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.

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.

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

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.

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 Tale

Author: 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.

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).

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.

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).

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

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).

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 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

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 13^th 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 13^th Reality series, and it is by far the best book James Dashner has written so far. If The 13^th 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: 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.