Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This title was okay but only as a backup of additional info to last year's WAW title Planting the trees of Kenya : the story of Wangari MaathaiPlanting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai I thought Planting the Trees of Kenya was better information and had more depth to the story.

School Library Journal (February 1, 2010)
Gr 3-4-This idealistic account focuses on Wangari's wisdom in advising women to plant different kinds of trees to solve their particular economic problems. "Here are seedlings of the mukinduri. This tree makes good firewood." "Plant a tree. A mukawa. Its thorns will keep out predators." Napoli inserts a Kikuyu phrase and its translation after each bit of Wangari's advice. "Thayu nyumba"-"Peace, my people." The story seems to suggest that the trees were a rather quick solution to the people's problems of hunger and poverty in Kenya's devastated landscape. "Soon cool, clear waters teemed with black, wriggling tadpoles.. All over the countryside the trees that had disappeared came back." Nelson depicts the various women and the greening of the landscape in bold collages of textile prints joined with strong painted portraits. The poetic, abbreviated story has little biographical detail, emphasizing the planting of millions of trees and the resulting prosperity and peace for the country and its people. The preface describing the ill effects of earlier drought and the broad sweep of text provide less concrete information and explanation than Claire A. Nivola's Planting the Trees of Kenya (Farrar) and Jeanette Winter's Wangari's Trees of Peace (Harcourt, both 2008). The information is too vague for primary grade children, and probably too skimpy for older grades. Still, the book could serve as a beautiful introduction for children just learning about the Greenbelt Movement. Concluding materials include an afterword for adults, a source note, a Kikuyu glossary, a list of Web sites most useful for adults, and a brief note from the illustrator.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

The ride : the legend of Betsy Dowdy

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy by Kitty Griffin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Oral tradition tells of a NC girl who rode to warn of the Redcoats coming in the style of Paul Revere. This story weaves those tales into a wonderful legend to share with grades 1-5 on an American Revolutionary heroine. Kids will enjoy this one.


Library Media Connection (November/December 2010)
Based on a legend about a young North Carolina girl, Betsy Dowdy, this is an appealing picture book. During the Revolutionary War, the Red Coats were advancing and threatened to attack the Currituck area of the barrier islands. Sixteen-year-old Betsy undertakes a very scary ride through the night to warn General Skinner and his soldiers, which ultimately may save her home, family, and her beloved ponies. Dramatic artwork in gouache and ink complements the exciting story. The nighttime dark blue backgrounds effectively contrast with Betsy's red cloak and her black horse. Lovely sunrise colors signal the end of the successful mission and her ride for liberty.The book appears to be well-researched, though it is acknowledged that there is no proof of Betsy's existence. Whether or not Betsy actually lived, this old legend makes a good story which adds a more personal touch to similar stories of our country's early years. Recommended. Barbara B. Feehrer, Educational Reviewer, Bedford, Massachusetts

Counry Road ABC

Country Road ABC: An Illustrated Journey Through America's Farmland by Arthur Geisert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Alphabet book with a theme of farm life and rural living. Wonderful illustrations. Gives students a chance to learn more about mid-west farm life and develop great vocabulary for letters;goes beyond A is for apple. A is for ammonia fertilizer, D is for disking. This will be a title to read again and again because there are layers and depths to discover with each reading. I enjoyed this one.


School Library Journal (April 1, 2010)
PreS-Gr 3-A storm is unleashed over a city on the title page. As the story progresses, the sky clears and readers travel with a school bus, trucks, and other vehicles into a rural landscape. Each spread is devoted to an uppercase letter, a corresponding word, and a small black-and-white rendering of a concept or object. The road-surrounded by unfolding, full-color scenes of farms, a firehouse, a bar, a diner, a church, a rural town on the Fourth of July, and other assorted places-continues to meander along the bottom of the pages. For those who aren't familiar with "ammonia fertilizer" (A) or "erosion" (E), a conversational glossary is provided. "X" marks a spot on Y's "County Road Y31"; the aerial view highlights the shape of the always-challenging letter nicely. While the alphabetic arrangement provides an organizational scheme and an informational resource, children will return to the illustrations to revel in Geisert's detailed etchings of farmers working and relaxing. The story spans the four seasons with touches of humor, solemnity, and of course, pigs a-plenty. Several scenes, rendered in strong, black silhouettes, lend an air of calm and contrast. Children may enjoy comparing the style and subject matter to Alice and Martin Provensen's Town and Country (Harcourt, 1994).-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

Seed, soil, sun : Earth's recipe for food

Seed, Soil, Sun by Cris Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Could be used K-3



Beautiful! I really liked this book. It gives a wonderful interpretation of how things grow from seeds and give life to our planet. This would pair nicely with the title Living sunlight : how plants bring the earth to lifeLiving Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life.




School Library Journal (November 1, 2010)
Gr 1-3-This introduction to how seeds become food is a standout in a widely covered field. Clearly written in simple language, the narrative is often poetic as the growth of seeds planted in soil, watered by rain, and powered by the sun is explained. The photographs throughout are crisp and vibrant. The close-ups are stunning, from the fragile-looking leaf breaking through impenetrable-looking dirt clods to the fuzzy hairs of brand-new leaves, backlit by the sun. The transformation of a corn seed that can be held between a child's fingers into a mature plant that the child needs to stand on a step ladder to reach is succinctly accomplished in one paragraph and three photographs. The partnership of farmers and seeds, soil and sun is highlighted in this accessible explanation of this agricultural cycle.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA (c) Copyright 2010.

Just One Bite

Just One Bite by Lola M. Schaefer

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The concept is good but I enjoyed Actual Size by Steven Jenkins better.



Actual Size



I was not fond of the art work in Just One Bite. Parts of it were oversized i.e.: frog,parrot while others were reduced in size. This would make it harder for kids who lack exposure to grasp size and concept. Another hurdle is it is so huge that it will be hard to shelve and hard for kids to handle. It will not fit into backpacks and desks easily.

School Library Journal (November 1, 2010)
PreS-Gr 1-Large, stylized illustrations present a variety of animals and what they can ingest in "just one bite." From a minuscule dot of decaying vegetable matter scooped up by an earthworm to the wriggly mass of a giant squid gripped in the jaw of a toothy sperm whale (quadruple gatefolds for this one), the book helps children to envision the eating habits of critters seen mostly on TV. The brief text repeats the octopus's request for "only the tender parts, please" as he scarfs down a crunchy crab, and a Komodo dragon remarking on the "tasty treat" of a snake-snack. Mouths and mouth parts are shown life-size, leaving (in most cases) the greater part of the head and generally the body out of the strongly delineated illustrations. This is problematic in the case of those species with which youngsters are not familiar. Notes at the back of the book proffer paragraphs about the featured creatures, so parents/teachers will have further fodder for curious young minds. Not in the realistic school of Teruyuki Komiya's photographic More Life-Size Zoo or his Life-Size Aquarium (both Seven Footer Kids, 2010), but attractive, colorful, and impressively big.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.

Wanted, the perfect pet

Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Roberton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cute. Great Read Aloud. I think kids will like it. A heartwarming tale of friendship. Sparse line drawings.
Things I liked about the book: effort on duck's part to take charge and change things. Accepting something different, seeing good of an alternative, boy used and looked up resources and reference material to find facts about duck. Boy made an effort to help duck see he himself not as a lame substitute but perfect the way he is.

School Library Journal (July 1, 2010)
K-Gr 2-Henry is looking for the perfect pet. The ad he places in the classifieds reads, "must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue." Duck lives alone on a cold, windy hill where no one calls, writes, or emails. After reading Henry's ad, he makes a clever doggy disguise and journeys off to meet the boy. Henry is delighted with his new "dog" until its nose, tail, and ears fall off in a game of chase. Then Henry does some research in his Enormous Book of Incredibly Interesting Things and is delighted with his new pet, especially after he makes a list of the duck's skills, including underwater swimming, flying, nest building, excellent at disguises, and "can talk...rare, but not unheard of." Declaring the bird the perfect pet, Henry names the now-happy duck Spot. Roberton's line drawings have a palette of mostly of black and white, gray, and touches of green and yellow. They are very effective in conveying mood, action, and humor. The amusing text is placed in and among the illustrations for a seamless partnership between the two. An excellent tale about not getting what you thought you wanted but loving it anyway.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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Sleep Big Bear Sleep

Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep! by Maureen Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Very funny read aloud. Bear is so tired he does not hear well and misinterprets the wind telling him to go to sleep.


School Library Journal (September 1, 2009)
PreS-Gr 1-It is getting cold and time for hibernation, so Old Man Winter says, "'Sleep, Big Bear, sleep.'/But Big Bear didn't hear very well.." Instead he mishears Old Man Winter and, in attempting to follow his directions, drives a jeep, sweeps a house, climbs a steep mountain, etc. Ultimately, Old Man Winter yells loudly enough for Big Bear to understand him, and the bear heads off to his den for a much-deserved rest. The text moves at a steady clip, and the refrain will encourage child participation. The fact that "sleep" seems unlikely to be mistaken for "climb a mountain steep" or "drive a jeep" probably won't bother the intended audience. The story reads aloud well, and the limited text and oversize illustrations will be effective in storytime. The artwork is the real star here, though. Hillenbrand imbues his characters with motion and personality; their growing exhaustion is evident in their drooping eyes, ears, and body, and their startled expressions when Old Man Winter yells could not be clearer. An above-average addition for libraries looking for more bear, hibernation, or winter stories to freshen up interactive storytimes.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.


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Three Little Kittens

Three Little Kittens by Jerry Pinkney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful! I loved this book but it is primarily for preschool and early kindergarten. It is a retelling of the nursery rhyme Three Little Kittens.
Not for BMJ.

School Library Journal (September 1, 2010)
PreS-The well-known nursery rhyme gets the Pinkney touch in this sumptuous edition. The cherubic felines on the front cover invite readers to follow their mishaps from acquiring the mittens, to losing them, to finding them, to getting them all dirty, to washing them, and-judging from the exuberance of the final spread-losing them again. Pinkney's energetic kittens need every inch of each spread to tell their story. Their mother, who has been represented in past versions as rather fearsome when the kittens confess their carelessness, is gentler here, although clearly long-suffering. Still, she has a sighing patience that children will find comforting. The ability of the youngsters to turn their carelessness into play (finding the lost mittens becomes a counting game, and they seem to have as much fun washing the pie-covered mittens as they did getting them dirty in the first place) is a hidden charm to the rhyme that is developed here; details such as a red cardinal reflected in a stray bubble escaping the washing tub has more "cheer" than "chore" in it. The palette of autumn colors is warm, despite the evidence of mittens and scarves, and the use of white space for the background makes the illustrations sparkle. This is another superb entry in the artist's catalog of classics for a new generation.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Stuff! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Stuff!: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Steven Kroll

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good book for using in April for Earth Day and other environmental units. Definitely shows how giving things away is a good idea for everyone. A bit preachy though; I don't see it as a great read aloud on the basis of language use.

School Library Journal (March 1, 2009)
K-Gr 1-Pinch, a pack rat dressed in blue overalls and an orange scarf, lives in a house overflowing with "stuff." His friends convince him to join in a community tag sale, and he quickly sells everything. At first, he wants to buy more stuff but his friends persuade him to contribute his profits to help buy a tree to beautify the city. Colorful digital and mixed-media art shows animals dressed in clothes and behaving like humans. The message is positive, that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but students will not be entertained or enlightened by this purposeful offering.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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Joha Makes a Wish

Not a nominee for BMJ
Joha Makes a Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale by Eric A. Kimmel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A great read aloud for Folktale/ Fairytale unit. Wishes are turned upside down and Joha must figure out how to fix the problems. Hilarious tale.

School Library Journal (April 1, 2010)
Gr 1-3-Joha's wishes go awry, thanks to improper use of a magic stick he accidentally finds while walking to Baghdad. Kimmel recasts a Jewish tale from Yemen, borrowing story elements from widespread Middle Eastern folklore featuring the foolish wise man, aka Nasreddin Hodja. Kimmel's introductory note doesn't explain his choice of the lesser-known name "Joha" for the character. Perhaps he's melding the Arabic Juha and the Egyptian Goha for his own spin on the affable trickster. The story here is much more fully developed than the usually small Hodja/Goha episodes. In spite of Joha's angry efforts to rid himself of the troublesome stick, it tightly adheres to his hand, causing much worse trouble when he encounters the sultan in the streets of Baghdad. Kimmel's well-paced text smoothly builds events and dialogue, leaving the character interpretation to the comic portrayals in Rayyan's energetic watercolors. Joha is a small man with large hands and feet and a long, thin expressive face beneath a generous turban. His frayed sandals and patched trousers contrast with the splendor of the robust sultan and his armored guards. Joha's misadventures and the trouble he causes the sultan depart liberally from their folklore and cultural roots but offer an enjoyable escapade demonstrating that universal scheme of the unwitting little guy getting the better of those in power. The wishing scheme and fulsome pictures promise read-aloud fun.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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How Full is Your Bucket for Kids?

How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Don't think kids will understand the concept without a lot of direction and teaching. Story not really fun. I was disappointed. I had hoped to add this one to my bully/self esteem unit.

School Library Journal (September 1, 2009)
K-Gr 2-Based on the author's adult work How Full Is Your Bucket? (Gallup, 2004), this book explains that we all have invisible buckets of water over our heads. The negative actions of others toward us can empty the buckets, and our own meanness toward them can deplete their vessels, too. Positive actions reverse the process. Felix refuses to allow his sister to play blocks with him. When she angrily kicks over his tower, his grandfather explains that Felix dipped from his sister's container. The next morning Felix actually sees a bucket floating over his own head, and during the course of the day, as he is alternately bullied and praised, he realizes what causes it to be empty or full. This story is so heavy-handed and didactic that children are likely to find it laughable. Neither Felix, his sister, nor even their dog is a likable character, and the floating buckets over everyone's head look just plain silly.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

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Story County : here we come!

Story County: Here We Come! by Derek Anderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good for working on parts of a story. It sets up characers and setting. But what about plot? They did not get to telling a story, which was disappointing. This could be used to lead into writing stories of their own with characters and setting from the book.

Kirkus Review (December 15, 2010)
In a fit of metafictional worldbuilding, Farmer and four animals march gaily onto blank pages and proceed in steps to build a barn, pour out brown fields (from a bag of "Instant Farm Field"), plant tall cornstalks and haystacks, erect a scarecrow (a princess, thanks to Miss Cow) and finally paint in an evening sky. The five then march back to their bedroom for a snack and a quick bedtime recap of the day's activities from Chicken, leaving the farm all set to be the background for further stories in the morning. Each composed from several pieces that aren't always quite attached, Anderson's loose-jointed cartoon figures labor-or in Farmer's case goof off and make silly comments-in simple, increasingly full surroundings. Rounded off with a panoramic view of the deserted barnyard with a "Welcome to Story County!" sign posted in the foreground and a cozy final view of Chicken rocking her eggs to sleep, here's a cheery invitation to children to imagine stories or story stages of their own. (Picture book. 4-6)

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Nini Lost and Found by Anita Lobel

Nini Lost and Found by Anita Lobel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I liked this read. I had an immediate connection to it since I had a cat who was lost and found. My cat was lost for 40 days. Still the premise of the book is one I think kids can relate to. The illustrations were beautiful. It looks like a good read aloud.

It got star reviews by Booklist and Kirkus. SLJ gave it a very good review.

Booklist starred (August 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 22))
Preschool-Grade 1. The last time readers met Nini, the beguiling striped tabby, she thought she was being left behind when her family went away (Nini Here and There, 2007). Now it is Nini who is making travel plans, thanks to an open door. Once outside, Nini walks slowly away from home, then moves faster, and before long she is very far away indeed. Reveling in new sights and smells, Nini thinks, “Oh, this is really, really, really nice.” But darkness brings strange sounds, and Nini smells danger. One scary spread shows a fox, an owl, and a big brown bear who chase her into the hollow of an old tree. Now being outside is not so nice; Nini wants to go home, and someone wants her home, too. “Come back, come back, little miss cat.” Nini doesn’t know what to do. If she leaves her hiding place, the animals might catch her; but “I must be brave,” she tells herself as she runs toward home. Scolded, yes, but then cuddled and loved, Nini is glad to be home . . . “for now.” Told with an elegant simplicity that children will appreciate (they might have some of the same thoughts themselves), this is filled with Lobel’s endearing watercolor-and-gouache artwork, with big swirls of emotion and the tiniest nod of relief in a little cat’s upturned lip. A wonderful read-aloud, with the length of the text, the size of the art, and the adventure of the tale all being just right.

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Otis and Sydney and the Best Birthday Ever

Otis & Sydney and the Best Birthday Ever by Laura Joffe Numeroff

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Sweet book about being best friends. Great illustrations. For very young readers.



Booklist (September 1, 2010 (Vol. 107, No. 1))
Preschool-Grade 1. Books don’t come much cozier or any less threatening than this. Otis is a fuzzy little bear in green overalls. So is Sydney. Therefore, it will not shock the reader (though the bears are gobsmacked!) that they “soon discovered that they had much in common.” Best friends forever, Otis decides to throw Sydney a surprise birthday party. Out go the invites, in come the candles, and up go the balloons. A misprint on the invitations, however, prevents anyone from attending. Many a picture book has been predicated on the turmoil of a party gone wrong, but in Numeroff’s hands, the problem’s just a blip—Sydney is perfectly happy to celebrate with Otis, and celebrate they do. It’s a gentle lesson, though for some it will be too gentle, with Otis’ professed regret coming off as a bit inauthentic. The content and style of Andreasen’s pen, ink, and digital illustrations are resolutely old-fashioned, which fits well with Numeroff’s storytelling. There’s nothing earth-shattering in this comforting tale, but that is likely just what its creators intended.
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Tony Baloney

Tony Baloney by Pam Ryan

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I wanted to like this book. I loved the title and the cover art. I could not wait to be a "ham" reading a title like Tony Baloney with a NJ or NY accent, but it fell flat for me. I did not like the story or the illustrations. Tony is a middle child who is stuck being bossed around by big sister or forced to play with younger sisters.



School Library Journal (February 1, 2011)
PreS-Gr 3-When Tony Baloney behaves badly, it's surely someone else's fault: the Bothersome Babies Baloney, bossy Big Sister Baloney, or his stuffed animal buddy, Dandelion. Suffering from a bad case of middle-child blues, the young penguin finds comfort in his hidey space and gets wise council from Dandelion. When he feels lonely and smells fish tacos, he decides to apologize for upsetting his siblings. In this rather whiny and loosely held together story, Tony doesn't even get his way in the end. Big Sister promises that he no longer has to be the kitty when they play together, so Tony passes that role to the twin babies, only to find that he must always play the dog. The last spread shows him sourly spilling milk at the tea party and fuming while wearing puppy ears. Older children may enjoy some of the humor, and younger children may respond to the bright, digital illustrations of the cartoon-style penguin family, but this is an additional purchase most useful for those seeking more stories about the woes of being stuck in the middle.-Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted

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Poetrees

Poetrees by Douglas Florian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Poems about a variety of trees. A great book for younger students. Double page spreads with fabulous artwork are great for group sharing. Very pleasing. It makes you want to share these poems with kids. Wish I knew more about art technique to discuss it with students. The poems themselves are rhythmic and rhyming. I think kids will love this.



Library Media Connection (May/June 2010)
This book presents a whimsical, playful look at the impact and beauty of trees. Who would have thought that a tree could capture the imagination, and inspire curiosity, laughter, and awe? Lifting off the pages through art and verse, unique species of trees and their traits become a living force through serious and humorous portrayals. The coconut palm?s sweet treat makes one cuckoo for the coco. The giant sequoias, ancient seers of three thousand years? inspire preservation. The scribbly gum, an artistic masterpiece, has lines where larvae left their mark. The art continues the imaginary inspiration through abstract imagery in natural, bold colors that absolutely capture the natural characteristics and timeless nature of each poem?s theme. Lending life to the tree, hidden words, faces, and images reinforce each poem?s message. A page explaining the themes of every verse in more detail follows the creative depictions. A masterful presentation of language and art, this volume encourages learning and exploration. Though geared toward younger readers, readers of all ages will revel in the fantastic, awesome life of the not so common tree. Highly Recommended. Diana H. Hanke, Library Media Supervisor, Duchesne (Utah) County School District
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Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautiful artwork! The visual presentation blends well with the subject matter. Each poem is about life forms from bacteria to humans. Poems paired with scientific information. Better suited for older students 3gr and up who can understand the concept of ubiquitous (found everywhere).

Will definitely add to my collection but may not be a match for bmj. Will not be a book for younger audiences.



I believe this one won awards for best book of 2010.


School Library Journal (March 1, 2010)
Gr 1-6-This volume of beautifully illustrated poems investigates the natural world, from the single-celled bacteria and diatom to the ever-present ant and dandelion. Well-researched science facts are paired with vivid poems to describe how these very special life-forms avoided extinction to become nature's survivors. The book begins 4.6 billion years ago with a newly formed Earth and continues through time as it introduces 14 types of life that are still with us today. Starting with bacteria (3.8 billion years old) and including mollusks (500 million years old), ants (140 million years old), and coyotes (2.3 million years old), the journey continues to the youngest of species, the "wise humans" or homo sapiens, that have inhabited the Earth for only 100,000 years. An illustrated time line helps bring this massive scale into the realm of children's understanding. Each spread includes a poem, amazing facts, and an exquisite, hand-colored linocut. Sidman uses a variety of poetic structures, including diamante, rhyming couplets, and unrhymed verse, and unexpected language choices to create diverse and vivid word pictures of each species. This melding of science and humor makes for enjoyable reading. The stunning illustrations engage readers and encourage questioning and further exploration. From the depiction of ant tunnels to the surprising perspective of blades of grass, the bold and colorful linocuts are incredibly detailed and successfully capture the essence of each creature as part of its larger environment. A delightful feast for the eyes, ears, and mind.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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The Sandwich Swap

The Sandwich Swap by Rania Al-Abdullah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A book about friendship and tolerance. A good book for helping kids to accept others and learn more about other cultures. Definitely a keeper.


Favorite quote:
"It's easy to jump to conclusions when we come across something new or foreign or strange. But if we take the time to get to know each other, stand in each other's shoes and listen to a different point of view, we learn something wonderful--about someone else and about ourselves."
-Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah (The Sandwich Swap)

Library Media Connection (August/September 2010)
Loosely based on an event from the author?s childhood, this is the story of best friends, Salma and Lily. They eat lunch together everyday, but Lily always eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, while Salma always brings a hummus and pita sandwich. Each girl is so sure that the other girl?s lunch must be gross and yucky, that small insults soon escalate into a food fight! After a visit to the principal?s office, Lily and Salma decide to trade sandwiches, and, to their surprise, instead of yucky and gross, each girl finds the other girl?s lunch quite wonderful. A fold-out page at the end depicts a multicultural event complete with flags and food from around the world. Trisha Tusa?s colorful and detailed illustrations bring the characters to life. This title would make a great kick-off for a unit on tolerance, friendship, or even nutrition. Recommended. Julie Stephens, Educational Reviewer, Calhoun, Georgia
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Alfie Runs Away

Alfie Runs Away by Kenneth M. Cadow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Who hasn't wanted to run away as a child? This is a story most kids will relate to. Meant for the very young, PK- 1. Alfie takes his beloved things and runs away rather than lose his favorite shoes. He makes it only to the backyard before he misses home. Illustrations are good and go well with the story.


Booklist (June 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 19))
Preschool-Kindergarten. Picture-book shelves overflow with stories of furious young kids who protest injustice by packing up their essentials (snacks, stuffed animals) and running away, often making it only as far as the backyard before setting up camp. In his debut picture book, Cadow borrows familiar elements, but what feels fresh here is the child’s reason for leaving. Instead of sibling rivalry or the struggle to be heard, it’s young Alfie’s frustration and sorrow over his own growing up that sends him out the door. After his mother tells Alfie to part with a favorite pair of outgrown sneakers, he explodes, announces his departure plans, and assembles his supplies. His gentle, understanding mother helps and even tucks an imaginary hug into his bag. Alone in the backyard, Alfie slowly accepts that his shoes need to go, and in a warm conclusion, finds a new home for them. Young children will easily recognize Alfie’s frustrated feelings of powerlessness, as well as his fears of independence. Castillo’s expressive illustrations sensitively reinforce this tender, reassuring story’s elemental emotions.
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Last Train

The Last Train by Gordon M. Titcomb

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The illustrations are gorgeous! My grandson loved looking at the pictures. He LOVES trains. However the illustrations are what make the book. The story was only so so. I just wish the story had been more about trains less about memories. Kids today are fascinated with trains.



Not one to add to my collection.

Booklist (September 15, 2010 (Vol. 107, No. 2))
Preschool-Grade 2. Train lovers will have reason to delight in musician Titcomb’s bittersweet song turned picture book. A succinct paean to American railroading in lilting rhymes, the story is told from the viewpoint of a boy whose grandfather was an engineer, and father a station master. But now, the child explains, “The tracks that shone like silver, have turned to rusty brown,” and mementos of the past—a ticket punch, a union card, even track-flattened pennies that “look like little metal tears”—are stored in a cigar box. The sadness of faded history, however, is mitigated by Minor’s illustrations showing proud railroad employees and the shiny, powerful machines they labored on. The warm tones of passenger-car windows, the coal engines, and golden fields play against the cool blues of denim work clothes, the deep night sky, and burnished steel. The whole makes for a romantic read, and the afterword, with its reference to classic railroad songs, and a final list of railroad history Web sites will surely encourage exploration of iron-horse music and history.




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My Heart is Like a Zoo

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a book that can be used to teach similes as well as just enjoy. I loved the way the artist used all hearts to create animals. I immediately wanted to try creating some of them myself.

You would need to have paper in a variety of colors, or better use a computer and make the images filling in colors and layering the hearts.

Here is what Horn Book had to say:
Horn Book (Fall 2010)

"My heart is like a zoo-- / eager as a beaver, / steady as a yak, / hopeful as a hungry heron fishing for a snack..." In this charming ode to the heart, Hall presents a series of crisp, silliness-spiked rhymes paired with digitally rendered illustrations that employ heart shapes to create the twenty featured animals.


This may not be the best book for our list but definitely worth taking a look at and using with students.
What do you think?



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We Planted a Tree

We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This one is good for sharing in April for Earth Day. It gives a view of the purpose and importance of trees.I did not like the illustrations. I also thought it was a bit confusing as it jumped around the world showing various families planting trees. After two readings I understood better about how to use the book with students and explaining how people all over the planet plant trees for a variety of reasons.

However it got good reviews so maybe I am in the minority. what do you think?

School Library Journal (March 1, 2010)
PreS-Gr 4-With a synergistic mesh of lyrical language and bright, expansive illustrations, this picture book enumerating the many benefits of trees is a winner. Muldrow's poetic text shapes beauty from simple observations: "The sunshine went into the buds,/And soon they burst open./Everywhere it was pink./And we were dizzy/With springtime." As the text describes the growth of the tree and the many benefits it provides (shade, clean air, fruit, sap, and holding the soil, among others), Staake's signature modernized cartoon-style illustrations circle the globe, showing families in New York, Vermont, Japan, Kenya, France, and Italy as they enjoy what the trees have to offer. Enjoyable and informative, this beautiful presentation of a clear ecological message is perfect for sharing on Earth Day, Arbor Day, or in ecology units.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.



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Emma's journey

Emma's Journey by Claire Frossard

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I did not enjoy this one. It sets out to be a journey to Paris but Emma spends all her time just getting across town. It weaves together real photos and illustrations. If the focus is New York City why not make it a journey around NYC?

Here is what Kirkus had to say:
Kirkus Review (October 1, 2010)
An elegant idea becomes a rather inelegant mish-mash, as the author/illustrator combines her tale with her uncle's photographs. Emma is a sparrow, a rounded figure with polka-dot boots, a red pom-pom on her white beret and little wings that work like hands. She lives in Central Park and loves to ride on her best friend Duckyduck's back as he swims. ButDuckyduck is migrating for the winter, and lonely Emma ends up at retired Uncle Bob's. He recounts how their family migrated from Paris, and Emma decides to go there, but she needs to find Captain Joe, who lives near the Brooklyn Bridge. The illustrations consist mostly of Claire Frossard's small, colorful figures placed on Etienne Frossard's large and striking photographs of New York in winter. The visual narrative includes plenty of amusing side details (especially enjoyable are pictorial thought-bubbles), but Emma's story is overlong and meandering, more a vehicle for the images than their integral complement. Though frequently fanciful and amusing, the parts never quite weave into a coherent whole. (Picture book. 5-8)





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Subway

Subway by Christoph Niemann

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I think this book is fairly confusing to younger children. I think you need to understand and have some background knowledge of public transportation and the subway system to understand the confusing stark images.

I do think this would be great book to use with an art class to show how subtle changes makes the feel of the drawing feeling different. It could also be used in teaching perspective.

Booklist (April 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 16))
Preschool-Grade 2. Train lovers everywhere will enjoy this picture-book ride conducted by a New York Times blogger. One day, a bored father and his two children take an adventure on public transportation through Manhattan and its neighboring boroughs. Along the way, they wave to rats and the Statue of Liberty, ride next to cowboys and bankers, and plan circuitous routes just to prolong the fun. The text is sometimes choppy and awkward (“Riding the A requires some patience if you plan to visit all forty-four stations”). But the gouache art is distinctively urban and bold. Faceless, silhouetted figures resemble those on the pedestrian crossing lights, and the NYC subway’s rainbow of iconic lines and signage is creatively woven into the dark, black underground and on the sunny elevated tracks. Other titles, such as Heather Lynn Miller’s Subway Ride (2008), are more universal. Niemann’s enthusiastic offering is an experience that, like many others, can only be had in the Big Apple.


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What if

What If? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What Library Media says:
Library Media Connection (May/June 2010)

Choices?we all make them and they have consequences?both positive and negative. Often it is hard for students to see the impact of some of the decisions they make. Seeger?s book clearly paints a picture for students about what happens each time a different decision is made. Using beautiful illustrations from the beach and three simple seals, she shows students what happens as the ball is passed between the two groups. It is easy to see that when one group has the ball, the other is sad. However, if they all play together, everyone is happy. With little text, the focus is on the bright and colorful images used to teach students a difficult concept with an example that is easy to understand. This book will have many different connections and possibilities in using it with students, from character education to writing. Highly Recommended. Carl A. Harvey II, Library Media Specialist, North Elementary School, Noblesville, Indiana




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City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
K- 1 read aloud. Nice story about friendship. Beautiful illustrations.

Starred reviews in Horn, Booklist, and Kirkus. Good reviews in SLJ.

Booklist starred (March 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 14))
Preschool-Grade 2. The book begins in spring. City Dog comes to the country, thrilled to run without a leash. Something stops him—Country Frog. Frog’s waiting for a friend: “But you’ll do.” After that the duo plays together, and Frog teaches Dog about splashing and croaking. In the summer, City Dog returns and runs to see Frog. Now it’s his turn to teach Frog games, replete with sniffing, fetching, and barking. In the fall, Country Frog is tired. “Maybe we can play remembering games.” And that’s what they do, remembering jumping and splashing, sniffing and barking. In the winter, snow is everywhere, but Frog is gone. When spring returns, a chipmunk comes across City Dog. “What are you doing?” she asks. City Dog replies sadly, “Waiting for a friend.” Then he smiles a “froggy” smile and adds, “But you’ll do.” It’s hard to imagine a picture book that more consistently (and touchingly) hits all the right notes. Willems, never one to overwrite, is gracefully spare here, making every word count. That leaves room for Muth’s watercolors, richly seasonal, which fill each page. The pictures are imbued with hope and happiness, leaving and longing. This wonderful collaboration makes a significant impact with subtlety and wit. Adults and children will each take away something of their own.

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Mr President Goes to School

Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Silly book about the President. He runs away from his problems back to his kindergarten teacher. While visiting he is reminded that the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about. He goes back to Oval office to use his kindergarten solutions.

This is just a fun read aloud story without a lesson or moral. It does trivialize the ominous job of the President and the tasks and problems he must face.

Booklist (September 1, 2010 (Vol. 107, No. 1))
Grades K-2. The president in question has the hair of Ronald Reagan, the smile of Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton’s nose. Like his predecessors, he can have some pretty bad days. On one of them, he decides to leave the White House and go back to a happier time and place. Putting on a fake mustache and glasses, he heads to his old school, and soon his old teacher, Mrs. Appletree, has him finger painting, making castles out of blocks, and doing the hokey pokey. What might have turned into just a day off becomes more when Mr. President takes the lessons he’s learned about friendship, fun, and doing the hokey pokey back to the White House. Savvy kids will get the message that amicability and appreciation of others can overcome the most acrimonious situation. Adults may wish it was that easy but will certainly understand the rejuvenation a break can give. The art, which looks a bit like that of Patricia Polacco, scoops all the inherent silliness out of the story but has a tender side, too.







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This world we live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Not as good as the previous two books. I was a bit disappointed as it was more of the same. First two books gave you two different perspectives of the same occurrence. This one merged the two but frankly did not feel as realistic. Things seemed a bit too pat and of course worked out for the immediate intact family. It left off with them leaving and going out into the unknown which is what I thought part of this book would have been about.



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Busy Tree

The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
K-2
Beautiful illustrations, simple text. Tells the life story of a tree and how it helps the animals and wildlife that depends upon it for their shelter, food, and support.

Library Media Connection (November/December 2009)
The Busy Tree narrates its own story in rhyme in this picture book that combines science and art. Falkenstern?s paintings are life-like in realistic colors and intricate in detail, down to the hairs on a cocoon clinging to a twig on the tree?s limb. Most illustrations are imposed on a white background, accenting their deep hues. In the voice of the tree, the author explains the role of its roots and leaves. It explains the ecosystems that live in community with it, including ants that file in long lines around its trunk seeking food, squirrels that nibble its acorns, an owl living in a hole in the trunk, spiders spinning webs between its branches, and a woodpecker seeking bugs in its bark. Humans are part of this community as children use the tree?s heavy branches to hang a swing. The author also tells the life cycle of the tree when a child plants an acorn, and illustrations depict the stages of the tree?s growth. This is a gentle and enchanting book that both teaches and inspires. Recommended. Karen Sebesta, Children?s and Young Adult Librarian, San Antonio (Texas) Public Library
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Goal by Mina Javaherbin

3-4, picture-book--older, read, realistic--contemporary, world-culture

Goal! by Mina Javaherbin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
multicultural, great illustrations,

Story set in Afica about kids playing soccer while watching out for local bullies who steal a ball from them, luckily not the new leather one won for being the best reader in class.

Room for lots of discussion with older kids. May need to practice names of the kids and players for pronunciation.

Library Media Connection (May/June 2010)

In this picture book, a group of South African boys have fun playing soccer while keeping watch for the bullies who may steal their new soccer ball. When the boys see the bullies approaching, Ajani taps the ball into an overturned bucket and another player covers the ball with the upside down bucket. The bullies get a ball, but it is the boys? old ball. Attractive oil illustrations capture the emotions and action of the story. The story portrays the dangerous and difficult circumstances for children in a part of the world many readers may not know much about. Suitable for reading aloud to younger children, students will cheer on Ajani and his friends. Additional Selection. Laura D?Amato, Library Media Specialist, Parma (Ohio) City School District

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Moon Bear

Moon Bear by Brenda Z. Guiberson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Illustrations are dark and hard to see, except as a lap book. But their texture and paper on paper technique is very interesting.

Story about an Asian bear who goes through the seasons spring to spring.

School Library Journal (April 1, 2010)
Gr 1-3-The endangered Moon Bear, or Asiatic black bear, is the subject of this call-and-response tale created in partnership with the Animals Asia Foundation. Readers follow one female bear as she wakes from hibernation, explores the seasons, and awakens the following spring with new cubs. The story focuses on simple actions such as eating raspberries and swatting insects, giving young readers an idea of how these elusive bears behave. Much of the time, collage illustrations closely reflect the text, but occasionally elements are left to the imagination. For example, the Moon Bear is said to be eating near a red panda that appears nowhere on the page. Collage illustrations are a good fit for showcasing the Moon Bear's markings and large round ears. The threat of poachers and loggers is touched upon, and an author's note with photos and a Web site lets readers know how they can help this animal. A worthy effort highlighting a species in need.-Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

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Dark Emperor & other poems of the night

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Was okay. Just not my cup of tea. I was surprised as this title got some recognition as a top pick from Booklist. I expected to love it. Taking it off my buy list

School Library Journal (August 1, 2010)

Gr 3-6-Sidman continues her explorations of natural history in this set of poems about nocturnal life in the forest. As in her other collections, each selection is set in an expansive spread that includes a factual discussion of the featured subject. The illustrations are bold, richly detailed linoleum prints colored in gouache. The 12 poems are led by a scene setting "Welcome to the Night" and go on to feature 9 different creatures and some mushrooms with a concluding lament by the moon as night fades into morning. Sidman adroitly applies varied poetic forms and rhyme schemes. The title's dark emperor, the great horned owl, lends its shape to the one concrete poem, and the closing lament is in the medieval style known as an ubi sunt. The poetry is reflective and at times philosophical. "Build a frame/and stick to it,/I always say./Life's a circle..Eat your triumphs,/eat your mistakes:/that way your belly/will always be full.," advises the night spider. Other poems are playful and some just a bit confusing. The porcupine poem explains that the infant of this species is known as a porcupette; the repeated use of "baby porcupette" seems oddly redundant. The bookmaking is beautiful with the concept of night lending itself generously to poetry. It invites lingering enjoyment for nature and poetry fans, and, as with Sidman's earlier collections, it might be used with varied curriculums.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

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Eleanor Quiet No More

Eleanor, Quiet No More by Doreen Rappaport

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A higher level book for older readers, not great for kindergarten- 1st grade.

A wonderful read about Eleanor Roosevelt and her life. A great book to use during March and Women's history month.

Loved this book for older students! Thanks to Judy Debusk for sharing it. I plan to get this one for the library. I had not seen it tell I read it for BMJ.

Booklist starred (November 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 5))

Grades 2-5. Even familiar political figures can get bold new treatments, as this dramatic picture-book biography shows. The wordless cover, featuring only the face of Eleanor Roosevelt, her expression one of hope mixed with purpose, immediately captures attention. Before the story begins, a double-page spread is offered with just the quote, “Do something every day that scares you.” The book then opens with glimpses of Eleanor’s early life: her mother thought her ugly, too serious, and called her Granny. After her parents’ death, she moved in with her grandmother, who “did everything she thought was right for a little girl except hug and kiss her.” The narrative moves swiftly through the important moments in Roosevelt’s life, including marriage and family, but along with accomplishments, Rappaport does something more subtle—she shows the way Eleanor grew into herself. Crisp sentences focus the narrative and are bolstered by the quotes that end each page. If the text has a smart spareness to it, the accompanying art is composed of rich, beautifully crafted paintings that also catch Roosevelt’s growing sense of purpose. There are a few quibbles—the quotes could have been more clearly sourced, and there’s no mention of FDR’s affairs, an important reason for Eleanor’s growth—but overall, this is an exciting introduction to a well-loved leader.

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Snow Dog's Journey

The Snow Dog's Journey by Loretta Krupinski

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Story of two kids who create a dog of snow. The dog is kidnapped by the Frost King who takes him to the ice palace. But finally the dog runs away back to the children where he magically turns into a real dog.

Library Media Connection (January/February 2011)

Who hasn't ever let their imagination run wild when trapped inside on a snowy day? Anna and Olen rejoice in the gift of snow from the Frost King by building a unique friend for him: a snow dog. The Frost King has been looking for a companion. At first, Snow Dog is concerned about leaving the children, but he finally joins the Frost King. Children will find a touching story about unconditional love that is reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit. On many pages, the illustrations have a folk art border and the style is a subtle blend of pointillism and impressionist colors. Additional Selection. Laura Dooley-Taylor, Library Media Specialist, Cumberland Elementary, Des Plaines, Illinois

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