenier.com
Viva Cisco Author: Patrick Shannon Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc. (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3037-6 Reading Level: Ages 10–13 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What might you do if you were a parrot who lived in a paradise-like valley and wanted more than anything else to become famous? Cisco is a parrot who dwells in Topopootl, a magical valley deep in Mexico where there are no humans, all the animals live in peace and can talk, and there is an abundance of Burrito trees, Taco vines, and Tamale bushes. The story of Cisco is divided into three books. In Book One, he is the Answer Man at the Topopootl Public Library, but his single, burning ambition is fame. He tries to find it by dancing Flamenco with his Javelina friend José Paco, learning to wrestle from Awful Alfredo, the Wrestling Monkey, and flying higher than any other parrot with Aquila the Eagle. But why doesn’t anything ever seem to work out as Cisco wants? In Book Two, there is a rash of burglaries in normally crime-free Topopootl, so Cisco now seeks his fame by becoming a private eye and, after several humorous missteps, actually solves the crime. Or was it really a crime after all? In Book Three, Cisco wonders why all the skunks in the surrounding territory are invited to help the residents of Topopootl celebrate the Fiesta of the Little Flowers. No one can answer his question, but Old Parrot sends him and his friends José Paco, Benito the Jackrabbit, Juan the Black Bear, and Alfonso the Coatimundi on a long and dangerous mission to find the long forgotten story, preserved in a secret room of a strange pyramid, about how Topopootl came to be. And, you may wonder, exactly what did skunks have to do with it? Viva Cisco is a wacky kind of book that will have kids rolling on the floor and may cause even world-weary adults to smile. For my personal taste, there are just a few too many common euphemisms—not only heck, golly, gee, dang, blast, and darn, but also “omigosh,” “consarn it,” and even one “godawful,” along with a lot of other pop culture–type language. Undoubtedly this was used to make it appealing to middle school–aged readers, who will likely find it very funny. Having said that, I still enjoyed reading the book myself. I found it a little slow-going in the beginning, but it picks up quickly, and Book Three has an especially interesting plot that will keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. The book would probably make a great animated cartoon. Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/vivacisco
Ti Ana and the Giant: A Modern Day Fairy Tale for Kids from 1–100 Years Old Author and Illustrator: Ilia (aka Leigh Ann Lemire) Publisher: PublishAmerica LLLP (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1440437281 Reading Level: Grades 5–6 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What would you feel like if it rained 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year for years and years and years? The Village of Mush used to be called the Village of Lush when it had lush green fields, rolling hills, abundant food, and gorgeous flowers year round. But then it started to rain. And it rained, and it rained, and it rained. Now the village is nothing but muck and mud, and that is why it is known as the Village of Mush. Ti Ana is a young girl living in the Village of Mush who remembers when things were better and wonders why it is raining all the time. The people usually answer, “It’s just the way it is.” But Ti Ana is not satisfied and determines to find out why. She leaves the village, falls through the muck into a huge lake, is saved by a giant frog, and finally meets a giant named Aspiron. Will they be able to determine what is causing the rain? And if so, will they be able to do anything about it? I reviewed another Modern Day Fairy Tale by Ilia, The Bouncing Boy, back in May. Similar to that story and fairy tales in general, Ti Ana and the Giant has an important moral or lesson. Ti Ana is a girl who will not accept the status quo without knowing why. And as she seeks to find answers to her questions, she perseveres, saying, “Yes I can, Yes I can, I can do it, I know I can.” Also, the reader will be impressed with the need to take care of the land in which we live. Children will undoubtedly enjoy reading this book, and they will also learn something from it. Related websites: www.winsometales.com (book), www.art-of-ilia.com (author), www.createspace.com/3361028 (publisher).
The Wild Washerwomen Author: John Yeoman Illustrator: Quentin Blake Publisher: Andersen Press USA (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5152-8 Reading Level: Grades K–3 (ages 5–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Can you imagine what it would be like to be walking down the road and meet seven wild washerwomen driving a goat cart? In this fairy tale–like story, there are seven washerwomen, Dottie, Lottie, Molly, Dolly, Winnie, Minnie, and Ernestine, who work day in and day out from morning to night sorting, plunging, soaking, soaping, pounding, rinsing, wringing, and drying clothes for Mr. Balthazar Tight. In fact, they must begin at the crack of dawn by ironing yesterday’s clothes before the day’s new load arrives. One morning they decide to leave and jump in the goat cart that Perkins, the delivery boy, uses to contain the dirty clothes. What havoc will they wreak in town? And what will they do when seven dirty woodcutters from the forest stand in their way? Sometimes children need a book that they can read or have read to them just for fun. The rollicking text of The Wild Washerwomen by John Yeoman has an easily understood yet challenging vocabulary for beginning readers, and the madcap story has enough anticipation to hold any youngster’s attention, including those who are hearing it as a read-aloud. In addition, the book is visually attractive with the full-color pictures by award-winning illustrator Quentin Blake. One really feels that mean old Mr. Balthazar Tight gets precisely what he deserves! Kids should like this book. Related websites: www.quentinblake.com (author), www.andersenpress.com (publisher), www.lernerbooks.com (distributor).
The Steel Pan Man of Harlem Author and Illustrator: Colin Bootman Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-9026-2 Reading Level: Grades K–3 (ages 5–9) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you heard about the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who was made famous by Robert Browning’s poem? Author Colin Bootman, who spent his early childhood in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and moved to the United States at age seven (and currently resides in Brooklyn), remembers hearing the classic tale during a school library “read aloud.” In his modern retelling of the story, he sets the action in New York’s Harlem, where many Caribbean folks emigrated in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Rats are everywhere. Everyone is demanding that the mayor do something, but he doesn’t know what to do. Then, one day, a stranger appears at the busy 125 1/2 Street subway station, takes out a shiny, round steel pan drum, and begins playing music. Everyone begins dancing. The steel pan drum is believed to have been invented in the Caribbean during the Carnival seasons of the late 1930s, making it an appropriate instrument to entertain the multinational characters in this story. The stranger then goes to the office of the mayor and offers to rid the city of rats for a million dollars. The mayor first balks at the price but eventually agrees. The Steel Pan Man then gets on a garbage barge and plays his instrument. All of the rats jump onto the barge, and off they go. However, the next day the mayor refuses to pay the fee. What will the Steel Pan Man do? And what will happen? Children will like the intriguing narrative as well as the colorful illustrations. And, of course, there is the important message of doing the right thing and keeping one’s word. I certainly recommend The Steel Pan Man of Harlem. Related website: www.lernerbooks.com (publisher).
The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale Author: Trudy Harris Illustrator: Carrie Hartman Publisher: Millbrook Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-9067-5 Reading Level: Grades K–2 (ages 5–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you remember the nursery rhyme “Hickory Dickory Dock” in which the mouse ran up the clock? Did you ever wonder what happened after the mouse ran down? In this rollicking tale of clocks, a mouse, and a cat, author Trudy Harris, who has a B. A. in Elementary Education and teaches at an elementary school, tells how a cat gets hungry for mouse-tail stew and consequently chases the mouse and hour after hour is joined by more animals and a few people, too, in a mad pursuit around the barnyard, through the kitchen, and into the middle of town. But will the cat ever catch the mouse? Children will laugh at the scenes described in the text and adore the humorous illustrations by Carrie Hartmann. In addition, they will learn what the clock looks like at different hours of the day. Telling time is part of the K–2 curriculum, so this book is perfect for the teacher or parent who is helping a student learn how to tell time, especially with the two-page section at the end about clocks that is entitled “It’s About Time.” The Clock Struck One is a real keeper! Related website: www.lernerbooks.com (publisher).
Thanksgiving Rules Author: Laurie Friedman Illustrator: Teresa Murfin Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-7983-0 Reading Level: Grades K–3 (ages 5–9) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What do you think makes for the perfect Thanksgiving Day experience? Percy Isaac Gifford has ten simple Thanksgiving Rules to make the most out of this delicious holiday. From getting dressed, helping to clean the house, and greeting guests (“short=sweet”) through eating the meal (e.g. “the early bird gets the turkey”) to the end of the day (“life is sweeter when you eat sweets”), Percy has it all figured out. But does he think that Thanksgiving is only turkey and sweet potatoes, or will he discover the true recipe for a great Thanksgiving? Laurie Friedman’s rambunctious, rhyming text, along with Teresa Murfin’s caricature-style illustrations, makes for a fun-filled yet meaningful picture of Thanksgiving that will appeal to children on their level and help them understand that beneath all the hustle and bustle of the day, there is something truly important there. Any book that encourages youngsters to be thankful gets a high-five from me. Related website: www.lernerbooks.com (publisher).
Planet of the Dogs Author : Robert J. McCarty Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty Publisher: Barking Planet Productions (2006) ISBN-13: 978-0-9786928-0-3 Reading Level: Ages 6–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Did you ever wonder how dogs came to be man’s best friend? I’m sure that there is some historical explanation, although it may be shrouded in the mists of prehistoric times. But in your mind’s eye think back to those times and just imagine for a minute that there is a planet far out in space on the other side of the sun that is inhabited by intelligent dogs that live in peace and happiness. As the book opens, the dogs learn that there is trouble on Earth. Bik, the greedy leader of the warlike Stone tribe of Stone City, is planning to invade and conquer the peaceful people of Lake Village and surrounding Green Valley. Therefore, the dogs bring Daisy and Bean, the daughter and the son of a farm family in Green Valley, to the Planet of the Dogs and explain the situation to them. Since no dogs have ever been on Earth before, three dogs, Lucy, Robbie, and Buddy, are sent by their queen, Miss Merrie, to go back to Earth with the children to convince the people of Green Valley that dogs can help them. At first some of the people are afraid of the new animals, but as the dogs assist people in protecting their livestock from bears, providing companionship for the lonely, and even finding lost children, most everyone finally agrees that the dogs are good. But when the Stone tribe comes, can the dogs do anything to help defend Green Valley, and if so, will it work? Author Robert J. McCarty has created a charming fantasy-allegory that can be read and understood on at least two different levels. Children will enjoy the story about dogs that come from another planet to help people on earth. But under the surface are the important messages of friendship, love, loyalty, and overcoming evil with good. Stella Mustanoja McCarty’s black-and-white shaded drawings are delightful companions to the text. Two sequels are now available, Castle in the Mist and Snow Valley Heroes: A Christmas Tale. Barking Planet Productions supports therapy dog reading programs across the country with book donations. Both old and young, especially dog lovers, will find Planet of the Dogs an enchanting tale.
Related websites: www.planetofthedogs.net (book), http://barkingplanet.typepad.com (blog).
Millie’s Marvellous Hat Author and Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura Publisher: Andersen Press USA (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5153-5 Reading Level: Grades Pre-K–3 (ages 4–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Isn’t a child’s imagination a wonderful thing? Millie is walking home from school one day and passes a hat shop. Millie loves hats, and she especially likes the one in the window with colorful feathers. But Millie can’t afford to buy it and asks if there is anything cheaper. The shopkeeper asks what price she is thinking of, and she shows him her empty purse. However, he has an idea and brings out a box with a most marvellous hat. It can be any size, shape, or color that Millie wishes—if Millie only dares to imagine it. Will she dare? And what will the results be? This children’s picture book combines an interesting text with colorful illustrations, both by Satoshi Kitamura, that will not only hold youngsters’ attention as they eagerly wait to find out what happens next as Millie walks down the street with her new hat but also encourage them to use their own imaginations. Kitamura was born in Tokyo, Japan, but moved to London, England, in 1980 and has won at least two awards for his illustrations. He has created over twenty children’s books and is considered one of the most distinguished illustrators in Britain. Millie’s Marvellous Hat should prove a great stimulus to creativity. And we can use more salesmen like that! Related websites: www.andersenpress.com (publisher), www.lernerbooks.com (distributor).
Little Miss Dilly Dot Author: Malinda Mitchell Illustrator: Neal Wooten Publisher: Tex Ware (second edition 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-935500-01-8 Reading Level: Ages 8–11 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker If you were a little kitten who lived with your family in an alley, but then one day your family was gone, and you were trying to find them, how would you treat the people you needed to ask about them? Dilly Dot, who has one silver spot on the tip of her tail, is a longhaired white alley kitten, the smallest of her litter. When she is two months old, she wanders away from her family to play with her friend Pan Pan Mouse, and while she is gone, a lady adopts her mother, brother, and sisters. Imagine Dilly Dot’s surprise when she gets home, and no one is there! She must find her family, so she begins asking her other friends, such as Bug Eyes Jim and Tasteless the Rat, if they have seen them, but she is very rude to her friends. Will Dilly Dot ever find her mother and siblings? After this tale, there are four subsequent stories in this book. In one, Dilly Dot wanders off again, gets lost in the woods, and must depend on a rabbit and an owl to rescue her. In the next, she wanders off still another time to visit her friends back in the alley, and they all go to the fair, where they encounter a number of problems. In the last two tales, she meets Fred Blue Jay, who is entering a contest, and then visits Hummingbird Hill, where she finds a hummingbird named Small Feather, who is as mean as she herself has been. The first edition of Little Miss Dilly Dot was reviewed at Stories for Children by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, currently the Fiction/Poetry Editor of SFC, who said, “Author Malinda Mitchell certainly has a gift of a strong ‘voice’ for all her characters—you will definitely enjoy getting to know them all.” This is quite true. However, Virginia Grenier also noted, “Although this book was enjoyable, I was taken aback by the nastiness of the kitten every time she met somebody new. I could not guess author Malinda Mitchell’s intent until the very end of the book as to why she wrote a book about a cute kitten with such a nasty temper. You’ll just have to read the book yourself to figure out the purpose of this.” In this second edition, a set of questions has been added to the front of the book that will explain Dilly Dot’s behavior and help children understand how she grows to maturity in each story. It is certainly true that Dilly Dot learns some important lessons, and thus with the questions and guidance from a parent or teacher, Little Miss Dilly Dot can be an adorable way for children to learn the importance of being polite to people, obedient to parents, and generally considerate of others. Related website: http://www.tex-ware.com/authors/mitchell.htm
Lilly and Lucy’s Shadow Author: Christopher Aslan Illustrator: Stephanie Hill Publisher: Benjamin Brown Books Ltd (2007) ISBN-13: 978-0-9782553-0-5 ISBN-10: 0-9782553-0-5 Reading Level: Ages 4–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever heard the phrase “afraid of his own shadow” used to describe someone who is easily frightened? In this children’s picture book that encourages young people to overcome their fears, Lilly and Lucy are playing in the park on a balance beam and having a really good time. A friend of theirs named Stan comes along, and they ask him to join in their fun, but he says no because he is afraid that he will fall down. When they ask him who told him that, he said that it was his shadow. Indeed, his shadow is following him, and it looks rather scary, so he begins to walk away. As he leaves, he warns the girls to beware of their shadows too. So, what will they do? Will they quit playing for fear of their shadows? Christopher Aslan’s poetic text makes this a book that beginning readers can easily negotiate and that toddlers to whom it is being read aloud will find appealing. And all youngsters will enjoy Stephanie Hill’s striking illustrations. However, there is more here than just a fun story. Underlying the tale are some important lessons, such as self-acceptance, inner courage, and independence of spirit. Children will be encouraged to consider whether Lilly and Lucy should allow themselves to be made afraid by Stan’s fears and quit having a good time or whether they should keep on doing what they know is all right and just be themselves. Lilly and Lucy’s Shadow won the prestigious iParenting Media Award for Excellence in the children’s picture book category. Parents and teachers will find that it has a very valuable message for young people. Related website: www.benjaminbrownbooks.com (publisher).
Helper Author: Malinda Mitchell Illustrator: Neal Wooten Publisher: Tex Ware (second edition 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-935500-00-1 Reading Level: Ages 11 and up Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What would you do if you were living in an abusive foster home, and no one seemed to care or do anything about it? Almost-sixteen–year-old Pamela Reager is in just such a situation. Her parents were killed by a drunk driver when she was seven, and since then she has been staying with Ann and Jim Walls. Ann is mean, often hitting Pamela and the four younger children in her care. Jim is kind to her but never does anything about his wife. Pamela longs to run away but stays to help the other children. She does complain to her teacher, Mrs. Crowley, who contacts Child Protection Services. The sympathetic CPS worker, Cynthia Yates, cannot find any proof of abuse but still manages to find ways to remove the younger children. Once the four others are gone, and Pamela turns sixteen, she is able to carry out her plan to run away. Having hidden all kinds of provisions in the barn, she takes the palomino horse that she has named Helper and goes off on the far side of a steep mountain, where she finds an old cabin. Her plan is to stay in isolation until she turns eighteen, but she discovers that the horse has many extraordinary gifts. Helper leads several other people into her life, such as Trenton Gill, who is just graduating from high school, and Craig Bonswell, a six-year-old boy whose parents are killed in a car wreck. How will these people affect Pamela’s life, and what will she do when she turns eighteen? The first edition of Helper was reviewed at Stories for Children by Gayle Jacobson-Huset, currently the Fiction/Poetry Editor of SFC, who said, “It’s a great read for teens and will hold their attention.” I certainly agree. The book has just the right combination of action and description so that the reader will not only want to keep turning the pages but also will be able to savor what’s on the pages. There were several typos in the original book, so author Malinda Mitchell published a second edition that is much better than the first and was professionally edited. This book would be especially good to help young people who have been in abusive situations know that there are help and hope as they see how Pamela overcomes her bitterness and anger to become a well-adjusted adult. Malinda says, “Even though she makes some questionable choices based on her experience as an abused child, she learns valuable lessons.” My only objection is that the print seems exceptionally small, but I really enjoyed the engaging story as well as the lifelike illustrations by Neal Wooten. Related website: http://www.tex-ware.com/authors/mitchell.htm
Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Tony Ross Publisher: Andersen Press USA (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5151-1 Reading Level: Grades Pre-K–3 (ages 4–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What should a dog and a cat do when they’ve grown too large to sit on their sofa together? One day when Slobby Dog comes home, he sits next to Flabby Cat on the sofa, but they just can’t get comfortable. Slobby Dog thinks that the sofa has shrunk, and Flabby Cat says that the cushions have grown, but in either case it is very uncomfortable. So what should they do? They do what they have always done. They eat and eat and eat, and then they sleep and sleep and sleep. But the sofa keeps getting smaller and smaller. Or the cushions keep growing bigger and bigger. Yet for days and days, they just eat and sleep. One day, they do something different. They watch a television show about a cunning tiger and a wild wolf. Then they eat and eat and eat, and they sleep and sleep and sleep some more. Finally, it seems as if the whole house has shrunk! So they decide to leave and live with their distant relatives, the cunning tiger and the wild wolf. But something happens to them while they are walking and running and climbing in search of the tiger and the wolf. What is it that happens? And will they ever find a place to live? Health experts tell us that obesity in children is a growing problem of modern society. A lot of kids are eating way too much of the wrong kinds of food and are not getting enough exercise because they’re staying in to watch television or play computer games. In Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog, the simple text by Jeanne Willis and the humorous illustrations by Tony Ross combine to present to youngsters the importance of watching what they eat and getting more exercise in a way that they can understand and even visualize. Parents and teachers should find this book a useful resource to help preschoolers and early readers to be more health-conscious without sounding too “preachy.” Related websites: www.andersenpress.com (publisher), www.lernerbooks.com (distributor).
Fairy Houses and Beyond! AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS: Barry and Tracy Kane PUBLISHER: Light-Beams Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-970810-46-5 READING LEVEL: Ages 4–12, but suitable for all ages RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever seen a fairy’s house? Author Tracy Kane has written and illustrated The Fairy Houses Series® of children’s books, which consists of Fairy Houses, Fairy Boat, and Fairy Flight. These have sparked an interest in building fairy houses, which has fostered various workshops and community events, which in turn have helped to bring families closer together as they explore the wonders of nature. One of the “rules” for building fairy houses is that they must be made of all-natural materials. Tracy’s husband, Barry Kane, photographed many of these fairy houses and published Fairy Houses . . . Everywhere! It shows how fairy houses are evolving into fairy villages, castles, art colonies, garden communities, other neighborhoods, and even spas! So the Kanes have produced this second enchanting book of photographs with Fairy Houses and Beyond, which shows different environments, such as woods, beaches, meadows, mountains, the tropics, and even the tundra, in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, along with the stories behind some of them. Most of the books that I review for Stories for Children Magazine are children’s picture books and youth literature, including fiction and nonfiction. I have also done a few volumes of poetry. Fairy Houses and Beyond is much different and would probably be classified primarily as a work of photography. And truly the colorful photographs by Barry Kane are sumptuous feasts for the eyes. What a creative way to capture the attention of children and stimulate their imaginations! Related websites: www.fairyhouses.com (book), www.light-beams.com (publisher).
Elmer’s Special Day Author and Illustrator: David McKee Publisher: Andersen Press USA (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5154-2 Reading Level: Grades Pre-K–3 (ages 4–8) Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker When the elephants have a special day, should the other animals be included or excluded? Elmer is a colorful patchwork elephant, first introduced by author and illustrator David McKee in 1989. Because Elmer is such a special elephant, all the other elephants celebrate Elmer’s Day, when they decorate themselves and go on parade. However, as they prepare for the special day, they are excited and noisy. All the other animals, including the lion, the tiger, the monkeys, and even the rabbits, complain about the racket to Elmer. He asks the elephants to be quiet, and they agree, but it isn’t long before they’re noisier than ever. However, Elmer has an idea. What is his idea? And will it work? Not only is this a fun and visually attractive book for youngsters to read, but it also contains the subtle message for kids that it is better to invite others to play with you than try to keep them shut out. David McKee published his first children’s book in 1964, and since then he has been one of the leading contemporary children’s book creators. Andersen Press is one of the most award-winning children’s book publishers in the United Kingdom and is happy to announce that selected titles from Andersen Press are now distributed by the Minneapolis-based Lerner Publishing Group and are available to an American audience under the Andersen Press USA imprint. I believe that kids will really enjoy Elmer’s Special Day. Related websites: www.andersenpress.com (publisher), www.lernerbooks.com (distributor).
Dr. Barr’s Tales: Stories of Katharine Author: Robert Barr Publisher: PublishAmerica LLLP (2007) ISBN-10: 1-4241-7911-4 Reading Level: Ages 9–12 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How do you think you would react if you saw a bunch of “weenies” who were trying to escape from a troll, and then after helping them, you all met the troll? The seventeen fairy tale–like stories in this book tell about various things that happen to a girl named Katharine, who grows up during the course of the book and is a kindergartner, twelve years old, and a young woman in different stories. In addition to the weenies and the troll, she has to deal with the heart of a giant, a demon in a dark house, a sea monster, an enchanted maiden, an elf who lives in her book bag, witches, the Serpent King, the sun when it cannot set, the Elfin Queen, a little wren, and the green goblin, among other things. She even becomes Mayor of the Town! What would you do if you became the mayor? The author, Dr. Robert Barr, who has taught at Fordham University and the University of Connecticut, has fashioned these tales for young children to read for themselves or to have read to them. However, the same stories can be appreciated by older children, teens, and even adults. Katharine represents the child deep within all of us. Along with his own “inner child,” Dr. Barr’s inspiration has come from his wife, Marilyn, and his daughters, Katharine, who is no longer of this world, and Margaret. Fairy tales, whether classically old or newly modern, attempt to take different aspects of the “real world” and present them in a fictional setting that children can understand. So sit down and let your mind float back to those childhood days of yesteryear. I did, and I enjoyed it. Related website: www.publishamerica.com (publisher).
The Making of a Hitter: A Proven and Practical Step-by-Step Baseball Guide AUTHOR: Jack Perconte PUBLISHER: Second Base Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9793562-1-6 ISBN-10: 0-9793562-1-0 READING LEVEL: for anyone who likes baseball; mainly written for parents and coaches who want to help young ball players RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Are you a kid, the parent of a kid, or the coach of a kid who really enjoys playing baseball and wants to get better? Jack Perconte, who played major league baseball from 1980 to 1986 and founded the Perconte Sports Academy (now the Centerfield Sports Academy) in Naperville, IL, to help players reach their full potential, has written the book for you. Perconte stresses teaching and practicing the fundamentals with 52 drills, some basic and some more advanced, to reinforce these fundamentals. The book begins by encouraging the coach, which includes the parent too, to "Be the Coach You Were Meant to Be." Ten more chapters follow, some of which talk about instant feedback, teaching the strike zone, constant reminders and adjustments, the mental side of hitting, problem solving, and other hitting topics. There is also a chapter on the importance of "Having Fun." The Foreword was written by Mike Scioscia, current manager with the Los Angeles Angels, who said, "This book is the best I've seen to help coaches (and dads like me) understand the swing and teach proper mechanics to help a young hitter reach his potential." A sixteenth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1976, Perconte spent a total of twelve years in professional baseball, seven of those in the majors. After a successful minor league career he played a few games with the Dodgers in 1980 and 1981. Traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1982, he then went to the Seattle Mariners in 1984, and finished his career in 1986 playing 24 games for the Chicago White Sox. During this time, he posted a .311 mark in the minors and a career .270 average in the majors. When he retired from professional baseball, Perconte opened his baseball training academy. The hitting drills, mental training, and coaching tips found in The Making of a Hitter, which features more than 130 helpful photos, were the result of the 60,000 hitting lessons Perconte estimates he gave while operating the academy. One of the things that he emphasizes in the book is, "Remember, practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." I have played very little baseball in my life. When I was growing up, my younger brother played little league and I practiced with him a lot, but I was never on a team myself. I did occasionally join in recess ball games during elementary school, although I was more often the umpire than a player, and there were the obligatory baseball games in junior and senior high gym classes. However, baseball has always been my favorite sport. Having grown up in southern Ohio, I am still a Cincinnati Reds fan. Also my younger son played several seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals Redbird Rookie League when we lived near St. Louis, MO, and I helped coach his team. While there is a good deal of technical language in this book that may not appeal to everyone, if you or some youngster you are trying to help is passionate about baseball and wants to be the best hitter possible, you will find much useful information in this book. Perconte's next book will be Raising an Athlete: How to Instill Confidence, Build Skills and Inspire a Love of Sport. Related websites: www.themakingofahitter.com (book), www.baseballhittinglessons.com (author), www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball (blog)
Weebeasts: Plight Author and Illustrator: Micah Linton Publisher: Beast Stew (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9821734-0-4 ISBN-10: 0-9821734-0-7 Reading Level: Ages 3 and up, especially ages 4–8 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker What do you know about the lives and activities of the little creatures that inhabit the realm of myth and legend? The "weebeasts," which are known by many names in different regions around the world, including gremlins, pixies, goblins, elves, trolls, and gnomes (in addition to a variety of other names depending on local folklore), once had a home, but they were not nice to their neighbors and had to leave. They search high and low for a new home, taking some risks that were silly but along the way learning new things and inventing new machines. As they continue their travels to look for a home, they find that some places are too wet, too dry, too hot, or too cold. Will they ever find a new home? What will happen to them? After years of creating stories and art for top video games companies such as Activision and DreamWorks, self-professed "weebeastologist" Micah Linton has turned his creative talent and imagination to telling the story of the weebeasts. Weebeasts: Plight is the second book in the children's picture book series about weebeasts. In Weebeasts Book One: Origins you can discover the origins of weebeasts. In addition to the reading books, there is a three-volume boxed set of Weebeastology books, in which the "Weebeastology Discovery Team" has compiled a remarkable series of pictures left behind by the weebeasts that show what life is like in their world. There are no words ("alas, these unique creatures left no language to go with the pictures; the interpreter must decide what these scenes represent"), but the Weebeastology books are filled with more weebeast illustrations. Depending upon their tastes, some people may not care for the unique drawings, but most youngsters who like reading about and looking at pictures of small fictional animalsshould find the books interesting and enjoy them. In addition, there are subtle but important lessons embedded in the story, such as the need to be kind to others, the importance of learning from past mistakes, and the joy of good friendships. I found the tale fascinating and am looking forward to learning more about the weebeasts and their experiences. Related websites: www.weebeasts.com (book), www.micahlinton.com (author), http://beaststew.com/home (publisher).
The Wonder of Wings Author and Illustrator: Erica Stux Publisher: Xlibris Corporation (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-4415-1026-6 Reading Level: Ages 6–9 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Do you enjoy sitting in your yard, where you might have a birdfeeder, a birdbath, or a birdhouse, and watching the different kinds of birds that come by? Then you may well be familiar with some of these: chickadees that don't mind the snows of winter; the red-eyed vireo, which is rarely seen; the blue jay that screeches and squawks; the house wren that sings a bubbly chitter-chattering song; the red-winged blackbird that sits on a roadside post; and the beautiful red cardinal. Author and illustrator Erica Stux, a lifelong lover of nature, gives us this book that describes twenty-four common North American birds with poems, which are accompanied by luscious full-colored drawings. Children should be encouraged to appreciate the natural world in which we exist and learn as much about it as they can. This book is a wonderful resource that will help youngsters become more familiar with the different kinds of birds they will likely see and, using the pictures, be able to identify them. And the more personal the various aspects of nature become to children, the more likely they will be to want to preserve it. Many books of poetry for children are primarily humorous, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, the poems in this book are of good quality and easily understood even by preschoolers. The poems describe feeding pigeons, seeing Canada geese flying in a V, and watching a robin pulling a worm out of the ground, among other fascinating sights and activities. Families who like to commune with nature will surely find this an enjoyable book. Related website: www.Xlibris.com (publisher).
The Sneakiest Pirates AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Dalton James PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-2477-1 READING LEVEL: Ages 4–7 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine How would you react if you were a pirate, and you happened to see another pirate who was hiding his treasure? Peg Leg Chuck is a pirate who doesn't have a peg leg—that was just a joke—but he does have a hook for a hand. He steals gold from the king and buries it in the sand on the beach near a big rock, which he marks with an "A" using his hook. Unbeknownst to Chuck, Pirate Pete, who narrates the story, and Scurvy James, Pete’s dad, are spying on him. While Chuck is hiding his gold, they sail to his ship and take everything. Next, while Chuck is heading back to his ship, they row to shore and take his treasure. Then the king's ships come and chase Chuck off. But what will happen when Pirate Pete and Scurvy James get greedy, and each wants to keep all the gold for himself? Most youngsters dream at some time or another about what it would be like to be a pirate. The Sneakiest Pirates is an extremely imaginative and funny book. It is reminiscent of the type of cartoons, often involving pirates, that many of us remember watching when we were growing up. The simple but colorful drawings will capture a child's fancy quite well. To see a young boy and his father having an exciting adventure together is always a pleasant experience. Even though a problem develops between the two, it is eventually resolved. By the way, you might be interested in knowing that author Dalton James was just seven years old when he wrote the book. What an amazing feat! His mom and dad must be very proud of his achievement. The story gets a high- five from me. Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/thesneakiestpirates
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab Author: Fiona Ingram Illustrators: Lori Bentley (interior), Steven Felmore (cover) Publisher: iUniverse (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-595-45716-8 (paperback) ISBN-13: 978-0-595-71977-9 (cloth) ISBN-13: 978-0-595-90017-6 (e-book) Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10–14 Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker How would you feel if you were on a trip to Egypt and strange things started happening? Thirteen-year-old Adam and his fourteen-year-old cousin Justin live in Durban, South Africa, and are invited by their Aunt Isabel, who is an investigative journalist, and their grandmother to join them for a tour of Egypt. However, after a shabby-looking street peddler hastily gives (not sells) Adam three scarabs (amulets featuring hieroglyphics) and runs off, odd events begin to occur. A famous Scottish archaeologist named James Kinnaird, who is searching for the tomb of the ancient Scarab King, which many think is just a myth anyway, disappears and is presumed dead. The sinister-looking Dr. Faisal Khalid, the head of the Egyptian Department of Antiquities and a researcher at the Egyptian Museum who dismisses Kinnaird's claims, takes an unusual interest in the boys. There are reports about an antiquities smuggling ring, and Adam and Justin see some suspicious activities going on in the basement of the Egyptian museum. And it gets worse. Shadowy figures in black robes seem to be following them from place to place. Their tour guide, Laila, acts out of the ordinary, sometimes friendly and other times secretive. An elderly Egyptian named Ebrahim Faza saves Adam from falling at the Sphinx and appears to know more about what is going on than he tells. Adam has a strange encounter with a fortune teller at the bazaar in Esna. Their room aboard the Nile River cruise ship they are traveling on is broken into. Then there are Adam's wild dreams. Finally, the two are kidnapped and taken across the desert while their tour bus is hijacked on a trip to the Valley of the Kings. What will happen? Will they survive? All I can say is, "Wow!" This is one of the most thrilling children's books I have read in a long time. Author Fiona Ingram, who was born and educated in South Africa, has created an exciting story that is filled with adventure and suspenseful mystery to keep the reader turning the pages, which she accents with a lot of interesting factual information about the history and geography of Egypt. I especially like the way in which Adam and Justin are portrayed as bright and eager to learn. It is a pleasure to read about, as one of the characters in the book, Brigadier Brice-Gibbons, calls them, "two well-mannered young men who actually know there was a Second World War." The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the first volume of Fiona's new Chronicles of Stone series and has been named a finalist in the Children's/Juvenile Fiction category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. In my estimation, it certainly deserves the honor! Related websites: http://www.secretofthesacredscarab.com (book), http://www.iuniverse.com (publisher).
The Heroes of Googley Woogley AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Dalton James PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-2782-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 4–7 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever thought that you might want to go into outer space and explore? Pete and his daddy, James (from The Sneakiest Pirates) are back. At the end of the previous book, James and Pete became rock stars and made a lot of money. Now they want to be astronauts, so they use their money to buy a big spaceship. Spaceboy Pete and Spaceman James decide to sail through space helping people. They come to the planet Googley Woogley, where there are two kinds of aliens: the SooDos, good people who feed the hungry and care for the sick, and the SooDonts, evil people who just conquer and steal. The SooDonts have stolen all the SooDos' ships, so the SooDos aren't able to assist anyone. Will Pete and James be able to help the SooDos? And what will they do with all that bubblegum that they have brought with them on their spaceship? The Heroes of Googley Woogley is another humorous book that shows a great imagination. Author Dalton James is described as an extremely precocious, bright, and active seven-year-old who enjoys learning, reading, and writing books. He is also an accomplished first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Parents will like the fact that while there are some references to guns and shields, the focus is not on weapons and warfare but on righting wrongs and doing good. Tomorrow the duo plans to become Scientist Pete and Mad Scientist James and study some ore that they brought home with them from Googley Woogley. I hope that all daddies and their sons can have as much fun as James and Pete. Youngsters who have grown up with Star Trek and Star Wars should really enjoy this book, which gets two thumbs up from me. Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/DaltonJames
The Dance AUTHOR: Richard Paul Evans ILLUSTRATOR: Jonathan Linton PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (1999) ISBN-13: 978-0-68982351-0 ISBN-10: 0-689-82351-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 7–10, but suitable for all ages RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Who can put into words the special relationship that exists between a father and his daughter? Richard Paul Evans, author of The Christmas Box, Grace, and The Christmas Candle, does an excellent job of portraying this type of relationship in The Dance. A little girl likes to dance, so over the years her father watches her as she jumps and spins in the yard, as she dances in a Thanksgiving play, as she participates in her first dance recital, as she does a solo in The Nutcracker, as she dances with her date on the porch after her first prom, and as she dances with her husband on their wedding day. The young couple moves away, and after many years the father becomes old and sick. What does he want his daughter to do? And will she do it? Dancing has never been a part of our family's life, and I am the father of only sons. But even I can appreciate the beauty and poignancy of this story, which depicts the tender bond between a father and his daughter and which is accompanied by Jonathan Linton’s gorgeous illustrations. Initially, another artist had been commissioned for the book, but in the process of creating The Dance, a friend of the author sent Evans a print of a little girl. Evans learned that the picture was a private commission painted years before by Linton from a photograph of a little girl named Lizzy Brooks, who had recently been killed with her mother in a car accident. He contacted the father, Skip Brooks, to obtain permission to use the painting. Though I have seen the television dramatization of The Christmas Box, I had never read any of Evans's books until now, but I can easily understand why he is such a bestselling author, with thirteen New York Times bestsellers. He has the ability to touch the heartstrings in a way that lifts the spirit. Yes, there is sadness in this book, but there is also genuine love pictured that helps us understand what is really important in life, and that includes family. Not only is this a satisfying story, but the proceeds from its sale will go to help abused and neglected children in the form of donations to the Christmas Box House International, a non-profit organization devoted to the building of shelter-assessment facilities for abused children. Related websites: www.richardpaulevans.com (author), www.SimonSaysKids.com (publisher), www.thechristmasboxhouse.org
State of Quarries AUTHOR: Elysabeth Eldering ILLUSTRATOR: Aidana WillowRaven PUBLISHER: 4RV Publishing LLC (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797513-9-4 ISBN-10: 0-9797513-9-X READING LEVEL: Grades 5–6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker Do you think that you know the United States? Then maybe you would be willing to take the "Junior Geography Detective Squad" challenge. Thirteen-year-old Matt Patterson's mother has given him a handheld geography game that has both a screen and a voice. It gives a set of clues, ranging from obscure to more well-known, about one of the fifty states. There are also "bonus clues" about one of the five territories that are part of the United States. I had the privilege of reviewing the first book of the "Junior Geography Detective Squad 50 States Mystery Trivia Series," which is entitled State of Wilderness, for Stories for Children Magazine back in October of last year, and it was fascinating. In State of Quarries, the reader follows Matt and his eleven-year-old sister Mary Beth as they listen to the clues and try to guess the state. The challenge is to determine which state is being described before they do. Like its predecessor, this book is written in a very interesting style, and the drawings by Aidana WillowRaven help the reader see what the "Junior Geography Detective Squad" is experiencing. At just 69 pages of text, it is perfect for young readers, and for older readers, there are additional pages at the end with more information about the state, discussion questions, and a bibliography of resources for further study. Statistics show that the average high school student cannot go to a globe or world map and point out where Russia is located. This series won't help you find Russia on the map, but it will give you a better understanding of American geography. What a fun way to learn more about our country! The next book in the series will be State of Reservations. Related websites: http://junior-geography-detective-squad.weebly.com (series), http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com (blog), www.4rvpublishingllc.com (publisher). Hidden Picture Puzzles AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Liz Ball PUBLISHER: Hidden Pictures Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0967815916 (Holiday Hidden Treasures) ISBN-13: 978-0967815923 (ABC—What Job Do You See?) ISBN-13: 978-0967815985 (Frog Fun) READING LEVEL: Ages 4–102 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Do you like to search for hidden pictures? Then you need to check out the Hidden Picture Puzzles books by Liz Ball, who is a frequent contributor to Stories for Children Magazine. I can remember doing hidden picture puzzles in various children's magazines when I was small. My wife, children, and I lived in Dayton, Ohio, from 1987 to 2002, and I recall seeing Liz's puzzles regularly in the Dayton Daily News. They have also appeared in over 100 other newspapers, magazines, and publications. Liz recently sent me three of her books, Holiday Hidden Treasures: Hidden Picture Puzzles for Special Celebrations (2000), Hidden Treasures: ABC—What Job Do You See? (2001), and Hidden Treasures: Frog Fun (2008), to review for Stories for Children. Of course, these are not "reading" books, but they can still provide a lot of fun. Liz has illustrated sixteen books, including twelve hidden picture puzzle books. The others are Hidden Treasures, Merry Christmas, Summer Fun, Friends, Vacation Fun, Miracles and Parables of Jesus, Bible Stories, Old Testament, and New Testament. Each of her Hidden Treasures books has 56 pages with anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 hidden objects to find. In addition, there are sidebar "Margin Critters," which add humorous and educational comments on each page. For instance, while looking for the hidden items in Frog Fun, you'll learn that frogs have smooth skin while toads have bumpy skin and that frogs do not have sweat glands. Kids may think that puzzles are just enjoyable activities, but teachers and parents can use them to help students improve spatial skills, eye coordination, and concentration. Many doctors recommend them even to older patients to help with memory retention. Since a lot of parents and grandparents also like to do puzzles, they make great family activities to do with children or grandchildren. And they're great for traveling, too. An additional benefit for youngsters who are good with using crayons or colored pencils is that after you've found the hidden objects, the books can be used for coloring books. If you would like more information about the Hidden Picture Puzzles books, you can go to Liz's website. Related website: www.hiddenpicturepuzzles.com
My Name Is Bertha AUTHOR: Fran Lewis ILLUSTRATOR: Jamie Miller PUBLISHER: Xlibris Corporation (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-4257-9563-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-4257-9553-5 (softcover) READING LEVEL: Ages 5 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Can you imagine how you would feel if you were ten or eleven years old, stood taller than anyone else in your class, and weighed 160 pounds? That is the situation with a girl named Bertha, who lives in New York City with her parents and siblings. She is a bright student in school and gets good grades, and she is also a talented musician. But because she is overweight, she is somewhat inept at physical activities. The book contains six stories, which author Fran Lewis says are all based on true events and which relate Bertha's trials with ice skating, playing punchball at camp, falling into a huge pothole, going to a school dance, taking dancing lessons, and bowling, all the while trying to lose weight and make friends. Will she ever be able to accomplish her goals? Most of us know that there are times when kids—and adults, too—can be cruel. All children who have ever been teased, tormented, or mistreated because of something that makes them different will be able to identify with Bertha and her problems. Bertha does seem to whine and complain a lot. Not only is she frustrated when her schoolmates act mean, but she is also sometimes upset with her parents for not letting her be more updated and "cool." However, as the father of two sons, I can testify that children do tend to whine and complain. Parents who are concerned about society's pressure on kids to grow up too fast will want to be aware that in one story Bertha, who is just eleven, prepares for a school dance by getting her hair restyled, wearing lipstick, using some makeup, and finding a date. Fran says that she tried to write the book from the point-of-view of a child expressing her opinion, but as far as the typos go, the print-on-demand company had to redo the book several times but never seemed to get it right. At the same time, aside from these small criticisms, I believe that there is a benefit for children in reading My Name Is Bertha. First, it will aid in understanding the feelings of people who are in Bertha's circumstances so that we can strive to be more tolerant. Each of us needs to remember that there are things that we are good at and things that we are not as good at. It is best to accept people for who they are. Also, seeing how Bertha learns from her mistakes and seeks to share what she has learned with the reader can be instructive. And the drawings by illustrator Jamie Miller, who is the author's niece, help to portray things from a child's point-of-view. There is definite trouble taken here to make us think, but there is also triumph. Related website: www.Xlibris.com (publisher).
Loving Marley AUTHOR: Donald and Sara Hassler ILLUSTRATOR: Carol Newsom PUBLISHER: PugTale Publishing (2007) ISBN-13: 978-0-9766390-7-7 ISBN-10: 0-9766390-7-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 4–8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Was there ever a time in your life when you really, really, really wanted a pet? Kurt and Ann Barker and their children, Ben and Justy, have a home filled with love and decide that it is time to share their love. Since Aunt Martha’s dog, Starlight, has just had puppies, the Barkers go visit her to see about adopting one of them. When they arrive, Aunt Martha tells them that homes have been found for all the puppies except the littlest one, but the Barkers immediately fall in love with the last puppy and name him Marley. Adopting a puppy is a big responsibility, so Kurt, Ann, Ben, and Justy go home to get ready for his coming. Just what all will they need to do? And how will Marley react when he arrives? The cute little pug puppy, drawn so cuddly looking in Carol Newsom's illustrations, is based on a real dog named Marley. Authors Donald and Sara Hassler have provided an adorable story that will not only be fun for children (especially pet lovers) to read but will also help them understand that pet ownership is a lifelong commitment to care for and love an animal. Marley the pug is introduced in this first PugTales Adventures storybook. Future volumes are planned that will guide young pet owners in the day-by-day joys and trials that adopting a family pet brings. Loving Marley is a homey and loving tale that I highly
Gravity Grover and the Wayward Weather One AUTHOR: Brian Benjamin ILLUSTRATOR: Michael Fitzgerald PUBLISHER: Lulu Publishing (2009) ISBN 13: 987-0-557-05717-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 7–12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Can you imagine a world in which a very few dogs are born with the ability to think, learn, talk, and dream like humans? Author Brian Benjamin imagines such a world in this science fiction– fantasy book about a dog named Gravity Grover, who has been trained by a brilliant scientist whom he calls "the Professor." When the Professor dies, Gravity goes to live with the Professor’s nephew, Douglas, and his family, which includes Douglas's thirteen-year-old son, Cameron, who is the only one who knows about Gravity's abilities. Gravity has a sidekick, a robotic cat named Aristotle, which has a fondness for collecting socks. Before he died, the Professor built a rocket that Gravity uses to travel through space. As the story opens, Weather One, an artificial satellite, has been damaged during a mysterious meteor shower and poses a threat to Earth, so Gravity and Aristotle take off in Dog Star One to tow it safely out into space. Dog Star One is also hit by meteorites. Aristotle is damaged and begins leaking a strange yellow fluid. It turns out that Pollux, the Professor's brother who was injured in an accident and has become very bitter, is being used by aliens to spread a bacterial plague that is designed to destroy technology on Earth. Along the way, Gravity and Aristotle meet several species of aliens, such as the Elore, the Greckin, the Leshni, and other groups in "the Consortium." Will Aristotle be all right? And will Gravity be able to save Earth?
Youthful fans of science fiction will truly enjoy Gravity Grover and the Wayward Weather One. It is well-written and includes adventure, mystery, and just enough of a hint of underlying conspiracy to keep the reader thoroughly engrossed. I certainly had trouble putting it down. The only "objection" is that the ending leaves one hanging on and wanting more. The author says that "on Thursdays and alternate Saturdays" he is an avid reader and writer of science fiction and that on other days he is a pediatrician in Noblesville, Indiana. Illustrator Michael Fitzgerald is also a pediatrician, "turned reluctant illustrator," who practices in Noblesville. If you like science fiction– fantasy, you should like this book. Related websites: www.gravitygrover.com (book), www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/gravity-grover-the-wayward-weather-one/4001926 (publisher).
Earth Heroes: Champions of the Wilderness AUTHOR: Bruce and Carol L. Malnor ILLUSTRATOR: Anisa Claire Hovemann PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-116-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 10–14 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Who do you think can be considered a hero or a champion? In Earth Heroes: Champions of the Wilderness, authors Bruce and Carol L. Malnor introduce us to eight "Earth heroes" who have done things to preserve the environment and are thus "champions of the wilderness" because they have protected wild places around the world. Some of the names will be fairly familiar, such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, and Theodore Roosevelt. But you may not recognize others like Richard St. Barbe Baker, Margaret Murie, and Wangari Maathai. We often think of Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill as a Rough Rider or speaking softly but carrying a big stick as President. But did you know that as child he was “sickly and delicate" due to asthma and that he "was home- schooled by tutors"? Everyone undoubtedly recognizes the need for young people today to be concerned about protecting the environment. One great way to accomplish this goal is by looking at the real-life examples of others who did what they could to help the causes of conservation and preservation. The eight biographical sketches in this book are fascinating reading, as they first focus on the childhood events and early experiences that shaped the subjects' lives and influenced them to care about the environment and then describe the lasting contributions that they made. The black-and-white illustrations by Anisa Claire Hovemann that are based on careful research are a perfect complement to the highly readable text. There are also several photographs, and each entry has a page of fast facts and a timeline of important events to give perspective. In addition, the back of the book contains some suggested activities and additional resources for further study. Future Earth Heroes volumes will include Champions of the Oceans and Champions of Wildlife. Children and adults who are already conscious about environmentalism will certainly enjoy this book, as I did, but everyone should read it because all of us need to be more concerned about what happens to the planet on which we live. I highly recommend it. Related website: www.dawnpub.com (publisher).
TORAH TIGERS By: Dr. Miriam Adahan Illustrated by: Menahem Halbersstadt Published by: Feldheim Publishers ISBN: 978-1-59826-308-4 Reading Level: Ages 6–8 Rating: Five Stars Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, SFC Fiction & Poetry Edtior TORAH TIGERS is a charming book written by Dr. Miriam Adahan, who is a counseling psychologist. The purpose of this book is to teach children how to make good choices in everyday life situations. Dr. Adahan’s VICTORY METHOD is a great child-rearing tool. This method shifts a parent’s emphasis from criticism to reinforcement. Dr. Adahan even teaches you to record every accomplishment your child has, no matter how small. This book is written in rhyme and accompanied by fun, kid-friendly illustrations. My favorite part of the illustrations is looking for the little red bird that’s in almost every illustration to see what he’s doing. This is a wonderful book that features great examples for children (and parents) to learn from. I give it a high-five for the great rhyming prose in a learning-lesson format and truly fun illustrations. This book is a keeper!
NARWHAL Unicorn of the Sea By: Janet Halfmann Illustrated by: Steven James Petruccio Published by: Soundprints (Imprint of Trudy Corp) ISBN: 978-1-59249-868-0 (Hardcover) ****Also available in micro book and paperback book ****Plush Narwhal toy available**** Reading Level: Ages 4–8 Rating: Five Stars Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, SFC Fiction & Poetry Edtior This book is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Oceanic Collection and has been fact-checked by Smithsonian curators. The narwhal is a sea animal that I knew nothing about until I read this book. The back of the book has a section with more interesting facts about this wonderful animal, plus a glossary and Points of Interest located throughout the book. How did the author come up with the title? The male narwhal does look like a unicorn, with a nine-foot tooth that grows on its upper left jaw. The females usually don’t have this tooth. The Inuit children of Canada’s High Arctic spot the narwhals returning to land in July when this sea animal’s icy winter home starts to melt. The narwhals come back every year to the Arctic shore to have their babies, eat, and teach their new calves how to survive. They stay together in one big “pod” for safety. Narwhal surfaces when he sees a tourist ship in the bay. He is shy of humans, so he dives back underwater until the ship has passed. Next, killer whales approach, so Narwhal and his pod become motionless and silent in the shallow waters until the whales have left to look for food somewhere else. Thank goodness whales don’t see too well—they think the narwhals are chunks of ice! Summer ends, so Narwhal and his pod head to the open sea before the forming ice traps them. Along the way, they stop to feed on plentiful fish in shallow water. But that night the ice freezes and traps the pod! Will they get out? How will they survive? You will just have to read this very interesting book to see what happens next. I give this a high-five for the interesting, riveting text and the beauty and accuracy of the illustrations. If you love animals and want to share your interest with your children, this is the book for you.
Berth Speaks Out! AUTHOR: Fran Lewis ILLUSTRATOR: Jamie Miller PUBLISHER: Xlibris Corporation (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4363-2805-0 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-4363-2804-3 (softcover) READING LEVEL: Ages 5 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine How would you react if it seemed that everyone—parents, siblings, schoolmates, teachers, and many others—picked on you, made fun of you, and generally treated you with disrespect when you were a child? Bertha, the overweight girl who was constantly being humiliated and embarrassed in Fran Lewis's My Name Is Bertha, returns to tell us more about her problems and how she learns to cope with them now that she has gone from elementary to middle school. The seven stories told by Bertha in this book talk about an accident at camp involving a lot of money, playing dodgeball (or "kill") in gym class, a trip to her uncle's weight loss camp where overweight kids can try to lose weight, another adventure at camp involving frogs and skunks, having a test misgraded at 98% when her mother is expecting a perfect score, being accused of cheating on a paper that she writes for a contest, and finally her grandmother's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. While reading this book, I will admit that sometimes I was a little frustrated with Bertha's behavior, but it is important to consider what Bertha is going through. For example, on one occasion, Bertha becomes very upset, locking herself in her room, stomping on the floor, and throwing things around. Often, she is very blunt. However, Fran says that Bertha doesn't intend to be mean or rude. But as an educator Fran knows that kids do blurt out their true feelings and do not always express themselves in the right way. Again, I understand that this book is supposed to be based upon real events. I think that most of us realize that there are situations in life where people are not fair, and children's words may be the result of frustration and always being a scapegoat. When I first read the book, I noticed that while it is not written as a novel with a plot but as a series of stories, it might have been a little easier to follow by having the incidents arranged in some kind of chronological order. However, Fran told me that the arrangement of the stories was not her doing but the publisher’s. Having said that, I still find myself drawn to Bertha and her troubles because I know, based on my memories of being a child, that both kids and adults can be mean and disrespectful to children with no good reason. Bertha herself is certainly not perfect, but she understands her own weaknesses and faults and tries to learn from them. Concerning her weight problem she says, "But I really can't blame anyone but myself. I have to believe in myself." And after the event that has led to the temper tantrum, she writes, "I probably could have told the teacher how I felt about her in a better way." All of us have undoubtedly made mistakes, so we just have to learn how to overcome them and to do better the next time. Both children and adults can come to understand the kinds of pressures that Bertha is facing and also to appreciate the good advice that she offers on how to solve or avoid problems based on her experiences. Author Fran Lewis is a longtime educator in New York Public Schools and writes as one who knows whereof she speaks. And the description of Bertha's grandmother with dementia is especially poignant and sympathetic. Related website: www.Xlibris.com (publisher).
Bark Up the Right Tree: Lessons from a Rescued Dog Author: Jessie and Ruth Tschudin Illustrator: Victoria Vinton Publisher: Tschudin Inc./BookSurge (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9819276-0-2 ISBN-10: 1-4392-1424-7 Reading Level: Ages 8 and above Rating: 5 stars Reviewed by: Wayne Walker Have you ever had someone tell you that you were “barking up the wrong tree”? Jessie is a mature black Labrador Retriever whose original family can no longer keep her, so they drop her off at an animal shelter. From there, the people at Rawhide Rescue in New Jersey, a group that strives to give abandoned pets a new start, takes an interest in her and begins posting her information on the internet. At the same time, Ruth Tschudin, an author and former teacher, is out for a morning walk and has a vision of a dog pulling a child in a wagon. This is related to her longtime dream of creating a development where adoptive families and rescued animals could love and support one another. To make a long story short, Ruth and Jessie find each other. So how do things work out? Told by Jessie herself (after all, didn't George and Barbara Bush's dog Milly write her own White House memoirs?), Bark Up the Right Tree chronicles the activities of Jessie and Ruth as they come to know one another, start to settle into a regular family life together, learn to overcome Jessie's past problems, meet new friends, get Jessie certified as a Canine Good Citizen and an International Therapy Dog, and find that wagon for Jessie to pull children in. Each chapter ends with a “’Paws' for Lessons Learned.” And there is a photo album at the end. This is a book that all children, especially those who adore animals, will enjoy. An added bonus is that ten percent of all the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to help charities that help animals and children in need of homes, including Kids ‘n’ Kritters, a project of the Open Doors, an Amazing Grace Foundation that Ruth has set up in memory of her mother. I grew up with dogs around, so I found the book fascinating. Related websites: www.BarkuptheRightTree.com (book), www.OpenDoorsAGF.org (author).
Angeline Jellybean AUTHOR: Crystalee Calderwood ILLUSTRATOR: Stephen Macquignon PUBLISHER: 4RV Publishing LLC (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797513-8-7 ISBN-10: 0-9797513-8-1 READING LEVEL: Beginner through 2nd grade RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What do you think might happen to a girl who liked and ate nothing but jellybeans? At Easter, Angeline wants only green jellybeans instead of spinach. For an after school snack, she takes orange jellybeans rather than a tangerine. At Halloween, she hopes for yellow jellybeans, not yellow string beans. For Christmas, she asks Santa for red jellybeans and does not appreciate the eighteen apples that he brings. However, for her birthday she receives a huge bag of jellybeans. But when she eats the whole bag, something strange happens. How will she feel? And will she ever come to enjoy any other foods? What a unique way to help children learn that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing! Crystalee Calderwood's poetic, rhyming text is perfect for beginning readers. They will not only enjoy the fun story but also be able to catch the important message imbedded within it. Illustrator Stephen Macquignon is a frequent contributor to Stories for Children Magazine. Angeline Jellybean combines readable text with attractive illustrations, which youngsters will find both captivating and enlightening. And parents will appreciate it, too. Related websites: http://crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com (author), http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com (blog), www.4rvpublishingllc.com (publisher). Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs AUTHOR: Anthony D. Fredericks ILLUSTRATOR: Jennifer DiRubbio PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2001) ISBN-10: 1-58469-028-3 (hardcover) ISBN-10: 1-58469-027-5 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Ages 4–10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Did your mother ever tell you, when you came into the house all dirty, that you looked as if you had crawled out from under a rock? What does live under a rock anyway? The fact is that underneath a rock in your backyard there is a habitat for all kinds of interesting creatures, such as earthworms, ants, spiders, beetles, crickets, millipedes, and slugs, all of which play a very important part in nature's cycle of life. Be honest—haven’t you ever peeked under a rock to see what was there? Author Anthony D. Fredericks is a former classroom teacher and a nature explorer from way back who has written over twenty children's books, including several in a series on animal communities for Dawn Publications. The rhythmic text, reminiscent of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and "This Is the House that Jack Built," has just enough repetition to make the story fun for children to read. In addition to the text, Jennifer DiRubbio's engaging illustrations from a close-up perspective will send kids outdoors to start looking under rocks and exploring nature. In addition, the back of the book contains two pages of "Field Notes" with further information and a fantastic fact about each of the species mentioned in the story. There is also page of "How to Learn More" with resources for digging deeper into ecology. Under One Rock has won several awards, including the Izaac Walton League Book of the Year. Any child who enjoys studying nature will really like this book. Related websites: www.afredericks.com (author), www.DawnPub.com (publisher) There's a Babirusa in My Bathtub: Fact and Fancy About Curious Creatures AUTHOR: Maxine Rose Schur ILLUSTRATOR: Michael S. Maydak PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2009) ISBN-13: 987-1-58469-117-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 987-1-58469-118-1 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Ages 7–12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Most kids love to read about animals, but have you ever even heard of the babirusa, the tangalung, or the matamata? And you may have heard of the jerboa, the dingo, and the loris, but how much do you know about them? Author Maxine Rose Schur, an award-winning travel essayist and the author of several critically acclaimed children's books, including historical novels, biographies, and picture books, combines humorous poems with a factual narrative about all kinds of little-known animals from around the world. Her expository text, along with Michael S. Maydak's fanciful but realistic pictures, which get the reader "up close and personal" with the animals, will stimulate the curiosity of children and make kids to want to read and learn about science. In addition to the fun story and pictures that children will enjoy, there are two pages of interactive exercises in the back of the book that will help teachers and parents to reinforce children’s comprehension, fluency, phonics, phonemic awareness, graphic organization, and vocabulary. Some youngsters might even be motivated to write their own poems about well-known animals in imitation, while others might be inspired to do further research on other strange animals not described in the book (Schur provides a list of 26, from A to Z). Because it both reinforces the basics of reading and develops a passionate interest in nature, There's a Babirusa in My Bathtub is not to be missed. By the way, if you did find a babirusa in your bathtub, what do you think you should do? Related websites: www.maxineroseschur.com (author), www.dawnpub.com The Pirates from Sun Rise Cove AUTHOR: Michael Willert ILLUSTRATOR: none PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-2262-3 (soft cover) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3291-2 (hardcover) READING LEVEL: Ages 9–12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What would you think if you saw a bunch of kids running around your town all summer dressed up in pirate costumes? When school is out in Sun Rise Cove, ten friends who are playing baseball in a run-down vacant lot happen to see what looks like a real pirate ship sail into the bay. After running down to the dock, they find out that it's on its way to make a pirate movie, and the captain invites them to take a tour. They then decide to play a game where they dress up as pirates, divide into two teams, and go search for "treasure." One team elects to collect recyclables and turn them in for money. The other team agrees to do odd jobs for other people to make money. The children spend all summer playing their game. One day they visit a garage sale and see two treasure chests. The chests are not for sale, but they explain why they want them and the garage sale lady, Linda, gives them to the kids. Linda is a lonely widow whose husband died from cancer. She invites them to return often, bakes cookies for them, and becomes their friend. The boys and girls eventually decide to donate all the money they earn to cancer research in honor of Linda's late husband. A newspaper reporter sees the children at various times, finds out from Linda what they are doing, and writes a newspaper article about them. The mayor reads the article and contacts Linda to make plans to honor them for their activities. How will it all turn out in the end? What an absolutely wonderful story! It is so nice to have a fun book such as The Pirates from Sun Rise Cove that parents can give their children to read, knowing that there is nothing objectionable in it and that it will encourage such virtues as using one's imagination, working hard, cooperating, building friendships, showing kindness to others, and providing community service. Yes, there is a touch of sadness at the end (though I am not going to tell you what happens), but it is handled very sensitively, and the event that causes it is a commonplace part of life with which children must learn to deal. I give author Michael Willert a high-five for a truly encouraging read and an extra high-five for the fact that a portion of the profits from his books goes to the American Cancer Society and the MS Society. Related website: http://Michaelwillertbooks.com (author), www.outskirtspress.com/thepiratesofsunrisecove (publisher and book) Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef AUTHOR: Marianne Berkes ILLUSTRATOR: Jeanette Canyon PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2004) ISBN-10: 1-58469-062-3 (paperback) ISBN-10: 1-58469-063-1 (hardback) READING LEVEL: Ages 3–8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever wondered what it is like under the ocean around a coral reef? Following the same rhyming pattern of the popular nineteenth century song "Over in the Meadow" by Olive A. Wadsworth, author Marianne Berkes describes the lives of mother sea creatures and their babies in the coral reef so that children can understand more about them and have fun while learning about nature. One octopus squirts. Two parrotfish grind. Three clownfish dart. Four stingrays stir. Five puffer fish puff. Six dolphins jump. Seven angelfish graze. Eight needlefish skitter. Nine gruntfish grunt. And ten seahorses flutter. As the author notes, "The animals really do squirt, grind, dart, etc., as they have been portrayed." The striking and realistic illustrations by Jeanette Canyon are all constructed entirely from polymer clay. The back of the book has the entire song with the music, along with several curriculum components, including information on ocean family babies, the coral reef community, the animals mentioned in the book, and even descriptions of how the illustrations were made. There is also an explanation of how children can sing the song with different finger or hand movements. In addition, the book reinforces learning to count from one to ten. This book has won several awards, including Learning Magazine's Teacher's Choice Award. Children will find it fascinating both to read the words and see the pictures. Related websites: www.marianneberkes.com (author), www.DawnPub.com (publisher) Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme AUTHOR: Marianne Berkes ILLUSTRATOR: Jeanette Canyon PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2007) ISBN-13: 987-1-58469-091-7 (hardback) ISBN-13: 987-1-58469-092-4 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Ages 3–8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Did you ever think that you would like to take a trip to a tropical rainforest to see all the exotic animals and strange plants there? Like its predecessor, Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef, this book follows the rhyming pattern of the popular nineteenth century song "Over in the Meadow" by Olive A. Wadsworth to depict various jungle animal parents and their babies, and describe the things they do. One marmoset swings. Two morpho butterflies flit. Three parrots squawk. Four leaf cutter ants scurry. Five honey bears scramble. Six boas squeeze. Seven poison dart frogs hop. Eight ocelots pounce. Nine sloths creep. And ten howler monkeys hoot. Again, as author Marianne Berkes notes, "All the rainforest animals behave as they have been portrayed. That's a fact!" This is another "Sharing Nature With Children Book" from Dawn Publications, which is dedicated to inspiring children with a deeper understanding and appreciation for all life on Earth. The author has spent much of her life with young children as a teacher, children's theater director, and children's librarian and knows that children enjoy brilliantly illustrated books with predictable text. Therefore, the book not only contains factual scientific information but weaves that material into a poetic text that is fun to read and that reinforces counting, too. At the back of the book, there is a section of curriculum components about the rainforest habitat and animal families. Illustrator Jeanette Canyon once more provides striking relief sculptures with polymer clay. Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme has deservedly won several awards, including the iParenting Media Award. It was a joy for me to read and review. Related websites: www.marianneberkes.com (author), www.DawnPub.com (publisher) Nothing Stops Noah AUTHOR: Shari Lyle-Soffe ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Scott Collier PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-19-1 (Print) ISBN-10: 978-1-935137-20-7 (eBook) READING LEVEL: Ages 4–8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Can you imagine what might happen if a young boy is left alone in his grandfather's pet shop? Noah needs money to buy his mother a present and decides to ask his grandfather, who owns a pet store, if he can have a job. Grandpa asks him if he can count, and Noah says yes (Noah can count to ten.). Noah's job is to count the rawhide bones in the storeroom. There are a lot more than ten, so Noah counts to ten several times and has seven left over. When he tells Grandpa that he has counted tens and had seven left over, Grandpa misunderstands and rushes out to get some more before they open. Noah's job while Grandpa is gone is to feed the animals. But when he opens the cage to feed the mice, they dart into the kittens' cage. When Noah opens the kittens' cage to get the mice, two kittens spring out and head for the canary cage, which flies open to release the canaries, and another kitten tips over the goldfish tank. Noah opens the puppies' cage to use the water bowl to catch the fish while the kittens chase the mice, and the puppies chase the kittens. Will Noah ever be able to get all the animals back into their cages before Grandpa gets back? And what will they do with all those extra rawhide bones? Children, especially those who love animals, will absolutely adore Shari Lyle-Soffe’s exciting and suspenseful story, which is accompanied by the striking illustrations of Kevin Scott Collier. Any child, or adult for that matter, who has ever been involved in a series of accidental mishaps should be able to identify with Noah's plight. And most of us who have had young ones can sympathize with the fact that “problems never stop Noah.” Also, parents who read the book to their youngsters or whose youngsters read the book may want to ask them if they can think of any connection between Noah's name and the fact that his adventures take place in a pet shop. Nothing Stops Noah is a really great children's picture book that I highly recommend. Related website: www.sharilyle-soffe.com (author), www.sharis-books.blogspot.com (author's blog), www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com (publisher) Mysterious Magical Circus Family Kids: The Chocolate Cake Turkey Lip Crumb Trail Mystery Adventure AUTHOR: R. Hawk Starkey ILLUSTRATOR: Gary Potratz PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3096-3 READING LEVEL: Ages 7–12 (with adults in mind) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Well, if you joined the Mysterious Magical Circus described in this fantasy book for young adolescents and adults, you would surely have an amazing adventure indeed! The author narrates the introductions to each of the eight parts, but the story itself is told by the five children who are part of the circus. They are 3-D, who can create holographic type images that aren't really there; Goodnight Irene, who can breathe fire and can break glass with her scream; Bobby Sock, who can make things disappear and then appear somewhere else; Sweet Lips, who always speaks in rhyme and can train elephants; and Little Big, who likes to pull pranks and ride "Big T-Rex-Tusker Mountain Mammal." 3-D, Irene, and Bobby are brothers and sister, and their parents and grandfather run the circus. Sweet and Big are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Man, the circus dwarves. After the children introduce themselves and the circus, they tell about their trip. "Turkey lip" is their word to describe something odd or unusual. Little Big has saved a piece of chocolate cake for Big T-Rex-Tusker Mountain Mammal, but when he goes to get it, all he finds is crumbs. Then the crumbs arrange themselves into a trail and start moving, with wagons pulled by horses and elephants, in the direction of Jacksonville, Oregon, where the circus needs to go. They pass through an area with a boiling quicksand lake that spouts a geyser, a meadow in which they encounter lions, an enchanted forest with attacking dinosaurs, a desert where they meet Bigfoot, an ocean under which they can travel as if on land, and a mountain pass guarded by a troll who demands two girls as payment. Will they ever make it to their destination in one piece? Author R. Hawk Starkey grew up at the famous "Muscle Beach" in Santa Monica, California, where his parents performed as acrobats in vaudeville, movies, and the circus. The book is designed to encourage young people to use independent thinking and a philosophy of positive thought to solve life's challenges. I liked the good attitudes that are encouraged. For example, "Grandfather often remarks about people that make fun of others, as being disrespectful to their own selves by their show of disrespect towards others. He tells us that any time you are unkind to another person, you are telling the world that you are an uncaring and unkind individual." Readers looking for an exciting journey through a magical world will enjoy this book. By the way, it is interesting that the grandfather in the book is named "Hawk." Apparently a sequel is planned: The Vanilla Lemon Cake Twiddle Britches Crumb Trail Mystery Adventure. Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/MysteriousMagicalCircusFamilyKids My Favorite Night-Night Book AUTHOR: Cheryl Martin PUBLISHER: AuthorHouse (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4343-8409-6 READING LEVEL: Grades K–1 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What is cuter or sweeter than a nice, quiet time when a young child gets ready for bed? A cuddly looking rabbit has had a fun day, but now Mother says that it is time to get ready for the night's sleep. Toys need to be picked up and put away. Teeth need to be brushed. The teddy bear must be found. A book or two must be chosen for reading. Will the child have sweet dreams? There is much to like about this rhyming story by Cheryl Martin that is designed to help small children prepare for bed. Anyone who has had youngsters knows that bedtime can occasionally be a challenge. My Favorite Night-Night Book is a great way to provide a few minutes of calm before a child goes to sleep. The interaction between the little rabbit and his mother is wonderful to see, and any book that encourages parents to read to their children will get high praise from me. Both youngsters and their parents should truly enjoy it. Related website: www.52874.authorworld.com Mee-Ander the Gander AUTHOR: K. K. Corner ILLUSTRATOR: Sharon L. Richert PUBLISHER: Tex Ware (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9800624-9-6 ISBN-10: 0-9800624-9-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 4–7 (Pre-school–Grade 2) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What do you think might happen to a goose that sprains its ankle? Mee-Ander is a gander on the Friendly farm. He loves to waddle and wiggle and poke and crawl. In fact, that's how he got his name. One day, Mrs. Friendly calls Mee-Ander at feeding time but gets no response, so she goes to look for him. About ready to give up and go back to the farmhouse, she hears his honks and finds him pinched under the fence. When she finally gets him out, she notices that he has sprained his ankle. So Mrs. Friendly wraps his ankle in a soft cloth shoe and makes him a swing seat to ride on her clothesline out of a little wheel called a whirligig. Will Mee-Ander recover? And what will the other geese think? Author K. K. Corner, who is a grandfather and enjoys telling children's stories, based his tale on a real event in which his aunt, Marie Friend, had a goose that injured its leg. Marie fixed up the goose’s leg just as Mrs. Friendly helps Mee-Ander with his sprained ankle. The text originally appeared in the July 1968 issue of the Children's Friend magazine, predecessor to the Friend. Now, Corner gives it to readers in a book with humorous, full-page color illustrations by Sharon L. Richert that portray the action well. Though written in prose, the language contains just the right amount of rhyming, alliteration, and repetition that young kids will love to have read to them over and over, and beginning readers will find it enjoyable to tackle on their own. One of five K. K. Corner Read-A-Loud Books, Mee-Ander the Gander is certainly a keeper. Related website: www.tex-ware.com (publisher) Max and Morgan's ABC's AUTHOR: Debra A. Cavanaugh ILLUSTRATOR: Robin W. Meldrum PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-935268-00-0 READING LEVEL: Pre-K—Age 5 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Can you imagine what kinds of adventures a little girl and a dog might have together? Max is a dog who arrives one March to live with Debra and Dennis at the Cavanaugh house in Willoughby, Ohio. Morgan is a young girl who comes the following June for a visit with the Cavanaughs and Max. Author Debra A. Cavanaugh, who is a registered dental hygienist, uses the alphabet to tell this true story about Morgan and Max’s activities and experiences. For example, "E is for eat. Max and Morgan like to eat meatballs." And, "M is for mud pies. Max helps Morgan make mud pies." Oh, what fun a child and a dog can experience with each other! Not only will children enjoy reading Max and Morgan's ABC's, but it is a fun way to help them learn the alphabet. The soft colored drawings by Robin W. Meldrum capture precisely how things might look to a youngster. This is a really neat book that parents and teachers will appreciate. Related websites: www.cavanaughbooks.com (author), www.halopublishing.com (publisher) The Laceyville Monkeys: Say the Right Word AUTHOR: Harriet Ruderman ILLUSTRATOR: Beverly Luria PUBLISHER: Illusion Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-615-26482-0 READING LEVEL: Ages 3–7 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine How do you think you would react if you saw three monkeys who could sing, dance, and tumble? Ms. Hepzibah Mott has three such monkeys: Eva the ballerina, Seva the singer, and Keva the gymnast. They are going to Laceyville for the Big Talent Contest and will be staying at Granny Scott's house. Granny is not sure about them, but when Hepzibah says the right words, "Dance and sing, / Tumble and roll, / Do it with love, / Let the magic unfold," Eva whirls, Seva sings, and Keva tumbles. Granny is stunned, and while Hepzibah is asleep, Granny sneaks the monkeys off to the contest so that she can use them to win herself. But will Granny remember to say the right words? And what will Hepzibah do? The Laceyville Monkeys has the look and feel of those wonderful children's books of the 1950s and early 1960s that fascinated and delighted youngsters. The rollicking poetic text by author Harriet Ruderman and the humorous full-color drawings by illustrator Beverly Luria introduce us not only to the main characters but also to the piano-playing gorilla George; Jake the Snake, who does a Cobra dance; Lizzy the prancing lizard; Bob the frog; and a tortoise named Tillie. Children everywhere and adults, too, should find these characters and their antics both amusing and entertaining. This book is really fun! Related website: www.laceyvillemonkeys.com In the Trees, Honey Bees
AUTHOR: Lori Mortensen
ILLUSTRATOR: Cris Arbo
PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-114-3 (hardback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-115-0 (paperback)
READING LEVEL: Ages 4–10
RATING: 5 stars
REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Have you ever heard of someone being described as being "busy as a bee"? Well, exactly what do bees do to stay so busy? Entomologists tell us that there are three kinds of honeybees in a hive: workers, drones, and the queen. All the workers are female, all the drones are male, and the queen lays all the eggs. Worker bees begin as eggs and then become larvae that are fed by nurse bees. During their lives, the 15,000 to 30,000 worker bees in a hive have several different jobs. First, they collect nectar from older workers returning from the field. Then they begin producing wax to build honeycomb cells. Their next task is to guard the colony. Finally, they begin the work of flying to collect nectar and pollen. In the Trees, Honey Bees is another "Sharing Nature with Children Book" from Dawn Publications. Author Lori Mortensen does a wonderful job of explaining all these facts about honeybees on a level that young children can easily understand by using a poetic style that kids will enjoy reading and featuring fun facts in sidebars throughout the book. Additionally, there are a couple of pages at the back entitled "The Buzz about Honeybees," which provides more information for curious young minds. Did you know that there are over 25,000 species of bees but that only nine species can make honey? The lifelike illustrations by Chris Arbo give the reader a close-up view of what goes on in a beehive. In the 1920s, the phrase "the bee's knees" was commonly used to mean "excellent or the highest quality." This book is certainly "the bee's knees"!
Related websites: www.lorimortensen.com (author) www.DawnPub.com (publisher) If You Give a T-Rex a Bone AUTHOR: Tim Myers ILLUSTRATOR: Anisa Claire Hovemann PUBLISHER: Dawn Publications (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-097-9 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-58469-098-6 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Ages 4–10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What do you think a Tyrannosaurus rex would do if you if you offered it a bone? Author Tim Myers explains that the T-rex would be mad because it wouldn't be proper nourishment, so you'd have to run into the underbrush and hide. But there, you might meet a Dimetrodon, so you'd have to jump into a nearby bay. But there, you might see a Kronosaurus, so you'd have to swim into a river. But there, you might be spotted by a Dakosaurus, so you'd have to climb a ridge. But there, a Quetzalcoatlus might dive at you, so you'd have to fling yourself into the ocean. But there, you might run into a Shonisaurus, so you'd have to swim to the beach. But there, you might happen upon a Dilophosaurus, so you'd have to return to the bushes. But there—well, you get the idea. And where is that pesky T-rex? Children seem to be fascinated by reading and learning about dinosaurs. With a "tip o' the hat" to Laura Numeroff, If You Give a T-Rex a Bone, which was a finalist for the ForeWord Best Children's Picture Book, is a really neat story that youngsters will enjoy reading and that will teach them information about various kinds of dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles, which Anise Claire Hovemann's full-color illustrations will help them to visualize. In the back of the book, there are two pages entitled "Tim Talks Dinos," which provides additional material about each of the creatures in the story. There is also another page of "Dino Fun" that features interactive exercises and a list of "Some Great Dino Books and Websites" for further research. Any child who loves dinosaurs will love this book. Related website: www.DawnPub.com (publisher) 
Dream Share AUTHOR: Rita Milios PUBLISHER: Rose Heart Publishing/Cypress Imprint (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9822337-2-8 ISBN-10: 0-9822337-2-6 READING LEVEL: Grades 3–6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Are near-death and out-of-body experiences real, or are they simply phenomena of the subconscious mind? This is a very controversial topic, but after reading Dream Share you can decide for yourself what to think. Twelve-year-old Sam tags along with older brother, Nathan, and Nathan's friends, who are going to play baseball. Nathan, who is hit in the head when Roger throws an extremely hard pitch, is taken to the hospital in a coma. While sitting in the hospital room with his brother, Sam falls asleep and enters Nathan's comatose state, where the two begin exploring the mystical realm between life and death as they share an out-of-body experience together. However, fun turns to fear as each boy faces his own monster when the brothers enter an area where imaginations become real, and their worst nightmares come to life. Will they be able to overcome their demons and make it back home? Author Rita Milios, who is a licensed psychotherapist and a frequent speaker on the topic of dreams, presents a well-told narrative that has an exciting plot and is easy to read. Those who are genuinely curious about the paranormal will find it very thought-provoking. Those who are more skeptical can still appreciate it as an interesting work of fiction from the magic-realism genre. For those who want more information on the subject, there is a supplementary nonfiction section in the back of the book. It includes an interview with the author in which she explains "the story behind the story" with some of her own experiences and research. She encourages the reader to keep an open mind about other possible realities, saying, "We must not believe without questioning. On the other hand, we must not disbelieve simply because we have not yet experienced one" (an OOBE). The interview is followed by additional material entitled "About Dreams and Dreaming," and some "Dream Journal Pages." Whether one accepts the existence of these other "realms" or not, the book is a fascinating read.
Related websites: www.DreamShareBook.com (book) www.ritamilios.com (author) www.roseheartbooks.com (publisher) Dirkle Smat and the Viking Shield AUTHOR: Lynn D. Garthwaite ILLUSTRATOR: Craig Howarth PUBLISHER: Castle Keep Press (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-59663-650-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 5–10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever gone searching for ancient artifacts? Yoips! Here's another adventure for Dirkle Smat and his Explorers Club buddies. At Lone Oak Bay on nearby Squabble Lake, a lone oak tree has fallen down during a storm. The ball of dirt surrounding the upended roots is taller than Dirkle. Along with his younger brother, Quid, Fiddy Bublob, Toonie Oobles, and Bean Lumley, Dirkle finds an old metal box while searching through those roots. It contains a letter from 1864 by Desmond Frank Wobnurt, along with a treasure map. However, there is a problem: The site where the treasure is supposed to be buried is now under Squabble Lake! What is the treasure? What new invention will Bean Lumley devise to help them access it? And will they actually find something, or is this all just a hoax? When I was a child, I loved reading good adventure stories. In fact, I still do now! However, not many exciting adventure books have been written especially for younger readers. Author Lynn D. Garthwaite has come up with another winner. This early reader chapter book should capture the youngsters’ attention and help get them hooked on reading. In addition to being a fun book to read, Dirkle Smat and the Viking Shield introduces children to the historical aspects of Norse visits to the North American continent before Columbus "discovered" America. Any book that emphasizes the importance and enjoyment of exploring our history to young people will get high praise from me. This is a truly enjoyable story. Related website: www.dirklesmat.com (book) www.rockpublishing.com (publisher) Dirkle Smat Inside Mount Flatbottom AUTHOR: Lynn D. Garthwaite ILLUSTRATOR: Craig Howarth PUBLISHER: Castle Keep Press (2006) ISBN-13: 978-1-59663-512-8 ISBN-10: 1-59663-512-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 5–10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Do you or your kids enjoy exploring caves? Dirkle Smat, his younger brother, Quid, and their three friends Fiddy Bublob, Bean Lumley, and Toonie Oobles (for those who might think that this book is only for boys, Toonie is a girl) have formed an Explorers Club. One Saturday morning, the five set off to investigate the opening to a tunnel at the base of Mount Flatbottom. After they had all biked to the mountain, Bean, the inventor, hands each of them one of his BL2 (Bean Lumley Second Generation) cave explorer's helmets with lights and extra batteries that are supposed to last for four hours. Away they go into the tunnel. Can you guess what amazing discovery they make? And what will they do with the knowledge they obtain? Most youngsters enjoy reading adventure stories, and Dirkle Smat Inside Mount Flatbottom is a good one. The book is a fun and exciting read, but there is an additional underlying question to make children think. What would you do if you had some special information that a lot of people would like to know and might even make you famous, but that if widely known could adversely affect others? This question should provoke some interesting discussion between parents and children. Author Lynn Garthwaite and her husband have two sons, neither of whom is named Dirkle. But being the father of two boys myself, I suspect that their activities have provided Lynn with many ideas for her books. I give this one two thumbs up. Yoips! Related website: www.dirklesmat.com (book) www.rockpublishing.com (publisher) Dirkle Smat and the Flying Statue AUTHOR: Lynn D. Garthwaite ILLUSTRATOR: Craig Howarth PUBLISHER: Castle Keep Press (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-59663-553-1 READING LEVEL: Ages 5–10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Can you imagine what might happen if horses could fly? Dirkle Smat and his Explorers Club friends, Toonie Oobles, Bean Lumley, and Fiddy Bublob, along with Dirkle's younger brother Quid, are back. They have heard rumors about strange sightings in the sky late at night at a certain time each month and are planning to investigate these claims. Do these mysterious occurrences have anything to do with the statue that sits in the middle of town? And is there any truth to the theory that somehow the full moon can bring a statue to life? Bean has invented a special harness for the explorers, so hang on to your hat and be prepared for a wild ride. Yoips! Author Lynn D. Garthwaite has created another intriguing story that will captivate the minds of youngsters. This second volume in the chapter book series about Dirkle Smat has just the right balance of true-to-life characters and fantasy situations to hold an early reader's attention. Not only is Dirkle Smat and the Flying Statue fun to read, but also it will stimulate children's imaginations and might even send them running to the encyclopedia to learn a little more about Greek mythology. A book like that certainly gets a high-five from me. Related website: www.dirklesmat.com (book) www.rockpublishing.com (publisher) Chipo's Gift AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Deb Troehler PUBLISHER: Booksurge (2008) ISBN-13: 9781419655647 ISBN-10: 1-4196-5564-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 5–7 (intended to be read to children, not by children) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Do you know what a mopane worm is and where it can be found? Chipo is an ordinary mopane worm who lives on the South African plain with her brothers and sisters in their mopani tree. She eats leaves and plays with the elder moths. While she knows that she must grow strong and be ready for her long sleep, she is very curious and not totally satisfied with her life. One day, after a rainstorm, she sees a rainbow as the sun reflects off the water droplets, so she climbs higher and higher to find another rainbow. There she notices a pair of "trees" much different from hers with "leaves" that are very colorful. When she goes to investigate, she is accidentally sent on an amazing journey that leads to a new life. What is going to happen to Chipo? And will she be able to adapt? The name "Chipo" comes from the African nation of Zimbabwe and means "gift." Most of us think of a gift as just a present, but as children have this book read to them, they will learn that a gift can be much more than that. Sometimes a "gift" is an opportunity. Even though Chico's new life is not exactly what she had imagined, she learns to make the best of what occurs. Children will be encouraged to follow their dreams as well. Also, the story contains interesting information about the habitat and life cycle of mopane worms. Author Deb Troehler is a former special education teacher, and her website contains free educational resources, which include a multi-disciplinary thematic unit with extension activities for parents and teachers to use with children. Chipo's Gift is a fascinating book that I believe children will really enjoy, and I highly recommend it. Related website: http://www.debtroehler.com (author) www.booksurge.com (publisher) Arthur's Friend Hazel the Hen AUTHOR: Daisy Cromwell ILLUSTRATOR: Bethany Blankenship PUBLISHER: Mirror Publishing Co. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9821171-4-9 ISBN-10: 0-9821171-4-0 READING LEVEL: Ages 2–6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Is it possible for a goat and a hen to be friends? Arthur, the talking goat who lives on a farm with his owners, Sam and Sally, is back. Sam talks to Arthur every day, but Arthur is lonely and sad because he does not have an animal friend: The chickens have other chickens for friends, the llamas have each other for friends, the cow and the horse are friends, and even the dog and the cat are friends. One day a fox comes out of the woods and starts killing the chickens until there is only one hen named Hazel left. When the fox chases her, she flies into Arthur's pen for safety. What might happen when a goat and a hen live in the same pen? Arthur and Hazel were actual animals who lived at Bethlehem Retreat Farm, a division of the House of Bethlehem Ministry and Missions International located in southwestern Virginia. Author Daisy Cromwell weaves an enchanting tale of friendship that children will find fascinating. Daisy is a matron at Bethlehem Retreat, and yes, she says that Arthur and Hazel did become friends after all the other chickens vanished. The colorful, eye-catching illustrations by Bethany Blankenship are based on original characters that were created by Daisy's grandson, Cameron L. Paxton, who illustrated the first book. Arthur's Friend Hazel the Hen is a very warm and friendly book for young people. Related website: www.pagesofwonder.com Arthur the Talking Goat AUTHOR: Daisy Cromwell ILLUSTRATOR: Cameron L. Paxton PUBLISHER: Mirror Publishing Co. (2007) ISBN-13: 978-0-9800675-1-4 ISBN-10: 0-9800675-1-0 READING LEVEL: Ages 2–6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What would you do if you had a goat that could talk? Arthur is a white Angora goat who lives on a farm owned by Tom. However, Tom is moving to a city far away, and he cannot take Arthur to his new home. Tom thinks about what to do and decides to put an ad in the paper to find Arthur a new owner. A few days later, he receives a call from a man named Sam. Sam and his wife, Sally, come to see Arthur and decide that he will have a good home on their farm. One day when Sam gets an apple to feed his new goat, Arthur begins making some sounds. Do you think that it might just be possible for Arthur to say a word? The author, Daisy Cromwell, is a matron at Bethlehem Retreat, which is part of the House of Bethlehem Ministry and Missions International, located in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. Arthur was an actual goat at the Bethlehem Retreat Farm, where he lived with lots of birds, rabbits, squirrels, llamas, chickens, deer, and other animals. Arthur the Talking Goat is the first in a series of books about the animals at the Bethlehem Retreat Farm. The wonderful, full-page color illustrations were done by Daisy's grandson, Cameron L. Paxton. This is a book that all children, especially those who love animals, will greatly enjoy. Related website: www.pagesofwonder.com A Talent for Quiet AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER: Kim Chatel PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-56-6 ISBN-10: 1935137565 READING LEVEL: Ages 8–12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine In a world in which we are constantly bombarded with noise pollution, is there ever a time for quiet? A shy girl named Reanie has a new stepfather named Bill. Bill is big, and his loud voice frightens Reanie even when he laughs or speaks kindly. He likes to play soccer, football, and baseball. But since Reanie isn't good at sports, whenever he asks her to kick a ball or go to the batting cages, she shakes her head no and goes to her room. But Bill is also a photographer, and early one summer morning he asks Reanie if she wants to go on a photo safari with him. She almost says no again but changes her mind and agrees to go. The two take some muffins, fruit, and juice for a picnic breakfast and drive away in Bill's old blue truck. Bill lets Reanie take one of his older cameras and shows her how to use it, warning her that she must to be quiet in order to take good pictures. As they walk near the river, she snaps photos of a goose, a spider's web, a crawfish, a muskrat, a turtle, and a monarch butterfly. Then they see a grey heron, but every time they try to get closer to it for a good picture, it backs up. Reanie shows that she knows how to be quiet, and she enjoys the time that she is spending with Bill. But will she ever be able to get a picture of the heron? I really enjoyed this heartwarming story by Kim Chatel, whose Rainbow Sheep (which I have previously reviewed for Stories for Children) won the 2009 Eppie Award. Kim not only wrote the text but also took the beautiful photographs in the book. Of course, it is wonderful to see the barriers break down in the growing relationship between Reanie and Bill. In addition, there are five nonfiction pages at the end with information about photography, including a glossary of photographic terms, hints for taking good pictures, and some historical trivia about cameras. A Talent for Quiet gets two thumbs up from me. Related website: www.kimchatel.com www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com (publisher) BOOK: Where Should Turtle Be? AUTHOR: Susan Ring ILLUSTRATOR: Laurie Allen Klein PUBLISHER: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-89-1 (hard cover) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-99-0 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 4–8 (grades P–3) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine If you were a newly hatched turtle, where do you think you would need to go? After he hatches, Little Turtle breaks away from his nest on the beach and heads for the bay. But since the lights that he ends up following are not the moon and stars, but houses and cars, he turns too soon and gets lost. He needs some help. A bear in the woods suggests that he might be a box turtle, but he isn't. A frog at the pond thinks he might be a painted turtle, but he isn't. A beetle at the marsh wonders if he is a diamondback terrapin, but he isn't. Where can he turn for help? And will he ever find out where he belongs? In Sylvan Dell Publishing's Where Should Turtle Be?, Susan Ring’s poetic text and Laurie Allen Klein’s very realistic illustrations together tell an exciting adventure story for young children that is also filled with interesting facts about turtles. At the end of the book, there are three pages of activities under "For Creative Minds," such as "Turtle Fun Facts." Did you know that sea turtles find their way to the ocean by moving toward the brightest, most open horizon, which under natural conditions means heading toward the ocean? There are also exercises in matching turtle adaptations and turtle habitats. In addition, further information about "Related Websites" and "Teaching Activities" can be found at Sylvan Dell Publishing's website, which can help parents and teachers expand the learning possibilities. This is a great book that is both fun to read and instructional at the same time. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com The Sun’s Special Blessing By: Sandy Wasserman Illustrated by: Ann D. Koffsky Publisher: PitsPopany Press, March 2009 ISBN: 978-1-934440-92-6 Ages: 4–8 Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine Founder The Sun’s Special Blessing tells the story of a third grade class learning about the passage of time with the help of their teacher, Mr. Jacobs, and his old time capsule. But the children in Mr. Jacobs’s class learn more than what happened in 1981, when he was in third grade. Mr. Jacobs’s class learns that according to the Hebrew calendar, the sun gives a special blessing only every 28 years, and 2009 just happens to be the special year. With shovels in hand, the children in Mr. Jacobs’s class uncover the wonders from his third-grade year and bury their own time capsule, filling it with the treasures of 2009. As they bury the time capsule, Mr. Jacobs and his class recite the special blessing on the sun. Sandy Wasserman does a wonderful job sharing the Sun’s Blessing, a special occasion celebrated by Jewish people around the world, with children in the Jewish faith and from other religious backgrounds. With vivid colors and whimsical flair, illustrator Ann D. Koffsky makes the experience vibrant and full of wonder for little ones. Even if you’re not of the Jewish faith, this is one book I recommend to everyone. The story not only describes a special event in the Jewish faith, but also shows the importance of remembering our past, recognizing that things change over time, realizing that some things, no matter how small, will always remain significant to people, and celebrating life. BOOK: The Little Frog EDITOR: Crista Stewart ILLUSTRATOR: Sarah Cressler PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing International (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-9-6 READING LEVEL: RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine How do you think a frog that has only three legs would feel? One day in September, Little Frog is born in the town of Mudville, but he is different from all the other Mudville frogs. He is much smaller. His skin is not as beautiful a shade of green as that of the others. And he has only three legs. The other frogs play and jump, but they never invite Little Frog to join in their games. In fact, sometimes they tease him. All he wants is a friend who likes him the way he is. At first, Little Frog never prays because he thinks that God doesn't like him. But one night, he decides to pray, and God answers his prayer. Little Frog wants to know why he has been made different, and God responds, "Someday you will understand. Rely on me, I am your friend." One day, Little Frog ventures away from his home and, becoming tired, falls asleep under a bench. Suddenly, he is awakened by a boy named Chase. He tries to hop away, but Chase picks him up. Then he notices that Chase has only one arm. Is it possible that Chase might be able to help Little Frog and Little Frog help Chase in return? This lovely story by Crista Stewart will be very useful not only to help children who are physically challenged improve their self-image, but also to help other children better understand those who "different." FROG stands for "Fully Rely On God." The Parent Resource Guide that follows the story contains an activity for parents and kids to do together, some amazing facts about frogs, a prayer, and a place for children to write their own prayers. There are also a couple of pages that remind us that we are all different in some way. Children are asked to write what is different about themselves, think about why God may have made them the way they are, and draw a picture about their feelings. The whimsical full-color illustrations by Sarah Cressler will attract youngsters' attention and assist them in visualizing the action. The Little Frog is both a heartwarming tale and a great resource for children with special needs. I highly recommend it. Related websites: www.cristastewartslittlefrog.com (book) www.halopublishing.com (publisher) The 13th Reality: The Hunt for Dark Infinity By: James Dashner Publisher: Shadow Mountain, 2009 ISBN: 978-1-60641-034-9 Ages: 12 and up Reviewed by: VS Grenier, Stories for Children Magazine Founder It’s summertime. Tick and his friends are enjoying spending time at the Higginbottom household, and everything seems a little too peaceful. And then, all of a sudden, word comes that the Realities are in danger—but from whom? After getting a message from Master George about some very disturbing events happening in fractured Realities, Tick, Sofia, and Paul take a walk to discuss the upcoming meeting with all the Realitants in the Grand Canyon, only to be surprised by Tick’s science teacher Mr. Chu. Soon after their encounter with Mr. Chu, everything starts to go wrong, and Tick realizes he and his friends are in trouble . . . big trouble. While Tick and his friends fight for their lives, Master George works with the other Realitants to stop Reginald Chu, who is Mr. Chu’s alternate with a very dark side, and the creator of Dark Infinity (aka the plague taking over the Realities). Can Tick survive Reginald Chu’s tests, defeat Mistress Jane (who is acting the ally), and help Master George stop Dark Infinity? I truly enjoyed this book with all the twists and turns, as well as the surprise insight into Tick’s ability with Chi’karda. Middle grade reader and older will enjoy the action-packed storyline, great character development, and mind-boggling descriptions of alternate realities. The Hunt for Dark Infinity is the second book in The 13th Reality series, and it is by far the best book James Dashner has written so far. If The 13th Reality series continues to build in climax . . . it might just replace my all-time favorite series, Harry Potter. If you have an Artemas Fowl or Harry Potter fan in your home, buy this series. They’ll love it—I know because I do. BOOK: The Bouncing Boy AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Ilia (aka Leigh-Ann Lemire) PUBLISHER: CreateSpace (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1440475603 READING LEVEL: 5th–6th grade RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What would you think if you saw a boy who was so big that he would actually bounce if he fell? Jack is a big bouncing boy. That's what his mother called him when he was born, and that's what he has become. He was a big baby, a big toddler, a big child, and now a big pre-teen. As a result, the other children and even many of the adults in the small town where he lives have teased him unmercifully. Unfortunately, Jack's resentment only leads to behavior that continues to make him more unpopular. When his old, frail parents pass on, his life goes from bad to worse until he is finally chased out of town to live in the nearby woods. One day, a "Sad Situation" arises in the town. The people's heads start growing flowers instead of hair, and the flowers smell very, very bad. The townsfolk begin ridiculing each other rather than trying to work out a solution. Only one old, rickety man realizes that something needs to be done and that they needs Jack's help to cross the land and the desert to get help from the healer in the next village. At first Jack doesn't want to help the very people who have been so mean to him, but "the elder" appeals to Jack’s memory of his parents, and Jack agrees to go with him. Will they make it? Will they find a cure? Will Jack and the townspeople learn any important lessons? The Bouncing Boy is the third in a series of modern-day fairy tales written by Leigh-Ann Lemire, who goes by the penname of Ilia. It is designed to appeal to both adults and children from one to one hundred years old. Any child, or adult for that matter, who has ever been teased or ridiculed should be able to identify with Jack. Some of the lessons the story teaches include the importance of respecting parents and elders, the value of being persistent in achieving one's goals despite seemingly insurmountable odds, and the necessity of forgiving others. Youngsters will have fun reading about some of the "gross" and "yucky" things that Jack does, but they will be learning vital life lessons at the same time. Related websites: www.winsometales.com (book) www.art-of-ilia.com (author) www.createspace.com/3361028 (publisher) BOOK: Stubby's Destiny AUTHOR: Dixie Phillips ILLUSTRATOR: Kim Sponaugle PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-23-3 (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-18-4 (eBook) READING LEVEL: ages 3–7 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Could a boring donkey ever be chosen to do something great? Stubby is an orphaned donkey colt who wants to be like the horses whose steady hoof beats go "Clippety-clop" down the cobblestone street. His friend, Sly the stallion, tells him to change his posture and tries to give him some instructions to help him reach his divine destiny, but Stubby continues to have trouble and wonders if he will ever be used in the royal service of the king. But when he goes to get a drink one morning, he is grabbed by two men who say, "The Lord has need of him." Someone lays a cloak across his back, and a strange man with the kindest eyes gets on him while people shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." Can you guess what important event in history this is? What a wonderful way for children to learn about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, by seeing it from the animal's point-of-view! This kind of approach helps make Bible stories more personal for youngsters. Author Dixie Phillips and illustrator Kim Sponaugle, whose Angel Eyes was reviewed in the December 2008 issue of Stories for Children Magazine (which you can find on our website under "Past Reviews"), combine their talents to tell an irresistible story about a defeated donkey who feels that he was born wrong and is just about to give up when he finds that he is at the right place at the right time. Children will find it delightful. Also, it can bring hope to youngsters who are hurting and feel that their situation is hopeless. I give it five stars. Related websites: www.floydslighthouse.com (author) www.writing4littleones.blogspot.com (author's blog) www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com(publisher) BOOK: Paws, Claws, Hands, and Feet EDITOR: Kimberly Hutmacher ILLUSTRATOR: Sherry Rogers PUBLISHER: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) 32-Page Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-88-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-98-3 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 3–7 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What would you do if you woke up and found all kinds of animals in your bedroom, your yard, and all over the place? Kimberly Hutmacher's rhyming text and Sherry Rogers's colorful illustrations show young readers how a couple of children find a squirrel in their bedroom, a monkey up a tree in their yard, and a spider hanging from their window. They get to see frogs and fish in a pond, penguins in the Antarctic, elephants and lions in Africa, kangaroos in Australia, a gigantic turtle on an island, an eagle with its young in their nest, and a panda in a cave. But did they really see it all, or were they just dozing and dreaming? Sylvan Dell books for children are wonderful because they combine an interesting story that youngsters will enjoy with facts that they can readily absorb. They will be fascinated as they join the animals in running, jumping, leaping, hopping—all of which kids like to do anyway—and then resting. I especially appreciated the closing picture of the boy asleep with the open book on his bed, which subtly encourages children to find adventures in reading. At the end of Paws, Claws, Hands, and Feet, there are four pages of "For Creative Minds" activities. Parents and teachers can find further information about "Related Websites" and "Teaching Activities" at Sylvan Dell Publishing's website to help them expand the learning possibilities. I really like this book! Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com BOOK: One Wolf Howls AUTHOR: Scotti Cohn ILLUSTRATOR: Susan Detwiler PUBLISHER: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-92-1 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-37-1 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 4–8 (grades P–3) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What do you know about wolves? Most people recognize them and understand that they are relatives of the domesticated dog, but there are many aspects in which the wolf remains a mysterious creature. Scotti Cohn's gentle poetic text tells how one wolf howls in the January moonlight, two wolves play in a February snowfall, three wolves bark on a brisk March morning, and so on. Can you guess how many wolves sing a December chorus? The luscious, full-color drawings by Susan Detwiler that accompany the text are a feast for the eyes. One thing that makes Sylvan Dell books like One Wolf Howls so great is that they all meet state standards in math and science. Thus, they are not only fun and enjoyable to read, but educational. The "For Creative Minds" educational section at the end of the book, which may be photocopied or printed from Sylvan Dell's website by the owner of the book for educational, non-commercial uses, includes a Wolf Communications Matching Activity, Fun Facts about wolves and their life cycle, a Wolf Calendar Activity, and information about hunting and endangered wolves. Besides gaining knowledge about wolves, very young children whose parents read them this book learn to count from one to twelve and become familiar with the months of the year. Cross-curricular "Teaching Activities," interactive quizzes, and much more are available online at the Sylvan Dell website. One Wolf Howls will delight all youngsters, especially those who like to learn about nature. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com BOOK: Ocean Hide and Seek AUTHOR: Jennifer Evans Kramer ILLUSTRATOR: Gary R. Phillips PUBLISHER: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-91-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-36-4 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 4–8 (grades P–3) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever looked out to sea and wondered what kinds of things lie beneath it, where there are so many places to hide? There are clownfish that swim among the poisonous tentacles of the sea anemone. Catsharks hunt prey, and whale sharks swim into sight then fade away, all protected by their disruptive coloration. A leafy sea dragon disappears in seaweed. The great white shark is a sneaky foe. The deep-sea bristlemouth seems almost invisible because of its counter illumination. Blue tangs blend in with the colors of the coral reef. Tiny crabs hide in kelp. An octopus mimics a deadly sea snake. Pipefish look just like blades of sea grass. And queen parrotfish can make a clear mucus "cocoon" to cover their scent when they sleep. Whether people live on the coast or far inland, I think that everyone is fascinated with the ocean and the great variety of life that teems within it. Jennifer Evans Kramer's lyrically rhyming text will give children a sense of wonder at what lives beneath the rolling waves, and Gary R. Phillips’s illustrations will provide a feeling of what it is actually like to be down there. The "For Creative Minds" section features four pages of activities about animal hide-and-seek, animal classification, and "Food for Thought." Additional information about "Related Websites" and "Teaching Activities" may be found at Sylvan Dell Publishing's website to help parents and teachers expand the learning possibilities. Furthermore, the author is donating a portion of her royalties to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Ocean Hide and Seek is a wonderful resource for youngsters who are interested in the sea. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com BOOK: Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim: A Passover Story AUTHOR: Deborah Bodin Cohen ILLUSTRATOR: Jago PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8764-4 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8765-1 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 3–8 (grades Pre-K–2) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Nachshon, along with the rest of his family and all the Israelites, is a slave in Egypt. His parents, grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents have been slaves, and he is afraid that he may be a slave for his whole life, too. However, Nachshon remembers the stories of how long ago his ancestors had been free, and he dreams of freedom every night. Nachshon's father and brothers make straw and mud into bricks in the hot sun, but Nachshon slips past the taskmasters to bring them cool drinking water. He also spies on Pharaoh and his royal courtiers to give reports to the Israelite elders. Everyone begins calling him "Brave Nachshon." But Nachshon does have one fear: When the other slaves take a cool dip in the Nile River each evening, he is afraid of water. One day, a stranger named Moses comes and promises the Israelites freedom. That evening, when the slaves jump in the river, Moses sees Nachshon's hesitation and says, "Real freedom means facing your fears and overcoming them." Many people can tell the story from here. Moses calls on Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. At first the king refuses, but after ten terrible plagues, he finally agrees, and the Israelites march to the Sea of Reeds. Looking back, they see the armies of Pharaoh chasing them. When Moses tells them to march forward into the sea, what will Nachshon, who is still afraid to swim, do? According to a note by author Deborah Bodin Cohen, the Torah includes only brief references to Nachshon ben Aminadav who was a leader in the tribe of Judah (Naashon or Nahshon in English bibles; see Numbers 1:7). However, in the Midrash or Rabbinic lore, his story is more fully developed as an example of faith and courage. Jewish parents will certainly find this book useful for their children, especially during the Passover season. But any parent who would like a good book to accompany their children's study of the scriptural story of the Israelites' exodus from Egyptian bondage should like it as well. The attention-grabbing illustrations of Jago and the lesson of working to overcome fear help make Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim stand out as a book that children will truly enjoy. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher) BOOK: Henry the Impatient Heron AUTHOR: Donna Love ILLUSTRATOR: Christina Wald PUBLISHER: Sylvan Dell Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-934359-90-7 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-1-607180-35-7 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 4–8 (grades P–3) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Have you ever been driving by a wetlands area and seen a heron standing in the water on one foot? Why do they do that? Henry is a young Great Blue Heron who has a problem: he just can’t stand still! He tries, but it seems that his legs always twitch and his neck always itches, and he ends up having to scratch himself. When the time comes for Henry to fly away, he tries to catch a fish to eat. He goes after a salamander for a tasty treat, and spies a plump little frog, but he is too impatient and loses them all. Finally, he comes across the Great Blue Heron who is the King of Camouflage. Will he be able to help Henry learn how to stay still and capture some food? It seems that most children really enjoy learning about nature, especially different kinds of animals. Who would believe that the activities of a Great Blue Heron would be so interesting? In Henry the Impatient Heron, Donna Love gives youngsters an eminently readable story, accompanied by Christina Wald's lifelike and eye-catching illustrations that will acquaint children with all kinds of information about herons. Following the actual text, there are four pages of "For Creative Minds" exercises, including "Great Blue Heron Facts," an explanation of "How Did Henry Hunt?", and a heron life cycle matching activity. Parents and teachers can expand the learning possibilities even farther by accessing information about "Related Websites" and "Teaching Activities" at Sylvan Dell Publishing's website. I found this book to be absolutely fascinating. Related website: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com BOOK: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet AUTHOR: Jacqueline Jules ILLUSTRATOR: Natascia Ugliano PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8757-6 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8758-3 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 5–9 (grades K–3) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Benjamin and the Silver Goblet is a genuinely enjoyable retelling of a familiar story from the scriptures. Benjamin is Jacob's youngest son, who resents being treated like a baby and left behind when his older brothers leave for Egypt to buy grain. However, his father has already lost one son, Joseph, and will not risk losing another one. But when the brothers return from Egypt, Simeon is not with them. Reuben explains that the governor of Egypt had accused them of being spies and kept Simeon, demanding that they bring Benjamin when they come back to prove that they are telling the truth. When the time comes, they have no choice but to take Benjamin, and Judah promises their father he will make sure that nothing happens to him. On the way, Benjamin accidentally overhears the brothers’ conversation about how they had sold Joseph into slavery. Since Benjamin had always been told that Joseph was killed by a wild animal, he is shocked and wonders if he can ever trust his brothers again. Then, when they arrive in Egypt, the governor does some strange things that puzzle Benjamin and his brothers, but they are finally able to leave with their grain and with Simeon. However, after they have departed, a messenger comes from the governor and demands that they be searched to see if any of them has a silver goblet that has been stolen from the governor. Benjamin gasps as the goblet is found in his sack. They are taken back to Egypt, where the governor demands that Benjamin remain as a slave while the others go home. What will happen to Benjamin? Will his brothers help him or just leave him there? Anyone who has read the scriptures knows the end of the story. Author Jacqueline Jules says that she has always been fascinated by Joseph's test of the silver goblet as a means of ascertaining whether his brothers would abandon Benjamin in the same callous way in which they had sold him years before or if they had changed. She tries to stay as faithful as possible to the original plot, but she refers to traditional sources for some details and flavor. A book like this is an excellent choice to help youngsters understand one of the great stories of the scriptures. Picturing the situation from Benjamin's point of view and imagining the feelings of this boy in the center of a drama that he does not quite understand help to make things real for children, and Natascia Ugliano's full-color illustrations help them visualize the action. This tale is a wonderful example of remorse for past mistakes and the love of a reunited family. I highly recommend the book. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher) BOOK: Genesis—The Book with Seventy Faces: A Guide for the Family AUTHOR: Esther Takac ILLUSTRATOR: Anna Pignataro PUBLISHER: Pitspopany Press (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-932687-92-7 READING LEVEL: children ages 8–14 and their parents RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine How much do you and your children know about Genesis, the first book of the scriptures? Would you like to learn more about different explanations of the book? Esther Takac, a psychologist and children's author, has provided this wonderful guide to the Book of Genesis for the whole family, which includes beautiful illustrations by Anna Pignataro. Written in multiple layers, it is intended for parents and children to examine together. The first layer of each segment, in large, colored type, is a simple and sequential retelling of the story that is suitable for younger children. The second layer presents several of the "seventy faces" of the story, which are based on commentaries and presented in a user-friendly form for the whole family. The third layer appears as margin boxes that provide historical background, source material, and further commentary for older family members, including teenagers and adults. There are also questions for children and parents to discuss. Primarily written from a Jewish standpoint for Jewish people, Genesis—The Book with Seventy Faces will still appeal to Christians who want their families to delve deeper into the meaning of Genesis, especially since I believe that Christians greatly benefit from understanding the Jewish background of the Torah. If you have spent any time studying Genesis before, you may not agree with all of the author’s observations and suggestions. Takac herself writes, "The material in the second and third layers reflects a multitude of voices: not all voices express my personal view but have been included to reveal the richness of different ways of looking at and understanding the text." In any event, it is good to have different views available for consideration. This book was awarded the National Jewish Book Award for Jewish Family Literature by the Jewish Book Council, and I can well see why. I found it well-written and fascinating to read, and parents and children will find it a rich and imaginative resource for studying the Book of Genesis together. Related website: www.pitspopany.com (publisher) BOOK: Sammy Spider's First Day of School AUTHOR: Sylvia A. Rouss ILLUSTRATOR: Katherine Janus Kahn PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8756-9 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-4506-0 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 3–8 (grades Pre-K–2) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine It is Josh Shapiro's first day of preschool. Sammy Spider, who lives with his family in the Shapiros’ house, wants to go with Josh. Mrs. Spider says that Sammy is silly because spiders don't go to school. However, Sammy sneaks into Josh's backpack. Sammy gets to listen to a story about Noah's ark, hear the children tell about their pets, and watch them as they learn about kindness to animals. He does not go outside with the children to the bird feeder because, well, we know that some birds like to eat spiders! When they return, he crawls near Josh, but some of the children who are afraid of spiders see him and want to step on him. What will happen to Sammy? Will anyone save him? In Sammy Spider's First Day of School, author Sylvia Rouss tells a really cute story, augmented by Katherine Kahn's colorful, stylized illustrations that will appeal to all children, especially those getting ready for their first day of school. This is the eleventh book in the Sammy Spider series, which includes Sammy Spider's First Passover and Sammy Spider's First Shabbat. Sammy Spider's First Trip to Israel was named a Sydney Taylor Honor book by the Association of Jewish Libraries. Parents, both Jewish and otherwise, will appreciate the lesson of kindness to animals taught in this series, including in this book. We need to remember that even spiders have their place in God's order because they eat other vermin that could be dangerous to humans. Sammy Spider’s First Day of School was a pleasure to read and review. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher) BOOK: The "O, MY" in TonsillectOMY & AdenoicectOMY: How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery AUTHOR: Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D., R.P.T.-S. PUBLISHER: Loving Healing Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-932690-74-3 ISBN-10: 1-932690-74-3 READING LEVEL: for parents of children, especially ages 3–7 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Did you know that tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies (T&As) account for the second most common surgical procedure performed on children in the United States and that they account for one-third of all surgeries performed under general anesthesia in the U.S.? Thus, if you are a parent of young children, there is a great possibility that your child may need to have a T&A. Based on her own experience with her son Jordan's T&A, author Laurie Zelinger, a school psychologist and a private practice licensed psychologist, offers this manual to help both parents and children navigate the necessary preparation for these common surgical procedures. This preparation is divided into four phases: Phase 1 is "Introducing the Topic to Your Child," which occurs one to two months before surgery. Phase 2 is "Tackling the Subject," which explains what to tell the child three to four weeks before surgery. Phase 3 is "Getting Closer, Getting Ready," with one to two weeks to go. And phase 4 is "The Day of Surgery—It's Here!" and describes what will follow in the recovery. Neither of our sons have had a T&A, but when our older, eighteen-year-old son, Mark, was five, he had to undergo a year-long series of four surgeries to correct a problem with his left ear. Consequently, my wife and I are well-aware of the need for young children to be properly prepared for such operations. Zelinger notes, "If you do not have the luxury of several weeks of preparation, read through this manual in its entirety and select those recommendations that are practical for your lifestyle and time frame, condensing and accelerating the suggestions to fit your schedule." Also, while the book specifically deals with T&As, the author says that "her time lines may also be used as a guide for children undergoing other hospital procedures." The "O, MY" in TonsillectOMY & AdenoidectOMY, which is Book #3 in the "Growing with Love" series from Loving Healing Press, is a great resource for any parents who have a child facing a surgical procedure to help prepare both the child and themselves for it. Related website: www.LovingHealing.com (publisher) BOOK: Awakening Consciousness: A Girl's Guide! AUTHOR: Robin Marvel PUBLISHER: Loving Healing Press (2009) ISBN-13: 978-1-932690-80-4 READING LEVEL: girls ages 8–12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Since both of our children are boys, I may not be the best-qualified to review this book, but I know many parents who are looking for books to help them in guiding their daughters to seeing the big picture. Awakening Consciousness, which is Book #4 in Loving Healing Press's "Growing With Love" series, is a workbook that girls and young women can use to learn about their own spiritual self-awareness. The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data lists it under the categories, "Children—Psychic ability" and "Parapsychology—Juvenile literature." Author Robin Marvel begins her note to parents by saying, "There is a shift taking place in our world, and Universal Awareness will prevail." This book contains good advice that applies not only to girls, but to everyone. Marvel counsels, "Always be true to who you are even if it isn't what everyone else is doing. You get to make the choices that affect you. So what if you aren't the most popular in school? You are your own person" (p. 9). All children need to know that. There is also practical information about other issues, like developing good hygiene habits, being thankful, and apologizing to others. The book is divided into twelve chapters, and each one has exercises or activities to reinforce the material in it. Families from traditional Christian, Jewish, and Muslim backgrounds may not find reading about some subjects, like energy fields, auras, chakras, karma, yoga, mindful meditation, aromatherapy, grounding, reiki, pendulums, mind reading, tarot cards, crystals, and past lives particularly beneficial, but those who are interested in these subjects might come across something that they can use. Related websites: www.AwakeningGirls.com (book) www.AuraSenseGuide.com (author) www.LovingHealing.com (publisher) BOOK: Auntie's House AUTHOR: Dawn Aldrich ILLUSTRATOR: Michael Aldrich PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing International (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-7-2 READING LEVEL: Pre-K–3 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Do you have a favorite aunt with whom you like to stay? Or if you are older, did you have one when you were young? A little girl's mommy is going to work, so the little girl must stay at Auntie's house for the day. Together she and her aunt go upstairs to play with the toys and find books, blocks, trains, trucks, and pretty tea cups. Next, they go back downstairs and have a tea party, and later they go outside to play on the swings and the slide. When they get tired, they go back inside and play with the blocks and a train. After that, they climb into Auntie's favorite rocking chair, where Auntie reads "The Three Little Bears," followed by "one book and then another." Finally, the little girl begins to wonder where Mommy is, but it is time for her to take a nap. What will she find when she awakens from her nap? Author Dawn Aldrich uses a fun, rhythmic text to relate the adventures of a child at her aunt's house from the child's perspective. These adventures are accompanied by whimsical, full-color illustrations by Michael Aldrich, who is Dawn's nephew. The basic theme of Auntie's House is trust. There is the child's trust that her mother will come back at the end of the day, and there is also the mother's trust in Auntie to take care of the child. In answer to every question from the child, the aunt replies, "Of course, little one. Let's have some fun!" What a wonderful way to help a child learn how to adjust to staying with a relative while a parent is away! Children will find it entertaining, and parents will appreciate its reinforcement of strong family ties. I say it's a keeper! Related website: www.DawnAldrich.com (author) www.halopublishing.com (publisher) BOOK: Alef-Bet Yoga for Kids AUTHOR: Ruth Goldeen PHOTOGRAPHER: Bill Goldeen PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8756-9 (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-4506-0 (paperback) READING LEVEL: ages 3–8 (grades Pre-K–2) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine Would you like your children to become more familiar with the Hebrew alphabet? Or are your children interested in yoga? In Alef-Bet Yoga for Kids, Ruth Goldeen, a pediatric occupational therapist who holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Needs emphasis, gives kids an opportunity to recognize letters of the Hebrew alphabet by using traditional and modified yoga poses that allow kids to become the actual letters. Not only can they see how to make alef, bet, and the following twenty symbols by following Bill Goldeen's eye-catching photographs superimposed on the letters, but they also gain the physical benefits of stretching, strengthening, and balancing their bodies. There is also a glossary that explains the different poses. Some parents object to yoga, but those who do not might find this book to be a good tool for both educational purposes and physical activity. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher) BOOK: My First Yiddish Word Book EDITOR: Joni Kibort Sussman ILLUSTRATOR: Pepi Marzel PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8755-2 (hard cover) READING LEVEL: ages 3-8 (grades PreK-2) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
It is good for children to be introduced to another language even when they are quite small. For some families, especially those who are Jewish, the first choice for a such a secondary language might be Yiddish. This very old language was the "mother tongue" for nearly 1,000 years among Ashkenazic or Eastern European Jews. It sounds similar to German but is written in Hebrew characters. Editor Joni Sussman grew up in a Yiddish-speaking home with parents who spoke seven languages. There are two hundred Yiddish words in the book, with transliterations into English characters and translations into English. These words relate to the human body, the family, one's home, a school, a playground, a zoo, and other aspects of daily life, such as numbers and colors. The fetching illustrations by Pepi Marzel will assist the child in associating each word with a mental picture that will reinforce it in the memory. For those who want to know more about Yiddish, here is a resource that should prove both educational and fun. There is a companion volume, My First Hebrew Word Book. Related website: www.karben.com (publisher)
BOOK: Life in the Pit EDITOR: Kristen Landen PUBLISHER: Blooming Tree Press (200) ISBN-13: 978-1-933831-08-4 ISBN-10: 1.933831-08-1 READING LEVEL: Ages 12 and up (perhaps suitable for mature ages 9-11) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
If you are in school, or if you are older try to remember when you were in school, do you ever think of yourself as just a plain, ordinary person who probably doesn't appeal to anyone, but perhaps one of your good friends is someone whom everybody seems to like? Brittany, a high school senior, doesn't date and watches the school play from behind her cello in the orchestra pit. Her best friend Amanda is popular, seems to have a new boyfriend every week, and is the star of the play. In fact, boys often initiate friendships with Brittany just to get her to introduce them to Amanda. However, Kyle, the male lead in the play, begins to show an interest in Brittany, and it's not just because she's Amanda's friend. About the same time, both Brittany and Amanda get some anonymous notes, threatening to sabotage the play and to harm Amanda and anyone who's close to her. Who could it be? Many girls are jealous of Amanda's beauty, and she has rebuffed a number of boys after going out with them a few times. Or is it possible--and there's evidence to suggest this--that it might be Kyle? Brittany is torn between her growing interest in Kyle and her steadfast friendship with Amanda. There are a lot of things that I like about this book. Many people will enjoy the romance aspect, but the mystery angle especially appeals to me. The story is well written, easy to read, and paced in such a way to keep one's interest but still allow for good character development. The suspense of wanting to find out who's responsible for the threats makes it hard to put the book down. Parents, particularly of children who are on the younger end of the suggested reading level, may want to know that there are numerous references to typical public high school boy-girl relationships that include dating, flirting, dancing, and kissing, and on one occasion Amanda expresses her objection to heavy-duty, groping make-out sessions. This is not to say that the book contains anything that is out of order. In fact, I really appreciate the way that Amanda was determined to maintain her purity and rejected the boys who tried to take advantage of her. I simply mention this so that parents can take into account the maturity level of their children and make their own decision as to whether they feel that these kinds of things are appropriate for them. I should think that most teenagers will find this book fascinating. Related websites: www.kristenlandon.com (author) www.bloomingtreepress.com (publisher) Title: MUDVILLE By: Kurtis Scaletta Jacket Photograph By: JupiterImages Published by: Alfred A. Knopf (Div. of Random House) ISBN: 978-0-375-85579-5 (trade) 978-0-375-95579-2 (lib. bdg.) Reading Level: Ages 10 on up Rating: Five Stars
The last baseball game in Moundville was over 22 years ago, well before 12-year-old Roy was born. The game against archrival Sinister Bend was never completed because of a twenty-two year rain delay! Then one day, the rain just stops. The sun came out and Moundville was "Mudville" no longer. Roy and his newly adopted brother, Sturgis, decide to restore the old baseball field and just have fun practicing. Soon, other boys and even two girls join them, and a new Moundville team is born. Roy loves being the coach and catcher. Sturgis ends up being quite the pitcher. Team member Rita throws a screwball that nobody can touch, so the team has back up for Sturgis. Rumor has it that there's a new Sinister Bend team, too.
The two teams schedule a game and tension held back for 22 years by the adult populace is ready to burst in anticipation of this rematch.
The big day arrives and both teams are out for blood. Moundville has never won against Sinister Bend because of the anger and supposed curse of a young Dakota boy, Ptan Teca, and his father, Ptan Tanka, or so the legend goes. Ptan Teca was a great athlete way back when and could beat the white colonists at their own game – baseball. Was he the one who "punished" Moundville with the 22 years of rain? What would be next? You will just have to read this fantastic book to see who won the game, to immerse yourself in the game of baseball and the weird weather surrounding Moundville.
I LOVED this book! It made me laugh, cry, guffaw, howl, and be drawn totally into the weird world Author Kurtis Scaletta created and have it feel "normal". Most of all, I "felt" every pitch, catch, fly ball, etc., and remembered all the nuances of living and breathing baseball like I did when I was that age, also! Bravo, Kurtis, for a terrific job well done! Wohoooooooo! Barrington Bear Visits the Emperor: The Emperor Penguin That Is AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Keith Szafranski PUBLISHER: Small Bear Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9801662-0-0 READING LEVEL: ages 5 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker (bn) Children (and adults, too) seem to love bears, and Barrington Bear is an adorable one. In Book One of "The Travels with Barrington Bear" series, Barrington, who never goes anywhere without his camera, travels from his home in the woods near Livingston, MT, to the continent of Antarctica so that he might visit with the Emperor penguins who live there. Barrington crosses the ice and finds the Emperor penguin colony. He sees both adults and chicks, hears their calls, and watches their activities, including eating. Did you know that sometimes a parent penguin actually feeds its chick some fish that it brings up from its own stomach? I absolutely loved these books! They are truly deserving of the name "picture books." The photographs of Antarctica and the penguins are just dazzling. Of course, author Keith Szafranski is a professional photographer. It is always great when a book that is fun to read also conveys such interesting information. This book combines geography (Antarctica) with science (penguins) and art (photography). It is good to see a series that will certainly encourage children to take their cameras along with them for pictures of everything they see. In the back, there are a glossary of terms used, facts about Emperor penguins, and a map showing how Barrington travelled from Montana to Antarctica. Kudos for a wonderful book. Related websites: www.TravelsWithBarrington.com (book) www.mostlywildlifephotos.com (author) Goosebumps: Horrorland
#4 The Scream of the Haunted Mask
BY: R.L. Stine
COVER DESIGN BY: Steve Scott
COVER ART BY: Brandon Dorman
PUBLISHED BY: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-91872-5
ISBN-10: 0-439-91872-3
Ages: 9-12
Reviewed by Billy Burgess
Carly Beth can’t forget the horror she went through in “The Haunted Mask” and “The Haunted Mask II.” She hid the Halloween mask in the basement, hoping it would stay dormant.
Carly and her best friend Sabrina volunteer at the Tumbledown Farms, an after-school program. One of the other students tells them the ghost story of the farm. Many years ago, a stable boy mysteriously died in the barn. He now haunts the barn looking for his haunted mask.
Someone wants the haunted mask back and will do anything to get it.
The second story picks up in “Horrorland” from the previous book. Carly Beth and Sabrina have won a free trip to the theme park. While at a magic show, they meet Billy and Matt. During the show Billy’s sister, Sheena, reappears.
While Billy, Sheena and Matt search for the missing Britney and Molly, Carly and Sabrina explore a mask shop. All of the masks look like real faces!
This installment in the series is a little more scarier than the previous ones. I would recommend reading the first two haunted mask books before this one.
BOOK: The Last Fairy Author: Augustine Campana PUBLISHER: iUniverse (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-595-50892-1 (hardback) ISBN-13: 978-0-595-52086-2 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Juvenile (around age 10) to adult RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Do you believe in fairies? Augustine Campana weaves an eminently readable and enjoyable tale which begins when he and his wife Jean set out to visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. However, a detour sign sends them along an uncharted course to Montefort Castle instead. There, they meet "Der Alte" ("The Old One"), who tells them the story behind Montefort Castle. Once the home of King Josef and Queen Maria, it was ravaged by a giant. Josef and Maria's son, Prince Ludin, escapes with his page Berlot and later returns to find the castle devastated and his parents missing. The prince spends years rebuilding the realm and searching for his parents. He is eventually convinced by Berlot to accept the crown of king and find a queen with whom to share the throne. A ball is held to find him a wife, but none of the maidens who attend strikes the prince’s fancy. Claiming she was unable to go to the ball, Malessa, Queen of Hadren, sends her servant, Wogan, to invite Ludin to visit her. On the way to Hadren, Ludin passes by the mysterious forest land of Valn and goes in to search for his parents. There, he meets Celeste, Fairy Queen of the weggs, elves, gnomes, pixies, and other enchanted beings who have taken refuge in Valn and are protected by the great wizard Zandelor. The trip to Hadren is forgotten, and a rejected Malessa vows vengeance on Ludin. She attacks him, but when she tries to harm Celeste, Zandelor removes her powers and sends her into exile. Under a covenant that requires the love of humans for their protection, the enchanted ones move to Montefort and Ludin and Celeste marry and have a daughter named Arabella. Meanwhile, Malessa serves out her exile and vows to destroy all of the fairies by turning the humans against them. In the end, an epic battle shatters many years of tranquility and tests the mettle of a beloved king, his knights, and their unlikely army. Yet the real key is held by Princess Arabella, because she is half-human and half-fairy. What will happen as the fairies are brought to the brink of destruction? And how does "Der Alte" know all this anyway? The Last Fairy will definitely appeal to those who like fantasy. It is written in a way that keeps the action moving and holds one's interest yet allows time for interesting description and good character development. I found it hard to put down and recommend it to all who want to know what happened to the fairies. Related website: www.thelastfairy.com (author) www.iuniverse.com (publisher) BOOK: Lady Flatterley AUTHOR: Linda Wagner ILLUSTRATOR: Pearl L. Ollie PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-3233-2 READING LEVEL: ages 5-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
What does a caterpillar want more than anything else? Lady Flatterley is a caterpillar who lives way up high in a tall oak tree, hiding behind the leaves to keep safe. One day, she sees a butterfly who goes fluttering by. Right then and there she decides that she wants to be a butterfly and fly around freely so that she would not need to hide in the tree or be afraid of the strong wind any longer. What is God's plan for Lady Flatterley? Will she be able to build a cocoon and achieve her dream? Linda Wagner's gentle, rhyming text combines with Pearl Ollie's muted but picturesque illustrations to tell an engaging story that is not only simple and down to earth reading for children to enjoy but also informative as well. Of course, there is the description of how a caterpillar spins a cocoon and eventually becomes a butterfly. However, on a deeper level there is the example of Lady Flatterley's facing her fears of failure and change, problems that often plague children and even adults. What a neat way to encourage children to seek God's will for their lives! I think that it is charming. Related websites: www.lindawagnerbooks.com (author) http://outskirtspress.com/LadyFlatterley (publisher and book) TITLE: JACKSON AND BUD'S BUMPY RIDE: AMERICA'S FIRST CROSS-COUNTRY AUTOMOBILE TRIP AUTHOR: Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff ILLUSTRATOR: Wes Hargis PUBLISHED BY: Millbrook Press (Div of Lerner Publishing) ISBN #: 978-0-8225-9885-7 READING LEVEL: 5-9 RATING: FIVE STARS In 1903, Dr. Horatio Jackson overhears a stranger say nobody can drive a car across the U.S. He bets the stranger $50 that he can drive cross-country, from San Francisco to New York. He buys a used Winton automobile, hires an auto mechanic named Crocker, and they're off! There is only about 150 miles of paved road in the U.S. at this time, so the journey is very hard. A man on the side of the road in Oregon sold Jackson his dog, Bud, a bulldog. Bud soon becomes their mascot, attracting crowds along the way since it is a strange sight indeed to see a bulldog sitting up front in an automobile wearing goggles to keep the dust out of his eyes! There aren't any gas stations, no real roads, and no road signs. Fuel for stoves and farm equipment can be purchased at general stores, so that's what Jackson does.
You will just have to read this fun true story to learn all about the adventures Jackson, Crocker, and Bud have on the very first cross-country trip in the U.S. in an automobile!
I give this book a high five for the awesome strong story that Author Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff was able to write around a true story, and the really fun illustrations done by Wes Hargis. I really liked the end of the book where photos of the real Jackson, Crocker, and Bud were used, along with what happened to all of them after the completion of their epic auto journey. This is a great story to tickle the imagination of your child to think about how life was like before roads in this country. Barrington Bear on Safari AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Keith Szafranski PUBLISHER: Small Bear Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9801662-1-7 READING LEVEL: ages 5 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker (bn) Hurrah for Book Two of "The Travels with Barrington Bear" series! This time, Barrington goes Kenya on the continent of Africa and meets Sokwe, a chimpanzee who will be his guide and teaches him the Swahili words for various animals. They visit Nairobi National Park where they see zebras, rhinos, and a giraffe. The next day, they visit the Masai Mara Reserve. Barrington never misses an opportunity to use his camera and gets pictures of lions, a gray-headed kingfisher, giraffes, wildebeests, and a host of other animals. Also, he learns why acacia trees are so important in Africa. He even gets to see a Masai warrior who is on guard to protect his village from wild animals. I grew up watching Tarzan movies and have always been fascinated with Africa. Author Keith Szafranski is a professional photographer who, like Barrington, has travelled around the world and taken photographs to share with others. The pictures of animals in the book are simply gorgeous, and the information provided about them is extremely interesting. It is amazing how much you can learn in a book that is fun to read. The back of the book has a Swahili dictionary with the names of animals and common phrases, a "Can You Guess Who I Am?" puzzle, and a map showing how Barrington got to Africa and where he went in Kenya. This is another great book, and I cannot wait for the next one, Barrington Bear's Yellowstone Adventure. Related websites: www.TravelsWithBarrington.com (book) www.mostlywildlifephotos.com (author) BOOK: Daddy Did I Ever Say?: I Love You, Love You, Every Day AUTHOR: Daryl K. Cobb ILLUSTRATOR: Traci Van Wagoner PUBLISHER: Ten to Two Children's Books LLC (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-4232-3918-1 ISBN-10: 1-4243-3918-9 READING LEVEL: ages from birth to 8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Parents, how often do your children tell you, "I love you"? And how often do you tell them, "I love you"? In this wonderfully sweet children's picture book by Daryl K. Cobb, the joyful love of family is portrayed not only through the rhyming text but also through the colorful, striking illustrations by Traci Van Wagoner. A little girl and her daddy sit together, play together, and hug each other. She tells her daddy every day that she loves him. Parents, perhaps with a little tear in their eye, will certainly appreciate the story, and children will not only enjoy it but undoubtedly learn from its subtle message the value of family relationships. In addition, Ten to Two Children's Books is dedicated to helping others, and a portion of their profits is donated to charity. Daddy Did I Ever Say? I Love You, Love You, Every Day gets a two-thumbs-up from me. Related websites: www.imaginethatdesignnyc.com (illustrator) www.10to2childrensbooks.com (publisher) The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
BY: James Patterson
COVER DESIGN BY: Keith Hayes
PUBLISHED BY: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-00292-9
ISBN-10: 0-316-00292-5
Ages: 10 & Up
Reviewed by Billy Burgess
After watching the death of his parents, Daniel takes over their work. He becomes an alien bounty hunter. He isn’t like other teenagers. Daniel has the ability to manipulate objects and animals with his mind. He can create himself in any shape that he chooses.
His parents left him “The List”, an alien enhanced computer listing all of the alien fugitives on earth. It’s his mission to stop the fugitives and hopefully one day he’ll find his their assassin.
This book is completely different from the “Maximum Ride” series. James Patterson has created an interesting character that children and adults will both love. I can easily see this being adapted into a movie.
Goosebumps: Horrorland
#5 Dr. Maniac Vs. Robby Schwartz
BY: R.L. Stine
COVER DESIGN BY: Steve Scott
COVER ART BY: Brandon Dorman
PUBLISHED BY: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-91873-2
ISBN-10: 0-439-91873-1
Ages: 9-12
Reviewed by Billy Burgess
Robby Schwartz creates his own comic strip on his laptop. His favorite character is Dr. Maniac, a supervillian. His friends and family start to disappear. Has Dr. Manic escaped from the comic strips and into reality?
The second story picks up the Horrorland storyline. Robby Schwarts is trapped in Wolfsbane Forest. He meets Carly Beth and Sabrina, who are also trapped in the werewolves filled forest. They barely escape.
Robby follows the girls to the Panic Park but someone is there waiting for them. A ventriloquist’s dummy named Slappy!!
This is another fun edition into the Horrorland series. Comic book fans will enjoy reading this.
TITLE: Spooky Mooky AUTHOR: Alan St. Jean ILLUSTRATOR: Libby Carruth Krock PUBLISHED BY: Oren Village ISBN #: 978-0-9777272-3-0 READING LEVEL: K-5 RATING: FIVE STARS REVIEWED BY: Gayle Jacobson-Huset
Ralphie is afraid of the dark. It's time for bed and Mom wants to turn the bedroom light off. It's Ralphie's 8th birthday, and Mom feels that's old enough for the bedroom light to be off. She kisses Ralphie goodnight, and the light goes off. Ralphie tries to talk himself into not being afraid of the dark. Something taps at his window. Ralphie imagines a ten-foot tall monster. Then Ralphie hears something under his bed. He's sure there's a monster with tentacles and a beak under his bed. Then he hears a swooshing noise in his closet and he pulls the sheets up over his head.
Just when his terror soars with new sounds, somebody 's footsteps are heard coming up the stairs, the bedroom door is opened, the light comes on, and . . . you will just have to read this scary-but-great-fun book to see what happens next to Ralphie! I give this book a High Five because I can feel Ralphie's terror and I love how the book ends. Like "Big Fella", this book comes with a delightful CD narrated by the author and has a song written by the author called "Spooky Mooky Dance". Your children will love this book, especially if they have a vivid imagination when things go "bump" in the night! :) Baron Thinks DOGS Are People TOO! AUTHOR: Laurie Dean ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Collier PUBLISHER: Dragon Pencil/Big Tent Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-60131-035-4 READING LEVEL: ages 3-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Have you ever wondered how life would look from a dog's perspective? Baron is a young dog who loves people. He enjoys being with Mom and Dad and playing in the yard with Billy and Emma. The frisky animal likes to jump and run and roll. But one day he darts out into the street, so Dad takes him off in the car to dog obedience school. Baron learns how to behave, but he still longs for a best friend. Then Dad has to go away for awhile on a tour of duty with the Air Force. What will Baron do? Any child with a pet dog will especially adore this story. Yet beyond that, embedded in this charming book are some important lessons. Author Laurie Dean said, "Enduring themes like family and responsibility will instruct, the story will entertain and the illustrations will delight." Baron illustrates the importance of learning to act responsibly. Also, the book shows that a thoughtful gesture can be the beginning of an amazing friendship. And yes, Kevin Collier's illustrations are delightful. In addition, Dean will donate $1.00 for each book sold from their site to Operation Smile ( www.OperationSmile.com ), a medical charity which helps to repair cleft palates and cleft lips among needy children throughout the world. This is a tale that children will want to revisit again and again. Related website: www.BaronThinks.com (book) www.BigTentBooks.com (publisher) The Suburban Dragon AUTHOR: Garasamo Maccagnone ILLUSTRATOR: Al Ochsner PUBLISHER: Booksurge (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-419889443 ISBN-10: 1-4196-6044-6 READING LEVEL: ages 2-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
What can a parent do for children when they are bored? One cold, rainy day in the tiny suburb of Chippewa Valley, Garrett, Aimee, and little Anthony are not allowed to play outside and cannot think of anything to do. So their mother decides to read to them from their favorite book. All of a sudden, from behind the sofa, a dragon jumps out, picks up mom, and runs out of the room. The children need to come up with a plan to save their mother. Will they be able to defeat the dragon and rescue Mom? And, wait a minute--that dragon looks rather familiar. Could it be...? The Suburban Dragon is a fun children's picture book that also exhibits some positive attributes. Mom reads aloud to her children. Garrett, Aimee, and Anthony use their imagination. And, well, Dad plays an important part in there somewhere. Garasamo Maccagnone's exciting text and Al Ochsner's comic book style illustrations combine to tell a tale that youngsters will most surely enjoy--and probably want to hear again and again. And I think that parents will like it too. Related website: www.garasamomaccagnone.com The Blueberry Pie Elf AUTHOR: Jane Thayer ILLUSTRATOR: Seymour Fleishman PUBLISHER: Purple House Press (2008, reprint) ISBN-13: 978-1-930900-38-7 READING LEVEL: ages 3-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Did you know that elves may like one kind of pie and not another? Elmer is a little elf who lives with a human family. Of course, no one knows that he is there because no one can see an elf, and no one can hear an elf, and no one can feel an elf. One day the family makes a blueberry pie, and when Elmer tastes what is left over, he jumps right in and eats until his elfin stomach bulges. He wants another one right away, but he has no way of letting the family know. He does not like apple pie. He does not like pumpkin pie. He does not like cherry pie. But the cherry pie gives him an idea. Will he ever find a way to tell the people that he wants blueberry pie? And will they make him one? This book, originally published in 1961 by Jane Thayer, the pen name of Catherine Woolly, is representative of the high quality stories that were written for young children in the 1940s, 50s, and early 60's. It is a shame that so many of them have been forgotten, and we can be thankful to Purple House Press for making several of them available again for the delight of youngsters today. Not only is The Blueberry Pie Elf a fun read, but it also exemplifies the importance of being helpful, expressing thanks, and in general having good manners. Seymour Fleishman's muted but picturesque illustrations add so much to the action. Kids of all ages, and the adults who read to them, will really enjoy this wonderful book. Related website: www.purplehousepress.com (publisher) BIG FELLA (The Daydreamer Collection) AUTHOR: Alan St. Jean ILLUSTRATOR: Libby Carruth Krock PUBLISHED BY: Oren Village ISBN #: 978-0-9777272-2-3 READING LEVEL: K-5 RATING: FIVE STARS Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset
Written in rhyming text, this book is all about Ralphie, who is deep in the jungle, looking for a lion called Big Fella. He's startled out of his daydream by his teacher. She whispers some good advice in his ear and tells him not to daydream at school – daydream at home. In his bed that night, Ralphie thinks about what his teacher said, and suddenly, he is once again in the jungle. He sees an odd jungle bird making a rat-a-tat noise, talks to three hippos blowing bubbles in the river, and he comes across a school of yellow angelfish humming in the river. He then hears a rumble and spots giraffes running, he scares some birds out of the tall grass, and then he hears some really strange words. If you want to know what those strange words are and what happens next, you will just have to read this darling, imaginative story!
I love the author's rhyming text, the message the teacher gave Ralphie, and how Ralphie got the jungle animals to help him out. The illustrations are very colorful, and kid-friendly. The well-written text combined with the awesome illustrations makes this book a winner. I give this book a high-five for keeping me interested from beginning to end. The book comes with a CD narrated by the author who also wrote the song "Big Fella" included on the CD. Your kids will love this book – it's a keeper! The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters By: James Dashner Published by: Shadow Mountain, 2008 ISBN 13: 978-1-59038-831-0 Ages: 12 and up Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier Will you join Atticus “Tick” Higginbottom and his friends on an amazing adventure through time and space also known as the “Realities”? What if you had to make a choice right here and now which had a significant consequence and could alter reality as you know it? In the first book of the 13th Reality series this is exactly what Tick and his friends find themselves facing. At thirteen years old, Tick has to make a choice and whatever he chooses could change the future or should I say the future of an alternate reality. This isn’t the first book by James Dashner, but it by far one of his best. With 12 postmarked letters coming from all over the world to Tick, each containing a clue as to how he can help save the world and those he loves. But what is he saving his family from? And who is this M.G. sending the letters? Dashner doesn’t miss a beat—from riddles to mathematical problems kids will find themselves being drawn into Atticus “Tick” Higgnbottom's reality. But it’s not all fun and games. Tick doesn’t know it yet, but M.G. has a very serious enemy and she doesn’t want anyone helping or joining M.G. From Gnat Rat’s to a crazy hit man, Tick must discover the magical words and prove he is willing to help. However, Tick can’t do it alone, but who can he turn to? He doesn’t have any friends. Well . . . where else would a thirteen year old turn . . . the internet and his dad. Finding his not alone, and having the trust and support of his dad, Tick is ready to face the unknown, solve M.G’s riddles, and join his new found friends (via the internet) on one crazy quest into the 13th reality. I truly enjoyed reading The Journal of Curious Letters. The conflict and action are nonstop. The characters are well developed. The storyline complex yet entertaining. However, I did find the jumping around of character point of view a little annoying and distracting. I felt it was a weak way to explain details which could have easily been dropped into the storyline through dialog and observation from the main character . . . Tick. But, putting that one flaw aside, I feel children will enjoy reading The 13th Reality series. James Dashner won’t disappoint those who have a curious mind, sense of adventure, and love for science. The Tales of Beedle the Bard By: J.K. Rowling Published by: Children’s High Level Group, 2007 ISBN 13: 978-0-545-12828-5 ISBN 10: 0-545-12828-5 Ages: 12 and up Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of Wizarding Fairytales. This of course is all fictional, but the idea is that Hermione Granger has translated the classic fairytales from ancient runes. There are notes from J.K. Rowling who shares her insight as the author who is retelling the story for the muggle world and, of course, Albus Dumbledore’s notes on each story and his take on what the story was trying to teach young witches and wizards. There are a total of five short stories. All interesting and with different twists at the end. I did find the footnotes, which are to be believed written by Albus Dumbledore, very interesting and insightful to this well known character from the Harry Potter books. Being the big Harry Potter fan that I am, you would think I would have ran out the day this was released to buy it, but I didn’t. I’m not sure why I wasn’t prompted to buy this book the first day, but I can tell you I’m glad I didn’t. I was very surprised by the writing style of this book. No, I didn’t expect it to be like the Harry Potter books, but I did expect to find the same author voice. But I didn’t. I found this book to be very different from what I’ve seen of J.K. Rowling’s writing style and I frankly think she didn’t do a very good job. I found the stories with in The Tales of Beedle the Bard very much like the classic fairytales written by The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. Both collections I just happen to own and have read numerous times. If you have read the original versions of our famous fairytales one would know they do not always end with happy endings. Or are written in a child friendly way, much like the stories from The Tales of Beedle the Bard. What bothered me was the fact four of the five stories were based on these old classic fairytales. Yes, the characters where changed and the fact they had magical powers is a big difference, but the plot lines were the same. The one story that I did truly enjoy and I felt was original was the very last one entitled, The Tale of the Three Brothers. This short story gives you insight to the last Harry Potter book and the series as a whole. You see the story is about the brothers who cheated death. Whom we only briefly learn about in the seven and final book of the Harry Potter series. I loved reading this story and learning more about these brothers and why the Ring, Wand, and Cape did what they did. Why they were so important for Harry to have when he battled He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the riddle Dumbledore left Hermione, Ron, and of course Harry to solve after his death. I do not discourage those who are fans of Harry Potter not to read this book. I think children will truly enjoy it. But for those of us who grew up on the classic fairytales, you may be disappointed. "The Snalfrockys": D'Goro Battles the Pindorians AUTHOR: David Templeton COVER DESIGNER: James DeHavilland PUBLISHER: Real Time Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-906806-39-2 READING LEVEL: Ages 8-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
It is A. D. 682. The Snalfrockys are little people who live in the Kingdom of Snalfrock, which lies in a green valley through which runs the Sweetwater River, between the kingdoms of Pindora and Doria. Life in Snalfrock is great. Mayor Tension's daughter Goodness is preparing to marry a wonderful man named Elliot, who is constantly encouraging the Snalfrocky Council to prepare a standing army so that the people can defend themselves when needed. The truth is that there are always some who wish to take advantage of those who are good and kind. In fact, the neighboring Pindorians, whose land is plagued with draught and famine, are planning to invade Snalfrock. However, the Snalfrockys do have a "secret weapon," a super-hero named D'Goro. Who is he and what will he be able to do? Everyone loves a good "David and Goliath" story, and this book falls into that general category, but with a special twist at the end. Author David Templeton dedicates it to his father who referred to his children, when they were small, as "Little Snalfrockys." Not only will children enjoy the exciting adventure, but they can also learn some important lessons, such as the need to be gentle, kind, sweet, adorable, and generous to all people but still not trust everyone they just meet. In his final word, the author tells children, "Talk to your parents about this and I'm sure they'll give you some extra tips on how to be a good little Snalfrocky, and at the same time be safe." I like that. And everyone should find the conclusion where the Snalfrockys demonstrate their goodness and love by sharing and helping both heartwarming and satisfying. D'Goro Battles the Pindorians is book one of an intended series by Templeton. Related website: http://snalfrocky.tripod.com/ (book) www.theebooksale.com (publisher) The Adventures of Henrietta Ham: Gone Fishing AUTHOR: Donna Raheb ILLUSTRATOR: Bill Dougal PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN-10: 1-4327-2565-3 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-2565-5 READING LEVEL: Ages 4-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
Henrietta and Tanya, the two girls who accidentally fell into a chute at a canned ham factory while on a tour with their parents and became canned hams themselves, are back for another adventure. The two ham-shaped girls are going fishing with their neighbor Brandon and Henrietta's brother Teddy. During the process, they learn all about how to fish with spinners, earthworms, rubber worms, and poppers, and also about the difference between carp, bass, sunfish, and bluegills, along with other fishing-related information. However, can you imagine some of the situations that result when the two hammy girls who have never cast a fishing rod before try for the first time. Will they catch any fish? And what will happen when a strong carp takes Henrietta's bait? Author Donna Raheb has another winner with this second book in The Adventures of Henrietta Ham series. Raheb has worked in the television and computer fields, but a cancer diagnosis prompted her to follow her heart's desire to write. She also felt the obligation to stress the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and so created the "Treasure Your Youth" slogan, using Henrietta Ham and her friends to encourage children to play outdoors. The madcap capers of these somewhat zany but zestful characters, so well captured by the striking illustrations of Bill Dougal, will certainly help youngsters see the need to treasure their youth as they giggle at this enjoyable story. Related websites: www.HenriettaHam.com (book) www.TreasureYourYouth.com (author) http://outskirtspress.com (publisher) Help Me Pray Today AUTHOR: Natalie Friedl ILLUSTRATOR: Izabela Ciesinska PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing International (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-1-0 ISBN-10: 0-9797429-1-9 READING LEVEL: birth to age 10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker Here is a book that is designed to help teach children how to pray. It emphasizes giving thanks to God and asking God to help them in their relationships to friends, family, and even themselves. Each opening expresses either appreciation or a petition to God and is combined with a passage of scripture, along with a full-page, whimsical illustration by Izabela Ciesinska to help children visualize what they are reading or being read. There are so many things for which we can be grateful to the Lord--creation, friendship, and everyday blessings, and there are so many areas where we must learn to ask for help in doing His will. Parents who are trying to raise their children to have a deep reverence for and a close relationship with God will find this book a useful resource to help in that endeavor. It will assist both children and parents to see opportunities for prayer at all times and in all events. Also, the Biblical verses included will expose children to Bible teaching and help familiarize them with the Word of God. Author Natalie Friedl is a former educator who now aids social service agencies and non-profits through consulting. Her aim in this book is to help families and children communicate with God. I highly recommend it for that purpose. Related website: www.halopublishing.com (publisher) Down By the Shore AUTHOR: Marilee Crow PHOTOGRAPHER: Mary Sue Roberts PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Company (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-39-9 (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-38-2 (e-book) READING LEVEL: ages 5-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Most people enjoy a day at the beach, with the sun, the water, and the sand. But if you look around, and you don't have to look all that hard, there are many wondrous things to see along the shore--birds such as seagulls, cormorants, sanderlings, pelicans, blue--footed boobies; animals such as turtles, sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, whales; other sea creatures such as starfish, abalone, hermit crabs, octopus, sea urchins, lobsters, jellyfish, mudskippers, ghost crabs; plants such as seagrasses; fish such as mantas and sharks; even insects such as butterflies; and of course, children playing in the surf or building sand castles. Whether they have ever been to the shore or not, children (and adults too) will truly enjoy the rhythmical prose of Marilee Crow and the stunning photographs of Mary Sue Roberts as they are invited to view life down by the sea. Parents and teachers who want to instill within students a love of nature will especially appreciate this book because it explains how sharks inspire fear as they show off their teeth and what birds waddle like clowns when on land. Of course, this book can be read at any time, but it would be a great one to take, sit down with a child on a cold winter's night, and imagine what it would be like to be at the shore on a warm day. Great work, Marilee and Mary Sue! Related website: www.booksbymarilee.blogspot.com (author), www.guardianangelpublishing.com Think Happy! AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Nancy Carlson PUBLISHED BY: Carolrhoda Books (Div of Lerner Publishing) ISBN #: 978-0-8225-8940-2 READING LEVEL: 5-9 RATING: FIVE STARS Review by Gayle Jacobson-Huset
This book is exactly about its title. Author/Illustrator Nancy Carlson uses kid-friendly, adorable illustrations and very cheerful text to help your child learn self-esteem (ex. So make yourself happy by looking in the mirror and shouting: "I AM COOL!") Nancy gives great ideas about taking good care of your body to stay happy, ask for help when you need it (like when you are dealing with a bully), etc. This book will become a classic for your child when they need a mental boost to lift their spirits and allow happiness back into their life. I give this book a high-five for the good feelings it gave ME! The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing AUTHORS: Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards PUBLISHER: Twilight Times Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-933353-22-7 ISBN-10: 1-933353-22-8 READING LEVEL: primarily for adults but of interest to young people considering the subject RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine What is this? Here I am, a book reviewer, reviewing a book about how do to book reviews! Mayra Calvani is a multi-genre author and reviewer. Anne K. Edwards is a mystery writer. Each one is also the editor of a newsletter and/or ezine related to writing, so they know whereof they speak. This book is in three parts. Part One, "The Art of Reviewing," explains five keys to being a good reviewer, how to read critically, how to write a book review, how to rate books, the different types of reviews, the signs of an amateur reviewer, and other information related to writing book reviews. Part Two, "The Influence of Book Reviews." discusses how book reviews influence libraries, bookstores, publishers, authors, publicists, book clubs, and readers. Part Three, "Resources," gives hints on how and where to get start posting reviews with contact information for both print review publications and online review sites of all genres. The main point that Calvani and Edwards try to get across is that a reviewer must be as objective as possible and fair. Like any other "how to" book, there may be some suggestions that will not necessarily apply in every situation, but in general this book provides good advice that will be useful for both beginning reviewers and those who are veterans at reviewing. Why would I review such a book for Stories for Children Magazine? Some of the young people reading the reviews here to find books that they might want to read may decide, later in life or even now, to start doing their own book reviews for publication, and they will find a lot of helpful material in this book. As for me, I feel that one is never too old to learn and grow, so I certainly appreciate the opportunity of being able to read and review the book. Related websites: www.MayraCalvani.com (Mayra Calvani) www.MysteryFiction.net (Anne K. Edwards) http://twilighttimesbooks.com (publisher) Ralphina, the Roly-Poly AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Claudia Chandler PUBLISHER: Leathers Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-58597-462-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 5-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Ralphina is a roly-poly, also known as a pill bug, sow bug, or potato bug. She is lonely in the garden and wishes that the boy in the house would come outside and play with her, but her mother thinks that he doesn't know she's there because roly-polies are so small. So they try to think of a way to make him notice her. Ralphina decides to work hard at digging in the garden to help the tulips bloom. When the boy comes to pick a tulip for his mother, he will see Ralphina. Indeed, the boy sees the beautiful tulips, and it gives Ralphina a chance to tell him all about roly-polies. Do you know what kind of animals roly-polies are? (Hint: if you said "insects" you might want to recheck your facts). And do you know what animals they are related to? Practically every child has been fascinated by roly-polies (remember Tuck and Roll in A Bug's Life?). When I was growing up, we called them pill bugs, but my parents, who were raised on the farm, called them sow bugs. Some people may find any kind of "bug" disgusting, but all of them, including roly-polies, serve important functions here upon earth. This wonderful children's picture book, with its colorful illustrations by the author, is not only a fun read but a great tool for learning more about roly-polies. Children are naturally filled with awe and curiosity about the amazing world of God's creation around them. Ralphina, the Roly-Poly, intended to appeal to preschoolers and early readers, seeks both to encourage and to satisfy that curiosity. It is a truly charming book. Related websites: www.claudiascustomcreations.com (author) www.leatherspublishing.com (publisher) Give a Goat AUTHOR: Jan West Schrock ILLUSTRATOR: Aileen Darragh PUBLISHER: Tilbury House Publishers (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-88448-301-4 READING LEVEL: Grades 3-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker The fifth-grade class of Mrs. Rowell was restless one day because it was rainy, so Mrs. Rowell read them a story about a girl named Beatrice in Uganda (a country in Africa) who wanted to go to school but could not because her family did not have the money. However, one day some people from Heifer International came and gave her mother a goat. They were able to sell the extra milk and make enough money for Beatrice to go to school. The kids decided that they wanted to give a goat to another child who couldn't go to school, but Mrs. Rowell reminded them that helping others takes a lot of planning. So they went to the library, found the website for Heifer International, and learned what they needed to do. Then they tried to raise the money for the goat by selling healthy snacks in the teachers' lounge, to students during recess, and at basketball games. Did they make it? What a great story! And it is based on actual events. There are so many important lessons in this book--helping others, learning to work together, being a good example, making a difference, and even a little bit about quality control, inventory, investment, and profit margin--that are conveyed in a fun and easy-to-understand way, enhanced by the humorous illustrations of Aileen Darragh. Author Jan West Schrock's father, Dan West, founded Heifers for Relief (now Heifer International) in 1944 as a result of serving as a relief worker during the Spanish Civil War. Teachers and parents can visit the Tilbury House website for a special take home section to use with the book that features activities, discussion points, and further resources. This book gets a high five from me. Related websites: www.heifer.org (Heifer International) www.tilburyhouse.com (publisher) Does Heaven Get Mail? AUTHOR: Marilee Crow ILLUSTRATOR: K. C. Snider PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Company (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-12-2 (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-16-0 (e-book) READING LEVEL: ages 4-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Tina has lost the locket that she wears around her neck. She and her mother search everywhere in the house for it. They even look in the car. Tina begins to cry because the locket was a special gift from her grandmother for her seventh birthday last year, and some time after that her grandmother died. Tina really misses her grandmother and the special tea parties with strawberries rolled in sugar that they enjoyed together. At dinner, her parents were talking about a letter from Aunt Helen, and Tina begins to wonder if heaven gets mail. She asks her mother, the mail man, and her Sunday school teacher, but no one knows how to send a letter to heaven. Then at the school carnival, Tina sees a balloon that accidentally escapes from a little girl, and when the girl asks where it will go, the mother replies, "It's probably going all the way to Heaven." That gives Tina an idea. What happens next and how it affects the lives of some people very far away from Tina as well as Tina herself make for a genuinely heartwarming story with an amazing twist at the end that will be especially helpful to any child who has lost a beloved relative. The enchanting illustrations by K. C. Snider are great for helping children visualize the highly readable text by Marilee Crow. This is a really wonderful book that even my 12-year-old son enjoyed, as did I. Related website: www.booksbymarilee.blogspot.com (author) www.guardianangelpublishing.com Monkey with a Toolbelt and the Noisy Problem AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Chris Monroe PUBLISHED BY: Carolrhoda Books (Div of Lerner Publishing) ISBN #: 978-0-8225-9247-1 READING LEVEL: 4-8 RATING: FIVE STARS Review by Gayle Jacobson-Huset
Chico Bon-Bon wakes up to a very loud noise. He hops out of bed and makes sure his tool belt is on straight. At first, he thinks the noise is the wind, so he closes his bedroom window and reattaches the curtain rod with his screwdriver. During breakfast, he hears the noise 17 times! He looks all over his tree house to see where the noise is coming from. He gets all dirty when checking the chimney, so he wipes his face with his hankie, then throws the hankie down the laundry chute. The terrible noise echoes up through the laundry chute! But what was making that noise? You'll just have to read this delightful story, written and illustrated by the very talented Chris Monroe, to find out.
I especially love the way Chico uses all his tools in his search for the noise, and the fun way in which he solves his problem. Chris' illustrations are delightful and so much fun!
There's more than meets the eye with this book – that's why I'm giving it a high-five rating. Kids who like tools and who especially like problem solving will love this book! When It's Purim AUTHOR: Edie Stoltz Zolkower ILLUSTRATOR: Barb Bjornson PUBLISHER: Kar-Ben Publishing (2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-8225-8947-1 ISBN-10: 0-545-08440-0 READING LEVEL: ages 1-4 (PreK) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Have you ever wondered what Jewish families do at the festival of Purim? In this children's board book, author Edie Stoltz Zolkower uses catchy poetic text to describe for toddlers how a family of woodland creatures, adorably illustrated by Barb Bjornson, make hamantaschen, a three-cornered filled pastry. Those who are familiar with the Scriptures will remember how Haman tried to destroy the Jews in Persia, but Queen Esther was able to save her people. "Make a circle, nice and flat, Pinch three corners, Haman's hat." Parents in Jewish families who want their children to understand their heritage, parents of children who have Jewish friends and want them to show respect for the Jewish customs, or even parents who just want their children to know more about the Jewish festivals, will appreciate this and other Very First Board Books from Kar-Ben Publishing. When It's Purim is the only one that I have seen thus far, but it is well done.
Related website: www.karben.com (publisher)
The Book of NonsenseAUTHOR: David Michael SlaterPUBLISHER: Blooming Tree Press/Children's Brains Are Yummy (CBAY) Books (2008)ISBN: 978-1-933767000ISBN 10: 1933767006READING LEVEL: Ages 10 and upRATING: 4 starsREVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker (BN)
Daphna and Dexter Wax are twins who are turning thirteen. Their father, Milton Wax, is a dealer in rare books who must be gone from homefor weeks and even months at a time on book scouting hunts. The twins' mother, Shimona, who was also a rare book dealer, had been killed inTurkey by an earthquake looking for books shortly after their birth. Daph and Dex are taken care of by their father's assistant and secretary, Latty Pellonia. Milton returns with a very rare book that is ancient, ravaged, and full of nonsense and goes to sell it to a used book dealer,Asterius Rash, who has opened up a new bookstore, the Antiquarian Book Center, in their neighborhood. All of a sudden, bizarre things start tohappen. After meeting Rash, their father is suddenly distant as if he had been hypnotized. And Rash's assistant, a red-eyed boy named Emmet, ismenacing them. Does their thirteenth birthday have anything to do with all this? And how does Dexter's tutor, an elderly woman named Ruby
Scharlach, fit in?
First, I will say that this book, which is Volume I of the "Sacred Books" Series, is somewhat odd, but I suspect that it was intended to be so. However, next I will say that it is a very well-written and exciting story that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
Parents may want to know that there is a little bit of what is usually considered bad language, namely a vulgar term for urination and one curse
word which is said to be very uncharacteristic of the utterer (Milton in his seemingly hyptonized state). The scene near the end where there is
quite a bit of shooting and killing may be a little intense for sensitive children. Daph and Dex each have their issues with one another, in fact,
they "can't stand each other," and with their father who is gone so much.
There are some instances of skipping school, disobedience, lying, and other bad attitudes, but in the end they all learn to work together to
find the truth. However, if you do not mind these things and like adventures with some mystery, fantasy, and even magic thrown in, you will
probably enjoy this book. Also, there is a sensitive portrayal of dyslexia incorporated in the plot.
Related websites: http://www.bloomingtreepress.com (publisher) The Adventures of Henrietta Ham: Meet Henrietta AUTHOR: Donna Raheb ILLUSTRATOR: Bill Dougal PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2007) ISBN-10: 1-4327-0142-8 ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-0142-0 READING LEVEL: ages 4-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine
What happens when two young girls tour a canned ham factory with their parents and accidentally fall into a chute? They become living canned hams! Luckily the decision by the parents of one of them to purchase a couple of canned hams at the factory store near the end of the tour turns out to be a life-saving act for the girls. When Momma Terri decides to fix the hams for Sunday dinner, Henrietta and her friend Tanya begin to jiggle on the tray covered with pineapple and cherries. Jumping off the tray, they run outside to play and get in a canoe on the pond. What kind of adventures do the two ham-shaped human children have with a carp, ducks, a great blue heron, and bees? And can canned hams swim? Author Donna Raheb has certainly come up with a unique idea for a children's book. Youngsters will laugh at the obviously improbable premise of the story, and they will enjoy both the exciting adventures that Henrietta and Tanya have and the full page color illustrations by Bill Dougal which well portray the action. Also, they will appreciate the girls' joy in being outside, free, and alive after being cooped up in their cans. In addition, there are some practical lessons to be learned, such as always wearing a life vest to be safe in the water, and interesting information about the different wildlife that the girls encounter. Meet Henrietta and other books in The Adventures of Henrietta Ham series should prove welcome additions to the world of children's books. Related websites: www.HenriettaHam.com (author) http://outskirtspress.com (publisher) Freeing Golden Eagle AUTHOR: J. Kelley Carlson ILLUSTRATORS: Kaitlin McWilliams, Ashley Karnes PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-4327-0302-8 READING LEVEL: ages 10-14 RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Ethan Hunter is a high school freshman in New Hope, VA. As the book opens, he is wanting to go to environmental camp with his friends Joey and Jennie during summer break, although his father demands that he stay home and learn the family business. However, one of the school bullies, Rick, trashes Jennie's school project and beats up Joey because he won't hack the school's computer to change Rick's grades. So Ethan decides to get back at Rick by spray painting a derogatory epithet about the bully on a local store wall. Unfortunately, he gets caught. Since he is now in trouble with the law, his father, with whom he does not have a good relationship anyway, determines to send him away to spend the summer with his grandfather, a Native American named Four Horses, who lives in Wisconsin. Thinking at first that he will be lonely and bored out of his skull because there is no television, telephone, or video arcade, Ethan concocts a plan that he thinks will cause his father, who has tried to distance himself from his Native American background, to order him home. However, he makes friends with a couple of Native American boys in his grandfather's village of Long Pond, Tyler and Bryan, who are students of his grandfather's. Together, the four of them go hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring, and the boys learn about their Native American heritage. Ethan ends up having a good time. The question is, will all this make any difference in Ethan's attitude and in what happens when he has to return home in the fall? The plot illustrates the author's realization "that the middle and high school years are the most difficult and the most important years of our lives, for it is during that time that we make the decisions that will determine our future." Stories like this--boy (or girl) gets in trouble at home or with the law, is sent to spend time with relatives or friends way off somewhere, and returns with a "new attitude"--used to be quite common in children's and youth literature. This one has the added twist of Ethan's Native American heritage and how he is able to use that for good even back in Virginia. The book is filled with suspense, adventure, and excitement that will keep young people turning the pages. Parents will want to know that there are a couple of common but vulgar terms, one in the epithet that Ethan writes about Rick and the other for the rear end; a little adolescent romance where Ethan kisses Jennie and feels a tingling; and some possible Native American mysticism. However, in general, I enjoyed the book, especially the satisfying conclusion, and had trouble putting it down. Related website: www.outskirtspress.com/freeinggoldeneagle
Daily Life in Bible Times: What Archaeology Tells Us AUTHOR: Dr. Pamela Gaber ILLUSTRATOR: Valerie Woelfel PUBLISHER: Beavers Pond Press (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-59298-180-9 ISBN-10: 1-59298-180-9 READING LEVEL: ages 7-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Those of us who like to study the scriptures, whether in private, Sunday school, regular school, or home school, have probably heard that the work of archaeologists in the Mediterranean world and the Near East has added a great deal to our understanding of what life was like in Bible times. "Archaeology," from the Greek word meaning "old," is the scientific study of the life and culture of ancient peoples, as by excavation of ancient cities, relics, etc. Of course, there are scholarly archaeological journals and volumes, many of which are written in language that only those with degrees in archaeology can understand. And then there is Daily Life in Bible Times, in which Dr. Pamela Graber seeks to explain archaeology and what has been done by archaeologists in Israel and surrounding lands so that children can understand it. With eye-catching photographs and attractive, helpful illustrations by Valerie Woelfel, Dr. Graber shows what archaeologists have found about how the common people lived and what they did. She goes from the Nomadic Period, through the Time of the Patriarchs, the Time of the Exodus, the Period of the Judges, the Time of the First Temple, and the Time of the Second Temple, through the Roman Period, with emphasis on building houses, establishing villages, preparing food, city life, and other everyday activities. There is a great deal of valuable historical information contained in the book. While aimed at ages 7-9, it would be fascinating reading for anyone who is interested in the subject. Val Woelfel tells me, "We've been selling almost as many copies for adults as we have for children." This one is a real keeper! It just goes to show that a really good non-fiction book can be just as enjoyable as a fiction story. Related website: www.bibletimesbook.com (book) www.BeaversPondPress.com (publisher) How Mister Purpie and Twillie Came to Life By: Malinda Mitchell Published by: PC Publications International, 2005 ISBN: 978-0-9689910-6-0 Ages: 9-12 Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine Founder, VS Grenier This little book for middle to young adult readers was one of the most interesting I’ve read in a long time. The storyline covers a time span for many years. You begin the story in meeting Phoebe and beautiful young maiden who is looking for love and finds it when she meets Zea. Who just happens to be a young man from another world. As the story continues, Phoebe and Zea are married and move to Zea’s world called Trenz. They have a child and that is when Mister Purpie appears in the story. From this point on the story becomes a series of different stories interwoven into each other as Phoebe’s daughter grows up and gets married herself. Mister Purpie becomes a mentor not only to the children of Trenz, but also to the children of world making this story even more interwoven between the two worlds. As you read this book you will be swept into a fantasy like no other with a subtle anti-drug theme. However, I do need to point out there are some classic mistakes that do happen with a self published book such as some minor typos. If you’re looking for something different then your typical fantasy adventure novel then this is the book for you. Under the Night Sky AUTHOR: Amy Lundebrek ILLUSTRATOR: Anna Rich PUBLISHER: Tilbury House Publishers (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-88448-297-0 READING LEVEL: Grades 3-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker A young boy who lives in an apartment building located in the far north is surprised one late winter night when his mother comes home from work and instead of kissing him good night so that he can go to sleep she tells him to get up and get dressed quickly. Along with their neighbors, Ms. Gallo and her three children, they rush downstairs and outside to sit on the roof of their old Mercury and join other neighbors to watch a spectacular phenomenon of nature. What is this celebration all about? There are many things to like about this book which make it such an fascinating read. There is the joy of community, even in a northern climate during the coldest time of the year. There is also the bond of family when a mother and son share a special moment that they can remember with great happiness. But above all, there is the sense of wonder at the beauty of nature, including that special beauty offered to make up for the harshness of the long northern winter. The muted illustrations of Anna Rich help to emphasize this sense of wonder. And for those of who do not live so far north, there is the added benefit of information about the aurora borealis and why it occurs. Teachers and parents can visit the Tilbury House website for a special take home section to use with the book that features activities, discussion points, and further resources. Kudos to author Amy Lundebrek for such an engaging story. Related websites: www.amylundebrek.com (author) www.tilburyhouse.com (publisher) Rumpleville Chronicles Presents The Bomb That Followed Me Home AUTHOR: Cevin Soling ILLUSTRATOR: Steve Kille PUBLISHER: Monk Media (2007) ISBN-13: 978-0-9767771-2-0 ISBN-10: 0-9767771-2-6 READING LEVEL: said to be for "all ages" RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
A young boy is returning home from school and notices that something is following him. Trying to escape it, he runs onto the lawn of his neighbor, Mrs. Greenspan, who begins shrieking in incomprehensible language that the boy understands to mean "Get off my lawn." The Greenspans are not very nice neighbors and had earlier planted hedges several feet on the property of the boy's parents. When the boy gets home, he sees that what was following him is not a puppy or a kitty but a bomb. Like any child, he wants to keep it, but his mother, knowing how kids are, doesn't want to be the one to change its fuse every day. And when Dad comes home, he simply says, "NO." They try to find the owner, but are unsuccessful. So, what will they do with it? And what will happen as a result? Anyone who has ever come home with a pet and justified keeping it by saying, "It just followed me home," will surely be able to identify with this boy. But, of course, it isn't a pet; it's a bomb! I suspect that many people will find Cevin Soling's rather bizarre story, along with Steve Kille's surreal drawings, quite droll. Others very likely will not. The accompanying news release says, "The fairy tale format highlights the perverse morality of contemporary culture and foiled promises of 'happily ever after' endings." I have an idea that the entire concept, along with much of the humor and some of the references (the Weathermen were even asked if the bomb was theirs), would be lost on most children. This is the third book in the "Rumpleville Chronicles" series, the first two being The Jolly Elf, about a psycho killer who likes to sing at 4:00 in the morning, and The Disciples of Trotsky, about revolution time in Rumpleville. Several more are planned for the future. This kind of thing is not my preference, but parents will have to decide for themselves whether they feel that such books are appropriate for their children. Related websites: www.rumpleville.com (book) www.cevinsoling.com (author) www.monkmedia.net (publisher) I Am Learning All the Time AUTHOR: Rain Perry Fordyce ILLUSTRATOR: Audrey Anne Miles Cherney PUBLISHER: Homeschool Adventure Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9821137-0-7 ISBN-10: 0-9821137-0-6 READING LEVEL: grades 1 and 2 but intended to be read by parents RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker Hugh Beagle is five and a half. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and big brother Chas in a green house on North Cedar Street. One day when Hugh, Chas, and their Mom are walking to the park to see some friends, the man at the bus stop asks why the boys are not in school. The reason is that they homeschool. The story goes on to explain how Hugh and Chas get to have a picnic at the park with their homeschooled friends instead of "first day of school" parties, learn at home with Mom instead of going to a classroom, help Mom make lunch instead of eating in a cafeteria, and play in their backyard instead of having recess at the school yard. But do the boys feel deprived and they would rather ride that big yellow bus every day? Hugh will answer those questions. The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences reports that both the number and the proportion of students in the United States who were being homeschooled increased between 1999 and 2003. Approximately 1.1 million students were being homeschooled in the United States in the spring of 2003, an increase from the estimated 850,000 students who were being homeschooled in the spring of 1999. In addition, the percentage of the entire student population who were being homeschooled increased from 1.7 percent in 1999 to 2.2 percent in 2003. And it is still growing. Author Rain Perry Fordyce is a homeschooling mom of two sons who lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Hugh himself wonders why he and his brother are being homeschooled. His Mom helps him to go through a process of self-discovery to understand what both the differences and the similarities to his traditionally schooled friends are. Without being judgmental as to whether one kind of schooling is better than the other, the book points out that Hugh is learning all the time, when looking at books on his own, working with his brother or his homeschool friends, and playing with the neighborhood children when they come home from their school. I Am Learning All the Time is a great resource to help homeschooled children appreciate better their own family's choice and also to help others get a clearer picture of what homeschooling is all about. And the full-color illustrations of Audrey Anne Miles Cherry are quite endearing. Related website: www.homeschooladventurebooks.com East of the Sun WRITTEN BY: Aivlys L. Hardy PUBLISHED BY: Raider Publishing International (2006) ISBN: 0-9790799-4-2 READING LEVEL: Ages 9-11 RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker As I have said before, I enjoy mystery stories. In this contemporary adventure mystery, Ben, age 12, and his sister Sam, age 11, whose mother has died, live in a cottage on the River Dart in England with their dad Chris, who is an importer. They plan a holiday sailing adventure on their yacht Guinevere, but their dad is arrested for smuggling. As they investigate, with the help of their great aunt Agatha and her renter Jeremiah Gooseberry, they follow an intriguing trail of clues in which a series of bizarre events leads them into trouble as they become entangled in a web of crime involving both drugs and diamonds that seems to center on their dad's friend Robin Bee. The pair must solve a jigsaw puzzle of strange discoveries that they hope will help them find the answer. They can't believe that their dad is really a smuggler, but all the evidence they locate seems to point to his guilt. What will they find? There is an exciting, surprise ending. The author says that the book is for 9-11 year olds and is intended to be the first in a series of adventures for the main characters Ben and Sam that will encourage readers, including the less confident, to embark on a reading adventure so that they can enjoy shared reading or reading alone. The story is well written with a lot of suspense that makes it hard to put down, though some 9-11 year olds may have a little trouble following the action in places. While I liked the plot, I do feel it necessary to warn parents concerning the language that page 2 of the book says, "Some of the content may be offensive to some readers and they are to be advised." There are a lot of parents I know who would simply not want their 9-11 year olds to read books that contain this kind of language. If parents do not mind certain words used in the book that may be considered by some to be unacceptable, especially for 9-11 year olds, that would be their choice, but I do believe that it is important for them to be aware of this ahead of time. Publishers websites: www.RaiderPublishing.com www.RaiderBookShop.com Cats of Many Colors AUTHOR: Carol J. Douglas ILLUSTRATOR: Eugene Ruble PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-67-2 (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-08-5 (eBook) READING LEVEL: read to ages 4-8, readers ages 8-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
Those of us who are cat lovers will probably have no problem imagining that the different colors of cats--gray tigers, yellow tabbies, calicos, and black-and-white Siamese--are all painted by an angel in heaven. One day a tiny angel is given the job of painting cats to send to earth in order to earn her wings. However, the angel is not very experienced at painting cats, and the cats, as all who have them very well know, are not always the most cooperative. You can imagine the mess that results. What do the other angels think? Will the cats be accepted by people? And, more importantly, what will the Lord do? The whimsical poetic text of this visually attractive children's book makes for fun reading, and the humorous illustrations by Eugene Ruble are an excellent complement to the rollicking action. In addition to being a story that children will enjoy, there is an important lesson that is imbedded in what is portrayed. Just as the cats end up being multicolored yet people love them regardless, so human beings are all different, including even our skin color, but God in His wisdom has a special plan for those differences. The author and the illustrator both are to be congratulated on such a fine addition to children's cat literature. Related website: www.caroljdouglas.com (author) www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com (publisher) Forever and Ever By: Jenny Sharp Illustrated by: Aaron Pocock Published by: WOW Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-646-49097-7 Ages: 4 to 8 RATING: 5 stars Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine Editor, VS Grenier This wonderfully illustrated picture book is one children and adults alike will relate to. The illustrations are vibrant and colorful helping draw young readers into the story about a young girl and her dog. The story is about a girl named Carissa and her dog, Cara who happened to grow up together. From day one the two became fast friends and a bond to last past death was formed. Younger readers will learn how Carissa not only told Cara everyday she loved her, but showed Cara how much she was loved by her actions. As Cara grows older Carissa does all she can to make Cara feel comfortable and loved. She does this by changing their routine from running and playing to reading books and sleeping downstairs so Cara wouldn’t be alone. Carissa shares with readers how her family also loved Cara, but never once did they tell their dog how much. Then finally the day came when Cara passed away. The family buries Cara under her favorite tree in the backyard. Carissa is sad her furry friend is gone, but knows that Cara knew how much she loved her because every night Carissa told Cara, “Love you, forever and ever.” This gives Carissa comfort and helps her move on with her life. Carissa decides not to replace Cara with another dog, but instead gives Cara’s things to a man who just had puppies. She then tells the man to make sure to tell his puppies every day and ever night how much he loves them. Jenny Sharp’s book will not only help children dealing with a lost pet, but even loved ones. The story lets children know that by our actions and our words, those we love can move on to a better place knowing they brought us joy and love to our lives. Forever and Ever also lets children know it is okay to be sad when we loss those we love, but because of that love we will always carry them with us in our hearts. Rebel in Blue Jeans AUTHOR: Beverly Stowe McClure PUBLISHER: Twilight Times Books (2008) ISBN: 1-933353-49-X SUGGESTED READING LEVEL: 10 and up RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Rebel Ferguson is a sixteen (almost seventeen) year old girl who lives with her father and mother on a ranch in the country near Whispering Springs, TX, along with various animals. Or did live with her father and mother. As the book opens, her mother, Liz, is leaving the family for her new boyfriend Bo, a drummer in a rock band. With the help of her neighbors and best friends, cousins Will and Sully Garrett, Rebel learns how to deal with her anger towards her mother, her disappointment with her father in not going after her mother, and the attentions of a handsome college guy named Rick who has a less than savory reputation. Will she ever come to terms with her mother's new life? And will she fall for the charm of Rick or find true love from a better source? I will be honest. This book probably does not appeal to me as much as others have because it would likely fall into the category of "chick lit." It certainly has its sad aspects because the breakup of a home is always regrettable. However, there are situations that are beyond our control and we have to learn how to live with them, even if we do not like them. This, I think, is the main message of the book. The story is put together well and keeps the reader's interest. The language is not too bad--a few common euphemisms and childhood slang terms for bodily functions, but no outright cursing or profanity. Parents will want to know that there are references to drinking alcohol, taking drugs, kissing, other boy-girl and dating activities, and sexual talk ("make love" and going "all the way"). There is one scene where Rick tries to seduce Rebel, but she rejects him. The book is listed for "10 and up," but on the back, there is a quote from Fran Shaff, romance and children's novelist, who said, "Rebel in Blue Jeans is a book teens will love," and author Beverly Stowe McClure is said to have written "two other novels for teens." I would tend to agree with the teen novel classification. Because of the subject matter, a lot of parents whom I know would be a little uncomfortable letting their children on the younger end of the suggested reading level have this book. But older teenagers, especially girls, might find it interesting and perhaps even come across something that would be helpful to them in reaching certain decisions. We may not always agree with all the choices that Rebel makes, but she learns some important lessons, and that is what matters. Therefore, my basic reaction to reading the book is a positive one. Related websites: http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.com http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com (author) www.twilighttimesbooks.com (publisher) Otis, the Musical Owl AUTHOR: Joseph N. Chappelle PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN: 978-1-4327-2584-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 9-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
"In the State of New York, located between the Catskill Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains, sits a small village by the name of East Worcester." The Chappelle family lives on one of the mountains of East Worcester Township in a little brown log cabin. The daughter, Helwig, and her friend find a baby owl that appears to be injured. The Chappelles take it to a veterinarian, Dr. Wilhelm, and they name the owl Otis. Otis is eventually sent to an animal training center for rehabilitation. While there, Otis learns many unique traits, such as how to fly like a barn swallow, how to understand human language, how to communicate with all the other animals, and especially how to recognize the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and others. When he returns to the area where he had been found, he learns from another owl named Mary that his family had been scattered by the same storm that injured him as a baby, so Otis starts looking for them. Will he ever find his father, mother, sister, and brother? People who enjoy animal stories should especially like this book. As a former music student and lover of classical music, I personally am grateful for the fact that an appreciation of the great music of western culture is emphasized. The author plays cello for the Albany Area Senior Orchestra. I also am thankful for the use of Biblical hymns, passages, and principles to underscore the "can do" spirit of the book. The admirable character traits of loyalty to friends, such as Otis's new ally Pee Wee, the little field mouse, and seeking to be a peace with others are also found in the story. The ending may seem a little fantastic, but then, after all, it is a fantasy book. Middle school age children will find this unique look into the animal kingdom quite fascinating. Evangeline Brown and the Cadillac Motel AUTHOR: Michele Ivy Davis PUBLISHER: Dutton Children's Books, Penguin Group USA (2004) ISBN: 0-525-47221-5 SUGGESTED READING LEVEL: Ages 9/10 and up RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Evangeline Dawn Brown, who used her first two initials to come up with the nickname Eddie, lives with her widowed father in an apartment of the gaudy Cadillac Motel (it actually has the end of an old pink Cadillac automobile sticking out the front) which he owns and operates on Celestial Ave.in Paradise, FL. Unfortunately, her father spends most of his time drinking beer and whisky with his old friend Jesse, who had recently moved to town and works on cars at a nearby garage, and has more often than not been in an alcoholic stupor since Eddie's mother died. It seems as if the only people who care anything about her are Ruby, the motel's housekeeper, and Angelique, a new resident at the motel who begins working some at the front desk. Because it is on the "wrong side" of town, Eddie has few friends at school. However, the summer before Eddie goes into sixth grade, she and Jesse's son Farrell become good friends, partially because they have several things in common--grieving over dead mothers, having alcoholic fathers, and playing basketball. Things seem to be going a little better until the new school teacher that fall, Miss Rose, starts visiting the homes of her students. Eddie is almost ashamed for her to visit the Cadillac Motel. After Miss Rose had visited both Farrell's and Eddie's homes, the two youngsters overhear her telling the principal that she was going to call social services to get help for some of the families. Farrell had been involved with social services following his mother's death, was in several foster homes before coming to Paradise, and did not want to go back to that. So he and Eddie hatch a plan to run away to Atlanta, GA, and live with Farrell's grandmother. Will they make it, or will something happen to keep them from carrying out their scheme? The theme of this award-winning book is how children who live with alcoholic, dysfunctional parents in poverty have many challenges to face but can also be resilient when necessary. Both the characters and the plot are well developed, and the narration flows smoothly for easy reading. Parents, especially of children on the younger end of the reading level, should know that there are some cursing and taking the Lord's name in vain, though Eddie does wince whenever she says a bad word because her dad had taught her not to "cuss." There is a definite sadness that runs throughout the book, but in the end there is a positive note of hope. One may not always approve of the choices that Eddie makes, but they are understandable given the circumstances, and there are important lessons to be learned from the fact that Eddie is able to find the help that she needs. Related websites: www.EvangelineBrown.com (book) www.MicheleIvyDavis.com (author) Chester's Birthday Surprise AUTHOR: Mitzy McNease ILLUSTRATOR: Kim Cox PUBLISHER: Blancmange Publishing LLC (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9779488-1-9 READING LEVEL: ages 4-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Chester is an adorable little squirrel who lives with his Mom and Dad in a nice, cozy tree. His birthday is coming soon, and Dad, who seems to be an airplane pilot and apparently must be gone a lot, is not home yet. Chester is worried that Dad might be late and miss his birthday. Mom tries to comfort and assure him, but he and his friend Benny the bunny come up with all kinds of plans for a party that would be so big and grand that his Dad would have to come home for it, including a full-fledged carnival and even a trip to the moon! However, those things are not possible. As the days pass, will Dad make it or not?
There are many things to like about this children's picture book. One is the emphasis placed by the poetic story upon love of family and friends. Another is the lovely full-color drawings of Kim Cox that grace every page and give children help in picturing the action of the text in their minds. But most of all I appreciate the need that it fills in providing consolation and reassurance to calm the fears of small children when a parent must be away for an extended period of time, especially due to work. The book is well-written and moves quickly for short attention spans. It gets a high five from me. Related website: www.mitzymcnease.com We're Three: A Story About Families and the Only Child AUTHOR: Vivian Cameron-Gallo ILLUSTRATOR: Christina Simcic PUBLISHER: Trafford Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4251-7215-2 ISBN-10: 1-4251-7215-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 4-7 but suitable for all ages RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
"There are all kinds of families in this great big world. Some are big with lots of kids ... and some are small, with not too many or simply none at all." Did you know that the single-child family is the fastest growing type of American family? Yet, when author Vivian Cameron-Gallo, the mother of an "only child," sought a children's book that represented her daughter Ava, she found only a few and those had a melancholy tone with negative stereotypes. Therefore, inspired by her own family of three, she wrote this endearing little book to make the single child feel "normal" and part of something bigger--a family.
The gentle, flowing verse makes for easy reading, and the colorful drawings by Christina Simcic add visual beauty to the text. In addition, the story is interactive, asking children to draw various pictures which represent their own family unit. Thus, it is more than just a story book. It becomes a pictorial journal of the child's own personal family experience. "Only children" are reminded that they do not stand alone, and their families are encouraged to do things together. I think that We're Three is a very beneficial and useful book, and it has my hearty endorsement.
Related websites: http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=22852 www.onlychildkidsclub.com My Unique Family with Jay Jay and Totte AUTHOR: Michelle Cadeau ILLUSTRATOR: Hakan Eklund PUBLISHER: Divas Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-91-85807-37-6 READING LEVEL: ages 5-14 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Jay Jay and Totte are two boys who live with their parents, Dad James from Haiti, and Mom Petra from Sweden, outside of New York City, NY. Because of how they look and the fact that they can speak three languages, the boys notice that people often stare at them and it makes them feel different. Their Mom tells them that they are not really different, but they are unique. She also reminds them of their cousin Rosanna, whose Dad is from Sweden and her Mom is from Thailand, along with other relatives and friends from Iceland, Lebanon, Norway, Mexico, France, England, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Gambia, China, Brazil, Denmark, Chile, Trinidad, Eritrea, Turkey, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Ireland, and Switzerland. What do the boys think about all that? In a world that is becoming smaller and smaller, many children come from a mixed background. It is important for these children to know about and be proud of their ancestry. It is also important for other children to remember that not everyone else is like them. Parents and teachers can use this book both with children who are mixed to answer their questions in a positive way and with children who are not mixed to explain why mixed children need to be accepted. In the back, there is a glossary of languages from different countries with how to say "My name is..." and "What is your name?" in those languages, along with some questions that can be used for discussion. There are also facts about each of the countries mentioned in the text. This is a great educational tool that will be fun to read. I give it two thumbs up! Related websites: www.jayjayandtotte.com
Dear God, Help!!! Love, Earl AUTHOR: Barbara Park PUBLISHER: Random House Children's Books (reprinted 2006) ISBN-13: 9780679853954 READING LEVEL: Ages 9-12. RATING: 2 stars Earl Wilbur is an overweight, asthmatic, middle-school aged kid (fifth grade?) who lives with his mom (his dad, who is English, left the family to return to England). Many of the other kids tease him, but a bullying fellow class-mate, Eddie McFee, has been taunting him and even beating him up until one day Earl pays Eddie a dollar not to hurt him, and now Eddie demands a dollar each week to leave Earl alone. Then, Earl's money runs out, so he and his two best friends, Maxie Zuckerman and Rosie Swanson, hatch a plan to get back and Eddie and stop him from bullying Earl. But will it work? Whenever I see a book from a secular publisher with the word "God" in the title, I am immediately a little suspicious, and this book did absolutely nothing to allay my suspicions. Oh, Earl does pray occasionally, but his prayers are basically just the childish kind of "bargaining with God" ("please make me a sick so that I don't have to go to P. E. class tomorrow") that many people mistake for genuine prayer. Parents will want to know that the book is filled with euphemisms (geez, darn, heck) and even "O my God" as an exclamation, and I am increasingly frustrated with the ubiquitous use of "OMG" in our society. Such language shows an author's poverty of vocabulary in trying to get across ideas. Yet, even worse is that Maxie comes out with the "d" word. True, it is only once, but I have trouble recommending books where children use curse words seemingly as a matter of course. With topics such as childhood obesity and bullying, there could have been a good story here, but the author had to ruin it with bad language and with a zany, almost racy style of writing which I suppose was thought to make it more "relevant" and "realistic" to today's children, whose attention span and literacy level have been decimated by decades of watching television. This book does not so much deal with finding an actual solution to the problem of bullying as with the desire simply to get revenge on Eddie. In fact, rather than handling the situation in a constructive way, it almost seems to me to be making fun of the whole thing., Another thing that I did not like about this book is that adults are generally made to look like incompetent morons. However, when I learned that the author also created the "Junie B. Jones" series, I guess that I should not have been surprised. Other people may like the "Junie B. Jones" books, but the ones that I read I found to be dreadful. Some may decide that Dear God, Help!!! Love, Earl, which was originally published in 1993 , "is a good choice for starting conversations with students about bullying in school and how children should or should not deal with the situations they find themselves in," but we shall not be reading it at our house. It is one of the "Geek Series Chronicles" that also include Maxie, Rose, and Earl: Partners in Grime, and Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President, and I have to admit that I have no desire to read them either. The Button That Should Never, Ever, Ever Be Pushed! By: Pol McShane Published by: iUniverse, Inc., 2008 ISBN: 978-0-595-53194-3 eBook ISBN: 978-0-595-63252-7 Ages: 6-12 Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine Editor, VS Grenier This is the fourth and final book of The Adventures of Johnny and Joey series. The book picks up right where book three, Return to Animal Land ends with Joey trying to find away to save his brother Johnny from Animal Land where he is trapped. Joey decides the only option he has is to push the red button. Even though Johnny warned Joey that they should obey what the sign says by the red button, Joey still gets a ladder and does what he promised he won’t do . . . pushes the red button. Joey hopes this will somehow bring Johnny back home safely, but what Joey didn’t count on was the elevator opening a doorway to his own world for all to pass through. After reading the whole series of The Adventures of Johnny and Joey, I felt the fourth book The Button that Should Never, Ever, Ever be Pushed was the most imaginative of the whole series. McShane ties up all the lose ends by bring all the different characters from the different lands Johnny and Joey visit back. Instead of the magical elevator calling the brothers Johnny and Joey to adventure, it brings the adventure to their world along with all the friends they have made through their travels in the magical elevator. Children won’t want to put this book down. Each chapter brings more excited, climax, and a rollercoaster ride of adventure, with twists and turns around every corner. The action leads children right up to the unbelievable ending. The Truth About Horses, Friends, and My Life as a Coward AUTHOR: Sarah P. Gibson ILLUSTRATOR: Glin Dibley PUBLISHER: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-7614-5459-5 READING LEVEL: ages 8-12 (grades 4-7) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Sophie Groves lives with her parents and sister on an island in Maine. Her mother, who is an artist, decides that Sophie's sister Sharon should learn to ride, so she buys a pony which they name Really (as in Really Mean). Over the course of time, the family acquires two other horses, and Sophie takes riding lessons too. The only trouble is that Sophie is basically a coward. She is afraid to ride horses. She is also afraid to make friends at school. She is not among the popular crowd nor is she among the smart students. Will Sophie ever learn to deal with the horses and to find friends? This book is written in a breezy, rollicking style that easily keeps the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. As is usual in books like this, there is a disclaimer, "This book is a work of fiction." However, it is interesting to note that the author has the same initials (S. G.) as the main character in the book, that she grew up on an island in Maine, and that she had to endure the agonies of owning a motley trio of horses. So it seems to this reviewer that it is barely possible that some of the events in the book may have basis in actual facts. When I was in junior and senior high school, most of the girls I knew loved horses. While the book can be enjoyed by anyone, middle school age girls will especially identify with many of the problems that Sophie faces. Readers will laugh aloud as they romp with Sophie; her horses Really, Sweetheart, and Fancy Free; her schoolmates Heidi, Melissa, and Rachel; and her family through wild pony cart rides, visits from the Carpwells, runaway horses, and trick-or-treating on Halloween. Some parents may like to know that there are a few common childhood slang terms for the rear end and a couple of bodily functions, but for most families that will not be a problem. Although I think that they are beautiful animals, I have never been much of a fan of horses, but I had a fun time reading this book. Related website: www.sarahpgibson.com (author) www.marshallcavendish.us/kids(publisher) Professor Horace, Cryptozoologist AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Scott Collier PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-14-6 (print) ISBN-10: 1-935137-14-X (print) ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-15-3 (eBook) ISBN-10: 1-935137-15-8 (eBook) READING LEVEL: Ages 5-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker The term "cryptozoology" is from three Greek words meaning "hidden," "animals," and "knowledge or study." "Zoology" is the study of animals. So "cryptozoology" may be literally defined as "the study of hidden animals" and generally refers to the search for animals or creatures which fall outside of contemporary zoological catalogues, such as those of myth and legend. That is what Professor Horace does. Through rhyming text and full color drawings, children will follow the good Professor as he searches for the Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, a Ropen, and so forth. This "Academic Wings Book" is not only fun but also educational because there is an index that helps to explain the different cryptozoological creatures depicted in the book. Most children like to read about and see pictures of leprechauns, fairies, mermaids, trolls, dragons, gargoyles, unicorns, extraterrestrials, and other such beings and creatures of folklore. Might some of these things exist, or at least have existed? Of course, that is all conjecture, and people will probably be arguing about it for years to come. However, because of literary references, it is good for young people to be acquainted with such concepts, and this book is an enjoyable way for them to do so. There is the added interactivity of going back through the book and trying to find the pictures of the different creatures or maybe trying to locate them as the story is being read. What a great book! Our 12-year-old son just lapped it up. Related websites: www.professorhorace.blogspot.com (book) www.kevinscottcollier.com (author) www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com (publisher) Milo and the Green Wagon AUTHOR: Lisa M. Umina ILLUSTRATOR: Chad Thompson PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing International (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-4-1 ISBN-10: 0-9797429-4-3 READING LEVEL: ages 8+ RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Milo is an angel who looks like this really cute little bear. He wakes up one morning and says, "God, today I want to make a difference." While walking down the street, he sees a beat-up, old, green wagon in the trash. Even though it looks bad, it still works, so he takes it to his friends, Mary, Matt, and Mark. Milo tells them that, since he had seen people at church the previous Sunday giving food for the needy, he has an idea to use the wagon to collect things for people who face difficult circumstances. They all fix the wagon up and, as the ACT (Action Changes Things) Mission Team, start going through the neighborhood to ask for donations. Will the neighbors help? Will the four be able to assist anyone? And what about the man sleeping on the park bench? This is a great book to let children know, in a gentle and age-appropriate way, that there are those who are less fortunate and require a helping hand. One of the great principles of the Bible that young people, as well as those of us who are older, need to learn is what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40. "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." It is good for them to see in a story such as this that many people are motivated by their Christian principles to assist those who are in need. I give this book a hearty recommendation to help develop in young readers a sense of compassion and a determination to do what they can to help. Other books in the Milo series are Milo Moments and Milo with a Halo. Related website: www.halopublishing.com Day's End Lullaby AUTHORS: Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman ILLUSTRATOR: Karen Cioffi PUBLISHER: Book Surge (2008) ISBN-13: 9781419691577 ISBN-10: 1-4196-9157-0 READING LEVEL: Infancy to age 4 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
A child has his favorite teddy bear. The sun has set. The moon is out. The day is over. The child is tired. Now it is time for him to close his eyes and go to sleep. This lovely little book, with its lilting, lyrical poetry and its soothing message, is intended for just such a time. One of the best things that parents may do for their children is to read aloud to them. It can be both fun and educational. Our family has tried to have two read aloud periods each day. One is after lunch, when we have generally chosen historical fiction, and the other is right before bed, when we have used other books which relate to our children's interests. Reading aloud before bedtime serves several purposes. First, it is an opportunity for personal interaction between parent and child. Second, it is helpful in getting settled down for children who have been playing for a while to have a period of transition between the activities of the day and the need to rest at night. This picture book is perfect for that purpose. It has the additional benefit that the text has been set to music, and the lullaby is included. Author Karen Cioffi says that she wrote the lullaby to the story over 30 years ago for her firstborn who didn't like sleeping. This is one of those books that wee ones will probably want read over and over to them. Related websites: www.childrensbooksbykarenandrobyn.com (book) http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com (author) www.booksurge.com (publisher) Hard Face Moon By: Nancy Oswald Cover Art By: Cathy Morrison Published by: Filter Press Books ISBN: 978-0-86541-089-3 Reading Level: Ages 10 plus Rating: Five Stars
The year is 1864, and Chief Black Kettle's band of Cheyenne are asked to move closer to Ft. Lyon on Big Sandy Creek in Colorado Territory. Chief Black Kettle decides to remain peaceful with the whites instead of fighting since he realizes how outnumbered his people are and because the Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) are starving. By being a peaceful tribe, Chief Black Kettle erroneously thinks he is now under the protection of the U. S. Army since he was given an American Flag and some peace medals. Since the Tsistsistas are a warrior society, the Chief's decision is very unpopular with his people, and the Dog Soldier Society vows to keep on fighting the whites for as long as it takes.
This fantastically real historical fiction novel by author Nancy Oswald is told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old mute Hides Inside. All he wants to do is become a warrior and hunt and fight in battles. He is unhappy with Black Kettle's decision to remain peaceful – when will he get the chance to prove himself as a young man by counting coups on his enemies in battle if they remain peaceful? His brother, Standing Tall, knows of Hides Inside's feelings, but he is internally battling the hard decision of remaining peaceful and siding with his chief or going against his own tribe with the Dog Soldiers and continue the fighting. He continues training Hides Inside to become a future warrior since that is the way of their people.
Hides Inside gets into battles with his own tribal members, young boys like himself that want to prove themselves as young warriors but aren't of the right age or skill set yet. They taunt Hides Inside constantly about his lack of speech, so Hides Inside is always angry and wants to fight with them. Standing Tall keeps him focused on continuing his warrior studies and that to be a true warrior, he cannot fight his own people. Ever.
The reader then sees the scene of the horrendous Sand Creek Massacre through Hides-Inside's eyes and those of his friends as it unfolds. Author Nancy Oswald does a terrific job to make the reader feel as if they, too, are engaged in this battle for life and survival. This is one of the most shameful massacres in American history against our Native American population – war on mostly women, children, and old people, who could not flee from the powerful cannons and rifle fire of Col. Chivington's "Bloodless Third" and the First Colorado Calvary.
The survivors, including Chief Black Kettle, Hides Inside, and his elder brother, Standing Tall, stagger across the frozen plains to the camp of the Dog Soldiers. It is time for Hides Inside, now called Wolf Howls Loudly since he is again able to speak, to decide if he will walk the path of peace with his older brother Standing Tall and Chief Black Kettle, or if he will join his friend Two Crows and the Dog Soldiers and continue the fight against the whites.
This is a MUST READ for your older child if you want them to know the truth of the way it was with America's shameful treatment of its Native American population during the Indian War days, and to have them have a good insight into the ways of the Tsistsistas, the Cheyenne people. I give this book a high five for the author's sensitive treatment and deep respect of the Cheyenne side of things, and for her realistic portrayal of the Sand Creek Massacre. I cried as I read it – Nancy's word images were so strong, I felt out of breath as I ran with Hides Inside and his friends after watching their loved ones slaughtered before their young eyes. This is one of those books that is bound to be a classic on the Sand Creek Massacre. Although fictional, Ms. Oswald stuck to the historical facts to bring about this remarkable book. I couldn't put it down – it was riveting. Otto of the Silver Hand AUTHOR: Howard Pyle PUBLISHER: Dover Publications (1967; originally published in 1888) ISBN: 0-486-21784-1 SUGGESTED READING LEVEL: Ages 9-12 (grades 5-9) RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This book is set in German Baron States of the Middle Ages during the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph. However, I was unable to tell whether it was the time of Rudolph I (1273-1291) or Rudolph II (1576-1612). At first I thought that it might be the latter, but after reading the book I decided that it could be the former. Baron Conrad Vuelph of Castle Drachenhausen is one of the robber barons of medieval Germany who makes his living robbing the merchants who were passing through the forests near his land. For years, his family has been in a blood feud with that of Baron Frederick Roderburg from the nearby Castle Trutz-Drachen. One day, Baron Conrad takes his men out to raid a caravan. His wife, Baroness Mathilda, pleads with him not to do it but give up stealing from others. He almost listens but finally goes. Unfortunately, the merchants had asked for safety from Baron Frederick who gives Conrad what appears to be a mortal wound. When he is brought home for dead and seen by his wife, she faints and a little later, after giving birth to their child whom she names Otto after her brother, dies from the shock. But Conrad is not dead. After he recovers, he takes the child to the monastery of the White Cross at St. Michaelsburg, under the care of Abbott Otto, his brother-in-law, where the child spends the next twelve years. In the meantime, Conrad takes his revenge by killing Frederick. Then, when little Otto is twelve, his father comes to take him home and raise him to be his successor. However, when his father leaves to swear allegiance to the new Emperor Rudolph, Frederick's son, Baron Henry, attacks the castle and kidnaps Otto, cutting off his right hand so that he could never wield a sword against a Roderburg, to get back at Conrad. However, Henry's daughter Pauline falls in love with Otto and helps him escape. But Henry and his men give chase. Will he find safety? And, though fitted with a silver hand to replace the one he lost in captivity, will he grow up to continue the fighting or choose a different life? While this book was originally written in 1888 about a time several hundreds of years before, it is a timeless story that still has appeal for those who enjoy reading about the Middle Ages. Like those by G. A. Henty, Pyle's books emphasize the development of character in spite of difficult circumstances. The courage of the stern but loving father which allows Otto's safe return to the monks who place him under the emperor's protection and the loyalty of Conrad's men in risking their lives to help him save the boy are both very touching. Other editions of the book exist, but the one from Dover Publications includes the 55 original illustrations by the author. We did this as a family read aloud, and everyone liked it. Related website: www.doverpublications.com (publisher) Fairy Glade and Other Enchanting Tales AUTHOR: Dawn Beaumont-Lane PUBLISHER: Real Time Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-906806-56-9 ISBN-10: 1-906806-56-X READING LEVEL: ages 3-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This is a book of five short stories intended for children. The title story is about two youngsters, Della (the author's daughter is named Della) and Kevin James who live in the Scottish Highlands village of Findhorn near the sea. One day they decide to go on a picnic in the nearby woodlands where they meet a fairy named Bluebell, see the Fairy King, and get to attend the wedding of the Fairy Prince and Princess. Dawn says that she wrote this and the next story entitled "Teddy Bear Junction," about a Teddy Bear who drove a train named Tilly Chuff, in 1966 when she had no money to buy a Christmas gift, so she put down the stories so that she would have something to give her daughter. The third story is about "Samantha the Lizard and Arty the Frog" who learn, despite their differences, how to become friends. The fourth story, "The Dove," is about a young dove named Dusty, whose father left his mother and sisters for another lady dove. Dusty believes that it is his fault that his father left, so he flies away but is convinced by a couple of seagull friends that he should return home. Dawn says that the inspiration for the story came from her grandson Dustin's feelings over his parent's separation. Certainly there is sadness in the story, but there is also hope, and it might be useful for children who have experienced this sort of thing. In the final story, Della and Kevin, now a couple of years older, come home following the death of their father and two years away in boarding school and "Return to Fairy Glade." These are charming stories that children of all ages should enjoy. Related websites: http://dawnbeaumontlane.bravehost.com (author) http://theebooksale.com (publisher) Chicken Said "Cluck" AUTHOR: Judyann Ackerman Grant ILLUSTRATOR: Sue Truesdell PUBLISHER: Harper Collins Children's Books (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-06-028723-8 (trade binding) ISBN-13: 978-0-06-028724-5 (library binding) READING LEVEL: ages 3-5 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Earl and Pearl are planning to grow pumpkins. They dig the garden, plant the seeds, water them, and pull the weeds. All during this time, Chicken scratches the dirt in the pumpkin patch. Earl and Pearl say, "Shoo," and Chicken says, "Cluck." However, one day the grasshoppers come and begin to nibble on the pumpkins. What will Earl and Pearl do? Is there anything Chicken can do? My wife and I have homeschooled our two sons, so we were completely responsible for their early reading material. After putting them through a solid phonics program, we were always looking for interesting and fun books for them to read, and we used quite a few of the "I Can Read!" books from Harper Collins Publishers. The "My First Reading" level of these books are ideal for sharing with emergent readers, and we found them to be very helpful. There is nothing like the accomplishment of being able to read an entire book for stimulating confidence. So whether you are homeschooling your children or just want to give your beginning reader some additional reading skill-building tools, Chicken Said, "Cluck" is an excellent choice. The humorous, poetic text will appeal to young children, and I highly recommend it. Amadi's Snowman AUTHOR: Katia Novet Saint-Lot ILLUSTRATOR: Dimitrea Tokunbo PUBLISHER: Tilbury House Publishers (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-88448-298-7 READING LEVEL: Grades 3-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker Amadi is a young Igbo man of Nigeria. His mother wants him to learn to read so that he can have a good job someday, and she has make arrangements for Mrs. Chikodili to teach him without charge. However, Amadi wants to be a trader and feels that he does not have to know how to read. So instead of waiting for Mrs. Chikodili, he escapes to the market. While there, he sees an older friend, Chima, who is reading a book at a stall. The book has pictures of a strange white creature with a nose that looks like a carrot, and Amadi is intrigued. Of course, if Amadi could read, he could learn all about snow. So, is it barely possible that reading could open up a new world for a young Igbo man of Nigeria? This is a truly wonderful story because it not only emphasizes the importance of knowing how to read but also reminds children in this country how fortunate they are in having the opportunity of learning how to read and in having a seemingly unlimited supply of books at their disposal. It has the added benefit of helping children gain a better understanding of life for young people in Nigeria. Author Katia Novet Saint-Lot has lived in Nigeria when her husband's work for UNICEF took them there, and the father of Dimitrea Tokunbo, whose captivating illustrations add so much to the book, grew up in Nigeria. Teachers and parents can visit the Tilbury House website for a special take home section to use with the book that features activities, discussion points, and further resources. I give this book two thumbs up! Related websites: www.katianovetsaintlot.com (author), www.tilburyhouse.com (publisher) Where Am I Sleeping Tonight? A Story of Divorce AUTHOR: Carol Gordon Ekster ILLUSTRATOR: Sue Rama' PUBLISHER: Boulden Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-878076-30-4 ISBN-10: 1-878076-30-2 READING LEVEL: ages 5-10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Have you ever been visiting away from home, maybe staying at a friend's house or in a motel, and wake up with a momentary sense of disorientation, not remembering exactly where you are? Imagine the plight of fourth-grader Mark and his younger brother Evan, who is in first grade. They are children of divorce, spending a couple of nights at Dad's home, then two nights at their Mom and Stepdad's house, then back to Dad's. With all that moving around, Mark sometimes leaves his homework at one place, or forgets when he has floor hockey practice. Will his "pretty cool teacher," Mrs. DeMotte, be able to help Mark and his parents deal with such problems? It is sad that there is a need for books like this, but it is an unfortunate fact of life. Children of divorce often feel confused, frustrated, and even a little angry because they are having to cope with something that is totally beyond their control. Carol Gordon Ekster has been a teacher for over thirty years, so she is well acquainted with such problems and how to assist children in handling them. This book can be very helpful in encouraging young people who are experiencing this kind of situation to work through their feelings and come to terms with their parents' divorce. It can also be beneficial in making children who may not be in these circumstances to understand better the needs of their friends who are in them and perhaps to be more compassionate. I highly recommend it for these purposes. Related websites: www.carolgordonekster.com (author) www.bouldenpublishing.com (publisher) AIDS Orphans Rising: What You Should Know and What You Can Do to Help Them Succeed AUTHOR: Mary Elizabeth Lloyd PUBLISHER: Loving Healing Press (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-932690-61-3 (hardback) ISBN-10: 1-932690-1 (hardback) ISBN-13: 978-1-932690-47-7 (paperback) ISBN-10: 1.932690-47-6 (paperback) READING LEVEL: for adults who can share with children information that is appropriate for their age RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
The vast majority of the books that are reviewed at Stories for Children are for children. This book is not specifically for children, but it is about children and I believe that it can be helpful to children. Most everyone is aware from the news that one of the worst health crises in our time is AIDS. One of the tragic results of the AIDS explosion is an increase in the number of Child Headed Households (CCH) as parents die from AIDS and leave their children behind. The author is a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini who has for over twelve years been helping the orphans of CCH in Albania, Brazil, Eritrea, India, and Ethiopia. She has a doctorate degree in Nutrition and Public Health from Columbia University, so she is well qualified to discuss the subject. After providing statistics to show the danger of the situation, Lloyd moves on to describe what these children themselves are doing to cope with their plight. She has found them to be resilient and courageous, especially when provided with the means to help themselves. She then explains what has been done to help them, how successful it has been, and what others can do to assist even more, citing examples of various organizations who are working to meet the needs. While pleading for donations, she does not advocate just throwing money at the problem but suggests that those who are interested check out any organizations to make sure that the funds are actually getting to the children in need. In fact, 100% of the profits of this book are dedicated to helping Child Headed Households. Parents want to teach their children to be compassionate toward others. School and youth groups are always looking for worthy projects. Adults can get the book, share with the children whatever information they believe is appropriate for their age, and then work together to come up with ways to assist. The book contains copious footnotes and an extensive bibliography for those who are interested in learning more. There is also a radio interview conducted with the author for Inside Scoop Live by Juanita Watson. This is not a "fun" or pleasant book to read, but it contains information about our world, however heart-wrenching it may be, which we and our children need to know in order to love our neighbors as ourselves. Related websites: www.AIDSOrphansRising.org www.LovingHealing.com (publisher) We're Three: A Story About Families and the Only Child AUTHOR: Vivian Cameron-Gallo ILLUSTRATOR: Christina Simcic PUBLISHER: Trafford Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4251-7215-2 ISBN-10: 1-4251-7215-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 4-7 but suitable for all ages RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker Rating: Five Stars
"There are all kinds of families in this great big world. Some are big with lots of kids ... and some are small, with not too many or simply none at all." Did you know that the single-child family is the fastest growing type of American family? Yet, when author Vivian Cameron-Gallo, the mother of an "only child," sought a children's book that represented her daughter Ava, she found only a few and those had a melancholy tone with negative stereotypes. Therefore, inspired by her own family of three, she wrote this endearing little book to make the single child feel "normal" and part of something bigger--a family.
The gentle, flowing verse makes for easy reading, and the colorful drawings by Christina Simcic add visual beauty to the text. In addition, the story is interactive, asking children to draw various pictures which represent their own family unit. Thus, it is more than just a story book. It becomes a pictorial journal of the child's own personal family experience. "Only children" are reminded that they do not stand alone, and their families are encouraged to do things together. I think that We're Three is a very beneficial and useful book, and it has my hearty endorsement.
Related websites: http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=22852 www.onlychildkidsclub.com I'm Thankful: A Collection of Thoughts for Bedtime, for a Lifetime AUTHOR: Sue Lundquist PUBLISHER: Halo Publishing International (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-5-8 ISBN-10: 0-9797429-5-1 READING LEVEL: both children and adults RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This unique little book is exactly what the title and subtitle say that it is. The author, who is a wife, mother, and charity advocate, asks two questions, "What was your favorite part of the day?" and "What are you Thankful for most" then makes several observation likes "I'm thankful I have my toys." These questions are adaptable to any situation in life and can be adapted in a car, at the end of a football game, or whatever. Next, she provides two or three pages on which the reader can journal his thoughts about the question or statement and also gives some good advice for maintaining a positive attitude. Encountering some very challenging situations in her life, Sue wondered how to maintain gratitude through stressful times and how to teach her children fortitude. She hopes that these questions and statements will be a staple in mainstream family communication, saying, "I initially created this journal to instill values in my children....The I'm Thankful Journal is a teaching and sharing experience for everyone." It is very easy to grow up being selfish, so as parents, we want to raise our children to be appreciative. This journal can serve as a great tool for parents and children to sit down with each other at the end of the day (or at any other time which is convenient), think of things for which they can be thankful, and write them down together--or draw pictures, or do whatever will remind them of their blessings. It is designed to facilitate quality conversations between parents and children as opposed to mere yes and no answers. The adorable black and white photographs, mostly of children engaged in various activities, should assist in stimulating such thought and conversation. Hopefully, this practice will instruct individuals from a young age about the importance of compassion and gratitude beyond "please and thank you." I highly recommend the book. Related websites: www.ImThankful.com (author) www.halopublishing.com (publisher) Chizzy's Topsy Tale By: Donna J. Shepherd Illustrated by: Kevin Scott Collier Published by: Guardian Angel Publishing ISBN: Print: 13:978-1-935137-10-8 Ebook: 13:978-1-935137-13-9 Reading Level: Ages 2-6 Rating: Five Stars
This charming picture book story told in rhyming text again teams up author Donna J. Shepherd with Illustrator Kevin Scott Collier. Together, they have created another compelling book for all young readers.
Chizzy the Monkey was just tucked in bed by his mother when Dotty the Hippo calls to him and asks him to hunt for a fruit treat with her. Along the way, Dotty gets them lost in the woods. The meet a lion cub who is scared of them and they are scared that the cub's mother might return. They tell the cub they are lost, and he points them in the right direction. They stop their snack search to help a baby elephant out of the mud. They continue on and find their fruit treat and start eating it when Chizzy worries that his mother will be quite upset when she discovers that he isn't in his bed. Do they make it home in time before Chizzy's mother discovers him missing? You'll just have to read this cute book to find out what happens next!
The superb text by Donna Shepherd and colorful kid-friendly illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier make this book a "must have" for the younger set. It gives young children the message that they should help out their friends and to also be aware that parents worry about them. I give this book a high five for the cute storyline, the perfect rhyming text and the wonderfully colorful and kid-friendly illustrations. The Door in the Wall AUTHOR: Marguerite de Angeli PUBLISHER: Random House Children's Books (1949, reissued in 1998) ISBN: 0-440-22779-8 READING LEVEL: Grades 4-8 (ages 9-14). RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Robin is the young son of Sir John de Bureford, a nobleman of London, England, in the early 1400s. Ever since he can remember, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman to learn the ways of knighthood. His father is off fighting the Scottish wars and his mother is away attending to the Queen who becomes ill during an outbreak of the plague. Robin himself is to be taken to the castle of his cousin Sir Peter de Lindsay to serve as a squire but becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing the plague, all the servants abandon him and some even die, so Robin is left alone. A monk named Brother Luke rescues the boy and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's, where he is taught woodcarving. With the help of the monks, Robin learns patience and strength. Brother Luke tells him, "Thou has only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it." While still suffering from crooked feet and lameness, Robin eventually gains sufficient strength and learns to walk with crutches, so that he can be taken by Brother Luke and the minstrel John-go-in-the-Wynd to the Castle Lindsay. They experience many exciting adventures along the way, but Robin continually wonders what his father will think of him in his weakened condition, since he can never become a knight. After they arrive at the castle, it is attacked by the Welsh. Is there anything that Robin, who cannot mount a house and ride off into battle, might do to find a "door in the wall" that will help save the townspeople and earn the respect of his father? This is a genuinely moving story which won the 1950 Newbery Medal. Robin's attitude at the beginning, and even after he first becomes ill, is somewhat selfish and even whiny as one might expect from the spoiled son of a nobleman, but he certainly learns better as a result of his sufferings and his effort to overcome them. Many good character traits are exemplified. Each one of us has some kind of handicap or disability, and what happens Robin teaches us that rather than feeling sorry for ourselves or worse yet complaining about our lot, we should be looking for "the door in the wall" that will enable us to do what we can. The only objection is a few references to drinking ale. Also some common Roman Catholic concepts and practices of the day are mentioned, but these show how important religion was during that time. We did this as a family read aloud, and all of us really liked it. Tales of a Texas Boy AUTHOR: Marva Dasef PUBLISHER: Texas Boy Publications (2007) ISBN: 978-061514896-0 (trade paperback) ISBN: 978-061515240-0 (large print 8x11) ISBN: 978-143823545-5 (large print 7x10) READING LEVEL: ages 9-12, Senior Citizens too RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This book is a collection of twenty stories told by Edward Perkins (Eddie) who lived during the Depression with his Pa, Ma, younger sister Dorothy (Sister), and little brothers James and John, on a 640-acre farm near Hereford, TX, in the panhandle of the state. It gives a picture of days when life was simpler as viewed by an eleven-year-old boy, whose experiences are reminiscent of both Laura Ingalls Wilder and Tom Sawyer. A note in the front of the book says, "All characters and events in this book are fictitious." However, a note on the back cover says, "The author's father is the real Eddie narrating the stories inside this book." In fact, at the end of one story about how Eddie's Pa asked a fairly well known amateur detective named Frank Norfleet to help find a con man who had cheated him, a note says, "Frank Norfleet and Burke Mathes were real people. Eddie and his father did not actually meet them. In other words, this is a Texas Tall Tale." Thus, we may conclude that the stories in the book are perhaps based on some real events but many have been fictionalized. I found the book to be very entertaining. Children, and adults too, should get a lot of laughs out of reading all about Eddie and his exploits--whether they are from Texas or not. Parents who try to be careful about the language in the books their children read will just want to be aware that the "d" word is found once in a story where a stranger uses it to describe his daughter who had tried to steal something from Eddie and his Pa on a trip, but Pa soundly criticizes him for saying it and it is very minor. Tales of a Texas Boy is a lot of fun. So you are invited to sit down, take your shoes off, and hear all about Dad Boles with his tame bear Sophie, Bucephalus (Beau) the jackass, skunks in the corn patch, the mammoth bones at Clovis, the rather strange Luck twins, Cage McNatt's prize sow, Mae West, and many others. Related website: http://marvadasef.com/ REPAIR for Kids By: Marjorie McKinnon Illustrated by: Tom W. McKinnon Published by: Loving Healing Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-1-932690-57-6 1-932690-57-3 Ages: 6 to 12 Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier This is the second book in the Growing with Love Series designed to help children recover from Incest and Childhood Sexual Abuse. However, I felt this book could work in helping children who felt bullied move past the hurt feelings and build-up their self-confidence. REPAIR for Kids is a multiple step program for children to tell, express, and move beyond childhood abuse. Adults using this book will find at the beginning instructions on the best ways to help children recover using this book. The program is non-abusive and helps children know and understand there are caring parents, adults, relatives, or therapists willing to help and listen. The illustrations that accompany each step are fun and kid friendly. Giving a storybook feel rather than a recovery tool workbook appearance. There are sections where children are encouraged to write or drawn within the book itself, too. The suggested activities are fun and safe. They help build the child’s confidence with each step towards repair. At the back of the book, adults will find other suggested books for reading and insight to way the author felt this book was important to write. The Adventures of Songha, The Amazing Savannah Cat AUTHOR: Linda R. Caterine ILLUSTRATOR: William Dye PUBLISHER: Author House (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4343-8361-7 READING LEVEL: ages 9-12 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Songha is a Savannah cat, a relatively new breed that is part African Serval Wildcat and part domestic cat. Her temperament is basically that of a traditional domestic cat, but her restless wildcat blood drives her to seek out adventure. The book relates how her father was brought from the Kalahari Desert in Africa and how she was taken from her father to live with her new family in Las Vegas, NV, that not only includes her masters but their children and two other cats, Simba and George. Told from Songha's own viewpoint, the story explains how, disappointed about being kept inside the house, she longs to go outside and roam free, so she begins to search for ways to escape for just a while. Will she make it? If so, what might the results be? And what happens when a Savannah cat meets a coyote? Linda Caterine and her husband, who live in the Las Vegas area, became interested in Savannah cats a few years ago and now breed them. After acquiring Songha, she felt that the cat's experiences would make a wonderful children's story. The Walkers are a family of cat lovers, so this book is a hit at our house! Linda's portrayal of Songha, who considers herself the "African Leopard Queen" not only of the house but of the entire neighborhood, is in perfect keeping with the typical cat personality. The importance of family and the virtues of courage and bravery are emphasized. Each chapter ends with a poem summarizing its contents. As this is the first ever children's book about Savannah cats to be published, the reader cannot help but learn a lot about this rare breed and be amazed at their antics. This book is definitely a keeper! Related websites: www.authorhouse.com (publisher) www.savannahcat.com (more about Savannah cats) Angelwings: On Her Own AUTHOR: Donna Jo Napoli ILLUSTRATOR: Lauren Klementz-Harte PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster (1999) ISBN-13: 9780689829857 ISBN-10: 0-689-82985-X READING LEVEL: ages 7-10 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This is Book #3 of the "Angelwings" series. Doing some research, I found that Books 1 and 2 are entitled Friends Everywhere and Little Creatures. In On Her Own, the Little Angel of Independence must help a girl named Elena become self-reliant in order to earn feathers for his wings. Elena always takes her stuffed giraffe Kathy with her wherever she goes, but the toy keeps her from making friends her own age. So what can the angel do to teach Elena that it is all right to grow up? Over the years, there has been great deal of popular interest in angels, including television shows like Highway to Heaven and Touched by an Angel. Those who accept the Bible believe in the existence of angels and understand that they are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). However, beyond this, the Bible just does not say very much at all about the present activities of angels. Some of the ideas in this book, such as how angels "earn their wings" (remember Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life?), are taken from human traditions rather than from the Bible. However, recognizing that these books are obviously fictional, it appears that many good character traits are encouraged in them. In the back of the book, numbers 4-6 in the series are listed, One Leap Forward, Give and Take, and No Fair. Barnes and Noble's website also gives No. 7, April Flowers, up to No. 16, Hang in There. Related website: www.SimonSaysKids.com The Castle in the Attic AUTHOR: Elizabeth Winthrop ILLUSTRATOR: Trina Schart Hyman PUBLISHER: Random House Children's Books (1985) ISBN-13: 9780440409410 ISBN-10: 0-440-40941-1 READING LEVEL: 9-11 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This book was recommended to us by a friend. Ten-year-old William, whose parents both work, is losing his beloved governess, Mrs. Phillips, who is moving back to England. As a going-away present, she gives him an old, real-looking model of a castle made out of stone and wood and a finger-high lead knight to guard it. William is certain that there must be something magical about it, and sure enough, when he holds the tiny knight, it comes alive in his hand. Sir Simon tells William that a sorcerer had used magic to steal his kingdom and turn him into lead. In fact, just before he became completely leaden, he grabbed part of the sorcerer's necklace which can make things small. William uses it to make Mrs. Phillips small so he can keep her, but after he sees how sad she is, he agrees to be made small so that he can help Sir Simon defeat the sorcerer and get the other part of the necklace that can make Mrs. Phillips normal sized again. Those who do not like books with any "magic" in them will want to avoid this one, but otherwise, besides a reference or two to drinking ale, there is nothing objectionable in this book, and there are several good character traits represented, including loyalty to friends, overcoming fears, and being sorry enough for one's mistakes to do whatever is needed to correct them. Both twelve-year-old Jeremy, to whom I read it aloud before bedtime, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a sequel, The Battle for the Castle. Save Queen of Sheba AUTHOR: Louise Moeri PUBLISHER: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated (1981; reprint 2008) ISBN-10: 0-380-71154-0 ISBN-13: 9780140371482 READING LEVEL: Ages 8-12 RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
The family of a twelve-year-old boy named King David and his six year old sister named Queen of Sheba, have have left St. Louis, MO, and begun travelling west on a wagon train to make a new life in Oregon. The two children get separated from their parents and are in an advance company which is attacked by Sioux raiders. King David awakens to see that everyone else has been killed, although he locates no sign of his parents' wagon, which was in the company behind, so they must have escaped. He has a severe head wound. An Indian evidently started to scalp him but perhaps was frightened away. Well, one other person did survive. King David finds his sister hidden beneath an overturned feather bed. They locate one of the horses and begin to track the other wagons' trail to find their Pa and Ma. King David knows that Pa would depend on him to save Queen of Sheba, who is whiny and disobedient. But out alone on the wild prairie, with little food and water, and Indians prowling around, can they make it to safety?
Good historical fiction is my favorite kind of children's literature. This one has its moments of suspense and excitement, although there are places where it might be a little too action-less for a lot of nine- to twelve-year-olds. Younger children and sensitive readers may find the description of the assault's aftermath in chapters one and two a little disturbing. Also, parents who are concerned with language may want to note that the word "Lord" is used as an interjection throughout the book, and that King David does use the "d" and the "h" words one time each. Personally, I cannot understand why authors who write for children feel the need to use such language. Otherwise, this is an interesting story that will help young people to understand the dangers that settlers faced during the period of westward expansion. Brisinger, Inheritance Book 3 By: Christopher Paolini Published by: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-375-826726 978-0-375-92672-3 Ages: 12 and up Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier The story of the Dragon Ride, Eragon continues in the third Inheritance book. By now, it has been only months since Eragon first uttered “brisinger,” the ancient language word for fire. Now he finds himself without a Dragon Riders sword, being challenged to his very core, bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep, and in the middle of one of the biggest political crises of the time. This third book of the Inheritance Cycle helps to fill-in past histories giving the reader a better understanding of why things have been playing out as they have. You learn more about the inhabitants of Alagaesia and why certain groups do not get along. I did find many parts of the book too slow. The pacing seems to come to a stand still at the author detailed certain back histories. Some of the information I felt was overly detailed, but I’m sure this knowledge will be key in the last and final book of the series. There is much more action on each adventure Eragon and Saphira find themselves on. You also get a better understand about the bond between a Dragon Rider and his Dragon. You also learn many secrets, which will come into play in the last and final book. I think Brisinger will not disappoint readers of the Inheritance Cycle. Sammy the Panda's World of Colors and Shapes AUTHOR: Haliyma Barrow ILLUSTRATOR: Danielle MacIndoe PUBLISHER: Author House (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-4389-1547-0 READING LEVEL: ages 4-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Little Sammy Panda is sad. His cousins Milly and Tilly have misplaced the different colored shapes of his favorite toy set, "The Ship of Shapes." His Mommy seems to know what will cheer him up, so she helps him look for the one gold star, the two green triangles, the three orange circles, and so forth. Will they find them all? And will Sammy be happy again? What a neat idea! My wife and I homeschooled our children, and when they were little we were always looking for fun and colorful tools to help them learn their numbers, colors, and shapes. Whether you plan to homeschool your toddlers or prepare them for traditional school, this book is a great resource for accomplishing that very purpose. With striking full-color illustrations on every page that youngsters should find appealing, this is probably one of those books that they will ask to be read to them over and over. Parents who are interested in developing bilingualism will appreciate the added benefit that the text at each opening is in both English and Spanish. I give this book two thumbs up! Related websites: www.sammythepanda.com (book) www.authorhouse.com (publisher) Queen Vernita's Visitors AUTHOR: Dawn Menge ILLUSTRATOR: Bobbi Switzer PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-59800-714-5 READING LEVEL: first and second grade--independent readers; preschool and kindergarten--read to RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Vernita is the Queen of the Oceaneers Kingdom and lives in a beautiful castle. She has many wonderful friends from the land of Quails but has not seen any of them for a whole year and misses them. So she invites twelve of her good friends to visit her for one month each. Debbie comes in January, Tommy comes in February, and so forth. Vernita and her monthly friends do something different each day of the week, but everything that is done is related to the season, such as snowball fights in the winter, miniature golf in the spring, sleeping outside in the summer, and picking apples in the fall. The author has a Masters Degree in Special Education and has worked with the severely handicapped population. The story is woven around her own friends and family. This is a great tool for parents or teachers to use in helping students, perhaps even including many with various kinds of learning disabilities, to understand the months of the year, the days of the week, and the seasons in a fun way. The sumptuous, full-color drawings are eye-catching and help to illustrate the action of the story for the reader. All children should love it. Even my twelve-year-old found it appealing. I give it a high five! Related website: http://outskirtspress.com/DawnMenge What Can We Do Next?: The Adventures of Lexie and Lolly AUTHOR: Toula Magi ILLUSTRATOR: The creative talents at MikeMotz.com PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press Inc. (2008) ISBN: 978-1-4327-1533-5 READING LEVEL: Ages 4-8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
If you are an adult, can you remember back to those days when you were a kid and it was raining so you could not go outside to play? What did you do to entertain and amuse yourself? Lexie is a little girl who finds herself in that very situation. She remembers that her Mommy once told her that she had an imaginary friend when she was a little girl and they did all kinds of things together. So Lexie decides to use her imagination to create a little friend of her own. Her friend fits into the palm of her hand and wears many colors. She names him Lolly because his different colors remind her of lollipop flavors. What will Lexie and Lolly do? Where will they go?
This picture book for children is a wonderful reminder of how imaginative kids can be when given the freedom to do so, and thus will serve as a great encouragement for them to conjure up their own fun at any time and in any place which they choose. Oh yes, there are television and video games, but sometimes it is actually more fun just to pretend. The author says that she was inspired to write the book when watching her daughter, named Lexie, play with her own imaginary friend. The colorful illustrations will be be very helpful in enabling children to visualize the story. What Can We Do Next? is truly a keeper!
Related websites: http://www.ToulaMagi.com (author) http://www.outskirtspress.com (publisher) The Battle for the Castle AUTHOR: Elizabeth Winthrop PUBLISHER: Random House Children's Books (1994) ISBN-13: 9780440409427 ISBN-10: 0-440-40942-X READING LEVEL: 9-11 RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
This book, along with its companion The Castle in the Attic, was recommended to us by a friend. William is now turning twelve. His best friend Jason has grown a foot taller but William is still small. In the town where they live, it is a "right of passage" for all boys who become twelve to "jump the trains." Jason does. William is not sure that he wants to do it, but how can he prove himself to Jason? The opportunity comes when his former housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips, send him the magic token that enables him to go back to Sir Simon's castle in the Middle Ages. This time he takes Jason with him. Together they face a dangerous army of rats with their gigantic leader, so it is up to William to defeat the rats in the final battle for the castle. William was once a hero in the kingdom, but can he repeat his feat? Personally, I did not care as much for this book as The Castle in the Attic. I did not think that the plot was as tight. And the language was much worse. Both boys use the word "blast" as an interjection around half a dozen times. The dictionary shows that it is a euphemism for the "d" word. I appreciate children's authors who use euphemisms instead of outright cursing, but such words still show a paucity of vocabulary. Worse yet, at least three times the phrases "for God's sake" and "in God's name" are used as exclamations. Any way you slice it, that is using the Lord's name in vain. Luckily, we did this as a bedtime read aloud, so I was able to exercise some judicious editing. In spite of these objections, I still think that this is a good story. Find out if William ever does jump the train. Our Brother and His Chair AUTHOR: Eden Rahaman PUBLISHER: Xlibris Corporation (2008) ISBN: 978-1-4363-3448-8 READING LEVEL: Ages 3-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Put a little boy in his roller chair. What can he do? Where can he go? This picture book, with full color photographs, some of which include the little boy's older sister and brother, is a recollection of the joys of childhood and a chronicle of family love. Small children are absolutely fascinated with looking at even smaller boys and girls, whether in person or in picture, whom they can view as "babies." It is fun for them to see a baby do the things that they used to do--eat, drink, play, ride, and so on. The photographs are quite good, and the text, while simple, is appropriate for the targeted age group. Who can resist such a cute smile? This would make an excellent book for a parent and a small child to sit down and look at together.
Related websites: http://www.Xlibris.com/OurBrotherandHisChair.html (book) http://www.Xlibris.com/EdenRahaman.html (author) BILLY BONES: Tales From The Secrets Closet AUTHOR: Christopher Lincoln COVER ILLUSTRATION BY: Christopher Lincoln ILLUSTRATED BY: Avi Ofer PUBLISHED BY: Little, Brown and Company ISBN #: 978-0-316-01473-1 (Hardcover) READING LEVEL: 8-12 on up RATING: FIVE STARS BOO! Welcome to the wacky world of the Afterlife in this fantastic debut chapter book from MN Author Christopher Lincoln. This book is very special to me and close to my heart – Chris and I started SCBWI together as newbies, and he told me his idea for this book way back in 2005. Now here it is – all I can say is it was well worth the wait, and I can't believe this quiet guy had all these neat ideas running around in his head!
Every family has "skeletons" in their closet, but the Biglum family has a Family of Skeletons (Billy Bones and his parents, Lars and Decette Bones) tucked away in the Secrets Closet at High Manners Mansion. The Bones family guards the locked chests full of all the nasty secrets of the mansion's inhabitants. A young girl by the name of Millicent moves into the mansion and befriends Billy. Millicent's parents recently died, so she was sent to live with her Uncle, Sir Barkley Biglum. He more or less banishes her up to an attic bedroom and has Housekeeper Ms. Primly assign her kitchen duty etc. to earn her keep. When Billy's Uncle Grim (aka the Grim Reaper) shows up for Billy . . . unexpected, unexplainable events take place and huge changes are about to happen to all the residents of High Manners Mansion, alive OR dead! Can you guess what the events are? You will just have to read this terrific book to find out what happens to Billy, Millicent and all the others that dwell in the life of the living and the life of the Afterlife -- all under one roof at High Manners Mansion. Be prepared for plenty of ghosts, skeletons, visions, Oculus, manifestations, specters, et al. And just for good measure, Chris even threw in a pirate and his parrot!
I give this book a high five, and five stars for being such a page-turner with a very unique and twisting plot. I never knew what to expect next, and was almost breathless to the very end of this book! If you like spooky things that are just spooky enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you! I highly recommend this for any age group of children that might be considered reluctant readers even – they won't be able to put this book down – their curiosity as to what happens next will get them! Awesome job, Chris! And, there will be a sequel I am told – I can hardly wait! Little Horse AUTHOR: Betsy Byars ILLUSTRATOR: David McPhail PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company LLC (2002) ISBN-13: 9780805064131 ISBN-10: 0-8050-6413-3 READING LEVEL: ages 5-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
When I first read Little Horse on His Own, which has been reviewed in a previous edition of Stories for Children, I did not know that it was a sequel until I did some research for writing the review. While in the library not long ago, I found the original. Like its sequel, Little Horse is an early chapter book and tells the story of how Little Horse, who lives in a valley with other little horses, accidentally falls into a stream that carries him away from his home. He first lands on an island where a giant hawk swoops down on him. Heading back into the water, he reaches land again and finds himself in a forest, but instead of the little trees with which he is familiar in his home valley, it is a forest of colorful flowers. Frightened by a dog, he tries to flee but is picked up by a hand which tucks him inside the dark, warm pocket of a pair of overalls and takes him to a farm where there are other horses, but they are giants compared to him. His new home is a toy stall in a little boy's room. However, he is already dreaming about his journey back to his home. This is obviously a quasi-fantasy book, but small children, who have to live in a society where so much is made for larger adults, should be able to identify with Little Horse's predicament of finding himeself in a world where everything is huge. The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud AUTHOR: Jenny L. Cote PUBLISHER: AMG Publishers (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-89957-198-0 READING LEVEL: Ages 8 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Max is a Scottish terrier who lives a quiet and peaceful life in the glen, but one day he hears the voice of the Maker speaking through a mysterious humming of the reeds telling him to follow the fire cloud. On the way, he meets Al, an Irish cat, and Kate, a West Highland terrier from another part of Scotland, both of whom have also heard the voice of the Maker. After they cross the English Channel, they meet up with Liz, a French cat, and several other animals who are following the fire cloud too, while animals from all over the world have been called as well. The fire cloud leads every one of them to a place in the Middle East where a man named Noah is building a big boat. I shall let your imagination figure out the rest of the story, except to say that during the voyage there is much mystery afoot in that someone aboard the ark is causing trouble, and attempts are made on both Max's and Noah's lives. Will Max and Liz be able to find out who is behind the plot and protect the humans? What an ingenious and attention-catching way to tell the story of Noah and the ark, giving the viewpoint of the animals! The book is identified as "Juvenile Fiction-Fantasy." One would almost hesitate to call it "fantasy" because there are those of us who believe that the basis of the story, the Biblical account of the worldwide flood in Genesis, was a real event, but, of course, animals do not talk and exhibit human emotions. A note at the beginning says, "This is a work of fiction based on truth." The author wrote, "You may think I've taken great liberties with the Noah story, and I guess I have. Could God have transformed the ark into the natural habitats of the animals? Of course, but did He? Who knows? It's fun to think about what could have been, while holding true to what we do know." This book is well written and easily kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. In addition to being a fun story to read, there are important character traits exhibited, such as loyalty to friends, overcoming fears, exhibiting courage in the face of danger, and trusting in God, as well as an underlying depiction of the battle of good versus evil in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it highly to everyone. It is the first book in "The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz" series. The author is already writing the second volume, The Dreamer, The Schemer, and the Robe, in which Max and Liz return to help Joseph. Future books are planned which will take Max and Liz to important events in both Biblical and world history. Children who like stories about animals, and anyone who likes good fantasy fiction, especially something based on Bible stories, should appreciate this book. Related website: www.maxandliz.com THE PEACE BELL BY: Margi Preus ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Hideko Takahashi PUBLISHED BY: Henry Holt & Company ISBN: 13: 978-0-8050-7800-8 ISBN: 10: 0-8050-7800-2 READING LEVEL: 4 to 8 RATING: 5 Stars
This fantastic book is based on a true story. During WWII, many Japanese towns donated their temple bells to the country's scrap metal drives. A few escaped the smelter, including one from the city of Ohara, which was found after the war - totally intact - by navy crewmembers from the American ship, USS DULUTH. The ship's crew took the bell and subsequently donated it to the city of Duluth, Minnesota. Years later, thanks to the efforts of a visiting Japanese professor, the bell was returned to its place of origin, where it was renamed The American-Japanese Friendship Peace Bell. Eventually, a Sister Cities relationship blossomed between the two cities and in 1991, Ohara presented Duluth with a replica of the bell.
Author Margi Preus weaves a wonderful story of Yuko and her American friend from Duluth, Katie, who is visiting in Ohara. Yuko's grandmother tells the girls the story of the ancient temple bell in their village, how as a child she loved to listen to it ring, her disappointment when it was taken away, and how the city celebrated at its eventual and unlikely return. At the end of the story, the two girls ring the bell and feel its song of peace and good will in their hearts.
The story traces a young girl's life in small town Japan before, during and after World War II. Details in the text and illustrations show many facets of Japanese culture, including the important celebrations of Bon Odori and New Years as well as details of ordinary life during this era. Sounds play an important role—from the KA-DOON of the bell, the deep boom of the Bon Odori drum, the sound of rain (shito shito) and thunder (goro goro) and the song of peace that Yuko's grandmother nurtures in her heart for many long years.
Brought alive by the extraordinary text of Margi Preus and the distinctive, colorful and detailed illustrations of Hideko Takahashi, I give this book a High Five for the message of peace and love it brings to children everywhere. It is destined to be a true classic.  You've Got Me Wishing for Wishes Again WRITTEN BY: Maggie Pagratis ILLUSTRATED BY: Geert Verscheure PUBLISHED BY: Athse Publishing (2006) ISBN: 0-9781475-5-3 READING LEVEL: 2 to 8, but anyone can enjoy it REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
The lyrical message and the soothing illustrations of this book combine to remind us that while we may face many situations in life that could work to take our dreams or hopes away, the very first step to any kind of success, freedom, or healing is daring to wish. The young boy who is pictured in the book's illustrations and who says, "You've got me wishing again" about rainbows and stars and other things, reflects the desire for thoughts of goodness and love today and for a better tomorrow with love, family, and freedom. Children who are growing up in a world where, unfortunately, everything is not always as we should like it to be certainly need to be encouraged in their wishes and dreams for the future. However, those of us who are older can use some encouragement for our hopes as well. You've Got Me Wishing for Wishes Again offers this kind of encouragement for children and adults alike and even points us to sources where we can find such encouragement. I especially like the picture where the boy is hugging someone whom I assume is his mother. This book is a keeper. Website: www.athsepublishing.com Your Personal Math Tutor: An Engineer Looks at Math AUTHOR: Henry H. Banville PUBLISHER: Outskirts Press (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-59800-859-3 READING LEVEL: 12 and up RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Most of the books that I review for Stories for Children are usually one of two kinds: children's picture books, or stories, both novels and biographies, for young people. Your Personal Math Tutor is obviously different. Researchers tell us that an area where American students are falling way behind those in other countries is mathematics. Perhaps one reason for this is the prevalence of "new math," the current version of which is often called "fuzzy" or "rain-forest" math because its purpose is geared more toward political correctness, social consciousness, and self-esteem than actually learning anything of value. I shall be honest. Math was neither my favorite nor my best subject in school. I attribute this to the fact that I had to suffer through the introduction of the original "new math" in the mid 1960s. Also, I was much more oriented toward language arts and social sciences. However, I still took algebra I, geometry, and algebra II in high school and graduated as a valedictorian, and I took set theory and modern college algebra in college and graduated magna cum laude. So even a person who does not care for math can still learn it and do well. Everyone can easily see why accountants, engineers, computer programmers, and even doctors would need to learn math, but why should "normal" people be forced to study it? The fact is that we live in a world where everything we know is defined and described by numbers and their relationships. Furthermore, learning how to deal with different kinds of mathematical problems teaches us logical thinking and helps us to develop the skills that we need for solving various other sorts of problems. Your Personal Math Tutor is not a textbook nor a replacement for one but a supplement for math textbooks and a resource to help one have a better understanding generally of the branches of mathematics. Chapters on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus explain what those areas of mathematics involve and give tips on how to study and learn them. There is an additional chapter on SAT math preparation, all written in an easy, user-friendly style designed so that parents can understand it if even if they have not done this type of work in twenty years. The author's goal is to make math interesting and fun using his "arithmetrix." As a homeschooling father who has taught both of my sons their math, I can easily see the value of this book. However, even if your children are attending a traditional school, the book could serve as a useful tool for you to help them out and maybe refresh your own memory so that you can see some of the practical applications of mathematical principles (yes, even algebra and geometry) to everyday life. The author, a retired mechanical engineer and teacher, says, "This book is like potpourri--a little bit of this and a little bit of that. You can keep this for years and refer to it as you progress through school....This is a technical book, which can't be read like a novel. You must read it slowly to absorb the material, read it again, then practice, practice, practice!" The main index should be very helpful in reviewing specific subjects. If your children need some extra help in math, or if they just enjoy the subject, you may find this book beneficial. Related websites: www.yourpersonalmathtutor.com (author) www.outskirtspress.com (publisher) Wayward: A Story from Silver Falls AUTHOR: Casey Head PUBLISHER: Tate Publishing and Enterprises (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-60247-803-9 READING LEVEL: 10-15 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
In this insightful allegory for young people that somewhat parallels the Biblical story of the prodigal son, Flynn Sorrel is a 14-year-old rabbit who lives with his father, Darben, and younger siblings, brothers Rufus, Gideon, and Jack, and sisters Jasmine and Autumn, along with a host of friends in the village of Silver Falls on the side of Hemlock Mountain. The young rabbit has always been told by his father that his mother died of pneumonia after losing twin babies. However, following a storm on his 15th birthday, Flynn is given a letter that his mother had left with the elders of the village informing him that she became so depressed following the deaths of the twins that she felt she had to leave. Upset that he has been lied to, Flynn runs away from home to search for his mother. Along the way he meets some new friends, Stram the wandering squirrel, and Swift the new-fox who no longer eats other animals. In the meanwhile, Darben sets off with three of his friends from Silver Falls, another rabbit named Theron, a chipmunk named Fingle, and an otter named Jacob, to find Flynn and bring him home. However, with eagles, hawks, snakes, raging rivers, and high mountains, there are many dangers for both parties. What will Flynn do? Will he ever find his mother? (Or is there perhaps a sequel here?) Will he be able to return home? And what will happen to the search party? This is one of the most fascinating books that I have read in a long while. It certainly kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Furthermore, in addition to being just a good, exciting story, there are some important lessons imbedded in the plot. One is that parents need to be honest and forthright with their children. Another is that young people need to beware of the dangerous consequences that often come from rebellion, defiance, and rash actions. Also, there are some situations that just cannot be changed, so we have to accept them. And there is great benefit in nurturing relationships with both family and friends. Finally, you can go home again--in fact, sometimes it is the best thing to do. Not many modern children's books extol the beauty of home and community as well as Wayward does. My congratulations go to Casey Head for a truly satisfying read that should appeal to both young and old.
Related websites: www.tatepublishing.com
The Tutu Ballet AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Sally O. Lee PUBLISHER: Booksurge Publishing (2008) ISBN-13: 978-1-439209165 ISBN-10: 1-4392-0196-2 READING LEVEL: Ages 5 to 8 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Several animals in the forest attend the ballet classes of Ms. Berry who had been a prima ballerina and knew everything there was to know about ballet. However, each of the students seems to have one ballet step that he or she was better at and preferred to do more than any other. Belinda the bear really liked to kick her right leg. Harriet the hare was especially good at twirling around. Fillippo the fox wanted to do jumps. And Mirabel the mouse loved to plie. How can Ms. Berry put together a dance recital when Fillippo would jump into Harriet and Belinda would accidentally kick Mirabel? Children who have taken ballet classes will especially appreciate this book, but it is a fun story for all young people. Sally Lee's muted illustrations, rendered in watercolor and pen and ink on paper, are simply gorgeous and add so much to reader's visualization of the action. Also, there are a couple of important lessons implied in what happens. The first is the need for everyone to work together in achieving a goal. But the second is the importance of using each person's unique abilities when trying to work together. The Tutu Ballet is a delightful book that kids will enjoy. Related websites: www.leepublishing.net (author) www.booksurge.com (publisher) The Sick Bug AUTHOR: Susie Bazil ILLUSTRATOR: Shawn McCann PUBLISHER: Beaver's Pond Press (2008) ISBN-10: 1-59298-243-3 ISBN-13: 978-1-59298-243-1 READING LEVEL: Ages 3-6 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
Tess, a three-year-old girl, is not feeling very well. When her mother tells her that she has a "bug," she first imagines that there is a real insect inside her--maybe a beetle or a flea! Then Mom says that it is a "sick bug," and the two begin to imagine what a "sick bug" might look like and do. After this, Mom remembers a book that her mother had about "sick bugs" and what to do about them. The story ends with some simple but true advice on how to send the sick bug away. I think that this book is delightful and will be welcomed by those who are trying to comfort a sick child. The author, an attorney who decided to stay home and take care of her three children, has endured many Minnesota cold and flu seasons and based this story upon a conversation with her three-year-old about catching a "bug." All children have experienced these kinds of illnesses, so the combination of serious with silly will appeal to them. Also, the clever rhyming dialogue between mother and daughter and the whimsically amusing illustrations by Shawn McCann will appeal to the parents who read this story to their youngsters. This is a great children's picture book to while away the hours while suffering from the sniffles.
Related websites: www.thesickbug.com (book) www.beaverspondpress.com (publisher) The Dragonfly Door AUTHOR: John Adams ILLUSTRATOR: Barbara L. Gibson PUBLISHER: Feather Rock Books (2007) ISBN-13: 978-1-934066-12-6 ISBN-10: 1-394066-12-5 READING LEVEL: ages 5-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker Lea and Nym are two water nymph friends who enjoy playing together in the marsh where they live. After a slight falling out, Lea, a year older, decides to swim to the edge of the marsh to find Nym's favorite flowers which grow in the tall reeds with the hope that she and Nym can make up. However, when Nym, also wanting to reconcile, returns to the home that they share after playing tag with tadpoles, Lea is not there and does not return that night. The next day, Nym goes in search of Lea but finally discovers that her friend has passed from the life that they knew together and become a dragonfly. Exactly where has Lea gone, and what does Nym see? John Adams and his wife Clea co-founded Feather Rock Books with the goal of publishing thoughtful and inspiring stories for children. This book was written specifically to help parents express their views about life and death. The publishers say, "Because young minds are impressionable, we recommend that a parent or other responsible adult read this book first to determine its suitability for individual children." I appreciate that. However, I believe that the book deals with the subject in a very sensitive way that should be quite helpful in providing support for a child who has experienced a loss similar to that of Nym. It is a somewhat sad but truly hopeful story that I rate as excellent. Related website: www.featherrockbooks.com Memories of the Little Elephant AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Nehprii Amenii PUBLISHER: Khunum Productions Inc. (2008) ISBN-13: 978-0-9797010-0-9 READING LEVEL: children of all ages RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker In this unique heritage book for children based on African history, a young girl, named Abii after the memory of the elephant, tells the story of the African people using her own life's experiences as an example. Her father was a pharoah, and her people spread out all over the continent, but other people came from across the sea to take over their home. Eventually, she and her family were captured, put on a boat, sent far away, and sold as slaves. However, her very name kept telling her to "Remember." A glossary is included to help young readers understand the historical African terms that are used. I found the book fascinating. The author is a teacher in the New York City public schools who passions include working with her hands in clay, vibrant colors as seen in the wonderfully vivid illustrations in the book, mask making, and story telling through puppetry arts. The purpose of the book is to weave centuries of time into one seamless story and heighten self-esteem through cultural identity. It would be of special benefit to African-American children, but the story that it tells is one that all children need to hear and understand, as the book not only connects all of African history but also shows that all of humanity came from a common origin. A "Memories of the Little Elephant Curriculum" is being developed to help make the book more useful for students.
Related website: www.NehpriiAmenii.com Little Horse on His Own AUTHOR: by Betsy Byars ILLUSTRATOR: David McPhail PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company LLC (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0805-0-7352-2 ISBN-10: 0-8050-7352-3 READING LEVEL: Ages 5 to 9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
I have not read the first book of this series, Little Horse, in which Little Horse, who lives in a valley with other little horses, accidentally falls into a stream and is swept away from his home. After he fights the swift current and struggles onto an island, a giant hawk swoops down upon him and frightens him back into the water. Back on land, he runs for cover in a colorful forest of flowers and falls asleep, but a hand gently picks him up and tucks him inside a warm place like the cave he used to share with his mother. His new home is a miniature stall in a little boy's room.
In this sequel, Little Horse had never known the sky to be so black and the air so still, but a storm sets him free from the fence holding him captive, so that he can try to find his way back to the valley of the little horses and his mother. But where should he turn, and how will he ever get home alive with all of the obstacles facing him, such as unfriendly horses, a malicious bird, a pouncing cat, a smoky fire, and more? Betsy Byars, who is the Newberry Medal winning author of The Summer of the Swans, has created an enjoyable chapter book fantasy that provides more complex sentence structure than what is normally in easy readers. Young children should find it delightful. Eve of the Emperor Penguin (Magic Tree House #40) WRITTEN BY: Mary Pope Osborne ILLUSTRATED BY: Sal Murdocca PUBLISHED BY: Random House (2008) ISBN: 978-0-375-83733-3 (hardback) ISBN: 978-0-375-83734-0 (paperback) READING LEVEL: Ages 6-9 RATING: 5 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker (BN)
The "Magic Tree House" book #40 is now out. Jack and Annie of Frog Creek, PA, are taken by Morgan Le Fay's magic tree house to Antarctica to find the fourth secret of happiness and help Merlin get better. They encounter lots of snow, an angry petrel trying to attack a young penguin, researchers at McMurdo Station, the volcanic activity of Mt. Erebus, dangerous crevasses in the ice, and, of course, penguins. But will they locate the secret and be able to return to Camelot in time to save Merlin? The book offers a great basis for studying the history and geography of Antarctica and also for learning more about penguins. Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor AUTHOR: Harry Mazer PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing ISBN-13: 9780689841606 READING LEVEL: 12 and up (some give 10-14) RATING: 4 stars REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker Adam Pelko is a fourteen-year-old boy who has just moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, with his father, who is a navy officer aboard the U. S. S. Arizona, mother, and little sister. Early on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, he goes fishing with his school friends Davi, a boy of Japanese descent, and Martin, a Hawaiian boy, in Pearl Harbor. I will leave the reader to remember from history what occurred on that day at that location. What will happen to Adam? And, perhaps more importantly, what happened to his father? Parents may want to know there are a few instances of swearing and taking the Lord's name in vain, other references to cursing, and some instances of drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. Otherwise, this is a very interesting coming of age story of historical fiction for young people set at the beginning of America's entry into World War II. There is a sequel entitled A Boy No More. The Littlest Fish BY: Sylvia Rouss ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Carlos Avalone PUBLISHED BY: Pitspopany ISBN: 978-1-93440-53-7 READING LEVEL: Ages 3-6 RATING: 5 Stars
A friendly little fish went looking for a playmate. He met an octopus that only wanted to eat him, so he quickly swam away. Next, he met a jellyfish, but he wasn't interested in being a friend either! Neither did a crab he met. A shark invited the littlest fish for dinner; only he was the dinner, so he swam away. Nobody wanted to play with him – all wanted to eat him!
Suddenly, he sees a giant fish in front of him, mouth wide open. Uh oh! The littlest fish is afraid he's going to be eaten! To his surprise, the giant fish complains of a terrible stomachache. The littlest fish volunteers to swim into his tummy and check things out. What do you think he finds? Does the big fish eat the littlest fish because he tricked him into his tummy? You'll just have to read this charming little picture book to find out!
Award-winning children's author Sylvia Rouss's rhyming text and darling storyline, accompanied by the adorable illustrations by Carlos Avalone, make this a book your child will want to read over and over again!
I give this book a high five for its adorable illustrations, its awesome rhyming text and storyline, AND . . . the neat history lesson your child will learn as an extra surprise bonus! THE EDDIE BREWSTER ADVENTURES: Book TWO – NO PLACE TO CALL HOME BY: Judith A. Schuster COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Unknown PUBLISHED BY: Publish America - Baltimore ISBN: 1-60563-559-6 READING LEVEL: Ages 8 – 12 on up RATING: 5 stars Book Two of the Eddie Brewster Adventures picks up right where Book One left off. I actually nagged author Judy Schuster to get this book done as soon as possible. I enjoyed Book One so much and was so devastated to leave poor Eddie and his sister "in the lurch". I eagerly anticipated Book Two so I could find out … what happened next? Judy didn't disappoint me – Book Two is awesome, and so now I'm bugging her for Book Three! I actually read Book Two in one sitting, with many a tear shed.
Eddie's story as a foster kid growing up in the 40's and 50's in the Midwest is riveting. The name of the book "No Place To Call Home" and the haunting photo on the front cover gives an accurate insight as to what's in store for the reader. Eddie and his twin sister Ellie arrive at their next foster home – a farm. Their new foster mom talks about a baby she imagines she has, and how she needs to take care of it; the twins are told never to enter her private room upstairs. This "home" is certainly off to a weird start!
While their foster mom slips further and further into a depressive state, and their foster father struggles with knowing how to handle the situation, the twins learn that they will be separated for the first time into different foster homes! Promised by Ellie's social worker that she'll arrange a future meeting between the twins, Eddie waves goodbye as his sister is removed from this, the last foster home they share together. Will the social worker keep her promise to Eddie and Ellie? What lies in store for Eddie as his foster mom sinks further into depression? Will Eddie's faith carry him through this next disaster? You'll just have to read this gripping story to learn what happens next! This series of books are a real eye opener for children and adults alike that know nothing about foster care in the earlier days and what the children go through, and the foster care system and how it – at times – can work against the very children it was designed to help. I give this book a high five for its emotionally gripping storyline. Judith Schuster is a fantastic writer who really knows how to dig deep into your soul and draw out every feeling imaginable. Great job, Judy!
Me, Myself, and I: Youth Meditations For Grades Five Through Eight BY: Sandra McLeod Humphrey COVER DESGIN BY: Barbara Spencer PUBLISHED BY: CSS Publishing ISBN: 13: 978-0-7880-2560-0 10: 0-7880-2560-0 READING LEVEL: Grades 5 Though 8 RATING: 5 Stars Award-winning Minnesota author Sandra McLeod Humphrey does it again with another fantastic book to help the youth of this country. This time, she guides 'tweens through their troublesome, awkward years of being "not quite teen" and "not quite little child anymore". Each chapter starts with the letter of the alphabet, and the chapters are chock full of helpful information for this age group. An example chapter would be the letter "E" – "Everybody's Doing It".
Didn't you ever say to your mom, "But Mom, EVERYBODY'S doing it!" at one point in your growing-up life? I remember saying that to my mother when I wanted to wear makeup at age ten! Sandra uses a story in this chapter about a boy who is teetering on the brink of "giving in" to peer pressure to cheat on a test. The boy thinks about other things the kids at school do to be "cool" and realizes he's very "uncool" because he won't go along with the crowd. What gets him through this temptation to be "cool" like his friends? His faith makes him wonder, "What would Jesus do in this situation?" and then he prays for strength to remain true to himself and to his own values, even if it means giving up friendships with those he morally disagrees with. My mother would have loved this book and I'm sure she would have cheerfully referred me to this chapter when the "makeup issue" reared its ugly head in my youthful days. I'm also sure she would have been very happy that makeup was the only issue and not the cheating and other escapades that Sandra describes so well in this chapter.
Sandra starts each chapter with a Bible quote she calls "Bible Wisdom", followed by an appropriate "Favorite Quotation", then "Words to Ponder", "What Can I Think?", "What Can I Do?", all followed by "A Favorite Story" with a follow-up "Prayer" and "Question to Ponder". Each chapter with its excellent thought-provoking material will get your child into thinking what is the right thing to do in any given 'tween type situation. This book works! Drawing on her 35 plus years of working as a clinical psychologist with troubled youth, Sandra's winning combination of all of the above speaks directly to America's 'tweens in a language they can totally understand and definitely relate to. This is an awesome, must-have book for any parent, teacher, librarian, pastor, or Sunday School teacher to use as a tool to guide 'tweens successfully through those tough years of self-doubt and one's worth on this planet.
Without a doubt, this book will reassure not only this age group, but all of us as well, that God is very real in our lives, is "there" for us, and He loves us, just the way we are. I give this book a well-deserved high-five. *Stories for Children Publishing, LLC. (SFC) and its divisions do not receive any compensation for book reviews beyond a copy of the books and any sales from the links to Amazon.com. SFC donates all books sent for review to a charitable organization. SFC does not review any books that do not follow the book review guidelines. SFC's staff members will not return unauthorized books to the senders, but will donate them without review.
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