How Katherine Applegate Created a Classic and Nabbed a Newbery

THE RESULTS ARE IN THE LATEST BLOCKBUSTER OUTSTANDING! LIBRARIANS BOOST LEARNING MINECRAFT [ALA’S BOOK PICKS]

MARCH 2013

How Katherine Applegate created a classic and nabbed a Newbery

SLJ130301-MAG_0001 1 2/21/2013 1:22:33 PM n 1993 a certain New York Times article caught author Katherine Applegate’s eye. The piece, called “A Go- rilla Sulks in Mall as His Future Is Debated,” focused on the B & I Shopping Mall in Tacoma, WA, where a 500-pound gorilla languished while the humans around him determined his fate. Something about this ape named Ivan lodged itself deep into the crevices of Ms. Applegate’s brain. It wasn’t until more than a de- cade had passed that she returned to it. During that time, she’d written a pair of Harlequin romance novels, the enormously popular “Animorphs” series (Scholastic), a multitude of books for children, and the verse novel Home of the Brave (Feiwel & Friends, 2007). After agreeing to write two novels for HarperCollins, she rediscovered Ivan’s tale. “I found it so tragic and so compelling, but honestly, I was not sure it would work as a book,” she says. “I really had my doubts.” Now the newest winner of the Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, IApplegate’s The One and Only Ivan has brought new attention to an author who has worked tirelessly on books for children for decades. At 56, she and her husband, fellow novelist Michael Scott, live with their two children (Jake, age 15, and Julia, 13), a cat named Lightning McQueen, and a dog named Stan (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Bob, the dog in her Newbery winner) in Tiburon, CA. Says Applegate, we “can see San Francisco, Alca- traz, and Angel Island from our porch, unless it’s foggy.” Funny and modest to a fault regarding her recent Newbery vic- tory, Applegate spoke with me less than a week after her historic win.

SLJ130301-MAG_0024 1 2/20/2013 2:26:30 PM THE How Katherine Applegate created a classic and nabbed a Newbery

ONEAND

ONLY Fiction n 1993 a certain New York Times article caught author Katherine Applegate’s eye. The piece, called “A Go- BARCELO, François. My Daddy’s Footsteps. rilla Sulks in Mall as His Future Is Debated,” focused on the B & I Shopping Mall in Tacoma, WA, where ISBN 978-1-60754-359-6. ––––. My Mommy’s Hands. ISBN 978-1- a 500-pound gorilla languished while the humans around him determined his fate. Something about this 60754-362-6. ape named Ivan lodged itself deep into the crevices of Ms. Applegate’s brain. It wasn’t until more than a de- ea vol: tr. from French. illus. by Marc CIP. unavailable. cade had passed that she returned to it. During that time, she’d written a pair of Harlequin romance novels, PreS-K–In these French imports, a nameless the enormously popular “Animorphs” series (Scholastic), a multitude of books for children, and the verse boy anxiously awaits his parent. My Daddy’s Footsteps finds a boy and his mother poised novel Home of the Brave (Feiwel & Friends, 2007). After agreeing to write two novels for HarperCollins, 005) and Sally Gardner’s Mama, Don’t Go she rediscovered Ivan’s tale. “I found it so tragic and so compelling, but honestly, I was not sure it would Out Tonight (Bloomsbury, 2002) are livelier offerings for imaginative young worrywarts.– work as a book,” she says. “I really had my doubts.” Laura Butler, Moun Now the newest winner of the Newbery Medal for the most What was the first thing you ever published? distinguished contribution to American literature for children, I really made my way up through the trenches, and the first thing I published were psychology quizzes Electra LH Cursive -ital1 IApplegate’s The One and Only Ivan has brought new attention to in YM magazine—I think it was called Young Miss. an author who has worked tirelessly on books for children for de- It was kind of like Seventeen magazine. So I did a lot Electra Bold -bold1 cades. At 56, she and her husband, fellow novelist Michael Scott, of that, and the first book I published was a Harle- quin romance. I’m almost certain that I will be the live with their two children (Jake, age 15, and Julia, 13), a cat first Newbery winner to have published two Harle- named Lightning McQueen, and a dog named Stan (who bears quin romances. an uncanny resemblance to Bob, the dog in her Newbery winner) ITC Franklin Book in Tiburon, CA. Says Applegate, we “can see San Francisco, Alca- That’s a scoop! You know, I’ll tell you something. They are very Condensed Italic - traz, and Angel Island from our porch, unless it’s foggy.” hard to write. You follow the formula. It was a ital2 Funny and modest to a fault regarding her recent Newbery vic- really steep learning curve. And after that, I did ITC Franklin Gothic a bunch of ghosting. So again, I was learning to tory, Applegate spoke with me less than a week after her historic win. Medium Condensed - bold2 By Elizabeth Bird ITC Franklin Gothic Medium Condensed PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID PAUL MORRIS Italic - bold2italic

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 25

SLJ130301-MAG_0025 2 2/20/2013 2:26:40 PM write to a specific formula. I did, I think, around 17 “Sweet Val- look even at plot, which is probably why plot is a struggle for really fell into place. Anne loves words the same way I do, and ley Twins” [books]. me. I think about what the book looks like and how it feels. so we could go back and forth for three days trying to get a Maybe that discipline is helpful for me in terms of finding sentence just right. I love that. She’d say, “No, that’s not quite Was following a formula valuable? the right words. right.” “OK, we’ll try again.” And when you have that experi- I think it’s a little like basic training. It taught me the discipline But when I look at big sprawly novels, sometimes… my ence with an editor, you just feel so lucky. part of the writing. The stuff you want to get away with and you husband just finished [writing] 500 pages. I marvel at it, be- can’t, the continuity errors, and the inconsistencies in character- cause it’s so symphony and I’m so chamber music. I just don’t The real Ivan passed away on August 20, 2012. It must have been ization. I think for me, it was a very helpful think that way, and it seemed really ap- kind of bittersweet publishing Ivan the same year that he died. I tool. The one thing I never really learned propriate that since I was working with know you didn’t get a chance to meet him, but you attended his well was how to meet a deadline. an animal voice that it would be small memorial. and poetic. Oh, that was so touching! And I almost didn’t go because, Did it feel natural to you to write for a gorilla? But that’s kind of how I write anyway, you know, announcing to the family that I’m jumping on a Well, I have to say, I’m fascinated by ani- left to my own devices. That’s why I love plane to go to a gorilla funeral can be met with a certain mals, and I’ve always been fascinated by Twitter. That 140-character thing I can amount of concern. But it was really amazing. animal communication and experiments deal with, but Facebook to me is like, There were maybe 100 people. There were people from all with primate communication, but I’m not “Oh, my God, that’s so much more work, over the country. His keeper was there and a primatologist who a gorilla person. I’m much more comfort- I can’t go there.” had been vital in getting him moved and people who just loved able with your basic Labradors. [Goril- him. People came who had grown up seeing him in the malls las are] not cute and cuddly, and I think Do you see yourself writing another novel in when they were little kids going in every Sunday and seeing they’re profoundly intimidating because the same style? him, high-fiving the glass…. of their size and their strength. And that You know, I think that there’s a danger They had a big wall with letters of tribute, many from chil- pensive sort of impenetrable gaze of theirs. in writing the same thing. Home of the dren. His photo was in the middle and people talked about So I went into it not knowing. I didn’t I’m fascinated Brave was definitely free verse, and I’ve their experiences with him. He was apparently quite a quirky know a thing about gorillas. I had had a by animals... done a couple of picture books where— guy. Ivan hated to get his feet wet. He did not like damp- gorilla in “Animorphs” that we’d use oc- well, you know yourself, picture books by ness, and when he went outside, one of his quirks was that casionally as one of the characters. That but I’m not a definition are poetry. he would take a burlap coffee bag, which were regularly sup- was back in the day before the Internet, plied to the zoo by a local coffee supplier, and put it under and oh, man, it would have been so much gorilla person. They’re the haiku of children’s literature, yes? his butt and under his hands. He would slide around on the easier to write with Google around. So, I’m much more I think I lean in that direction, but I don’t ground and get around that way. I’m sure it was rife with inaccuracies, but want to be redundant. I’ll have to see So hanging up was a burlap bag to signify his passing. It I had this nonfiction library that Michael comfortable how it evolves. Right now, the book I’m was lovely to see that a gorilla whose life had been so tragic and I used to try to keep track of data working on is in sort of choppy blocks… in so many ways still had brought together all these humans. bits about animals. But we were writing with your basic bigger than Ivan, but smaller than a typi- from Illustration a book a month, and the time frame for Labradors. cal middle grade [novel]. I was looking at the villains in your novel and in this year’s Newbery doing a lot of research about any given Honor books, and I have to say, they’re usually very black-and- animal was pretty limited. You chose to put this story in the first person, white. In Splendors and Glooms, the bad guy could not be more which has made all the difference, I think, for Ivan Only And One The evil. In Three Times Lucky, the villain is pretty bad. And in Bomb, Did you consider writing Ivan as a nonfiction book? your readers. Did you also consider other ways of telling the story? he’s Hitler. But Mack, who’s Ivan’s keeper, is the least black-and- Well, I tried—my attempts at nonfiction have not been entirely Oh, yeah, I tried everything. I definitely wrote it in third. It white. He’s got the most gray. He’s the most human, I’d say, out of successful. Once I attempted a book about elephants on the seemed too distant. I wrote it in different kinds of first-person all the baddies. Where did he come from? savanna, and I got maybe two chapters into it, and I realized I voices. I wrote it in big blocky narrative pieces. That seemed I really, really struggled with that, and thought about that a was starting to make things up. [Laughter] like too much. Name another way I could have written it, and Books. Children’s HarperCollins of courtesy and Castelao, ©Patricia , lot because I have not met the real live people who were in- I was grossly unqualified to be writing nonfiction. So I pretty I bet you I did it. volved with Ivan’s life. But I am convinced from what I’ve much knew going into Ivan that there was no way I should go read that the feelings about him were very complex. It was a near nonfiction per se. But I could follow pretty precisely what Was Anne Hoppe always your editor at HarperCollins? nuanced and complicated affair. I think they probably loved actually happened, and I did go to the Tacoma Public Library Yeah, and you know Ivan would not be Ivan without Anne. him very much in their own way. archives—they were so helpful—with my kids in tow, and dug Honestly, it was the most collaborative and fun adventure I’ve I know that one of Ivan’s caretakers, who had worked there through old clippings about Ivan. It was fascinating. I went back ever had with an editor. I was working on another animal for quite a while, traveled to see Ivan when he was reaccli- to the strip mall where he had lived, and they have this semi- fantasy, actually, and struggling with it. Anne finally looked mated at Zoo Atlanta because she was a figure that he knew. shrine there. Once a year, they open up his cage, I think, on his at me, and she said, “You know, you really want to write that And, you know, I think kids are very capable of understanding birthday and let people walk through, and there were tons of clip- gorilla book, don’t you?” I said, “Yeah, I really do.” nuance and of grasping that life is more gray than black-and- pings and tons of touching pictures from little kids and that sort I attempted to be very journalistic and follow the true story white. It was so important for me to get that across. of thing. So I got a pretty good picture of what his life was like. of the real Ivan, but it was a pretty passive story. There wasn’t a lot happening. When I had originally submitted the con- One of the things that I’ve heard about your book is that it’s an Why did you decide to write the story in a sort of prose poetry cept to her, I had envisioned a fictionalized element, and animal book for people who hate animal books. And Nina Lindsay, form? Was it just to give Ivan a believable voice, or was there Anne said, “Look, why don’t you go back and try it, because who blogs at SLJ’s “Heavy Medal,” even went so far as to say of it, another reason? right now it’s really short and I’m going to have a hard time “the animal’s gestures feel true and vivid and consistent so that I I am not entirely sure. I tend to look at structure before I selling a template.” So, I went back to my original idea, and it believe in each character as the animal they are.” Did you turn to

26 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0026 3 2/20/2013 2:26:39 PM look even at plot, which is probably why plot is a struggle for really fell into place. Anne loves words the same way I do, and anything for animal inspiration? Did your pets sneak into the story me. I think about what the book looks like and how it feels. so we could go back and forth for three days trying to get a in any way? Maybe that discipline is helpful for me in terms of finding sentence just right. I love that. She’d say, “No, that’s not quite Well, Bob, a dog who is a small sarcastic sort of sidekick to the right words. right.” “OK, we’ll try again.” And when you have that experi- Ivan, was inspired in part by my own little lap dog. I used to But when I look at big sprawly novels, sometimes… my ence with an editor, you just feel so lucky. have big galumphy mutts around the house and this dog, who husband just finished [writing] 500 pages. I marvel at it, be- in my home is known as Stan, is a little Chihuahua mix with cause it’s so symphony and I’m so chamber music. I just don’t The real Ivan passed away on August 20, 2012. It must have been a deformed paw. And he’s kind of bratty and yappy—all the think that way, and it seemed really ap- kind of bittersweet publishing Ivan the same year that he died. I things you would expect from a little dog. He actually served propriate that since I was working with know you didn’t get a chance to meet him, but you attended his as a wonderful inspiration for Bob. an animal voice that it would be small memorial. and poetic. Oh, that was so touching! And I almost didn’t go because, Do the illustrations of Bob resemble Stan? But that’s kind of how I write anyway, you know, announcing to the family that I’m jumping on a That was what was so remarkable, the sketches came back from left to my own devices. That’s why I love plane to go to a gorilla funeral can be met with a certain Patricia Castelao, and I thought they were so wonderful! I loved Twitter. That 140-character thing I can amount of concern. But it was really amazing. the way she managed to make Ivan substantive and accessible deal with, but Facebook to me is like, There were maybe 100 people. There were people from all and almost cute because, let’s face it, that was not an easy task. “Oh, my God, that’s so much more work, over the country. His keeper was there and a primatologist who But when I saw the dog, I went, “Oh, my God, that is Stan!” I can’t go there.” had been vital in getting him moved and people who just loved him. People came who had grown up seeing him in the malls Had she seen pictures of him? Do you see yourself writing another novel in when they were little kids going in every Sunday and seeing No, no. It was just a remarkable coincidence. the same style? him, high-fiving the glass…. You know, I think that there’s a danger They had a big wall with letters of tribute, many from chil- So, the story everyone wants to hear is the story of getting “the in writing the same thing. Home of the dren. His photo was in the middle and people talked about call” from the Newbery committee. Brave was definitely free verse, and I’ve their experiences with him. He was apparently quite a quirky Well, I was in a Residence Inn in Richmond, Virginia. My done a couple of picture books where— guy. Ivan hated to get his feet wet. He did not like damp- sister had just turned 50, and we were celebrating. My daugh- well, you know yourself, picture books by ness, and when he went outside, one of his quirks was that ter Julia was with me and she had a really lousy bug and a definition are poetry. he would take a burlap coffee bag, which were regularly sup- fever so I had decided to stay over another day. I was busy plied to the zoo by a local coffee supplier, and put it under Googling Expedia, trying to figure out what I was going to They’re the haiku of children’s literature, yes? his butt and under his hands. He would slide around on the do plane-wise, and I looked over and the phone rang. It was I think I lean in that direction, but I don’t ground and get around that way. around 9:30. I saw Seattle, Washington, on my iPhone, and want to be redundant. I’ll have to see So hanging up was a burlap bag to signify his passing. It I thought, “Seattle?” And then it clicked and my heart sort how it evolves. Right now, the book I’m was lovely to see that a gorilla whose life had been so tragic of stopped, and I picked it up and when they said “Newbery working on is in sort of choppy blocks… in so many ways still had brought together all these humans. Medal,” honestly I thought there must have been some cler- bigger than Ivan, but smaller than a typi- from Illustration ical error. I think I said, “Are you sure?” I was just sort of cal middle grade [novel]. I was looking at the villains in your novel and in this year’s Newbery stunned. I’m not sure how long I sat there silently just blink- Honor books, and I have to say, they’re usually very black-and- ing in disbelief. But I finally said, “This is the coolest mo- You chose to put this story in the first person, white. In Splendors and Glooms, the bad guy could not be more ment since I gave birth to my son and adopted my daughter,” which has made all the difference, I think, for Ivan Only And One The evil. In Three Times Lucky, the villain is pretty bad. And in Bomb, and there was a long pause, and then I forgot that I hadn’t your readers. Did you also consider other ways of telling the story? he’s Hitler. But Mack, who’s Ivan’s keeper, is the least black-and- mentioned marrying my husband. I quickly added that. Oh, yeah, I tried everything. I definitely wrote it in third. It white. He’s got the most gray. He’s the most human, I’d say, out of There was some laughter. Then they said, “Are you sure there seemed too distant. I wrote it in different kinds of first-person all the baddies. Where did he come from? aren’t any other life events you want to add?” voices. I wrote it in big blocky narrative pieces. That seemed I really, really struggled with that, and thought about that a like too much. Name another way I could have written it, and Books. Children’s HarperCollins of courtesy and Castelao, ©Patricia , lot because I have not met the real live people who were in- You weren’t even aware it was that day? I bet you I did it. volved with Ivan’s life. But I am convinced from what I’ve I hadn’t really—I think it was probably a nice thing to have read that the feelings about him were very complex. It was a been traveling and doing other things because it had sort of Was Anne Hoppe always your editor at HarperCollins? nuanced and complicated affair. I think they probably loved left my radar, which made it even more of a shock. I don’t Yeah, and you know Ivan would not be Ivan without Anne. him very much in their own way. think I’ve quite absorbed it. That it’s for real. Honestly, it was the most collaborative and fun adventure I’ve I know that one of Ivan’s caretakers, who had worked there ever had with an editor. I was working on another animal for quite a while, traveled to see Ivan when he was reaccli- Actually Michael, I believe, tweeted after the announcement: “I fantasy, actually, and struggling with it. Anne finally looked mated at Zoo Atlanta because she was a figure that he knew. am married to the 2013 Newbery winner who will now make me at me, and she said, “You know, you really want to write that And, you know, I think kids are very capable of understanding do dishes for the rest of 2013.” True or false? gorilla book, don’t you?” I said, “Yeah, I really do.” nuance and of grasping that life is more gray than black-and- You know, it’s funny, someone read that to me in an interview I’m fascinated I attempted to be very journalistic and follow the true story white. It was so important for me to get that across. I was doing. I hadn’t seen it, but I was thrilled and delighted. of the real Ivan, but it was a pretty passive story. There wasn’t And I have to tell you, I came home last night and did the by animals... a lot happening. When I had originally submitted the con- One of the things that I’ve heard about your book is that it’s an dishes. So there you go. but I’m not a cept to her, I had envisioned a fictionalized element, and animal book for people who hate animal books. And Nina Lindsay, Anne said, “Look, why don’t you go back and try it, because who blogs at SLJ’s “Heavy Medal,” even went so far as to say of it, Elizabeth Bird ([email protected]) is a children’s li- gorilla person. right now it’s really short and I’m going to have a hard time “the animal’s gestures feel true and vivid and consistent so that I brarian at the New York Public Library and blogs at “A Fuse selling a template.” So, I went back to my original idea, and it believe in each character as the animal they are.” Did you turn to #8 Production” on SLJ’s website. I’m much more comfortable www.slj.com School Library Journal MARCH 2013 27 with your basic Labradors.

SLJ130301-MAG_0027 4 2/20/2013 2:26:47 PM ------He’s right.He’s More than half of Philadel Even wealthy suburban districts find Background In 2007, when the trend to cut library programs and staffing became apparent to us, the Pennsylvania School Librar ians Association (PSLA) teamed up with the Education Law Center nonprofit (ELC), educational a advocacy organi for substantialgains made has that zation the most state’s vulnerable children—in withkids color, of kidskids, poor cluding disabilities, English-language learners, and others. PSLA and ELC discovered that they had many similar interests and staff, which has been proven to increase student reading and notes Kintisch. “In contrast, comprehension,” most public schools in do Philadelphia not a employ certified librarian, and more than a library.” have not 140 do phia’s public schools are currently with out a Andlibrary. according to the recent Pennsylvania School Library comprehensive Study, study a of school services funded schools, in K–12 publicly library 56 percent of the state’s have a full-time school schools librarian. During don’t the current school year, the 2012–2013, School District of Philadelphia, the state’s largest district, provided only 17 percent of its schools with an ians—that’s anemic 43 of schools. 249 professional librar The picture is almost asPittsburgh School District, where just bleak 27 in the percent of schools have full-time librar ians—or a measly out 14 of schools. 51 Yet that hasn’t deterred many districts from getting rid media of specialists. library reductions acceptable. in LancasterManheim ample, Township For ex Count y, PA, has slashed goingby 80 from percent since 10.5 2010, librarianspecialists.time,samemedia the At 2.5 to positions other districts full-timeemploy librarians in every building, many with support staff and annual budgets that enable them to update their collections and technology. How do these inequities affect effectiveness teacher and student achievement? And why is the research that shows the impact of quality libraryschool programs and librarians students on being ignored?

Illustration by David Flaherty. 2/20/2013 6:26:59 PM - www.slj.com ’s “City Philadelphia Philadelphia Enquirer . pool

empty

Keith Curry Lance an

and Im sw

how

ds kI

teach

Librarian to Debra E. Kachel Kachel E. Debra

MARCH 2013 ng I a critical difference in boosting student achievement By try

A new study shows that a full-time school librarian makes ne I Simply put, students suffer when they don’t have adequate resources—and, in particular, found we’ve That’s exactly what Baruch Kintisch envisioned when he took a hard look at the effects of his city’s effectsthe city’s his at of look hard a took he when envisioned Kintisch Baruch exactly what That’s

mag Required

I that student achievement suffers when schools lack libraries that has a withCounties library certified Montgomery and are Delaware, in Bucks, school every staffed public “Nearly by full-time librarians. vocacy and a senior staff attorney at the Education Law Center (see the (see staff Law Center a senior and vocacy the Education at attorney 2012). August 9, Real Problem,” Schools’ deep education cuts. “schools Philadelphia’s are underfunded; classrooms are crowded; libraries, labs, ad policy of writesthe Kintisch, director nonexistent,” or services outdated are special-education and

TAKEAWAY SUMMIT SLJ School Library Journal 28 SLJ130301-MAG_0028 1 Photograph by Photographer - - - - 29 13.2 11.5 11 2/20/2013 2:26:56 PM es by 7.9 Journal or 5.3 5.3 4.6 3.7 ent of Sc rc Less than 35 Less Library hours per week Pe K School AC IEP ALL 0% 5 10 15 POOR el of Librarian Stang BL v 35 hours or more per week per more Advanced PSSA Le and Student Groups WRITING MARCH 2013 39.8 In the absence of data to answer their 38.6 ies ies or librarians?” and “How do school librarians improve student achievement and by how much?” Clearly, research and verifiable data were neededto influ theseence policymakers. questions, PSLA persuaded the House state’s of Representatives to sion commis the Pennsylvania School Study Library of “snapshot” 2011—a of library programs in which 73 percent of public schools participated. While the uncovered huge study inequities among vari districts,ous PSLAto according surveys, school library programs and staff have continued to be cut. For an 2011–2012, instance, additional seven in percent of librarians were let go, and, in 2012– 2013, another six percentAs were jettisoned. a result, “almost have 200,000 been students affected by elimination or grams were being eliminated. Among many legislators’ first questions “How many schools were, do not have librar 34 31.9 - - - - 25.8 24.2 23.6 21.2 18.7 17.3 16.4 16.4 el of Librarian 14.1 v 11.5 11 Le 9.9 ent of Advanced and Below es by rc Pe Basic Basic Basic Basic Below Below Below Below

Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced

0% 10 20 30 40

POOR K AC BL IEP huge inequities among among inequities huge ALL to PSLA surveys, school school surveys, PSLA to have continued to be cut. be to continued have When representatives of the two or Basic PSSA Scor Stang and Student Groups READING While the study uncovered uncovered study the While library programs and staff staff and programs library various districts, according according districts, various goals, including a strong urge to ensure a ensure to strongurge a including goals, quality education public for every child. The two groups began for stateto lobby wide regulations and reforms to ensure library equity mil 1.8 for Pennsylvania’s students. K–12 lion ganizations approached influential state legislators, they quickly discovered that some lawmakers didn’t weren’t required know to have that libraries, pro these rapidly schools how and idea no had others ------He’s right.He’s More than half of Philadel Even Even wealthy suburban districts find ians Association (PSLA) teamed up with the Education Law Center nonprofit (ELC), educational a advocacy organi for substantialgains made has that zation the most state’s vulnerable children—in withkids color, of kidskids, poor cluding disabilities, English-language learners, and others. PSLA and ELC discovered that they had many similar interests and Background In 2007, when the trend to cut library programs and staffing became apparent to us, the Pennsylvania School Librar staff, which has been proven to increase student reading and notes Kintisch. “In contrast, comprehension,” most public schools in do Philadelphia not a employ certified librarian, and more than a library.” have not 140 do phia’s phia’s public schools are currently with out a Andlibrary. according to the recent Pennsylvania School Library comprehensive Study, study a of school services funded schools, in K–12 publicly library 56 percent of the state’s have a full-time school schools librarian. During don’t the current school year, the 2012–2013, School District of Philadelphia, the state’s largest district, provided only 17 percent of its schools with an ians—that’s anemic 43 of schools. 249 professional librar The picture is almost asPittsburgh School District, where just bleak 27 in the percent of schools have full-time librar ians—or a measly out 14 of schools. 51 Yet that hasn’t deterred many districts from getting rid media of specialists. library reductions acceptable. in LancasterManheim ample, Township For ex Count y, PA, has slashed goingby 80 from percent since 10.5 2010, librarianspecialists.time,samemedia the At 2.5 to positions other districts full-timeemploy librarians in every building, many with support staff and annual budgets that enable them to update their collections and technology. How do these inequities affect effectiveness teacher and student achievement? And why is the research that shows the impact of quality libraryschool programs and librarians students on being ignored? www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0029 2 Illustration by David Flaherty. - . pool

empty

Keith Curry Lance an

and Im sw

how

ds kI

teach

Librarian to Debra E. Kachel Kachel E. Debra

ng I a critical difference in boosting student achievement By try

mag Required I vocacy and a senior staff attorney at the Education Law Center (see the Philadelphia “City Enquirer’s 2012). August 9, Real Problem,” Schools’ that student achievement suffers when schools lack libraries that has a withCounties library certified Montgomery and are Delaware, in Bucks, school every staffed public “Nearly by full-time librarians. deep education cuts. “schools Philadelphia’s are underfunded; classrooms are crowded; libraries, labs, ad policy of writesthe Kintisch, director nonexistent,” or services outdated are special-education and severe curtailment of school library ser- “Advanced” writing scores as their coun- school library programs was essential. as well as Common Core standards. vices throughout the Commonwealth,” terparts without full-time librarians. Writing scores of students were studied at We and our associates at RSL Research says PSLA’s president, Eileen Kern. • Generally, the benefits associated both the “Advanced” and “Below Basic” Group in Louisville, CO, surveyed with larger staffing and collections and levels. Interestingly, the impact of school more than 1,850 librarians, teachers, Research and key findings increased access to technology, data- library programs was greater propor- and school administrators to determine Joining forces with the Education Law bases, and to the library itself are pro- tionally on writing than reading scores. the extent to which these standards are Center and the Health Sciences Library portionally greater for students who are Students with access to well-resourced addressed by school library programs Consortium (a nonprofit group that man- poor, black, Hispanic, and disabled. libraries are two to five times more likely and the instruction by librarians. To ages ACCESS PA and POWER Library • For black and Hispanic students, to score “Advanced” in writing than stu- verify their perceptions, survey results electronic databases), PSLA was awarded access to more books more than doubles dents without such libraries. Other sig- were then correlated with the reading an Institute of Museum and Library their chances of obtaining “Advanced” nificant findings include: and writing scores of the respondents’ Services (IMLS) National Leadership writing scores and cuts their risk of “Be- • For all students, those with full- schools. This study provides the first evi- research grant to determine what school low Basic” writing scores in half. time librarians are almost three times as dence that what librarians teach both ad- library infrastructure contributes most to • The association between flexible likely to have “Advanced” writing scores dresses academic standards and impacts student achievement, the costs and ben- scheduling and writing scores is more as students without full-time librarians. students’ standardized test scores. efits associated with it, and what’s needed pronounced. With flexible scheduling, • The differential impact of librar- • These relationships are especially to develop students with 21st-century all students are about four times more ians suggests that writing rather than strong for the Pennsylvania/Common learning skills. Although more than two likely to earn “Advanced” writing scores, reading scores may be a better indicator Core standards for English language arts decades of similar research has been con- and Hispanic students are almost seven of a student’s mastery of 21st-Century and reading and writing for history and ducted in over 22 states, the Pennsylvania times more likely to earn “Advanced” Learner and Pennsylvania/Common social studies. study uncovered the following new and scores with flexible scheduling. Core standards. • Notably, the positive association of significant findings: Writing scores are more positively The role of the school library pro- the librarian’s role in teaching AASL’s Quality school library programs sig- impacted than reading scores. Since gram and academic standards. This is Standards for the 21st-Century Learner nificantly impact the most vulnerable 21st-century learners must be effective the first statewide study to assess the roles with “Advanced” writing scores is dra- students. For the first time, the impact knowledge producers as well as informa- of librarians in teaching the American matically higher than with “Advanced” of library programs on selected student tion consumers, examining the relation- Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) reading scores. groups that tend to experience achieve- ship between writing scores and quality Standards for the 21st-Century Learner • Consistently, students are less likely ment gaps was examined directly. The to score “Below Basic” on reading and Pennsylvania System of School Assess- writing in schools in which administra- ment (PSSA), which measures how well READING Percent of Advanced WRITING Percent of Advanced tors, teachers, and librarians assess as “ex- schoolchildren are doing in reading, cellent” the library program’s teaching of writing, math, and science according and Below Basic PSSA Scores by PSSA Scores by Librarian Stang inquiry-based learning. to the state’s education standards, main- Librarian Stang and Grade Levels and Grade Levels As Carol Heinsdorf, a National Board– tains separate test scores for subgroups of certified school librarian at Philadel- students who are economically disadvan- phia’s Youth Study Center High School, taged, black, Hispanic, and have Indi- 32.9 35 hours or explains, “These nationally adopted vidualized Education Programs (IEPs). Advanced more per week academic aspirations, supported by em- PSSA scores range from “Advanced,” 29.2 5.4 pirical evidence of school librarians’ which indicates an in-depth understand- effectiveness, are at odds with the 87 ing of the subject and superior academic Below 10 2.9 Less than 35 percent of Philadelphia’s incoming ninth ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY hours per week performance, to “Below Basic,” which Basic 11.2 graders who have never experienced an reflects poor understanding and inad- adequately resourced school library man- equate academic performance. 50 aged by a certified librarian, don’t know Consistently, reading and writing Advanced how books are arranged on a library shelf, 42.4 15.9 scores are better for students who have do not know to, or how to, cite sources, a full-time certified librarian than those and have not read a book from begin- who don’t. Students who are economi- MIDDLE Below 8.3 MIDDLE 12.3 ning to end for either academic purposes cally disadvantaged, black, Hispanic, Basic 11.1 or pleasure. How are these students be- and have IEPs (i.e., students with dis- ing prepared to successfully complete a abilities) benefit proportionally more 37.3 two- or four-year college program? How Advanced than students generally. These findings 30.1 25.6 are they to be reading role models as their suggest that staffing libraries with certi- children’s first teachers? How are those fied librarians can help close achieve- policy and decision makers shepherding Below 13 17.6 ment gaps. What are some of the other HIGH SCHOOL Basic HIGH SCHOOL public education as a public good for the key findings? 19.1 future of our democracy going to priori- • Students who are poor, minority, and 0% 10 20 30 tize adequately resourced school libraries have IEPs, but who have full-time librar- 0% 10 20 30 40 50 managed by certified school librarians, to ians, are at least twice as likely to have align with the evidence?”

30 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0030 3 2/20/2013 2:26:59 PM school library programs was essential. as well as Common Core standards. Staffing remains the key factor. This still short-changing our kids…. As this Writing scores of students were studied at We and our associates at RSL Research study suggests that there’s no substitute most recent study clearly found, librar- both the “Advanced” and “Below Basic” Group in Louisville, CO, surveyed for a full-time, certified school librarian ians are even more significant for our levels. Interestingly, the impact of school more than 1,850 librarians, teachers, who’s fully engaged in the teaching and most struggling students, yet these are library programs was greater propor- and school administrators to determine learning process. Key findings include: often the very kids forced to go without tionally on writing than reading scores. the extent to which these standards are • With a full-time librarian, students books, staff, or space.” Students with access to well-resourced addressed by school library programs are more likely to score “Advanced” and We couldn’t agree more. Of all the libraries are two to five times more likely and the instruction by librarians. To less likely to score “Below Basic” on read- factors examined in this study, the one to score “Advanced” in writing than stu- verify their perceptions, survey results ing and writing tests. with the most impact on students is the dents without such libraries. Other sig- were then correlated with the reading • Consistently, reading scores are presence of a full-time certified librar- nificant findings include: and writing scores of the respondents’ better for elementary, middle, and high ian in the school library. • For all students, those with full- schools. This study provides the first evi- time librarians are almost three times as dence that what librarians teach both ad- likely to have “Advanced” writing scores dresses academic standards and impacts For all students, those with full-time librarians are as students without full-time librarians. students’ standardized test scores. • The differential impact of librar- • These relationships are especially almost three times as likely to have ‘Advanced’ ians suggests that writing rather than strong for the Pennsylvania/Common writing scores as students without full-time librarians. reading scores may be a better indicator Core standards for English language arts of a student’s mastery of 21st-Century and reading and writing for history and Learner and Pennsylvania/Common social studies. school students who have full-time certi- Conclusion Core standards. • Notably, the positive association of fied librarians. In schools with full-time This study adds to the evidence that all The role of the school library pro- the librarian’s role in teaching AASL’s librarians, “Below Basic” scores not only K–12 students need and deserve quality gram and academic standards. This is Standards for the 21st-Century Learner improve, but improve more from ele- school library programs with full-time the first statewide study to assess the roles with “Advanced” writing scores is dra- mentary to middle to high school as well. certified staff. Students are more likely of librarians in teaching the American matically higher than with “Advanced” • The proportional difference in “Ad- to succeed when they have library pro- Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) reading scores. vanced” reading scores associated with a grams that are well staffed, well funded, Standards for the 21st-Century Learner • Consistently, students are less likely full-time librarian grows from elemen- technologically well equipped, well to score “Below Basic” on reading and tary to middle to high school. stocked, and more accessible. And, the writing in schools in which administra- • Students who are Hispanic and neediest learners may benefit the most READING Percent of Advanced WRITING Percent of Advanced tors, teachers, and librarians assess as “ex- whose full-time librarians have sup- from trained librarians and quality li- cellent” the library program’s teaching of port staff are three times as likely to brary programs. and Below Basic PSSA Scores by PSSA Scores by Librarian Stang inquiry-based learning. earn “Advanced” writing scores as their However, much work still needs to Librarian Stang and Grade Levels and Grade Levels As Carol Heinsdorf, a National Board– counterparts whose full-time librarians be done to use this research to reach certified school librarian at Philadel- lack such support staff. influential stakeholders who control the phia’s Youth Study Center High School, • On average, almost nine percent future of school library programs and 32.9 35 hours or explains, “These nationally adopted more students score “Advanced” in read- their staffing. While many states are pur- Advanced more per week academic aspirations, supported by em- ing where students have a full-time, cer- suing state reforms and regulations, this 29.2 5.4 pirical evidence of school librarians’ tified librarian with support staff than doesn’t negate the role of the individual effectiveness, are at odds with the 87 where they have a full-time, certified li- school librarian to learn and share these Below 10 2.9 Less than 35 percent of Philadelphia’s incoming ninth brarian alone. Further, almost eight per- findings locally. Everyone needs to nur- ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY hours per week Basic 11.2 graders who have never experienced an cent more students score “Advanced” in ture library champions who will defend adequately resourced school library man- reading where students have a full-time, the position that all K–12 school students 50 aged by a certified librarian, don’t know certified librarian than where they do not. need and deserve full-time school librar- Advanced how books are arranged on a library shelf, • On average, the percentage of stu- ians and well-resourced school libraries 42.4 15.9 do not know to, or how to, cite sources, dents scoring “Advanced” in writing is in order to develop the skills needed to and have not read a book from begin- two and a half times higher for schools be productive in the 21st century. MIDDLE Below 8.3 MIDDLE 12.3 ning to end for either academic purposes with a full-time, certified librarian than Basic 11.1 or pleasure. How are these students be- those without one. Similarly, the aver- Debra E. Kachel teaches online library sci- ing prepared to successfully complete a age percentage of students scoring “Ad- ence and technology courses at Mansfield 37.3 two- or four-year college program? How vanced” in writing is almost twice as high (PA) University. Keith Curry Lance is a Advanced 30.1 25.6 are they to be reading role models as their for schools with a full-time, certified li- consultant with the RSL Research Group children’s first teachers? How are those brarian with support staff as for those with in Louisville, CO. To read a complete re- policy and decision makers shepherding only a full-time certified librarian. port of the study, see Pennsylvania School Below 13 17.6 HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL As Jessie B. Ramey, a parent of two Basic public education as a public good for the Libraries Pay Off: Investments in Student 19.1 future of our democracy going to priori- Pittsburgh public school students, wrote Achievement and Academic Standards at 0% 10 20 30 tize adequately resourced school libraries on her educational advocacy blog, http://paschoollibraryproject.org/research. 0% 10 20 30 40 50 managed by certified school librarians, to Yinzercation, “Without a full-time li- The research was presented at SLJ’s 2012 align with the evidence?” brarian in each of our schools, we are Leadership Summit.

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 31

SLJ130301-MAG_0031 4 2/20/2013 3:46:53 PM What exactly is Minecraft? It’s a game in which players use three-dimensional blocks to build their own unique world. Minecraft began as the brainchild of Swedish programmer Markus “Notch” Persson, and an early version of it was originally released in 2009. Nowadays, the game is available in an iOS, Android, and an Xbox 360 version that’s published by Block Party Mojang, a Stockholm-based video game developer. According to the Swedish company, more than nine million people have purchased Minecraft, and as I write this sentence, 9,610 fans have bought it within the past 24 hours. Think of the game, as Wired magazine said, as “a virtual version of Lego” that has “no instructions, no levels, no mission structure, no story, no lives, no points, no clear goal.” So what does Minecraft have to offer? Well, as it turns out, plenty. For starters, kids can construct whatever they want—anything from an inconspicuous igloo to the starship Enterprise. But more than that, the game lets players exert an enormous amount of control over the worlds they’ve created. For instance, skilled players can get extremely creative with the materials at hand, which commonly include wood, stone, and metal, trans- forming or (in Minecraft-speak) “crafting” them into tools, weapons, food, supplies, and even magical potions. When you set up a server for Minecraft, you can tweak its settings, but for the most part, the worlds are huge—about eight times larger than Earth—with various biomes, including deserts, snow- fields, and jungles. Players create their own shelters and explore the world. They also lug around a variety of objects—including torches, weapons, armor, mining tools, and prepared food—to keep themselves well fed and safe from other players and preda- tors (more on that later). It’s easy to move around in Minecraft: just press the “W,” “A,” “S,” or “D” keys. Need to suddenly leap into the air? No sweat. That’s where the space bar comes in handy, and by simply left- or right-clicking, players can effort- lessly interact with their environment. I confess: I wasn’t always wild about Minecraft. Like other technology that I’d put off trying, the game intimidated me. It seemed like Minecraft was solely for supergeeks and hardcore Illustration by David Plunkert. David by Illustration gamers. And while it’s true that I’m still a little intimidated by Minecraft, the game is accessible, fun, and, ultimately, an excel- Looking for some action? Launch a Minecraft club. lent learning tool for both nerds and non-nerds. In January, my colleague Chris Buckley and I launched a Minecraft club at the Hamden Hall Country Day School, a private pre-K–12 school in Connecticut. Chris is our school’s help desk technician, and he’s ately, there’s been more drama than usual in our library. At the moment, one of my students is swap- also a lot of other things, including an ethical hacker, a maker, a sharer, and (lucky me!) a server builder. ping some diamonds—yes, diamonds—for a hefty amount of railway ties. Another is secretly plotting to swipe an unsuspecting classmate’s body armor. And a group of friends can’t believe their luck: they’ve just stumbled across a trove of valuable chests in an abandoned mineshaft. Welcome to our Minecraft club. Every Friday afternoon, 28 middle school and high school kids get together in our library’s computer lab to feast on candy and play one of the world’s hot- test video games. L By Sarah Ludwig

SLJ130301-MAG_0034 1 2/20/2013 11:50:24 AM What exactly is Minecraft? It’s a game in which players use Taking the plunge three-dimensional blocks to build their own unique world. The world of Minecraft offers some lovely sunrises, but things Minecraft began as the brainchild of Swedish programmer get really interesting when night falls. That’s when the spiders, Markus “Notch” Persson, and an early version of it was origi- zombies, skeletons, and other assorted monsters come out. nally released in 2009. Nowadays, the game is available in an To avoid being killed by these menaces, players must make iOS, Android, and an Xbox 360 version that’s published by fires, create weapons, and construct shelters, which are typi- Block Party Mojang, a Stockholm-based video game developer. According cally multistory wood or stone structures with storage chests, to the Swedish company, more than nine million people have a crafting table, pets, farms, and farm animals. Sometimes our purchased Minecraft, and as I write this sentence, 9,610 fans kids really outdo themselves, and their home bases have also have bought it within the past 24 hours. Think of the game, as included towers, castles, pyramids, and even a spaceship. Wired magazine said, as “a virtual version of Lego” that has “no In a multiplayer server like ours, the operator (Chris and I instructions, no levels, no mission structure, no story, no lives, are our server’s ops) can set it to any of the following difficulty no points, no clear goal.” So what does Minecraft have to offer? levels: peaceful, easy, normal, and hard. In the peaceful set- Well, as it turns out, plenty. ting, players can’t fight with one another and don’t have to For starters, kids can construct whatever they want—any- eat, and there aren’t any monsters. I’d recommend that li- thing from an inconspicuous igloo to the starship Enterprise. brarians start their servers on peaceful. That way new players But more than that, the game lets players exert an enormous can get the hang of building things and forming allegiances amount of control over the worlds they’ve created. For instance, without having to worry about surviving a hostile attack. skilled players can get extremely creative with the materials at Minecraft also features several game modes. If you’re a hand, which commonly include wood, stone, and metal, trans- newbie like I was, you’ll want to check out the creative and forming or (in Minecraft-speak) “crafting” them into tools, survival modes. The creative mode is a lot like the peaceful weapons, food, supplies, and even magical potions. When you setting: it’s perfect for exploring and building, because there set up a server for Minecraft, you can tweak its settings, but for are no gnarly creatures, no player-versus-player, or “PVP,” the most part, the worlds are huge—about eight times larger fighting, and no need to consume calories. It’s a perfect start- than Earth—with various biomes, including deserts, snow- ing place for you and your kids, but you probably won’t want fields, and jungles. Players create their own shelters and explore to stay there for very long. the world. They also lug around a variety of objects—including Although some of our students prefer this tranquil state, most torches, weapons, armor, mining tools, and prepared food—to of them relish the opportunity to fight—and that’s one of the rea- keep themselves well fed and safe from other players and preda- sons our server is now set on survival. In this more-challenging tors (more on that later). It’s easy to move around in Minecraft: mode, every time players slay a monster, they accumulate expe- just press the “W,” “A,” “S,” or “D” keys. Need to suddenly leap rience points, or xp, which enable them to enchant materials into the air? No sweat. That’s where the space bar comes in (how about a pickax that breaks rocks faster?) or create magical handy, and by simply left- or right-clicking, players can effort- potions, which can temporarily grant players invisibility, Hercu- lessly interact with their environment. lean strength, or lightning-quick reflexes. If you want your kids I confess: I wasn’t always wild about Minecraft. Like other to be able to set up communities, trade (and fight) with one an- technology that I’d put off trying, the game intimidated me. It other, and battle monsters, survival is the way to go. seemed like Minecraft was solely for supergeeks and hardcore During my first few weeks with Minecraft, I logged on when- Illustration by David Plunkert. David by Illustration gamers. And while it’s true that I’m still a little intimidated by ever I could, and my students gave me lessons in building struc- Minecraft, the game is accessible, fun, and, ultimately, an excel- tures and crafting. One of them helped me build my house and Looking for some action? Launch a Minecraft club. lent learning tool for both nerds and non-nerds. In January, my another showed me how to plant crops. Sometimes I’d log in colleague Chris Buckley and I launched a Minecraft club at the and discover that they’d left me gifts of food or gold. Because I’m Hamden Hall Country Day School, a private pre-K–12 school in an op, I can make things a little easier for myself, but I try not Connecticut. Chris is our school’s help desk technician, and he’s ately, there’s been more drama than usual in our library. At the moment, one of my students is swap- also a lot of other things, including an ethical hacker, a maker, a Building blocks of life: Screen shots of sharer, and (lucky me!) a server builder. some of the Minecraft club’s creations. ping some diamonds—yes, diamonds—for a hefty amount of railway ties. Another is secretly plotting to swipe an unsuspecting classmate’s body armor. And a group of friends can’t believe their luck: they’ve just stumbled across a trove of valuable chests in an abandoned mineshaft. Welcome to our Minecraft club. Every Friday afternoon, 28 middle school and high school kids get together in our library’s computer lab to feast on candy and play one of the world’s hot- test video games.

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 35

SLJ130301-MAG_0035 2 2/20/2013 11:50:47 AM to take any shortcuts, because I want to learn how to play the game. Still, it helps to have a partner who’s an experienced Minecrafter, who can advise you on the finer points of ad- ministering a server. If I didn’t have Chris, I’d most likely recruit one or two of our most trustworthy students to help me run things. When we first started our server and began meeting, the students treated it as a virtual society: they claimed land, built cit- ies, appointed a leader for each city, began trading, and took on various societal roles. It was fascinating to watch. Our students completely governed themselves, and they had a strong sense of right and wrong. For example, damaging or stealing materials from other players (a practice known as “griefing”) was firmly discouraged and met Hey, watch this! Members of the Hamden Hall Country Day School’s Minecraft club can’t wait to play the game. with swift punishment. In addition to society building, one of my favorite things is game also offers a host of learning opportunities. Most strik- to develop challenges for our students. It’s a great way to spend ingly, it requires kids to collaborate. Unlike some of the as- our weekly meeting time together. One week we created an ob- signments we educators create to force kids to work together, stacle course—complete with lava and water pits—that requires Minecraft requires an organic type of collaboration that’s man- players to clear difficult jumps and walk a tightrope. Some of aged by the students themselves, not by their teachers. Mine- our kids created a coliseum where players can practice fighting craft also fosters communication skills, as players type, guide monsters or one another to sharpen their combat skills. I also their fellow players around, and even create message boards. created a scavenger hunt with clues hidden throughout the Since there’s practically no limit to what players can do server that led to a secret chest of diamonds. Each one of these with Minecraft, it encourages creativity big-time. As play- activities involves a ton of planning, communicating, and del- ers grapple to solve myriad problems—everything from the egating, with players jumping in to help one another. complex (how to create a lever system that lifts players into an arena) to the simple (how to get an ocelot to follow you What we’ve learned home)—they are developing communication, analytical, and In the few short months that I’ve run our club, I’ve learned some social skills that apply to nearly every area of their lives. Per- important lessons. One is that middle school and high school haps not surprisingly, Minecraft can also be used to teach kids don’t always get along well. After repeated instances of grief- everything from science to writing to math. The possibili- ing, stealing, and fighting, we duplicated our original server so ties are endless. For some great examples of lessons, activi- that each group would have its own. Now there’s far less bicker- ties, and tutorials to use in the classroom, visit MinecraftEdu ing. I’ve also learned that one way to avoid inappropriate lan- (minecraftedu.com). guage, cheating, and poor gamesmanship is to keep an eye on Just a few hours before I wrote this, I logged on to Mine- the server logs, which include everything that’s said on the server craft and noticed that two of our ninth graders were playing it. as well as many of the actions. By monitoring the logs, we can One of the boys showed me a roller coaster he’d just finished make sure that students are acting appropriately, and we can creating. I hopped into one of the carts, pressed a button, and temporarily ban those who aren’t. We’ve also learned to limit off I went—zipping through glassed-in underground tunnels, the hours the server is open. Now, it’s off during the school day, up steep hills, and through passageways lined with lava. This and it shuts down again in the late evening. Since we’re a school, student, who struggles in some of his classes, had completed we need to make sure that our students aren’t playing Minecraft something remarkable, an engineering feat that a vast por- when they should be studying or sleeping. tion of the population could never equal. As I rode along, he One challenge we haven’t found an elegant solution for is in tweaked the track here and there, making sure that everything creating student accounts. Players each need their own account ran smoothly. “This is amazing!!!!” I typed. I hope he’s proud. to participate, and at $26.95 apiece, they’re expensive. Minecraft- Minecraft is a game, but it’s not just a game. It gives students Edu, a small group of educators and programmers, offers edu- the opportunity not only to dream big, but also to build big. cational discounts, but even those are almost $20. Many of my And if, along the way, you get to talk a little smack and be a students already had their own accounts, but those who didn’t little silly, then all the better. ended up shelling out their own money—even though I offered to purchase accounts for them with my programming budget. Sarah Ludwig is the library department chair and academic Minecraft is a social activity that’s fun for kids to play with technology coordinator at Hamden Hall Country Day School, one another (and in many cases, make new friends), but the a pre-K through grade 12 independent school in Hamden, CT.

36 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0036 3 2/20/2013 3:21:11 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

she must think of a clever way to trick Brother Coin into returning his blessing. Mama and Yoyo are dressed in delightful printed clothing, and the busy marketplace is a feast of patterns and color. Similarly, Brother Coin is a The Book Review giant of a man who sits upon a rock throne doling out his form of justice for rule break- ers with a comedic quality. This is a gem of a Preschool to Grade 4 tale that will feed the soul, and the recipe for Mama Cécile’s stew is included.–Carol Con- nor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

73395-1. LC 2011042039. BADGER, H. The Jelly People. ISBN 978- PreS-K–On a dreary, rainy day, two strangers 1-921564-85-7. have very different views about the weather: ––––. The Shrinking Race. ISBN 978-1- one is an elderly man who grumbles and 921564-86-4. complains throughout the day, and the other ea vol: illus. by C. Bennett. 96p. (Space Scout is a little boy who makes the most of the pud- Series). Trafalgar Square. 2012. pap. $8.99. dles on the sidewalk. When they meet at the Gr 3-5–Earth is quickly running out of Rain or Shine Café, the child finds himself room, so 12-year-old Kip Kirby, the youngest momentarily brought down by the man’s sul- of 49 Space Scouts, is hired by World Corp len demeanor until a mix-up with their hats to find Earth 2. He wants to discover a hos- brings out the old man’s smile and optimism. pitable planet and win the coveted Shield of Each page depicts how the characters’ atti- Honor. If he succeeds, he will be awarded tudes alter the moods of those around them: a mansion and a weekly day off from work people around the older man are frowning or school. Kip goes on planetary missions and vexed; people around the boy are smiling aboard his back-talking starship, MoNa, ac- and happy. Robinson’s paint-and-collage art- companied by Finbar, his part human, part work is bright and eye-catching; it’s perfect for wolf 2iC (second in command). In Jelly storytime sharing. The urban setting is reflect- People, Kip and Finbar, along with Kip’s ed in the diverse cast of characters, but subur- misbehaving minisaur, Duke, travel to the ban and rural children will also connect with watery planet of Aquaron. This underwater the story. Ashman’s text has no more than six civilization is populated by evil jellyfishlike words per page; it is really the illustrations that people, slithering eels, and slimy leeches. fill in the details. This will be ideal to share in The Jellies enslave Kip and Finbar, control- late winter when everyone is suffering from ling them by means of a permanent track- the winter blues and needs a reminder to ing tattoo. In Shrinking Race, Kip inspects make the most of the gloom and gray.–Laura Cobalt, a planet filled with Baltians, tiny Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City blue people who exist on nothing but sug- armelon lollies. Once human size, they are AVERBECK, Jim. The Market Bowl. illus. now mysteriously shrinking. Giant, birdlike by author. 32p. maps. Charlesbridge. robots that previously served the Baltians are 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089- now hunting them, and the Baltians are too 368-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734- small to deprogram the aerobots. Young sci- 591-6. LC 2012007491. Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle (Raschka) ©2013 by Chris Raschka, p. 124 ence-fiction fans will enjoy the ever-present PreS-Gr 4–Bold, bright mixed-media illustra- gadgetry that appears both in text and in de- tions bring extra punch to this original tale tailed, diagrammatic illustrations: Though- characters cavort on backgrounds that pop from Cameroon. Mama Cécile is a wonder- tomatics (computerized tests where you only Fiction with appealing color. Clever page format- ful cook, especially when it comes to making have to think your answer rather than write ting conveys the pacing that is such an in- bitterleaf stew. She sings to Yoyo as she teaches it); speedy, high flying UniTaxis; WorldCorp ABBOTT & COSTELLO. Who’s on tegral part of the laughs. At bottom, though, her how to make it. Yoyo grows tired of watch- WaterWalkers; and protective InstaShields. First? illus. by John Martz. 40p. Quirk. “Who’s on First?” is about auditory humor, ing her mother and thinks she can make her Although the writing style is simplistic, these 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59474-590- so the translation to a visual medium, while own stew without following a recipe. When are appealing, easy-to-read stories for Star 4. LC 2012934522. it may illuminate the jokes for kids, can’t hers is found to be less than appetizing and Wars-loving children.–Diane McCabe, John K-Gr 4–Abbott and Costello’s beloved com- quite capture the magic of the original. Mama instructs her to feed it to the goats, the Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA edy routine receives a picture-book treat- Historical notes about the comedians and child hides it instead. After Mama’s stew is ment, complete with comical illustrations. their routine appear at the end of the book.– finished, she heaps it into a bowl and asks for BARNER, Bob. I Have a Garden. ISBN A tall brown bear plays the coach (Abbott), Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County the ancestors’ blessing on it. “You must always 978-0-8234-2527-3. LC 201104907. a chubby white bunny plays the catcher Public Library, MD ask a fair price for our food,” instructs Mama, MCCULLY, Emily Arnold. Sam and the (Costello), and they go back and forth about or Brother Coin will remove the blessings of Big Kids. ISBN 978-0-8234-2427-6. LC the oddly named members of their baseball ASHMAN, Linda. Rain! illus. by Christian our ancestors from the bowl. Mama’s stew is 201104907. team. “Who’s on first. What’s on second. I Robinson. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. quickly sold at the market. When one more ea vol: illus. by author. 32p. (I Like To Read Don’t Know’s on third.” Martz’s expressive Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547- customer requests it, Yoyo produces her own Series). Holiday House. Apr. 2013. RTE bowl. The buyer refuses her price, so Yoyo lets $14.95. H Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre. Tr Hardcover trade binding; RTE Re- his coins fall to the ground. No one buys Ma- PreS-Gr 2–Barner’s amusing artwork done inforced trade binding; PLB Publisher’s library binding; BD Board Book; pap. paperback; CIP Cataloging in publication. ma’s stew for many weeks, and Yoyo realizes in paper collage, gouache, pastel, and pencil

106 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0106 1 2/20/2013 12:34:43 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

she must think of a clever way to trick Brother radiates off the pages as a playful pup shares BROWN, Tameka Fryer. My Cold Plum Coin into returning his blessing. Mama and the wonders of his garden and all of the living Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood. illus. by Shane Yoyo are dressed in delightful printed cloth- things that reside in it. The clear vocabulary W. Evans. 32p. Viking. Mar. 2013. RTE ing, and the busy marketplace is a feast of pat- and engaging drawings provide the earliest $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01285-5. terns and color. Similarly, Brother Coin is a readers with a delightful story. Barner’s use of K-Gr 2–A boy describes each of the varying The Book Review giant of a man who sits upon a rock throne perspective is precise, and earthy tones warm emotions he experiences in terms of color. doling out his form of justice for rule break- each page. Sam will strike home with little Listening to music puts him in a purple kind ers with a comedic quality. This is a gem of a brothers and sisters everywhere who always of mood, while being evicted from the couch Preschool to Grade 4 tale that will feed the soul, and the recipe for get left out when the “big kids” are playing. by his two bossy older brothers makes him Mama Cécile’s stew is included.–Carol Con- Sam’s big sister and her friend are having a feel gray. When his little sister asks him to nor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH tea party, and he wants to play, too. His sister draw a dragon, a gentle green feeling comes tells him to go away, but Sam keeps trying over him, which turns black when his sib- 73395-1. LC 2011042039. BADGER, H. The Jelly People. ISBN 978- to join in the fun. To escape him, the girls lings snatch the picture and tease: “Awww-it’s PreS-K–On a dreary, rainy day, two strangers 1-921564-85-7. hide in a cave, build a fort, and then finally cwayon time.” The book could be paired with have very different views about the weather: ––––. The Shrinking Race. ISBN 978-1- row a boat to an island. When it drifts away, Dr. Seuss’s My Many Colored Days (Knopf, one is an elderly man who grumbles and 921564-86-4. it is Sam who notices that they are stranded 1996), which specifically discusses colors as complains throughout the day, and the other ea vol: illus. by C. Bennett. 96p. (Space Scout and gets help. Full spreads of expressive bears they relate to moods, or Molly Bang’s When is a little boy who makes the most of the pud- Series). Trafalgar Square. 2012. pap. $8.99. fill up the space nicely as the lucid text bal- Sophie Gets Angry, Really Really Angry dles on the sidewalk. When they meet at the Gr 3-5–Earth is quickly running out of ances well with warm hues in the pen-and- (Scholastic, 1999), in which the palette re- Rain or Shine Café, the child finds himself room, so 12-year-old Kip Kirby, the youngest ink drawings. Simple sentences, repetition, flects Sophie’s changing emotions. Evans’s momentarily brought down by the man’s sul- of 49 Space Scouts, is hired by World Corp and a large font assure success for children digital collage illustrations, created with oil len demeanor until a mix-up with their hats to find Earth 2. He wants to discover a hos- just learning to read. This leveled series paints and graphite, effectively convey the brings out the old man’s smile and optimism. pitable planet and win the coveted Shield of supports core standards, helping beginning mood/color correlation, although the shape Each page depicts how the characters’ atti- Honor. If he succeeds, he will be awarded readers understand characters, setting, and of the children’s mouths seems the same tudes alter the moods of those around them: a mansion and a weekly day off from work plot while building reading fluency. Superb whether happy, sad, or angry.–Grace Oliff, people around the older man are frowning or school. Kip goes on planetary missions choices for the very earliest readers.–Melissa Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ and vexed; people around the boy are smiling aboard his back-talking starship, MoNa, ac- Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI and happy. Robinson’s paint-and-collage art- companied by Finbar, his part human, part BROWNE, Anthony. One Gorilla: A work is bright and eye-catching; it’s perfect for wolf 2iC (second in command). In Jelly BARTON, Bethany. This Monster Cannot Counting Book. illus. by author. 32p. storytime sharing. The urban setting is reflect- People, Kip and Finbar, along with Kip’s Wait! illus. by author. 32p. Dial. Apr. Candlewick. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN ed in the diverse cast of characters, but subur- misbehaving minisaur, Duke, travel to the 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037- 978-0-7636-6352-0. ban and rural children will also connect with watery planet of Aquaron. This underwater 3779-2. LC 2012017408. PreS-Gr 2–In a large, lavish format featuring the story. Ashman’s text has no more than six civilization is populated by evil jellyfishlike PreS-Gr 1–Stewart, introduced in This exquisitely detailed paintings, Browne begins words per page; it is really the illustrations that people, slithering eels, and slimy leeches. Monster Needs a Haircut (Dial, 2012), re- this counting book with an animal he has il- fill in the details. This will be ideal to share in The Jellies enslave Kip and Finbar, control- turns to learn a lesson about patience. Look- lustrated many times before–the gorilla–along late winter when everyone is suffering from ling them by means of a permanent track- ing forward to vacation, he wishes he could with nine other members of the primate fam- the winter blues and needs a reminder to ing tattoo. In Shrinking Race, Kip inspects make time go faster. Although his mom tries ily. After 10 lemurs, he concludes the count- make the most of the gloom and gray.–Laura Cobalt, a planet filled with Baltians, tiny to teach him that good things come to those ing experience by emphasizing humankind’s Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City blue people who exist on nothing but sug- who wait, he wants to go camping “NOW!” genetic link to these mammals, and he makes armelon lollies. Once human size, they are In despair, he asks his dad, “I’m never going this connection powerfully–“All primates. AVERBECK, Jim. The Market Bowl. illus. now mysteriously shrinking. Giant, birdlike camping, am I…? When he realizes that the All one family. All my family… and yours.” by author. 32p. maps. Charlesbridge. robots that previously served the Baltians are picture book he is in will conclude with the Through the starkly realistic mixed-media 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-58089- now hunting them, and the Baltians are too much-anticipated trip, he tries to move the art, he imbues each animal with distinctive 368-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-60734- small to deprogram the aerobots. Young sci- story along by tearing at the pages, and he re- facial features, especially the eyes. The eight 591-6. LC 2012007491. ence-fiction fans will enjoy the ever-present ceives a time-out from his parents. At school, macaques appear hauntingly human as they PreS-Gr 4–Bold, bright mixed-media illustra- gadgetry that appears both in text and in de- Stewart’s friend Feliz says she does not want stare out at viewers with soulful, intelligent tions bring extra punch to this original tale tailed, diagrammatic illustrations: Though- vacation time to arrive because she’ll miss all eyes. A generous amount of white space and from Cameroon. Mama Cécile is a wonder- tomatics (computerized tests where you only her classmates. Stewart tells her, “You’re so varied composition make the counting clear. ful cook, especially when it comes to making have to think your answer rather than write worried about next week that you’re missing On the title page children may be confused bitterleaf stew. She sings to Yoyo as she teaches it); speedy, high flying UniTaxis; WorldCorp right now!!” The impatient monster admits by a single lemur featured directly under the her how to make it. Yoyo grows tired of watch- WaterWalkers; and protective InstaShields. that he, too, should make the most of the title One Gorilla, and while the animals pic- ing her mother and thinks she can make her Although the writing style is simplistic, these present. When the big day finally arrives, tured encompass a wide variety of color tones own stew without following a recipe. When are appealing, easy-to-read stories for Star he shouts, “It was totally worth the wait.” in the wild, some of the vivid reds do not ap- hers is found to be less than appetizing and Wars-loving children.–Diane McCabe, John The sprawling text printed in capital letters pear natural. Nevertheless, this is an arresting Mama instructs her to feed it to the goats, the Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA emphasizes Stewart’s impatience, and the visual experience.–Caroline Ward, The Fergu- child hides it instead. After Mama’s stew is quirky ink and Photoshop illustrations add son Library, Stamford, CT finished, she heaps it into a bowl and asks for BARNER, Bob. I Have a Garden. ISBN many humorous moments to the story. The the ancestors’ blessing on it. “You must always 978-0-8234-2527-3. LC 201104907. spread portraying the camping trip is espe- BROWNLEE, Sophia Grace & Rosie ask a fair price for our food,” instructs Mama, MCCULLY, Emily Arnold. Sam and the cially striking: the glory of the natural setting McClelland. Tea Time with Sophia Grace or Brother Coin will remove the blessings of Big Kids. ISBN 978-0-8234-2427-6. LC provides a beautiful backdrop for Stewart and Rosie. illus. by Shelagh McNicholas. our ancestors from the bowl. Mama’s stew is 201104907. and Feliz as they toast marshmallows. Pair 40p. Scholastic/Orchard. 2013. Tr $17.99. quickly sold at the market. When one more ea vol: illus. by author. 32p. (I Like To Read this lighthearted lesson with another amus- ISBN 978-0-545-50214-6. customer requests it, Yoyo produces her own Series). Holiday House. Apr. 2013. RTE ing monster-centered story, Kent Redeker’s K-Gr 2–Sophia Grace and Rosie are two bowl. The buyer refuses her price, so Yoyo lets $14.95. Don’t Squish the Sasquatch! (Hyperion, delightfully entertaining cousins and best his coins fall to the ground. No one buys Ma- PreS-Gr 2–Barner’s amusing artwork done 2012).–Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Pre- friends from England who have repeatedly ma’s stew for many weeks, and Yoyo realizes in paper collage, gouache, pastel, and pencil paratory High School, Boston, MA appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show. In

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 107

SLJ130301-MAG_0107 2 2/20/2013 12:34:46 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

life, as in this story, they love tutus, tea par- BUTTON, Lana. Willow Finds a Way. illus. the social interactions of a pride.–Sara Lissa COLLINS, Pat Lowery. The Deer Watch. ties, glitter, and, above all, the color pink. by Tania Howells. 32p. Kids Can. Mar. Paulson, The American Sign Language and illus. by David Slonim. 32p. Candlewick. Here, the children plan, prepare, and en- 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-842-3. English Lower School, New York City Apr. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636- joy their own fancy tea party. They decide K-Gr 1–Being invited to someone’s birthday 4890-9. LC 2012942667. on a theme and decorate the room. Each party is an honor, especially if it’s someone CASSIDY, Sara. Seeing Orange. illus. by Gr 1-4–After the family returns to its summer girl writes an invitation for just one special who’s popular like Kristabelle. Willow is Amy Meissner. 64p. (Orca Echos Series). home, a boy and his dad go on a much-antic- guest. While one sleeps, the other one slips thrilled to be on the initial guest list, but she Orca. 2012. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1- ipated outing to find a deer. They climb the her note under her pillow. They wake up to becomes troubled as Kristabelle begins to re- 5546-9991-9; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-1- dunes and tramp through the marsh and onto find that each one is the other’s most special move names as children displease her. Wil- 4598-0318-3. LC 2012938344. conservation land. Throughout their quest, friend. “Tea Tips”–simple, fun etiquette– low knows Kristabelle’s behavior is cruel and Gr 2-3–Leland is constantly in trouble with they see birds and other animals, but no deer. include, “Remember to tell your guests controlling but she just can’t find the words his teacher for daydreaming in class, not do- The child’s sneeze and his feet that dance in how lovely they look.” For fans of Jane or the nerve to tell her. Eventually, she finds ing his work, and always wanting to draw. eagerness might have frightened them away. O’Connor’s “Fancy Nancy” series (Harper- the courage to remove her own name from One day, his family’s cat wanders away, and Certainly the men with their bulldozers, Collins) and those who can’t get enough of the list, and the rest of her classmates follow the seven-year-old uses his artistic skills to hammers, and drills have scared them off. all things girly, this book would be a great suit. This leaves Kristabelle distressed since draw a missing poster to hang in the neigh- Indeed, wildlife was far more abundant here, addition. As an added treat, readers can see no one wants to come to her party. The stu- borhood. A local painter sees it and invites Dad laments, before humans encroached on footage from past television appearances dents watch her struggle while learning an Leland to take art lessons from her. Her en- the habitat. Still, for those who take the time of the characters’ real-life counterparts on- important lesson. She then destroys the list couragement helps him find Pumpkin, tell to look and listen quietly, seemingly hidden line.–Lindsay Persohn, University of South and invites all of them to the party. They hap- his teacher how he feels, and boosts his con- creatures can make an appearance. And sure Florida, Tampa pily reconsider after recognizing that she has fidence. The full-page, black-and-white illus- enough, after a warm rain, a doe and her two changed her ways. Button has recognized a trations help children visualize the action in fawns step out of the shadows and then dis- common childhood dilemma, trying to deal the story. Newly independent readers might appear, a gift for patient waiting. The large with a peer’s controlling personality. She has sympathize with Leland’s frustration at oil paintings on linen are richly textured and crafted a story to help children acknowledge school and be encouraged when his teacher depict the forest landscape in quiet pastel and express their feelings while in uncomfort- actually listens to him.–Amy Commers, hues. The poetic text is lovely, though it may able situations. Howells’s artwork is simple South St. Paul Public Library, MN stretch credulity to believe the young narrator and strongly emotional. The conclusion elic- would really describe their house as smelling its a sigh of relief from readers as the tension COBB, Rebecca. Missing Mommy: A Book like “old trees,” or a boat as having a “moth- in the class is eliminated and the party will go About Bereavement. illus. by author. 32p. wing sail.” Pair this story with Nicola Davies’s on. A good choice to prompt discussions about Holt. Apr. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978- Outside Your Window (Candlewick, 2012) to friendship, bullying, and self-confidence.–Di- 0-8050-9507-4. spark children’s interest in the natural world ane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT K-Gr 2–A powerful combination of childlike and generate ideas for its preservation.–Mari- drawings, rendered in watercolor and crayon, anne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Commu- BUZZEO, Toni. Just Like My Papa. illus. and minimal text provides an extraordinary nity College, CT by Mike Wohnoutka. 32p. Hyperion/ look at the impact of his mother’s death on Disney. Apr. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN a young boy. “Some time ago we said good- CORDEROY, Tracey. Hubble Bubble, 978-1-4231-4263-8. LC 2011011153. bye to Mommy. I am not sure where she Granny Trouble. illus. by Joe Berger. PreS-K–This companion to Stay Close has gone,” he says. The boy looks for her 32p. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. 2012. RTE to Mama (Hyperion, 2012) chronicles a behind the sofa, under the bed, and in the $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5904-2. day in the life of an adult male lion and his yard, but finds only her belongings. -He ex PreS-Gr 2–The young narrator’s grandmoth- son. Though anthropomorphized, many de- periences fear, worry that his misdeeds might er has an uncanny ability to make objects dis- tails of life on the savannah shine forth in the have caused her to leave, and even anger: appear, and her turbo-jet broom serves as her Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? (Bunting) simple, lyrical prose. Kito, the young cub of “The other children have THEIR moms. favorite mode of transportation. Tired of tak- ©2013 by Sergio Ruzzier the king of the pride, narrates with the refrain, It’s not fair.” When the child wonders when ing part in her unusual excursions, the child “Just like my papa, the King.” After a playful, Mommy is coming back, his father, tears gives her granny a makeover and encour- restful afternoon under an acacia tree, the ac- streaming down his face, explains that “when ages her to develop ordinary habits to bring HBUNTING, Eve. Have You Seen tion and atmosphere climax in a twilight hunt someone has died they cannot come back. . . normalcy to her life. Grandma, however, is My New Blue Socks? illus. by Sergio of wildebeest. Before a vast sun-swept land- .” Between the opening spread depicting rain- simply not meant to live a traditional lifestyle, Ruzzier. 32p. Clarion. Mar. 2013. RTE scape, “Papa stands and gives his dark brown soaked mourners donned in black and hold- and her granddaughter eventually learns to $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-75267-9. LC mane a fearsome shake. He follows the lion- ing black umbrellas at the graveside, and the celebrate her uniqueness in a sweetly real- 2012012192. esses to the hunt. Kito shakes his little head. final one showing the boy, still clutching his ized ending. The narrative strongly hints at PreS-Gr 1–A small green duck has lost He sneaks off after Papa. I will hunt, too. Just mom’s sweater, but now shown in a flower- her grandmother’s unusual occupation while his new blue socks. He looks for them in like my papa, the King.” What makes this title filled garden, readers see him, his father, and lively, rhyming text maintains energetic pac- his toy box and consults his friends the work is the blend of factual information about his sister gradually moving on with their lives. ing through repetition. “My granny’s kind of fox and the ox. He does not find them a pride’s habitat and behavior with the com- The tears still flow as they view old photos, different. She cooks this icky soup./I swear among other socks on the rocks, but his pelling, personal narrative of a son following and the boy still laments, “I really miss my she uses slime and sludge and bits of froggy- peacock friends help him find them. his father’s footsteps and winning his respect. mommy,” but there are brighter moments of poop!” There’s nothing spooky in the British The short, repetitive rhyming sentences The acrylic illustrations are larger than life shared memories and household chores as charm found in phrases and visual design. are a good fit for beginning readers, and show the expanses of the savannah but re- well, and the boy’s consoling conviction that Hilarious details add chuckles along this and the large trim size allows plenty of main warm and kid-friendly, especially in the just as he was special to his mom, “she will pair’s journey: the grandmother carries a space for the watercolor and pencil il- lions’ depth of expression, ranging from cu- always be special to me.” This honest treat- cauldron purse; takes her granddaughter to lustrations to provide clues to solve the riosity to impatience, from concern to pride. ment of death and loss can spark discussion see “Scary Poppins”; and brings along a me- humorous mystery. This is a whimsical The pacing is superb, with the right amount and provide answers and comfort to young nagerie of cats, bats, and frogs for some fun delight for children whose parents clam- of drama for the youngest readers yet awash children who experience the loss of a loved in the sun. Cartoon illustrations, emphasized or for phonics-based books.–Laura Scott, with reassuring paternal love and care for one.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk in shades of deep purple and blue, remain Farmington Community Library, MI young Kito. An author’s note briefly describes Community College, CT cheerfully witchy. This is a lovely, imagina-

108 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0108 3 2/20/2013 12:34:57 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 the social interactions of a pride.–Sara Lissa COLLINS, Pat Lowery. The Deer Watch. tive romp, with just a pinch of playful mis- DALEY, Michael J. Pinch and Dash and Paulson, The American Sign Language and illus. by David Slonim. 32p. Candlewick. chief thrown in.–Meg Smith, Cumberland the Terrible Couch. illus. by Thomas E. English Lower School, New York City Apr. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636- County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC Yezerski. 48p. Charlesbridge. 2013. Tr 4890-9. LC 2012942667. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-379-4; pap. CASSIDY, Sara. Seeing Orange. illus. by Gr 1-4–After the family returns to its summer COTTEN, Cynthia. The Book Boat’s In. $5.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-380-0; ebook Amy Meissner. 64p. (Orca Echos Series). home, a boy and his dad go on a much-antic- illus. by Frané Lessac. 32p. Holiday $6.99. ISBN 978-1-60734-592-3. LC Orca. 2012. pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1- ipated outing to find a deer. They climb the House. Apr. 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 2011025704. 5546-9991-9; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-1- dunes and tramp through the marsh and onto 978-0-8234-2521-1. LC 2012016548. K-Gr 2–Pinch, a comfort-loving creature in 4598-0318-3. LC 2012938344. conservation land. Throughout their quest, K-Gr 2–A historical tale that provides a blue pajamas, is reading his cookbook when Gr 2-3–Leland is constantly in trouble with they see birds and other animals, but no deer. glimpse into a unique part of 19th-century the doorbell rings. Two movers, appropri- his teacher for daydreaming in class, not do- The child’s sneeze and his feet that dance in life on the Erie Canal: the floating library/ ately named Push and Shove, deliver an ing his work, and always wanting to draw. eagerness might have frightened them away. bookstore. On a trip into town, Jesse is excited oversize orange couch from his Aunt Hasty. One day, his family’s cat wanders away, and Certainly the men with their bulldozers, to see the book boat and even happier to find By pushing and shoving the desk and the the seven-year-old uses his artistic skills to hammers, and drills have scared them off. a book he loves, Johann David Wyss’s The snug chair out of the way, they fit the couch draw a missing poster to hang in the neigh- Indeed, wildlife was far more abundant here, Swiss Family Robinson. The book’s price is in front of the fireplace. Dash, the tall thin borhood. A local painter sees it and invites Dad laments, before humans encroached on more money than he has, so he spends the neighbor who lives in the adjoining house, Leland to take art lessons from her. Her en- the habitat. Still, for those who take the time week before the boat’s return working to earn comes over and tries to rearrange the fur- couragement helps him find Pumpkin, tell to look and listen quietly, seemingly hidden seven more cents. Although he isn’t able to niture. Despite a glass of tart lemonade his teacher how he feels, and boosts his con- creatures can make an appearance. And sure earn enough, the book-boat proprietor offers to “give them pluck,” Dash is soon sound fidence. The full-page, black-and-white illus- enough, after a warm rain, a doe and her two him a cheaper copy, and Jesse is thrilled to asleep. Looking out his window, Pinch real- trations help children visualize the action in fawns step out of the shadows and then dis- be able to write his name in a book and mark izes that Dash’s curtains with their “daring the story. Newly independent readers might appear, a gift for patient waiting. The large it as his own. Librarians and teachers will ap- dashes of red” match the offending couch. sympathize with Leland’s frustration at oil paintings on linen are richly textured and preciate Jesse’s love of books and his commit- The book ends with a pleased Pinch watch- school and be encouraged when his teacher depict the forest landscape in quiet pastel ment to working hard in order to own one. ing the movers get the couch–and his actually listens to him.–Amy Commers, hues. The poetic text is lovely, though it may Although the text, particularly the dialogue, sleeping friend–up Dash’s steps. These South St. Paul Public Library, MN stretch credulity to believe the young narrator is not very creative, the historical information friends were introduced in Pinch and Dash would really describe their house as smelling it provides, along with the folk-style gouache Make Soup (Charlesbridge, 2012), and COBB, Rebecca. Missing Mommy: A Book like “old trees,” or a boat as having a “moth- paintings, gives a strong sense of time and their second adventure features the same About Bereavement. illus. by author. 32p. wing sail.” Pair this story with Nicola Davies’s place. The scenes with backgrounds of the easy-to-read format and droll humor. Bright Holt. Apr. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978- Outside Your Window (Candlewick, 2012) to town, the countryside, and the general store watercolor illustrations provide emerging 0-8050-9507-4. spark children’s interest in the natural world are full of vibrant color and atmospheric de- readers with plenty of textual clues. This K-Gr 2–A powerful combination of childlike and generate ideas for its preservation.–Mari- tail. In one spread, a pair of horses can be early chapter book makes a welcome addi- drawings, rendered in watercolor and crayon, anne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Commu- seen pulling a boat up the river, showing tion to most collections.–Mary Jean Smith, and minimal text provides an extraordinary nity College, CT how river traffic operated. An author’s note formerly at Southside Elementary School, look at the impact of his mother’s death on gives a little more background information. A Lebanon, TN a young boy. “Some time ago we said good- CORDEROY, Tracey. Hubble Bubble, supplementary purchase.–Marian McLeod, bye to Mommy. I am not sure where she Granny Trouble. illus. by Joe Berger. Darien Library, CT DAVICK, Linda. I Love You, Nose! I has gone,” he says. The boy looks for her 32p. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. 2012. RTE Love You, Toes! illus. by Linda Davick. behind the sofa, under the bed, and in the $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5904-2. DALE, Penny. Dinosaur Zoom! illus. by 32p. S & S/Beach Lane. Apr. 2013. Tr yard, but finds only her belongings. -He ex PreS-Gr 2–The young narrator’s grandmoth- author. 32p. Candlewick/Nosy Crow. $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6037-9; ebook periences fear, worry that his misdeeds might er has an uncanny ability to make objects dis- Apr. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636- $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6038-6. LC have caused her to leave, and even anger: appear, and her turbo-jet broom serves as her 6448-0. LC 2012942660. 2012006994. “The other children have THEIR moms. favorite mode of transportation. Tired of tak- PreS–Ten dinosaurs drive a variety of vehicles PreS-Gr 1–This ode to children’s bodies hits It’s not fair.” When the child wonders when ing part in her unusual excursions, the child from the desert up the mountain, each carry- all the high and low notes, but fails to shine. Mommy is coming back, his father, tears gives her granny a makeover and encour- ing presents for a special event. Young read- In mostly successful rhyming verse that at streaming down his face, explains that “when ages her to develop ordinary habits to bring ers who love these creatures will find their times slides into doggerel, Davick’s round- someone has died they cannot come back. . . normalcy to her life. Grandma, however, is favorites: T rex, Triceratops, and Allosaurus, headed children celebrate all the parts of .” Between the opening spread depicting rain- simply not meant to live a traditional lifestyle, and also a few new ones–Styacosaurus and their bodies, from “I love you hair upon soaked mourners donned in black and hold- and her granddaughter eventually learns to Carnotaurus. Each page presents dinosaurs my head…” to “I love the parts my friends ing black umbrellas at the graveside, and the celebrate her uniqueness in a sweetly real- bumping, jumping, skidding, reversing, hur- don’t see: the parts that poop, the parts that final one showing the boy, still clutching his ized ending. The narrative strongly hints at rying, hiding–getting ready. Watercolor car- pee.” There is no plot; this is simply a rhym- mom’s sweater, but now shown in a flower- her grandmother’s unusual occupation while toons brighten each spread, large text alerts ing laundry list turned into a love song. filled garden, readers see him, his father, and lively, rhyming text maintains energetic pac- readers to the color of each dinosaur as it The cheerful youngsters who fill the pages his sister gradually moving on with their lives. ing through repetition. “My granny’s kind of drives through changing land and weather, come in both genders and many ethnicities, The tears still flow as they view old photos, different. She cooks this icky soup./I swear and onomatopoeia and a wealth of exclama- although the cartoonish style renders them and the boy still laments, “I really miss my she uses slime and sludge and bits of froggy- tion points dramatize the sound of vehicles uniform in shape and size. The illustra- mommy,” but there are brighter moments of poop!” There’s nothing spooky in the British in a race to reach a forested mountainside. tions are primarily single- and double-page shared memories and household chores as charm found in phrases and visual design. Some illustrations provide a few surprises–a full-bleed spreads, with solid, candy-colored well, and the boy’s consoling conviction that Hilarious details add chuckles along this cake large enough for a wood pallet, balloons backgrounds. Props and backdrops are mini- just as he was special to his mom, “she will pair’s journey: the grandmother carries a filling the trees, and packages peeking from mal, and there are occasional white pages always be special to me.” This honest treat- cauldron purse; takes her granddaughter to each vehicle, but the birthday-party end- with a circle of children representing the ment of death and loss can spark discussion see “Scary Poppins”; and brings along a me- ing is a predictable scenario. This is a busy body parts in question. The round-eyed, and provide answers and comfort to young nagerie of cats, bats, and frogs for some fun book, introducing dinosaurs, vehicles, colors, smiling, simplistic youngsters are appealing. children who experience the loss of a loved in the sun. Cartoon illustrations, emphasized weather, landforms, and word use. A gen- An acceptable purchase, although it won’t one.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk in shades of deep purple and blue, remain eral purchase for most libraries.–Mary Elam, top anyone’s list of favorites.–Amy Lilien- Community College, CT cheerfully witchy. This is a lovely, imagina- Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 109

SLJ130301-MAG_0109 4 2/20/2013 12:35:06 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

(Kids Can, 2006) for additional inspiration and plays the fiddle till his guests drop. Then and funny look at a familiar subject that both HDE SÈVE, Randall. Peanut and Fifi for anxious youngsters.–Yelena Alekseyeva- he pulls the ol’ switcheroo and takes their ship children and parents will enjoy.–Diane An- Have a Ball. illus. by Paul Schmid. 32p. Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY for a ride. The final pages show Willy throwin’ tezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT Dial. Apr. 2013. RTE $15.99. ISBN down at his very own BBQ joint on their 978-0-8037-3578-1. LC 2012014355. DUNREA, Olivier. Jasper & Joop. illus. by home planet while the aliens tend his turnips. HFLEISCHMAN, Paul. The Matchbox PreS-K–Peanut is delighted with her new, author. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. Mar. McCauley’s illustrations use rich desert colors Diary. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. bright-blue ball. Her older sister wants to 2013. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-547-86762-5. and comic proportions to play up the wacky 40p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. RTE play with it too, but Peanut refuses to share PreS–Straitlaced Jasper and free-spirited story line. The recipe for “Willy’s Out of This $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-46011. LC her special toy. Undaunted, imaginative Joop are an unlikely pair of goslings. Jasper World Barbecue Sauce” might inspire a tasty 2012942613. Fifi tries a variety of strategies to get it from likes his nest tidy and the barnyard dry, while food-themed program.–Jenna Boles, Washing- Gr 1-4–An Italian-American immigrant her sister. She proposes some enticing pre- Joop’s nest is perpetually mussed, and he leaps ton-Centerville Public Library, OH shares his childhood memories with his tend games. “Where is my crystal ball?” gleefully into “MUDDY mud!” When Joop’s great-granddaughter. The twist of this tale she asks and then suggests, “It’s bread enthusiasm for shenanigans lands him beak- EGAN, Tim. Dodsworth in Tokyo. illus. by is that his memories have been kept in a dough and we’re bakers.” Finally, Fifi re- deep in a beehive, Jasper’s the one to honk author. 48p. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. “diary” of saved objects that commemo- turns with a seal that can do tricks with the emphatically: “RUN!” Both goslings discover 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-547- rate the important events of his life. As ball. Peanut agrees to share it, but Fifi is off that they do not like bees and end up in the 87745-7. a poor child who could neither read nor on another fantastic adventure, imagining pond with a satisfying splash. Dunrea’s expres- Gr 1-3–Eager to experience local customs write, this now-elderly gentleman found a that she and the seal are flying through sive vignettes capture the innocence and ad- and cuisine on their trip to Tokyo, jet-setter unique way to preserve his memories by space. After a moment, Peanut picks up venture of toddlerhood and imbue the tilt of a Dodsworth and his accident-prone duck visit saving the objects in matchboxes. Among her ball and chases after her sister, calling beak or the curve of a feather with humor and Yoyogi Park, where they find a girl’s lost toy, a the many items were a box of sunflower out, “Hey Fifi, check out this cool planet.” personality. These newest additions to his gag- kendama. Dodsworth promises the duck that seed shells that counted the days from Na- The digital artwork reinforces the playful gle of goslings are sure to wiggle their way into if he can stay out of trouble while they take a ples to New York, a fish bone to remember tone of the story. The thick black outlines the hearts of well-mannered and mischievous bus tour, visit a museum, and attend a festi- the long days the entire family had to work youngsters everywhere.–Jenna Boles, Wash- val, he’ll treat him to some wagashi, dessert. and geometric shapes featured in the sim- in the canneries, and a ticket stub from his ington-Centerville Public Library, OH Predictably, the duck doesn’t quite succeed, ple but eye-catching illustrations have a first baseball game. The journey unfolds though he does inadvertently impress the childlike charm and capture the unique prompted by the child’s curious questions. DUNREA, Olivier. Ollie’s Easter Eggs. locals and return the lost toy. When finally personality of each little girl. This story of- Her inquiries provoke the descriptive vi- illus. by author. 32p. Houghton enjoying his long-awaited treat, he ends up fers a gentle lesson about sharing, sibling gnettes of an earlier time and yet frame Harcourt. 2013. BD $6.99. ISBN 978-0- making another mess, but his ever-patient dynamics, and the power of imagination. the story through the eyes of a youngster 547-85918-7. companion just laughs. The Japanese words Pair it with But Excuse Me That Is My of today. Ibatoulline’s sepia-toned illustra- PreS–Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, and Peedie and complex vocabulary will make this Book (Dial, 2005) or another title in Lau- tions beautifully express this immigrant’s each dye their Easter eggs red, blue, purple, chapter book a challenge for young readers, ren Child’s “Charlie and Lola” series.– tale from Italy to Ellis Island and the start and yellow, respectively. Gossie hides hers though Egan’s pleasant, colorful panels help Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory of a new life. They also provide a wonder- in the grass. Gertie hides her in a haystack. to decode their meaning. For an adventure High School, Boston, MA ful contrast to the warm-colored illustra- BooBoo hides hers in a pot filled with tulips. in a foreign country, the plot lags slightly. tions that depict a loving, appreciative re- And Peedie hides his under a green turtle. A Purchase only where other Dodsworth books lationship between an elderly man and a DOMINGUEZ, Angela. Let’s Go, Hugo! while later, the goslings are surprised when are popular or to supplement curriculum on young child. This lovingly crafted picture illus. by author. 40p. Dial. Mar. 2013. they find their eggs missing and go on a real Japanese culture.–Jenna Boles, Washington- book tells an amazing story that is unique- RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3864-5. Easter egg hunt. They find them wrapped Centerville Public Library, OH ly American. Through unsentimental, yet LC 2012003561. in shiny green ribbon as Ollie proudly looks warm and touching dialogue, Fleischman PreS-Gr 1–An uplifting story about con- on. Small, creative details appear hidden on FERGUS, Maureen. The Day My Mom successfully shares a powerful journey quering fears and making friends. Hugo, each page, such as a snail, a butterfly, a piece Came to Kindergarten. illus. by Mike that captures the hardships, self-reliance, the scarf-sporting avian protagonist, prefers of green ribbon, a frog, and a spider. Ollie Lowery. 32p. Kids Can. Mar. 2013. Tr strength, and simple joys that character- walking to flying. He enjoys his ground- sports an adorable rabbit-ear cap. The crisp $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-698-6. ized early immigrants. It provides an in- based Parisian life, making art instead of illustrations, done in pen, ink, and gouache, PreS-K–A nameless little girl likes everything spirational introduction to the immigra- nests. While building a model of the Eiffel show the characters in action. For example, kindergarten so her transition toward inde- tion story that captures the humanity of Tower, he meets Lulu, who invites him to each time Ollie hides an egg, he has to use pendence has been easy for her, but not for the journey.–Carole Phillips, Greenacres the real landmark. He distracts her with his beak, or webbed feet, while pushing very her mother, whom she invites to join her for Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY land-bound activities until nighttime falls hard, which emphasizes his small size and a day in class. Her mother is excited about the and she leaves. Saddened by her depar- weight, in relation to the egg. Fans of Dun- opportunity but her actions are more than a ture, Hugo admits his fear of flying to Ber- rea’s series will love this new installment. It’s bit embarrassing when she doesn’t wait her FOLGUEIRA, Rodrigo. Ribbit! illus. by nard the owl. The old bird wisely remarks festive and pure fun.–Anne Beier, Hendrick turn in line or take off her outside shoes. Her Poly Bernatene. 32p. Knopf. Apr. 2013. that “everyone is afraid of something,” and Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY daughter gives her gentle reminders to follow Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98146-2; teaches Hugo to fly. With more practice and the expected behaviors but Mom keeps hav- PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98147-9; encouragement, he conquers his fears and DUVAL, Kathy. Take Me to Your BBQ. illus. ing outbursts and shows a lack of self-control. ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98150-9. befriends Lulu. Mixed-media illustrations by Adam McCauley. 40p. Hyperion/ Dismayed by her behavior, the child consults K-Gr 2–In this charming tale of friendship, delight with rich colors, subtly textured Disney. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN her teacher and is reminded that it takes a a frog family wakes up one morning to find paper backgrounds, and varied perspec- 978-1-4231-2255-5. while to get used to something new. The girl an unexpected guest at their pond. “It was a tives. Drawn with almost stick-figurelike K-Gr 2–While tending his grill, an unsuspect- is pleased when her mom displays more ap- pig–a little pink pig–sitting on a rock.” The simplicity, the birds charm with their viva- ing Willy is visited by “some colored lights propriate behavior and learns the rules that suspicious frogs are flummoxed by his- ar cious expressiveness. Playful endpapers fea- from outer space,” and three-eyed, little green every kindergartener knows. At the end of the rival, and when the visitor will only “ribbit” ture Hugo engaged in his creative pursuits men wearing spurs appear and apparently day, the woman decides to stick to things she to explain his presence, the frogs, along with in the front papers and playing with Lulu have a craving for some chili. With a knee- is good at and leave the kindergarten activities a variety of woodland busybodies, become in the back pages. Pair this with Rob Scot- slappin’ rhythm, the occasional hitch in the to her daughter. Lowery’s cartoon art is simple flustered and annoyed. Finally they consult ton’s Splish, Splash, Splat! (HarperCollins, rhyme scheme, and a few too many gratuitous and expressive, accurately displaying activities the wise old beetle, but by the time they 2011) or Melanie Watt’s Scaredy Squirrel “yippee ki-yee’s,” Willy rustles up some grub of a kindergarten classroom. This is a fresh explain the dilemma and bring the beetle

110 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0110 5 2/20/2013 12:35:07 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 and plays the fiddle till his guests drop. Then and funny look at a familiar subject that both back to witness the phenomenon, the pig tures that make their home in the salty waters. he pulls the ol’ switcheroo and takes their ship children and parents will enjoy.–Diane An- has disappeared. The animals are confused The sea counts from “One whale” to “Ten for a ride. The final pages show Willy throwin’ tezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT and curious as to the meaning of his appear- bottlenose dolphins.” Descriptive imagery down at his very own BBQ joint on their ance, and the beetle suggests that perhaps perfectly captures the quintessential charac- home planet while the aliens tend his turnips. the piglet just wanted to make friends. “‘Oh teristics of each animal. “Four sea horses gal- HFLEISCHMAN, Paul. The Matchbox McCauley’s illustrations use rich desert colors dear!’ said the animals. They hadn’t thought lop in a saltwater rodeo” and “Seven jellyfish Diary. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. and comic proportions to play up the wacky of that!” All ends well with the frogs and drift by, dancing a water ballet.” The students 40p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. RTE story line. The recipe for “Willy’s Out of This other animals joining the little porker with quickly realize that “This sea counts!” Cap- $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-46011. LC World Barbecue Sauce” might inspire a tasty his newest group of friends–perched in a tain Ned and Mr. Tate continue the lesson, 2012942613. food-themed program.–Jenna Boles, Washing- tree. “Tweet!” Bernatene’s sassy, fretful frogs revealing the many ways a clean and healthy Gr 1-4–An Italian-American immigrant ton-Centerville Public Library, OH are delightfully expressive and unique, espe- ocean matters. After collecting 10 bags of shares his childhood memories with his cially when contrasted with the supremely trash from the sandy shore, the children go great-granddaughter. The twist of this tale EGAN, Tim. Dodsworth in Tokyo. illus. by self-assured and content piglet. Both illustra- out on Captain Ned’s boat and clean up the is that his memories have been kept in a author. 48p. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. tions and story work equally well for large water, too. The atmospheric digital collage “diary” of saved objects that commemo- 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-547- groups or one-on-one, and the narrative illustrations are filled with texture, motion, rate the important events of his life. As 87745-7. packs enough emotional punch for dramatic and light. Captivated readers will imagine a poor child who could neither read nor Gr 1-3–Eager to experience local customs read-alouds.–Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey that they feel the warm sun, salty ocean spray, write, this now-elderly gentleman found a and cuisine on their trip to Tokyo, jet-setter County Library, MN and cooling breezes along with the students. unique way to preserve his memories by Dodsworth and his accident-prone duck visit An afterword and suggested web links provide saving the objects in matchboxes. Among Yoyogi Park, where they find a girl’s lost toy, a FOREMAN, Michael. Oh! If Only…. illus. additional information about keeping the the many items were a box of sunflower kendama. Dodsworth promises the duck that by author. 32p. Andersen. Apr. 2013. Tr marine world safe. Pair this informative title seed shells that counted the days from Na- if he can stay out of trouble while they take a $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1213-2; ebook with Formento’s This Tree Counts! (2010) and ples to New York, a fish bone to remember bus tour, visit a museum, and attend a festi- $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1214-9. These Bees Count! (2012, both Albert Whit- the long days the entire family had to work val, he’ll treat him to some wagashi, dessert. PreS-Gr 1–A boy recounts a catastrophic man).–Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Prepa- in the canneries, and a ticket stub from his Predictably, the duck doesn’t quite succeed, chain of events that stem from a seemingly ratory High School, Boston, MA first baseball game. The journey unfolds though he does inadvertently impress the innocent encounter with a dog and a ball. As prompted by the child’s curious questions. locals and return the lost toy. When finally they begin to play together, the boy bemoans, FOXLEY, Janet. Muncle Trogg and the Her inquiries provoke the descriptive vi- enjoying his long-awaited treat, he ends up “If only…I was better at soccer and hadn’t Flying Donkey. Bk. 2. illus. by O’Kif. gnettes of an earlier time and yet frame making another mess, but his ever-patient tried to show off…,” as the ball gets away from 198p. Scholastic/Chicken House. Mar. the story through the eyes of a youngster companion just laughs. The Japanese words him, frightening cats, birds, and horses and 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-545-46527- of today. Ibatoulline’s sepia-toned illustra- and complex vocabulary will make this disrupting a parade for the Queen’s birthday. 4; ebook $14.99. ISBN 978-0-545-52065- tions beautifully express this immigrant’s chapter book a challenge for young readers, Worst of all, once the playful dog has wreaked 2. LC 2012002713. tale from Italy to Ellis Island and the start though Egan’s pleasant, colorful panels help havoc in the palace, he brings the ball right Gr 3-5–In this return to Mount Grumble, Lit- of a new life. They also provide a wonder- to decode their meaning. For an adventure back to the boy...on camera. As families tle Muncle really is a giant, but he is the size ful contrast to the warm-colored illustra- in a foreign country, the plot lags slightly. around the world are shown gathering around of a Smalling (human) and sits on a bracken- tions that depict a loving, appreciative re- Purchase only where other Dodsworth books TVs to point at his red, embarrassed face, the filled cushion so he can reach the dinner lationship between an elderly man and a are popular or to supplement curriculum on boy wishes he had stayed at home, but if he table. But he more than makes up for his lack young child. This lovingly crafted picture Japanese culture.–Jenna Boles, Washington- had, he says, “I would never have met this of height with his gumption. Having saved his book tells an amazing story that is unique- Centerville Public Library, OH great dog!” The plaintive refrain carries the Smalling friend Emily from being roasted by ly American. Through unsentimental, yet story forward swiftly as one event unfolds into the king, Muncle would probably be happy warm and touching dialogue, Fleischman FERGUS, Maureen. The Day My Mom another. The ellipses build suspense, indicat- enough causing trouble with his brother, successfully shares a powerful journey Came to Kindergarten. illus. by Mike ing that there is more action, and disaster, to Gritt. When he realizes, however, that he has that captures the hardships, self-reliance, Lowery. 32p. Kids Can. Mar. 2013. Tr come. The watercolor and pastel illustrations lost the king’s special Book containing the strength, and simple joys that character- $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-698-6. complement the text, and vice versa, with the Smalling spells, he worries that he will also ized early immigrants. It provides an in- PreS-K–A nameless little girl likes everything lines of text undulating or bouncing with the lose his status as Wise Man. One of Muncle’s spirational introduction to the immigra- kindergarten so her transition toward inde- action. Nearly every page is full of movement duties is to educate Her Hugeness Princess tion story that captures the humanity of pendence has been easy for her, but not for as animals fly or scamper away, and bright Puglug, who is too posh to go to school, but the journey.–Carole Phillips, Greenacres her mother, whom she invites to join her for primary colors highlight focal points. Kids Emily is the only girl he really cares about. Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY a day in class. Her mother is excited about the will enjoy the increasing destruction and silli- When she finds the Book and gives it to him, opportunity but her actions are more than a ness, while the minimal text and refrain make she has some disturbing news about Mount bit embarrassing when she doesn’t wait her FOLGUEIRA, Rodrigo. Ribbit! illus. by this a good read-aloud. A fun choice for those Grumble; it is a volcano and just might erupt. turn in line or take off her outside shoes. Her Poly Bernatene. 32p. Knopf. Apr. 2013. who enjoyed Remy Charlip’s Fortunately Illustrations add drama and great expressions daughter gives her gentle reminders to follow Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98146-2; (Parents’ Magazine Pr., 1964), and Allan Ahl- to the cast of characters. Written in bite-size the expected behaviors but Mom keeps hav- PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98147-9; berg’s Previously (Candlewick, 2007).–Mar- chapters, this funny sequel involving a dragon ing outbursts and shows a lack of self-control. ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-307-98150-9. ian McLeod, Darien Library, CT and a Wonder Donkey is best understood af- Dismayed by her behavior, the child consults K-Gr 2–In this charming tale of friendship, ter reading the scene-setting backstory of the her teacher and is reminded that it takes a a frog family wakes up one morning to find FORMENTO, Alison. These Seas Count! first installment. Fans will be delighted, and while to get used to something new. The girl an unexpected guest at their pond. “It was a illus. by Sarah Snow. 32p. websites. Albert reluctant readers engaged.–Alison Donnelly, is pleased when her mom displays more ap- pig–a little pink pig–sitting on a rock.” The Whitman. Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL propriate behavior and learns the rules that suspicious frogs are flummoxed by his- ar 978-0-8075-7871-1. LC 2012026187. every kindergartener knows. At the end of the rival, and when the visitor will only “ribbit” K-Gr 2–The children in Mr. Tate’s class join FULLERTON, Alma. A Good Trade. illus. day, the woman decides to stick to things she to explain his presence, the frogs, along with Captain Ned for a Beach Clean-up Day. Sad- by Karen Patkau. 32p. Pajama Press. 2012. is good at and leave the kindergarten activities a variety of woodland busybodies, become ly, the shoreline and surf are littered with de- Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-9869495-9-3. to her daughter. Lowery’s cartoon art is simple flustered and annoyed. Finally they consult bris. When the captain instructs the students Gr 1-3–Kato, a young Ugandan boy, serves and expressive, accurately displaying activities the wise old beetle, but by the time they to listen to the sea, they stand at the edge of the his family by filling jerry cans with a day’s of a kindergarten classroom. This is a fresh explain the dilemma and bring the beetle rolling waves and hear about the unique crea- worth of water each morning. His journey to

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 111

SLJ130301-MAG_0111 6 2/20/2013 12:35:17 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 Preschool to Grade 4

the borehole takes him down hills, past cattle tive expresses his fears and confusion at be- of view, but will appreciate the sentimental help. His teacher tells the class about a Knit- fields, and by soldiers standing guard. On ing sent away. While it is clear that he has idea of a growing family.–Krista Welz, The ting Bee in Central Park where volunteers this particular day, he pauses on his way back some problems, it quickly becomes obvious North Bergen Public Library, NJ will make hats, scarves, and socks to send to into town to peek inside an aid worker’s truck that his mother is less than perfect as well. soldiers. At first Mikey dismisses the idea as and sees that it is filled with shoes. While Although the story takes place over only a HENNESY, Scott. The Cat’s Baton Is too girly and too insignificant, but then pours finishing his chores, he finds a white poppy few days and starts when Jason is in the group Gone: A Musical Cat-tastrophe. illus. by his enthusiasm into the project when the ef- in the field and picks it for the aid worker home, by the end, the child has begun to Joe Lanzisero. 32p. glossary. Hyperion/ fort becomes a competition between the girls who gives the village children new shoes, the feel that there are some adults who care for Disney. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1- and the boys. He becomes frustrated when “good trade” of the title. The illustrations are him and who will not hurt him. Child abuse, 4231-4583-7. LC 2012004539. he has trouble learning the stitches, but real- bright and geometric, computer-generated foster care, and group homes are treated re- K-Gr 2–“Leopold von Kittenkatt/Is a con- izes that no contribution is too small when but quite textural, appearing almost mixed alistically, although somewhat simplistically, ductor oh so grand./He leads a special orcat- he meets a soldier who has lost a leg and gives media. The large images are full of subtle de- and Jason’s voice is true to that of a youngster stra,/With cats from every land.” So begins him the one sock he has managed to finish. tails that show the lifestyle and daily activities his age. This book would help children who the first of many cat puns. Leopold has lost The story is a wonderful expression of emo- common in the small, lush village. The text is are dealing with some of the same issues, but his baton. He speaks with the various mewsi- tions. Mikey’s face is determined and funny spare and poetic and the pictures capture the it has value for other children as well, as it cians, who each play an instrument from at the same time, and his perseverance and tone and supply the bulk of the information. opens the door to discussion.–Wendy Smith- their country. Some are appropriate, others the positive attitudes shown by all the chil- Young readers will enjoy this sweet day-in- D’Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD are rather random. The Australian didgeri- dren are timely reminders about the satisfac- the-life snapshot.–Jennifer Miskec, Longwood doo and the Cuban conga drum are fine, tion to be had in reaching beyond oneself. University, Farmville, VA HALL, Algy Craig. Dino Bites! illus. by but the cello did not originate in Russia, or The old-fashioned look of the pen-and-ink author. 32p. Boxer Bks. Mar. 2013. Tr the oboe in Poland. Back matter includes and watercolor illustrations is well suited to GOOBIE, Beth. Jason’s Why. 72p. Red $16.95. ISBN 978-1-907967-50-4. a picture glossary giving more information the narrative. The warmth and humor found Deer. 2012. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0- PreS-K–Three dinosaurs are looking for about each instrument. The text reads fairly in the pictures lighten the tone and keep the 88995-484-7. lunch. The smallest one eats a bee. The next smoothly. The cookie-cutter, old-school, story from becoming too serious. Combine Gr 3-5–Nine-year-old Jason has anger issues. largest one eats her, and the biggest dinosaur Disney-esque illustrations are the weak point this book, Mac Barnett’s Extra Yarn (Harp- His dad used to yell and beat him, but then eats him. But rumbling goes on in all those here. An additional purchase.–Grace Oliff, erCollins, 2012), and a fiber art project to his parents divorced. Now his mother has a stomachs, ending in a comical surprise. Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ make a thoughtful and cozy winter storytime hard time being a single parent of two kids, Bright, vivid background colors saturate and session.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. especially since Jason has emotional prob- bleed off the pages. The four goofy-looking HIGGINS, Ryan. Wilfred. illus. by author. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA lems. She reaches out to social workers to characters are done in a lighter palette, almost 32p. Dial. Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN place him in a group home. Jason’s narra- pastels, causing them to pop. The spare text 978-0-8037-3732-7. HOURAN, Lori Haskins. I Will Keep You is in large, black print; there is one sentence K-Gr 3–In this offbeat story, a lonesome, Safe and Sound. illus. by Petra Brown. 32p. per page or just a word, for example, “Bite!” furry giant visits an unusual town inhabited Scholastic. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN for illustrative emphasis. This cumulative by people without a “single hair on their 978-0-545-19751-9. LC 2011045990. story will be a storytime favorite, enjoyed in a heads. Not even the ladies.” Wilfred wants PreS–Essentially a short illustrated poem, one-on-one setting, and a hit with beginning a friend, but he scares everyone away ex- this title depicts beatifically smiling baby ani- readers.–Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free cept for one brave boy. The odd duo have mals and their grown-ups cuddling in their Library, Montrose, NY fun playing the ukulele and reenacting the dens, nests, and other dwellings–“Gators in Battle of Waterloo. With winter approach- the shade/While the sun burns high/Squir- HELAKOSKI, Leslie. Doggone Feet! illus. ing, the townspeople hatch a nasty plan to rels in the log/While the hawk sails by,” etc. by author. 40p. Boyds Mills. Mar. 2013. stay warm. They decree that if Wilfred wants On each spread, a full-page illustration of RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-933-9. to visit, “he’d have to stop being big. . . or to the animals faces two lines of the poem in LC 2012949018. stop being hairy.” Of course, the only way for large black font, with a smaller illustration PreS-Gr 2-When a puppy follows a pair of him to stop being hairy is to let the townsfolk under it. The refrain, “I will keep you safe “Legs” home from the park one day, she is in cut off his hair. After spotting new wigs on his and sound,” lends a soothing, lullabylike ca- for a bunch of lovable surprises. For a while, neighbors’ heads, the boy grows suspicious. dence, while watercolor and pencil illustra- it’s just her and her owner (“just me and two A snowstorm heading to Wilfred’s cave puts tions create a sleepy, calm atmosphere. This feet”). Months later, new feet arrive–”toe- the boy in danger, but the giant protects him. cozy somnolence is temporarily disturbed by tapping kiss-kissers,” providing affection to Remorseful, the townspeople sew all of their a lost kitten that is immediately found by the both Legs and his pet. As years pass, “tiny wigs into a “big hairy suit” for the hero, with mama cat. The reassuring message of this pink socks,” whom both Legs and Toes love, a handy zipper down the middle. Wilfred is book–that parents are there to care for and are thrown into the mix. Soon, “blue boots” a gentle, endearing character. Higgins’s af- protect their offspring–as well as the large arrive and “pound a beat … these doggone fecting, digitally enhanced cartoon illustra- illustrations and spare text, will appeal to a little feet.” Confused by all the activity be- tions show the ostracized, shaven, and shorn very young audience. A sweet but additional neath the table, the dog becomes concerned creature huddled alone in his cave, warming choice.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly until she realizes how a family morphs over himself by a fire as the boy races to bring him at Chappaqua Library, NY time. Before long, there are 12 feet under extra-large mittens made out of blankets. A the table, and the story takes an unpredict- heartening tale of friendship.–Linda Ludke, HUGHES, Shirley. Bobbo Goes to School. able turn as the dog has made room for her London Public Library, Ontario, Canada illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. Mar. own family–a litter of three pups. Large, 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636- bright acrylic illustrations fill each spread, HOPKINSON, Deborah. Knit Your Bit: 6524-1. LC 2012942410. conveying the familiar situation of family life A World War I Story. illus. by Steven PreS-K–Lily is having a bad morning, and, with an exaggerated style. Onomatopoeic Guarnaccia. 32p. photos. reprods. websites. as a result, her stuffed dog Bobbo seems words provide quirky associations, but adults Putnam. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0- destined for an entirely lousy day. In a fit of will need to be animated when sharing the 399-25241-9. LC 2012009635. impishness, the preschooler tosses him into story with reluctant readers and listeners. K-Gr 3–When his father leaves for World the air and he lands on top of a school bus Children will giggle at the silly dog’s point War I, Mikey wants to do something big to just as it is pulling away from the curb. Lily

112 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0112 7 2/20/2013 6:28:38 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 Preschool to Grade 4 Winner of the 2013 of view, but will appreciate the sentimental help. His teacher tells the class about a Knit- Michael l. Printz aWard idea of a growing family.–Krista Welz, The ting Bee in Central Park where volunteers North Bergen Public Library, NJ will make hats, scarves, and socks to send to for excellence in soldiers. At first Mikey dismisses the idea as HENNESY, Scott. The Cat’s Baton Is too girly and too insignificant, but then pours young adult literature Gone: A Musical Cat-tastrophe. illus. by his enthusiasm into the project when the ef- Joe Lanzisero. 32p. glossary. Hyperion/ fort becomes a competition between the girls ★ “A dark journey well Disney. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1- and the boys. He becomes frustrated when 4231-4583-7. LC 2012004539. he has trouble learning the stitches, but real- worth taking—engrossing, K-Gr 2–“Leopold von Kittenkatt/Is a con- izes that no contribution is too small when disturbing, illuminating.” ductor oh so grand./He leads a special orcat- he meets a soldier who has lost a leg and gives —Kirkus Reviews, starred review stra,/With cats from every land.” So begins him the one sock he has managed to finish. the first of many cat puns. Leopold has lost The story is a wonderful expression of emo- ★ “A startling but successful feat of his baton. He speaks with the various mewsi- tions. Mikey’s face is determined and funny cians, who each play an instrument from at the same time, and his perseverance and literary imagination.” their country. Some are appropriate, others the positive attitudes shown by all the chil- —Publishers Weekly, are rather random. The Australian didgeri- dren are timely reminders about the satisfac- starred review doo and the Cuban conga drum are fine, tion to be had in reaching beyond oneself. but the cello did not originate in Russia, or The old-fashioned look of the pen-and-ink ★ the oboe in Poland. Back matter includes and watercolor illustrations is well suited to “A striking cast of characters.” a picture glossary giving more information the narrative. The warmth and humor found —School Library Journal, about each instrument. The text reads fairly in the pictures lighten the tone and keep the starred review smoothly. The cookie-cutter, old-school, story from becoming too serious. Combine Disney-esque illustrations are the weak point this book, Mac Barnett’s Extra Yarn (Harp- “Remarkable.” here. An additional purchase.–Grace Oliff, erCollins, 2012), and a fiber art project to Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ make a thoughtful and cozy winter storytime —Wall Street Journal session.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. HIGGINS, Ryan. Wilfred. illus. by author. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA “Gripping.” 32p. Dial. Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN —New York Times 978-0-8037-3732-7. HOURAN, Lori Haskins. I Will Keep You K-Gr 3–In this offbeat story, a lonesome, Safe and Sound. illus. by Petra Brown. 32p. furry giant visits an unusual town inhabited Scholastic. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN An ALA Best Fiction for by people without a “single hair on their 978-0-545-19751-9. LC 2011045990. Young Adults Title heads. Not even the ladies.” Wilfred wants PreS–Essentially a short illustrated poem, a friend, but he scares everyone away ex- this title depicts beatifically smiling baby ani- Named one of the ISBN 978-1-59990-743-7 cept for one brave boy. The odd duo have mals and their grown-ups cuddling in their Hardcover fun playing the ukulele and reenacting the dens, nests, and other dwellings–“Gators in “Best Teen Books of 2012” $17.99 Battle of Waterloo. With winter approach- the shade/While the sun burns high/Squir- by Kirkus Reviews ing, the townspeople hatch a nasty plan to rels in the log/While the hawk sails by,” etc. stay warm. They decree that if Wilfred wants On each spread, a full-page illustration of Congratulations to our 2013 YALSA to visit, “he’d have to stop being big. . . or to the animals faces two lines of the poem in Best Fiction for Young Adult Winners stop being hairy.” Of course, the only way for large black font, with a smaller illustration him to stop being hairy is to let the townsfolk under it. The refrain, “I will keep you safe Something Like Normal • In Darkness • Throne of Glass cut off his hair. After spotting new wigs on his and sound,” lends a soothing, lullabylike ca- The Vanishing Game• The Sweetest Spell• Scarlet neighbors’ heads, the boy grows suspicious. dence, while watercolor and pencil illustra- A snowstorm heading to Wilfred’s cave puts tions create a sleepy, calm atmosphere. This the boy in danger, but the giant protects him. cozy somnolence is temporarily disturbed by Remorseful, the townspeople sew all of their a lost kitten that is immediately found by the wigs into a “big hairy suit” for the hero, with mama cat. The reassuring message of this a handy zipper down the middle. Wilfred is book–that parents are there to care for and a gentle, endearing character. Higgins’s af- protect their offspring–as well as the large fecting, digitally enhanced cartoon illustra- illustrations and spare text, will appeal to a Congratulations to our other 2013 ALA Award Winners tions show the ostracized, shaven, and shorn very young audience. A sweet but additional Something Like Normal • Calamity Jack • Sean Griswold’s Head creature huddled alone in his cave, warming choice.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly Princess Academy • Dogs on Duty himself by a fire as the boy races to bring him at Chappaqua Library, NY extra-large mittens made out of blankets. A heartening tale of friendship.–Linda Ludke, HUGHES, Shirley. Bobbo Goes to School. London Public Library, Ontario, Canada illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636- HOPKINSON, Deborah. Knit Your Bit: 6524-1. LC 2012942410. A World War I Story. illus. by Steven PreS-K–Lily is having a bad morning, and, Quick Picks Popular Paperbacks Notable Guarnaccia. 32p. photos. reprods. websites. as a result, her stuffed dog Bobbo seems Putnam. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0- destined for an entirely lousy day. In a fit of 399-25241-9. LC 2012009635. impishness, the preschooler tosses him into www.bloomsbury.com K-Gr 3–When his father leaves for World the air and he lands on top of a school bus War I, Mikey wants to do something big to just as it is pulling away from the curb. Lily

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 113

SLJ130301-MAG_0113 8 2/20/2013 12:35:30 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

fears that he’ll be thrown off and lost, but he JAHANFORUZ, Rita. The Girl with a ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1146-3. makes it to school, landing safely in a bush Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran. tr. PreS-K–Two pandas live next door to each when the bus stops. The soft toy is discovered from Hebrew. illus. by Vali Mintzi. 40p. other, with a fence between them. Panda at recess by a student and spends the rest of Barefoot. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN would love to meet his neighbor, but he’s too the day inside on a classroom Interest Shelf, 978-1-84686-929-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN shy. Likewise, Pandora is too timid to make the observing the children at their studies. Lily’s 978-1-84686-931-0. first move. Winter comes, snow covers every- mother finally tracks him down, and he is K-Gr 2–After her father dies, Shiraz is treated thing, and both of them stay indoors. When reunited with a relieved, grateful Lily. It’s a as a servant by her stepmother and stepsister. they start to realize that they haven’t seen each simple story, written cleanly and clearly. Sur- One day, a ball of yarn blows off the balcony other for quite a while, they work up the nerve rounded by ample white space, the artwork and into a neighbor’s yard so she goes to re- to go outside and look for the other, colliding is big, bright, and cheery, although some of trieve it. An old woman demands that she between their houses. “Two little pandas,/ the faces of the human characters are sketch- perform three chores before she can have Close together,/Agreed to be friends./Forever ily rendered. The best illustrations are those her yarn back. The first job is to smash ev- and ever.” The illustrations are done in water- of Bobbo. His static expression seems to be erything in the filthy kitchen. The second color and ink; they show the change of season one of unruffled amusement at his state of task is to cut down the overgrown plants in well, and a couple of scenes include a parent affairs, and it’s definitely worth a laugh.–Aly- the garden and leave nothing growing. And, watching from the window. This sweet story son Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR finally, Shiraz is told to cut off the woman’s could give a gentle push to shy youngsters.– long gray hair. Instead, she cleans the kitch- Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI en, prunes the garden, and washes and braids the woman’s hair. Her yarn is returned and JOHNSON, Angela. Lottie Paris and the she is told to dip herself three times in a clear Best Place. illus. by Scott M. Fischer. pool and three times in a dark pool before 32p. S & S. Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN leaving. When Shiraz returns home, neither 978-0-689-87378-2. LC 2011011303. her stepmother nor stepsister recognize her K-Gr 2–Lottie Paris is back after her debut as she has “turned into such a beauty.” The in Lottie Paris Lives Here (S & S, 2011). stepmother decides her daughter should go She’s still the same lively, imaginative child, through the same routine. When spoiled and this time decked out in large purple boots. impatient Monir arrives at the old woman’s Waking up one morning in her canopy bed home, Monir does exactly what she is told: decorated with stars and planets and space- she smashes, demolishes, and cuts. She stays ships, “she imagines herself floating among longer in the pools, rationalizing she’ll be them.” And, on a full spread, she smiles more beautiful than Shiraz. Instead, she is dreamily. Soon, Papa Pete is walking her to mistaken for a “beggar” and, at first, rejected the library. As in the earlier book, adults are by her mother. Using the bright colors of present, but just barely. Their legs, or hands, Middle Eastern markets, the artist’s richly or shoulders are seen, but never their faces. hued illustrations vary in size from page The focus is clearly on Lottie and her soon- to page, but the girls’ appearances do not to-be-new-friend Carl. She is excited to be in change significantly before and after their vis- the “best place,” but she still knows (mostly) its and therefore diminish their power.–Mary- that you can’t yell, let your dog inside, or draw ann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI in the books. Meanwhile, Carl is waking up, Tea Rex (Idle) happy to be among the dinosaurs decorat- ©2013 by Molly Idle JANSSENS, Axel. The Box. tr. from Dutch. ing his bed sheets and room. Soon, his big illus. by author. 30p. Clavis. 2012. Tr sister, Eva, is driving him to the library, his IDLE, Molly. Tea Rex. illus. by author. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-60537-134-4. “best place,” as well. Carl also knows (most- 40p. Viking. Apr. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN K-Gr 2–Braggart Leo crashes his new red ly) a few rules about the library: don’t blow 978-0-670-01430-9. bike into creative Kenny’s large cardboard bubbles, keep your yogurt away from the PreS-Gr 1–A droll narrator gives clear in- box. He is furious that the box is in the middle books, and don’t crawl under tables pretend- structions for hosting a successful tea party. of the schoolyard, and his anger escalates as ing that adults’ feet are dinosaur snacks. It’s Meanwhile the colored-pencil illustrations he hears Kenny’s stories of using the box to inevitable that Lottie Paris and Carl will meet show a gathering teetering on disaster with travel to a jungle, an icy mountaintop, and in- as they stroll down the aisles that hold their every page turn as the guest of honor is none side a whale. “That’s impossible,” Leo consis- favorite subjects: astronomy and dinosaurs. other than an enormous Tyrannosaurus rex. tently sneers. Lucky for him, when other chil- Together they relax on the big furniture, lost The soft pastel hues and rounded shapes keep dren choose to join the trip of imagination, in their books and thoughts. This is a sweet this dinosaur more large and bumbling than they invite Leo along as the box becomes a story about friendship, libraries, books, and fierce or scary, but the child’s teddy bear suf- crane, a tent, a store, and a robot. This pic- dreams. Fischer’s stylized, yet realistic illus- fers a few close calls. Etiquette advice focuses ture book employs photographs of posed trations are rendered in gouache using differ- on putting guests at ease: “It’s good to have ex- sculptures ranging from wild-haired children ent applications. They capture the children’s tra cups and napkins on hand… as accidents to elephants and hot-air balloons. Much of spirit in their charming and sometimes goofy can happen. But a good host meets these little the white type is difficult to read as its style expressions. A fine choice.–Roxanne Burg, challenges with a cheerful smile…,” and all incorporates faded letters, but the meticulous Orange County Public Library, CA of the guests survive unharmed, if rather rum- scenes are lively.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Hen- pled, and delighted with the return invitation rico County Library, Glen Allen, VA KATZ, Karen. Now I’m Big! illus. by from the dinosaur. The tension between the author. 32p. S & S/McElderry. Mar. text and illustrations provides much to amuse JARMAN, Julia. Two Shy Pandas. illus. by 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-3547- the youngest tea-party hosts.–Julie Roach, Susan Varley. 32p. Andersen. Apr. 2013. 6. LC 2011047256. Cambridge Public Library, MA Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-1141-8; PreS–A celebration of growing up, depicted

114 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0114 9 2/20/2013 12:35:32 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

via a series of before-and-after vignettes. Dif- the banquet. May the feast begin, please.” Gustave’s mouth with Fifi chasing after ferent preschool narrators take turns remi- Knowlton’s tale is heavy in pirate vocabu- it. Cindy Lou crawls in to rescue her dog niscing about how life has improved now that lary: “bounty,” “poppet,” “cutlass,” etc., and and is swallowed. The ending reveals Er- they are “big.” Youngsters will identify with Tans’s paintings vary in finesse. The face- nest winning the prize while the conclud- the small triumphs of independence, such off between Billy and the earring-wearing ing illustration depicts Gustave riding the as working a zipper, feeding oneself, and elephant is spot-on, but some illustrations unicycle as he juggles Cindy Lou and Fifi. playing with friends at the park. Through- of the boy are less well done. This one is This fun read-aloud will keep listeners and out, each child is shown as an infant and, too uneven to be deemed a treasure.–Gay readers chuckling. Kulka’s spirited acrylic on the opposite page, as an independent Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, artwork gives personality to the characters preschooler. Katz’s watercolor and gouache Glen Allen, VA and adds to the humor.–Lynn Vanca, Free- illustrations are consistent with what fans lance Librarian, Akron, OH have come to expect. A pleasant choice that KÖNNECKE, Ole. Anton and the Battle. deserves a place in most collections.–Laura tr. from German by Catherine Chidgey. KURTZMAN-COUNTER, Samantha, Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ illus. by author. 32p. Gecko. Mar. 2013. Abbie Schiller, & Ruby Vanderzee. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-8775-7926-4. Sally Simon Simmons’ Super Frustrating KIRK, Daniel. Ten Things I Love About You. PreS-Gr 1–Anton’s in a great mood. He Day. illus. by Aaron Hawkins. 30p. The illus. by author. 32p. Penguin/Nancy strolls onto a sparsely decorated white page Mother Company. 2013. Tr $12.99. Paulsen Bks. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN in his enormous Musketeers hat, humming ISBN 978-0-615-61033-7. 978-0-399-25288-4. LC 2012011081. a tune. “Here comes Anton.” But when PreS-Gr 2–This title is based on the tele- K-Gr 1–A sweet book about friendship and Luke arrives on the following page, insouci- vision series Ruby’s Studio: The Feelings having a positive outlook. Rabbit decides ant in his horned Viking headgear, Anton’s Show. Sally’s school project is to make a to make a list of the 10 things he likes best face darkens. Trouble starts immediately. sandwich, but she doesn’t want to make about his friend, Pig. Pig is a little impatient One is stronger than the other; no, he isn’t. any sandwich; she wants to make one that’s with Rabbit’s frequent interruptions to show One is louder; no, the other’s even louder a mile high. As she layers on all the fixings him his progress, but each little annoyance than he is. With imaginary props (outlined and it grows taller, the sandwich topples from Pig becomes a positive thing for Rab- in blue for Anton and red for Luke)–boul- over. After a few attempts, Sally feels frus- bit to add to his list. When Rabbit rings ders, logs, drums, and eventually weapons of trated, has a bit of a meltdown, and wants Pig’s bell to ask for his help with the list, Pig mass destruction–the boys’ rivalry escalates. to quit. Her wise teacher tells her that, “if replies, “This is your list, Rabbit. Only you “I’ll blow you up!” “Dare you! Dare you!” you quit you’ll never know.” He also men- know what to say.” This sentiment is reflect- Only the entry of something both Luke tions the value of practice and taking the ed in item #3 on the list: “I love Pig because and Anton are actually afraid of slows them project slowly to help handle the frustrating he believes in me.” The positive twists are re- down–a small dog–but not for long. While and angry feelings. And she proceeds. The freshing–there are two ways to interpret Pig’s it’s uncomfortable talking about weapons, multicultural characters are well depicted. impatience, and Rabbit unfailingly looks on even imaginary ones, in relation to children, Their faces broadcast their feelings. For ex- the bright side. The book ends with Rabbit this funny story is a refreshing admission of ample, when Sally is about to explode, her discovering why Pig has been so busy–he the way children interact with their instinct cheeks are red, and her eyes are small and has been writing his own list of reasons why for dominance. The layout features gener- have a piercing quality to them. Animation he likes Rabbit. Kirk’s illustrations perfectly ous white backgrounds against which Anton from the TV show is used for the illustra- capture Rabbit’s always cheerful nature and and Luke look small, bright, and wonder- tions. Backgrounds are done in watercol- Pig’s growing irritation. Large, simple figures fully alive. A small treasure.–Susan Weitz, ors. This book has an updated “Mr. Rogers” on uncluttered backgrounds make this title formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School Dis- feel. It opens with a photo of Ruby next to a ideal for group sharing. The story provides a trict, Spencer, NY feelings wheel, and ends with her signature framework for looking for admirable traits in signoff, which includes a frame of her hold- classmates and feeling acknowledged by oth- KULKA, Joe. My Crocodile Does Not Bite. ing up a finger, a hand, blowing a kiss, and ers and would be a good choice to prompt illus. by author. 32p. Carolrhoda. Mar. then waving good-bye. Pair this with Wil- discussions, suggesting that students find 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613- liam Mulcahy’s Zach Gets Frustrated (Free positive things to say about one another.– 8937-8; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677- Spirit, 2012). A good choice for parenting Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Wal- 0955-2. collections, especially if Ruby’s Studio is doboro Elementary Schools, ME PreS-Gr 2–It’s time for the annual pet popular.–Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson show, and snotty Cindy Lou brags that her Free Library, Montrose, NY KNOWLTON, Laurie Lazzaro. Pirates poodle is going to win. Ernest enters his Don’t Say Please! illus. by Adrian Tans. gigantic crocodile. Despite Cindy Lou’s HLAGERCRANTZ, Rose. My Happy 32p. Pelican. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN protests that Gustave will bite everyone, Life. tr. from Swedish by Julia Marshall. 978-1-58980-982-6. Ernest repeatedly explains that his pet does illus. by Eva Eriksson. 134p. Gecko. Gr 1-2–Pirate-costume-clad Billy Nelson not bite. The plot unfolds with comical, Mar. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1- refuses to use his manners at lunch, so unexpected twists. When Gustave will not 8775-7935-6. Mom sends him to his room. During his fit on the school bus, Ernest rides him to Gr 1-3–Young Dani has what she consid- imaginary journey, he encounters an el- school. There the other students and even ers a happy life, but she wonders if she will ephant and then an adult pirate who both the principal take a liking to the huge, well- still be happy once she starts school. The unsuccessfully demand that he be polite. trained croc. Then a jealous Cindy Lou butterflies subside when she meets Ella, Finally, like Sendak’s Max, the young pirate trips Gustave as he juggles, plays the har- and they are soon fast friends. When Ella hears and smells signs of home, whereupon monica, and rides a unicycle. During the moves away, Dani doesn’t think she’ll find he unearths jewels and a crown to trigger fall, the croc swallows the harmonica, so happiness again, and she reflects on how a sudden transformation of costume and Ernest reaches into his mouth and retrieves unhappy she was when her mother died. attitude. “Dear Queen, your prince has ar- it. Wanting to show off Fifi’s talents, Cindy The story unfolds in short chapters, with rived with hands washed. Many thanks for Lou tosses a tennis ball, which rolls into

116 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0116 10 2/20/2013 12:35:43 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

slavery. He leaves his daughter with a conch just a few sentences per page and large, shell and tells her to hold it to her ear to hear plentiful, black-and-white drawings. The the sound of freedom, which will come one illustrations complement the narrative day. Hope, her brother, and their mother well, and will enable younger readers to miss Papa terribly. Seasons pass, holidays feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling come and go, but still he has not returned. a lengthy chapter book. The few characters Life is difficult, particularly working in the are well developed and the everyday hap- cotton fields, and made worse by her worry penings in Dani’s life feel genuine, such as about her father. One day, she looks up to see friendship woes and childhood fears. The him with a troop of Union soldiers march- difficult subjects are handled gracefully, al- ing up the road. Not only is he home at last, lowing children to realize that happiness but he also brings the promise that freedom comes and goes, and that everyone has is at hand. The author tells a story of sadness, hardships to face.–Michele Shaw, Quail separation, and love; a story of sacrifice and Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA freedom. Readers cannot avoid the parallels between Papa’s leaving to fight for freedom LANTHIER, Jennifer. The Stamp Collector. and the Master’s leaving his young daughter illus. by François Thisdale. 32p. Fitzhenry to fight against the emancipation; the separa- & Whiteside. 2012. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978- tion for each child is equally painful. Illus- 1-55455-218-4. trations are drawn with simple lines and soft Gr 3-5–This is a story about two Chinese How Martha Saved Her Parents colors, using somewhat exaggerated head men whose lives intersect, one a prisoner from Green Beans (LaRochelle) sizes, which emphasizes characters’ emo- and the other his guard. The prisoner is a ©2013 by Mark Fearing tions. The most effective scene shows plan- people’s poet who writes about the dying tation workers singing and praying for their land. His writing is deemed to be dangerous Laugh-out-loud illustrations in a palette of freedom in the woods on New Year’s Eve. and he is arrested as a political prisoner, but saturated colors pit round-faced, red-haired Bare winter trees are silhouetted against the his work offers the people hope, and their let- Martha against the tall, thin beans, whose dark sky, with the gathered individuals shown ters of support come from all over the world. menacing expressions and Western refer- in expressive poses as they worship. Hope is Though the prisoner is not allowed to see ences make them a funny foe. With a wacky in the foreground, her arms open wide with them, the guard, attracted to their stamps, premise and a perfect tone, this saga is sure anticipation. A general purchase for all col- reads the letters and eventually begins to to please vegetable haters everywhere.–Teri lections.–Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren pass them along to the writer. This act shows Markson, Los Angeles Public Library & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME the writer that he is not alone as he grows sick and dies. More mature readers will ap- LONG, Loren. Otis and the Puppy. illus. MCDERMID, Val. My Granny Is a Pirate. preciate the important political message of by author. 40p. Philomel. Mar. 2013. illus. by Arthur Robins. 32p. Trafalgar this book. Rich, dramatic, layered imagery RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25469-7. Square. 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-1- reflects the serious subject matter. The story PreS-Gr 2–In this fourth installment about a 4083-0927-8. is fiction, though it is inspired by the experi- big-eyed, hardworking tractor, it is spring, and K-Gr 2–After swearing readers to secrecy, ences of imprisoned writers Nurmuhemmet there is a new puppy on the farm. After Otis the narrator of this slight offering reveals Yasin and Jiang Weiping.–Jennifer Miskec, rescues the whimpering pooch from the dog- his family secret. In uneven verse, he tells Longwood University, Farmville, VA house (and the dark) the first night, the two of his grandmother’s cabin-girl origins, and become fast friends. Painterly gouache and how her fierce reputation grew until- “ev LAROCHELLE, David. How Martha pencil illustrations have panoramic views, and ery other pirate feared/she’d capture their Saved Her Parents from Green Beans. stars and headlights shine through the dark of ship too.” Granny’s typical piratical habits illus. by Mark Fearing. 32p. Dial. Apr. twilight and forest. And that is where the pup- are detailed–making the crew swab the 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037- py gets lost one evening, after playing hide- decks, walk the planks, etc. Then things 3766-2. LC 2012014361. and-seek. When the sun sets, and the search get confusing, as the woman rows for shore, PreS-Gr 2–A hilarious spin on the kid who party gives up until dawn, Otis confronts his changes into her granny clothes in a dark doesn’t like to eat vegetables. Every Tues- own fear of the dark and forges ahead amid cavern, and follows a secret passageway day, Martha’s family has green beans for spooky animal silhouettes and long shadows. to a ruined castle. There, she runs into a dinner, and every Tuesday Martha refuses to As the two make their way home together, band of marauding skeletons that are after eat them. No matter what her parents say, the night sounds are somehow no longer her gold. Fortunately, she beats them into she thinks green beans are bad, and she is so frightening. Older readers will delight in dust with her handbag, and the story ends proven right one day when a gang of hat- Long’s use of idioms, and younger children happily. Several flaws combine to sink this wearing, moustache-sporting, beady-eyed will appreciate the loyalty of a true friend and book. The verse doesn’t scan in some plac- green beans swaggers into town. “Anyone understand the terror, not of darkness, but of es, which makes the text read awkwardly. who had ever said, ‘Eat your green beans,’ aloneness. Otis will win readers’ hearts.–Sara Additionally, there are verb inconsistencies was in big, big trouble.” The villainous veg- Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language that lead to confusion about the sequence etables kidnap Martha’s parents, leaving the and English Lower School, New York City of events. Finally, the muddy cartoon illus- youngster free to toss her plate of cold green trations do little to enhance the lackluster beans out the window and stay up late eat- LYONS, Kelly Starling. Hope’s Gift. illus. text. There are several richer choices in the ing cookies. But a life of total freedom and by Don Tate. 32p. Putnam. 2012. RTE piratical picture-book world, including Me- junk food isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-16001-1. LC linda Long’s How I Became a Pirate (2003) so Martha makes the ultimate sacrifice by 2012014587. and Mem Fox’s Tough Boris (1994, both rescuing her parents from the beans, using Gr 1-3–Hope’s father flees the plantation Harcourt).–Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore the only means she has… she eats them! where he works for the Master to fight against Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

118 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0118 11 2/20/2013 12:35:44 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

will be pleasantly surprised that they can do not want to go to bed get into all kinds HMCKAY, Hilary. Lulu and the Dog also rescue one another.–Elly Schook, Ja- of mischief in this rhyming tale. They jump from the Sea. Bk. 2. illus. by Priscilla mieson Elementary School, Chicago in the air, toss up the pillows, and get pop- Lamont. 112p. (Lulu Series). Albert corn in their hair. Bed sheets transform into Whitman. Mar. 2013. Tr $13.99. ISBN MCNIFF, Dawn. Mommy’s Little Mon- a mountain-climbing rope, and their bunk 978-0-8075-4820-2. LC 2012013697. ster. illus. by Kate Willis-Crowley. 32p. beds provide the perfect ascent. But then it K-Gr 3–Cousins Lulu and Mellie are best Scholastic/Chicken House. Mar. 2013. sounds like Momma is coming their way, so friends. In this modern-day, seaside adven- Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-48057-4. LC the piglets hide underneath the covers, snug- ture, the girls are vacationing with Lulu’s 2012030539. gle up, and pretend to be asleep until their parents and their beloved old dog, Sam. PreS-K–When Mother Troll puts on her mother is on the phone again. This time Having rented a cottage from a persnick- clodhoppers and pondweed cloak to go out they are a train engine and cars, rolling down ety owner, the family hopes for the perfect for a party, Tiny Troll knows she’s “the pretti- the track, “Toot, Toot,/Oink, Oink/Stomp, week full of reading, kite-building, and est mommy ever,” and when Mrs. Hag arrives Stomp, Stomp, Stomp.” But it sounds like marathon-training. However, a wayward to babysit, his tantrums set in. But a “mug- Momma is coming back, so they climb into stray bounds into their lives and turns their ful of mudmilk” in the “swamproom” and bed again and pretend to be asleep–until the plans upside down (along with a few trash a grand storybook make his crying go away. coast is clear once more. The game contin- cans along the way). McKay hits the nail When mom comes home, she brings him a ues until something outside makes a scary on the head in this beginning chapter lovely bag of worms and tucks him in gently. scritchy-scratchy sound at the window. Then book. Children will delight in the story McNiff misses no opportunity for creative all five piggies end up in their mother’s bed, of how this thieving menace turns into a language celebrating monster culture; Mom- and they snuggle in for a good night’s sleep. brave hero and loyal friend, wiggling its my slimes her scales and curls her bristles. The illustrations, done in pen and ink and way into the hearts of the characters and Willis-Crowley keeps the pace with enchant- pastel watercolor, are playful and soft. This readers alike. This book is just right for ing scenes of affection, balanced with back- book presents a theme that is universal, and youngsters ready for chapters, with cheer- ground details like a cupboard with Essence children will relate to the siblings enjoying ful black-and-white illustrations on almost of Bog and Leech Treacle. Her cartoon wa- some of their best fun at bedtime. A fine every other page. Younger children will tercolor, gouache, and pen and pencil illus- stand-alone or companion piece to Piggies also enjoy this story as a read-aloud. The trations depict a homey cave, complete with in the Kitchen (S & S, 2011).–Roxanne Burg, plot is universal and the vocabulary hints a googly-eyed headboard and itchy mats. This Orange County Public Library, CA of a European setting. Family members is one of those rare books that make children sticking together to overcome obstacles is and adults get giggly.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, MEISEL, Paul. See Me Dig. illus. by the prevalent theme and the happy end- Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA author. 32p. (I Like To Read). Holiday ing is hoped for, if not expected. This title House. 2013. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-0- should be a staple in any early-chapter- MARSHALL, Linda Elovitz. The Mitzvah 8234-2743-7. book collection.–Amy Shepherd, St. Magician. illus. by Christiane Engel. PreS-Gr 1–The dogs from See Me Run Anne’s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE 32p. Kar-Ben. 2012. pap. $7.95. ISBN (Holiday House, 2011) return in another 978-0-7613-5656-1; RTE $17.95. ISBN charming early reader. Led by a golden re- MACLACHLAN, Patricia. White Fur 978-0-7613-5655-4; ebook $13.95. ISBN triever, the canines eagerly dig up a forest, Flying. 128p. S & S/McElderry. Mar. 978-1-4677-0063-4. LC 2011029818. only to be forcibly ejected by irate wood- 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2171-4. PreS-Gr 2—Gabriel’s overzealous wand-wav- land inhabitants. They then commence LC 2011046125. ing gets him into trouble when he plays magi- to wreak havoc on a nearby beach where Gr 3-5–Life is never dull for Zoe and Alice. cian: he knocks things over and pokes his sister they unearth a treasure chest. Despite rely- Their mother rescues Great Pyrenees dogs in the tummy. Mom helps him redefine the ing upon a straightforward narrative, Meisel until a new home can be found and their role of magician. “Good magicians do things still infuses the plot with fun and whimsy: father is a veterinarian. Enormous dogs are that make people happy, not sad. They do the dogs find themselves chased out by the always roaming their family’s rural home mitzvot–that’s a Jewish word for good deeds.” disgruntled ghosts of pirates who buried the and white fur is always flying everywhere. Mulling it over in time out, Gabriel comes treasure, and the story ends with the animals When the sisters meet their new neighbor, up with new magic words, “One-wish! Two- finding a friend in a fellow digger, a bulldoz- Phillip, they are left with many questions. wish! Jew-wish!” and acts quickly to magically er. Short, easy-to-parse sentences (“See me Phillip has gone silent. What happened that surprise his family with a clean house and dig,” “We dig and dig and dig,”); large read- would cause him to stop speaking? Does he yummy treat. While not all readers may agree able print; and repeated words make this an believe that he is the cause of his parents’ that a magician’s role is to do good deeds, in ideal choice to build confidence in budding problems? MacLachlan shares with young this context the “magic” angle makes it fun to young readers. Rendered in a combination audiences a touching story of compassion, do good. The simplified definition of “mitz- of pen-and-ink, acrylic, pencil, and water- trust, and patience. She weaves the themes vot” (technically, biblical commandments) is color, the cartoonlike illustrations are filled of family and friendship throughout the nar- appropriate for young readers, especially the with movement and animation, and the use rative, peppering her well-paced plot with non-Orthodox Jews represented in the bright of action lines (such as wagging tails or dig- sufficient tension and avoiding an overdra- and blocky paintings. Jewish families and edu- ging paws) adds to the energetic tone. Pair- matization of its climax. Like many of the cators will welcome this title for its reinforce- ing these amusingly detailed images with an author’s best stories, this one is told simply ment of the mitzvah concept.–Heidi Estrin, understated, pared-down text (a spread of and gently with touches of light humor. Congregation B’nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL foxes, bears, and squirrels glaring irritably at The clear prose, combined with the brev- the crestfallen canines is described simply as ity of the narrative, make the book an ideal MEADOWS, Michelle. Piggies in Pajamas. “Oh no! They are mad.”) produces hilarious selection for young readers, reluctant read- illus. by Ard Hoyt. 32p. S & S. Mar. 2013. results. These well-intentioned but mischie- ers, and animal lovers everywhere. Children Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-4982-4. vous dogs are truly winsome characters; their will feel satisfied as they discover that both PreS-Gr 1–While their mom is distracted wide-eyed expressions, furrowed brows, and dogs and boys can be rescued, and many with phone calls, five porcine siblings who lolling tongues will readily endear them to

120 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0120 12 2/20/2013 12:35:54 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

children. A must-have for novice readers.– 5617-2; ebook $12.95. ISBN 978-1-4677- bounds out of a mud puddle, under a hedge, Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal 0951-4. LC 2012017626. and around some flowers to join its family K-Gr 2–Cookie is no ordinary dog. She down at the pond. “Snail slides s-l-o-w-l-y MIDDLETON, Julie. Are the Dinosaurs discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, down her flower” across a stone and beyond Dead, Dad? illus. by Russell Ayto. 32p. she can reach the candy dish, turn on the on her way to dinner with a friend, always Peachtree. Mar. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed s-l-o-w-l-y. Children can track the animals’ 978-1-56145-690-1. LC 2012025716. on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well journey across the pages, by way of duck’s K-Gr 2–A comedic treat, this story follows until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog muddy footprints and snail’s slime trail. In Dave and his dad to a natural history mu- trainer, then a circus director, and finally both cases, ink and watercolor cartoons seum, where dinosaurs on exhibit come by a Hollywood producer. They offer her are rendered digitally, creating simple and alive when Dad’s back is turned, winking at snacks in exchange for increasingly com- charming works.–Laura Hunter, Mount Dave, tickling him, and attempting to snag a plicated performances–she even gets her Laurel Library, NJ bite of his burger. Dave’s dad dismisses ques- own TV show. Exhausted by the demands tions like, “Why is it grinning at me?” with of fame, the pup realizes, with some help O’CONNELL, Rebecca. Baby Parade. the classic parental response, “It’s just your from a friend, that perhaps being a regular illus. by Susie Poole. 24p. Albert imagination.” But when a Tyrannosaurus dog is best...unless she wants to reach that Whitman. Mar. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN rex follows the pair out of the exhibit and candy dish when no one’s watching. Part 978-0-8075-0509-0. LC 2012017375. lets loose with an ear-splitting roar, Dad picture book with full-page illustrations, PreS–A simple tale involving colors and changes his mind at a dead run. Kids will part comic book with speech balloons and movement. Vibrantly illustrated spreads love the suspense of wondering if the clue- panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoon- show a diverse variety of babies wearing dif- less parent will ever turn around to see what ish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny ferent colors and patterns, traveling to a pic- Dave sees, and they’ll shriek with laughter antics abound–Cookie walking on top of nic in a park. The shift from describing the when he finally does. The dialogue between a lion statue, across a flaming board over a colors of each baby’s conveyance or clothing father and son is delightfully conducive to pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying to the spare action verbs when they congre- a read-aloud, and Ayto’s artwork adds rich, “Mall Moo Mitt!” (“I’ll do it!”) through a gate at the park is a bit jarring. However, the rib-tickling layers to the book’s humor. The mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on colors and patterns; familiar objects; and dinosaurs are the superstars with hilariously a par with Susan Meddaugh’s Martha, but happy, round faces are likely to appeal to oddball heads, bodies, and limbs and giggle- her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and young audiences. The forward motion and inducing grimaces. The massive critters walking) dog.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, sense of purpose cumulate in a spread show- loom over little bitty Dave, and tiny comi- formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY ing all the participants in this baby parade. cal details make poring over the pages even A sweet addition for toddler storytimes.–B. more fun. Minuscule signs warn visitors to MURGUIA, Bethanie Deeney. Snippet Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA “mind the teeth,” “mind the arms,” etc., the Early Riser. illus. by author. 40p. but the best is a sign next to the T. rex that Knopf. Mar. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978- HPANZIERI, Lucia. The Kindhearted simply (and ominously) says, “MIND,” with 1-58246-460-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978- Crocodile. tr. from Italian by Grace bite marks on the corner. A highly entertain- 1-58246-461-9; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978- Maccarone. illus. by AntonGionata ing selection that is sure to be a big hit.–Aly- 0-307-98169-1. Ferrari. 32p. Holiday House. Apr. son Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR PreS-Gr 2–Snippet, a young snail, wants 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234- his family to wake up and play. His friends 2767-3. LC 2012025486. MILLARD, Glenda. And Red Galoshes: try to help rouse them: Grasshopper by PreS-Gr 2–This Italian import contains A Story About a Rainy Day. illus. by bouncing on the leaf bed, Firefly by turn- a smorgasbord of nods to children’s lit- Jonathan Bentley. 24p. Trafalgar Square. ing on his light, and so on. But Snippet gets erature. A kind crocodile longs to be a pet Mar. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1- inspiration as he watches Caterpillar chew and have a home with a family. Sadly, he 921541-46-9. on a leaf, and his quest to wake up the oth- merely inhabits the eponymous picture PreS-Gr 1–This minimalistic, fanciful tale ers culminates in a tour-de-force scheme of book in the children’s playroom. Pursu- is a tone poem on what a brother and sister breakfast in bed. This charming story high- ing his dream, he sneaks out beyond the might do on a rainy day armed with imagina- lights creative problem solving. Expressive, confines of the book, and like the elves in tion and a pair of oversize red galoshes. They cartoonlike watercolor and ink illustrations the Grimms fairy tale, stealthily does all use the boots as kites, anchors while flying are awash in greens and blues, and the char- the housework. Nonetheless, he clearly with an umbrella, oars while sailing in a bath- acters come alive through the tilt of their perceives that families only want puppies tub, and as shoes for Grandma. Text is placed heads, sounds, and silly or serious com- and goldfish and each night slips back on the pages in swoops and giddy swirls, per- ments in speech bubbles. Endpapers in- “between his covers.” (Little does he know fectly echoing the curves and lines of the il- clude a few facts about snails. Great fodder that Madame Louis Bodot’s portrait hangs lustrations. Landscapes are very simply drawn, for those looking for picture books that focus in this family’s living room.) The multicol- as are trees. People and animals are most real- on the creative process.–Sara Lissa Paulson, ored crocodile crawls out into the night istic, although often shown from unusual per- The American Sign Language and English onto pages turned pitch black with white spectives. This is a book to linger over in order Lower School, New York City delicate curlicue lines outlining the furni- to appreciate the craft and whimsy involved. A ture, reminiscent again of Tomi Ungerer’s great bedtime story, sure to spark imaginative MURPHY, Mary. Quick Duck! ISBN 978- Crictor (HarperCollins, 1958). Master- dreams, this appealing artistic collaboration 0-7636-6022-2. ful illustrations combine vibrant Jules begs for repeated readings.–B. Allison Gray, ––––. Slow Snail. ISBN 978-0-7636-6023-9. Feiffer-like inkwork, acrylics, watercolor, Goleta Public Library, CA ea vol: illus. by author. 14p. Candlewick. bits and pieces of well-integrated colorful 2013. BD $6.99. and printed papers, and even waxy cray- MONROE, Chris. Cookie, the Walker. PreS–These titles complement each other on-layered rainbow textures. The tone is illus. by author. 32p. Carolrhoda. Mar. in their simple exploration of opposites. In colloquial and the tale is recounted in a 2013. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7613- Quick Duck!, an energetic duckling joyfully

122 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0122 13 2/20/2013 12:35:55 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

and bring in eleven tanker trucks and twelve Dan just yet. And, to make matters worse, storyteller’s oratorical voice, sometimes ad- til/by luck, grace, and determination,/you workers to drain the puddle. Everyone his rival Max Baxter will be at his party, dressing readers personally. Children are are riding/a bicycle!” The artist’s marvel- moves on, in descending numerical order, because Max’s dad is dating Sam’s mom. brought into the family’s decision making: ous sequences, fluid style, and emotional until the dog shakes his wet fur to create a What’s a third grader with an overactive Will they allow a crocodile in their home? intelligence capture all of the momentum new puddle. The counting aspect is sec- imagination and pen to do? This slight story, Youngsters will delight in the drama and and exhilaration of this glorious accom- ondary to the story and would be effective dominated by wide margins and a plethora identify with everyone’s point of view, in- plishment.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington only for small groups or one-on-one read- of doodles, aims to be a younger version of cluding the father’s, who “had as many DC Public Library ings. The refrain works well and encourages Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” se- doubts as the crocodile had teeth.” This participation, although it does not appear ries (Abrams). And in some instances–the well-written, imaginative, and accessible uniformly after each number set, diluting school setting, the multiple friends, the fam- ROCHE, Suzzy. Want to Be in a Band? narrative will surely inspire more storytell- its effectiveness. Nevertheless, the depiction ily drama–it succeeds. The pacing of the illus. by Giselle Potter. 40p. Random/ ing from enchanted readers.–Sara Lissa of the lively city, the descriptive language story and the character development, how- Schwartz & Wade. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN Paulson, The American Sign Language (“nine robbers, coats crammed with stolen ever, seem rushed in spots. The chapters are 978-0-375-86879-5. LC 2011023590. and English Lower School, New York City treasures, prowl…”), and the busy, visually so brief that often the transition from one Gr 3-5–Appealing to the listener’s inner stimulating pictures all create an appealing to the next seems abrupt. Reluctant readers musician, the author (youngest sister of the PARKER, Mary Jessie. The Deep, Deep package. Zemke makes good use of page will likely be most attracted to the fast pace indie folk-rock trio, the Roches) begins with Puddle. illus. by Deborah Zemke. 40p. turns and the height of the book while rep- and easy-to-breeze-through text. Consider a question: “Are you one of those kids who Dial. Apr. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978- resenting the depth of the puddle contain- purchasing in libraries that need “what do likes to make noise?” She then prescribes a 0-8037-3765-5. ing its many victims. The gouache illustra- I read next” titles for children interested in plan to form a successful band, even if “you PreS-Gr 1–This circular counting story tions, which use a variety of points of view Lincoln Peirce’s “Big Nate” (Andrews Mc- only know how to play air guitar.” Skeptics about a bottomless puddle brings city life and are full of interesting details, angular Meel), Megan McDonald’s “Stink” (Can- may not make it beyond their disbelief, but delightfully to the fore. In a plot reminis- people, and vibrant motion, are a delight to dlewick), and Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Un- Roche continues with a rundown involving cent of Judy Sierra’s Preschool to the Rescue! pore over.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson derpants” (Scholastic).–Lisa Kropp, Suffolk the pain of learning to play a stringed in- (Harcourt, 2001), it rains all night until a Library, Stamford, CT Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY strument (her choice), tips for dealing with “deep, deep puddle…stretches across the discouragement, the necessity of practicing, city street.” One dog gets too close to its edge PHILLIPPS, J. C. Monkey Ono. illus. and attending to reactions. Potter’s signature HRASCHKA, Chris. Everyone Can and “Glub…Glub… Glub...he sinks out of by author. 40p. Viking. Mar. 2013. Tr naïve style is the perfect accompaniment to Learn to Ride a Bicycle. illus. by author. sight.” Next come two cats, three squirrels, $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-78505-6. the fictionalized narrative of these women– 32p. Random/Schwartz and Wade. four pigeons, five children, six tourists, etc., PreS-K–In this debut story, a toy monkey noted for their quirky lyrics and humorous Apr. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375- until ten police officers cordon off the area uses his ingenuity to solve his problem of performances. The artist uses bright water- 87007-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375- not being included in his boy’s family’s colors and bold patterns to highlight the 97007-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0- day at the beach. Monkey Ono is a plan- sisters and their family; the backgrounds are 375-98732-8. LC 2012003172. Dawn Publications ner, as evidenced by the notebook in which more subdued, and the audiences, mono- K-Gr 2–In his latest foray into childhood Connecting Children and Nature since 1979 he draws: “Step One: Hide in Beach Bag; chromatic. While the pajama-clad child territory, Raschka explores the roles of Step Two: Stow away in car; Step Three: prancing around the kitchen, banging a pot adult and child in achieving one of the What’s in the Garden? Jump out.” Children can repeat phrases and wearing a colander on her head, sug- most challenging milestones of growing Written by Marianne Berkes such as “Bananza!” whenever the little gests a younger demographic, this is not the up–mastering a two-wheeler. The large, chimp develops a new scheme and “Oh, right companion for Leslie Patricelli’s Be Illustrated by Cris Arbo hand-lettered title framing the successful noooo!” when his new idea is thwarted. In Quiet, Mike! (Candlewick, 2011). Many rider on the cover conveys the positive Introduces the end, a successful strategy is settled upon years and page turns go by before a band outcome, so the page turns are all about kids to by his pals, Telly the dog and Java the cat. is named, formed, discovered, recorded, “how?” The story is narrated by an adult, Preschoolers will be able to decipher the and touring. Readers need patience and an healthy food presumably the father, but not limited wordless frames on the spread as the trio interest in the process and the motivations and recipes to this relationship by text or image. The makes a final attempt at outdoor fun. The of the aging performers. While the second- from the girl’s thoughts are all expressed visually. colorful collage artwork employs a variety person voice is occasionally awkward as it When the two are picking out a new bi- garden. of textured materials to add interest to each mixes Roche’s life with children’s imag- cycle and then watching other riders, page. However, because the attractive illus- ined experiences, it does draw readers in. the busy pages portray colorful examples, Paper $8.95 Hardcover $16.95 trations are stronger than the plot, consider Recommended for music fans in intimate, some surrounded by washes of watercolor, this book as supplemental summer materi- intergenerational settings.–Wendy Lukehart, others set against the white background; Noisy Bug Sing-Along al.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Washington DC Public Library all are connected with small strokes that Written and illustrated by Library System, Manassas, VA animate the compositions. Clad in an SATTLER, Jennifer. Uh-Oh, Dodo! illus. John Himmelman enormous, blue-striped helmet, the child PRESS, J. The Doodles of Sam Dibble. by author. 32p. Boyds Mills. Apr. 2013. is watchful, then tireless, as she practices What’s making illus. by Michael Kline. 128p. Grosset & RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-929-2. with training wheels. The narrator admits that noisy Dunlap. 2013. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0- LC 2012947460. that taking them off is “a bit scary,” and 448-46107-6. PreS-K–A little blue dodo goes on a walk sound? the remaining scenes depict a brave girl Gr 2-4–Sam Dribble loves to doodle. He with his mama, his feet ready for adventure, Chirp-Tick- in various stages of falling, trying, and be- doodles instead of completing his math but he hears “Uh-Oh, Dodo!” each time Keraak! ing comforted and encouraged. In some sheet; he doodles instead of researching things go a little wrong. His singing disturbs close-ups, the heart on her shirt is askew, George Washington. He even doodles dur- a mother bird and her nesting babies, he is likely mimicking her actual pulse. Her Paper $8.95 Hardcover $16.95 ing library class. The other thing that Sam sprayed by an unfriendly skunk, and he mis- legs, painted in thin, blue strokes, exhibit does is make promises that he may–or may takes a flamingo’s legs for his mother’s. With a fragile flexibility that expresses volumes. not–be able to keep, like insisting to his en- things getting a little scary, he cries for Mama, Raschka’s well-chosen words, spread over tire class that pro wrestler Demolition Dan and she comes and soothes him. Throughout several pages, admonish: “Find the cour- is coming to his birthday party. Tomorrow. the adventure, he is accompanied by a lively Phone (800) 545-7475 R www.dawnpub.com age to try it again,/again, and again… un- Except Sam hasn’t exactly invited Demo and expressive grasshopper. They soon reach

124 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0124 14 2/20/2013 12:36:07 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

Dan just yet. And, to make matters worse, their destination–a gently rising slope with a “Uh-Oh, Dodo!” refrain when this satisfying til/by luck, grace, and determination,/you his rival Max Baxter will be at his party, breathtaking view of the sea. The walk has story is shared one-on-one or in storytimes.– are riding/a bicycle!” The artist’s marvel- because Max’s dad is dating Sam’s mom. worn them out, and Mama carries them Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside El- ous sequences, fluid style, and emotional What’s a third grader with an overactive nestled on her back as she begins the jour- ementary School, Lebanon, TN intelligence capture all of the momentum imagination and pen to do? This slight story, ney home. Each turn of the page moves the and exhilaration of this glorious accom- dominated by wide margins and a plethora story forward, as the blue sky becomes sunset SAUER, Tammi. Nugget & Fang: Friends plishment.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington of doodles, aims to be a younger version of rose in the waning day, and the landscape Forever or Snack Time? illus. by Michael DC Public Library Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” se- slopes upward to a view of the sea, suggest- Slack. 40p. Houghton Harcourt. Mar. ries (Abrams). And in some instances–the ing a larger world before them. In addition 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547- school setting, the multiple friends, the fam- ROCHE, Suzzy. Want to Be in a Band? to the strong mother-child bond, there is the 85285-0. ily drama–it succeeds. The pacing of the illus. by Giselle Potter. 40p. Random/ emerging friendship between Dodo and the PreS-Gr 2–Two undersea buddies spend School Library Journal - March 2013 - designer: EM - disk date: 2/8/13 RUSH story and the character development, how- Schwartz & Wade. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN little grasshopper. Youngsters will join in the all of their time together, until the tiny fish ever, seem rushed in spots. The chapters are 978-0-375-86879-5. LC 2011023590. so brief that often the transition from one Gr 3-5–Appealing to the listener’s inner to the next seems abrupt. Reluctant readers musician, the author (youngest sister of the will likely be most attracted to the fast pace indie folk-rock trio, the Roches) begins with and easy-to-breeze-through text. Consider a question: “Are you one of those kids who purchasing in libraries that need “what do likes to make noise?” She then prescribes a I read next” titles for children interested in plan to form a successful band, even if “you Lincoln Peirce’s “Big Nate” (Andrews Mc- only know how to play air guitar.” Skeptics Coming in March from Best-Selling Author Meel), Megan McDonald’s “Stink” (Can- may not make it beyond their disbelief, but dlewick), and Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Un- Roche continues with a rundown involving derpants” (Scholastic).–Lisa Kropp, Suffolk the pain of learning to play a stringed in- Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY strument (her choice), tips for dealing with MAXLUCADO discouragement, the necessity of practicing, and attending to reactions. Potter’s signature HRASCHKA, Chris. Everyone Can Best-selling author Max Lucado helps young children naïve style is the perfect accompaniment to Learn to Ride a Bicycle. illus. by author. grasp the unending love of God in this beautifully the fictionalized narrative of these women– 32p. Random/Schwartz and Wade. illustrated story of discovery and wonder. noted for their quirky lyrics and humorous Apr. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375- performances. The artist uses bright water- 87007-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375- colors and bold patterns to highlight the Hardcover / 978-1-4335-3931-2 / $17.99 97007-8; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0- sisters and their family; the backgrounds are 375-98732-8. LC 2012003172. more subdued, and the audiences, mono- K-Gr 2–In his latest foray into childhood chromatic. While the pajama-clad child territory, Raschka explores the roles of prancing around the kitchen, banging a pot adult and child in achieving one of the and wearing a colander on her head, sug- most challenging milestones of growing gests a younger demographic, this is not the up–mastering a two-wheeler. The large, right companion for Leslie Patricelli’s Be hand-lettered title framing the successful Quiet, Mike! (Candlewick, 2011). Many rider on the cover conveys the positive years and page turns go by before a band outcome, so the page turns are all about is named, formed, discovered, recorded, “how?” The story is narrated by an adult, and touring. Readers need patience and an presumably the father, but not limited interest in the process and the motivations to this relationship by text or image. The of the aging performers. While the second- girl’s thoughts are all expressed visually. person voice is occasionally awkward as it When the two are picking out a new bi- mixes Roche’s life with children’s imag- cycle and then watching other riders, ined experiences, it does draw readers in. the busy pages portray colorful examples, Recommended for music fans in intimate, some surrounded by washes of watercolor, intergenerational settings.–Wendy Lukehart, others set against the white background; Washington DC Public Library all are connected with small strokes that animate the compositions. Clad in an SATTLER, Jennifer. Uh-Oh, Dodo! illus. enormous, blue-striped helmet, the child by author. 32p. Boyds Mills. Apr. 2013. is watchful, then tireless, as she practices RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-929-2. with training wheels. The narrator admits LC 2012947460. that taking them off is “a bit scary,” and PreS-K–A little blue dodo goes on a walk the remaining scenes depict a brave girl with his mama, his feet ready for adventure, in various stages of falling, trying, and be- but he hears “Uh-Oh, Dodo!” each time ing comforted and encouraged. In some things go a little wrong. His singing disturbs close-ups, the heart on her shirt is askew, a mother bird and her nesting babies, he is likely mimicking her actual pulse. Her sprayed by an unfriendly skunk, and he mis- legs, painted in thin, blue strokes, exhibit takes a flamingo’s legs for his mother’s. With a fragile flexibility that expresses volumes. things getting a little scary, he cries for Mama, Raschka’s well-chosen words, spread over and she comes and soothes him. Throughout 800-323-3890 www.crossway.org several pages, admonish: “Find the cour- the adventure, he is accompanied by a lively age to try it again,/again, and again… un- and expressive grasshopper. They soon reach

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 125

SLJ130301-MAG_0125 15 2/20/2013 12:36:08 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

swims off to school and is taught that sharks Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4841-1. LC $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24495-7. LC the children’s circular eyes can be discon- and minnows can’t be friends because 2012942656. 2012010367. certing. While this charming early chapter sharks are known to devour smaller species. K-Gr 2–Elephant likes to parrot everything PreS-Gr 2–While out on a hike, Spike, a book is more a story about a girl and her pet Shocked, and “apparently delicious,” Nugget Monkey says until, “Achoo!” Monkey sneezes. hedgehog, and Ike, a coatimundi, get hungry than it is about birthday shenanigans, young decides that the two should part ways. Elephant sneezes–once, twice, three times, and decide to go to Ike’s cousin’s for lunch. readers are sure to enjoy it.–Laura Lutz, Though Fang attempts to win his pal back and suddenly he feels sick. Monkey takes care They encounter several creatures as they Pratt Institute, New York City through several well-intentioned but poorly of him, with soft hay to rest on, fresh water walk along the shore, across a meadow, and planned endeavors, including dressing up to drink, and rock juggling to entertain him. through a bog. Large illustrations, done in SCOTT, Brandon James, adapt. The in a ridiculous mermaid outfit to prove he No sooner than Elephant recoups, Monkey watercolor, salt, and colored pencil, cover Pancake Express. illus. by Brandon isn’t scary, the small-fry remains resolute. feels under the weather. Elephant takes care most of each spread and depict the different James Scott. 36p. (Justin Time Series). Downcast and lonely, the shark is moping in of her by bringing her hay and water to cool landscapes and animals Spike and Ike see, Immedium. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978- deep waters when he notices that Nugget and her forehead and playing trunk trumpet songs while speech balloons convey their com- 1-59702-035-0. the other minnows have been caught in a to amuse her. The simple, yet detailed digital ments. Page turns reveal even more chatter PreS-Gr 2–Based on an episode in the ani- fishing net. The ever-faithful Fang comes up illustrations and cool palette complement the from the pair. Rhyming cumulative text sum- mated TV series, this story unfolds at a pace with a plan to utilize his “big sharp teeth” to mood and message of the text. This follow-up marizing their observations runs along the similar to an action-based television cartoon, save the day. Drenched in rich blues and vivid to Monkey and Elephant (Candlewick, 2012) bottom of each page. For example, on one and the dialogue reads like a script. While coral-reef hues, the exuberant illustrations contains endearing dialogue between the two spread, Ike says that the bog they must cross is playing with a train, Justin and his small pal depict a tiny bright-eyed fish and a likable characters. Their expressive faces, gestures, and wet. The text underneath reads, “Soggy/bog.” Squidgy take an imaginary trip. The two shark with razor-sharp chompers and goofy words convey the interactions of true friends. A page turn shows the unhappy pals plagued scoot across the floor, chugging along in a charisma. The text’s cadence is well-timed Monkey and Elephant have distinct voices that by bugs, and the text below states, “Soggy/ steam engine. At a station in Canada, they for sharing aloud, and both narrative and would make this a great read-aloud. The story buggy bog.” Many frogs eating the bugs ap- meet their friend Olive, who runs the maple- illustrations zing with humorous touches. also has the appropriate pacing and length for pear in the last spread in this section, and the syrup stop, and Justin and Squidgy take the An entertaining tale that sends a positive youngsters transitioning to independent read- cumulative text on the bottom summarizes syrup and Olive to the Flapjack Falls Pan- message about the power of friendship ing with books like Mo Willems’s “Elephant the scene: “Soggy froggy/buggy bog.” This cake Festival. Along the way, a tree blocks the and the importance of individuality.–Joy and Piggie” series (Hyperion).–Lindsay Per- book is a delight on many levels. The illustra- tracks, but a friendly beaver and moose use Fleishhacker, School Library Journal sohn, University of South Florida, Tampa tions are filled with humorous details. Ike and their talents to clear the way. Readers learn Spike cry and frown in vexation as they are about the mechanics of steam engines when SCHAEFER, Carole Lexa. Monkey and SCHINDLER, S. D. Spike & Ike Take swarmed by bugs, and the reprise of all the the train runs out of coal and wood from the Elephant Get Better. illus. by Galia a Hike. illus. by author. 32p. Penguin/ happy animals in a “lunch bunch munch” cut tree becomes a substitute fuel. James’s Bernstein. 48p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. Nancy Paulsen Bks. Apr. 2013. RTE is charming. The cumulative text bursting colorful cartoon illustrations support the text with rhyme and alliteration is just perfect and vary in size. Those looking for didactic for beginning readers learning the sounds of stories will find the plot offers teachable mo- language. After enjoying this story, they may ments on cooperation and transportation, Social and Character Development Books for even be stimulated to create their own cumu- but it is strictly an additional purchase.–Lynn Early Readers from a Child Author! lative text for favorite pictures. Don’t miss this Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH neat treat.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Age s: 3 -5 Age s: 5-8 Free Lesson Plans Norwalk Community College, CT SHEA, Bob. Cheetah Can’t Lose. illus. Lesson plans based on by author. 40p. HarperCollins/Balzer & the books are av ailable for SCHNEIDER, Josh. The Meanest Birth- Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06- dow nload at day Girl. illus. by author. 48p. Clarion. 173083-2. www.malikandfriends.com, 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-547- PreS-Gr 3–Cheetah always has to win. On at no additional charge. 83814-4. the title page, readers see him looking in the Gr 1-3–Dana is downright mean. Because mirror flexing his muscles. Meanwhile his The lesson plans focus on she gets to do whatever she wants on her two kitten friends have something up their v ocabulary, geography, social issues, and birthday, she pinches, takes her friend An- furry sleeves as their kyuuto shushing faces character development. thony’s dessert without asking, and name- reveal. In color-coded dialogue, they an- calls. Dana is an ornery bully until An- nounce (their colors intertwined) that it is Malik and the Malaria- Malik says, Book 3 is scheduled thony gives her a white elephant with pink the day of the big race. The retro artwork is Carrying Mosquito ³7XUQRIIWKH ZDWHU ´ to be out late Spring! toenails as a gift. It needs endless love and kid-friendly, flat with textures as if done in Authors: Akili Raphael Authors: Akili Raphael attention, and Dana quickly learns to care crayon, with lots of little motion lines, and a and Harriet Lewis and Harriet Lewis Books may be ordered about something other than herself. When palette of mostly orange and blue, all creat- ISBN: 978-1-47728-813-9 ISBN: 978-1-47729-541-0 through your distributor. another birthday girl needs to learn a les- ing a flow of action. The two kittens know son about how to act on her big day, Dana Cheetah oh so well, and entertain them- The Malik and FriendsTM FKLOGUHQ¶V ERRN VHULHV DXWKRUHG DQG knows just what to give her. Schneider’s wa- selves (at his expense) before the big race illustrated by 9-year old Akili Raphael, is targeted to kids ages 3 tercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations have by sponsoring various other competitions, to 8. The series highlights countrie s around the world, global humor and sweetness: the cover art is hi- all contrived to slow him down. They use larious and there is a lovely moment when a mixture of cunning and flattery, awarding issues, friendship, and problem-solving. Global issues tackled in Dana is depicted lying on a hill, exhausted, Cheetah with such prizes as wooden plat- the series include malaria, water conservation and sanitation, and the elephant’s trunk is reaching around forms they call winner shoes. The pacing is and natural disasters. Children are encouraged to volunteer in to take her sandwich. The small details in energetic and lively–untethered by any set- their local communities to addre ss global concerns. Malik and the artwork add to the character develop- ting and formulated for those young listeners FriendsTM inspires young children to be global citizens. ment; the ever-present Band-Aid on Dana’s who would rather be tearing across the yard knee along with the horses and unicorns than sitting and reading. Written for those Part of the proceeds from the sale of the books is donated to that decorate her room give readers insight who must endure the antics of younger ones orga nizati ons tha t addr ess i ssues hi ghli ghted i n the book s. into her personality. However, there are also who pout and cry if they lose, this title is an oddities in the artwork: the vacant look in apt choice to open a discussion about deal-

126 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0126 16 2/20/2013 12:36:22 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

$16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24495-7. LC the children’s circular eyes can be discon- ing compassionately with someone who to read him a book about a tiger, she would 2012010367. certing. While this charming early chapter always has a competitive edge.–Sara Lissa rather read her own book. He captures her PreS-Gr 2–While out on a hike, Spike, a book is more a story about a girl and her pet Paulson, The American Sign Language and attention long enough to get her to heat up hedgehog, and Ike, a coatimundi, get hungry than it is about birthday shenanigans, young English Lower School, New York City some alphabet soup, but she then tunes him and decide to go to Ike’s cousin’s for lunch. readers are sure to enjoy it.–Laura Lutz, out and doesn’t even notice when a tiger They encounter several creatures as they Pratt Institute, New York City SHETH, Kashmira. Tiger in My Soup. rises up out of the steaming bowl. The boy walk along the shore, across a meadow, and illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. 32p. Peachtree. uses a spoon, chair, and other handy utensils through a bog. Large illustrations, done in SCOTT, Brandon James, adapt. The Apr. 2013. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145- to fend off the raging beast until his sister fi- watercolor, salt, and colored pencil, cover Pancake Express. illus. by Brandon 696-3. LC 2012025539. nally puts down her book and agrees to read most of each spread and depict the different James Scott. 36p. (Justin Time Series). PreS-Gr 1–An unnamed narrator is left in to him. But her tiger roar is so convincing landscapes and animals Spike and Ike see, Immedium. 2012. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978- the care of his older sister while their parents that he vows to keep a watchful eye on her while speech balloons convey their com- 1-59702-035-0. are away for the day. Although he asks her as he finishes his soup. Ebbeler’s vibrant ments. Page turns reveal even more chatter PreS-Gr 2–Based on an episode in the ani- from the pair. Rhyming cumulative text sum- mated TV series, this story unfolds at a pace marizing their observations runs along the similar to an action-based television cartoon, bottom of each page. For example, on one and the dialogue reads like a script. While spread, Ike says that the bog they must cross is playing with a train, Justin and his small pal ★ “ Flawless…A powerful springboard for wet. The text underneath reads, “Soggy/bog.” Squidgy take an imaginary trip. The two A page turn shows the unhappy pals plagued scoot across the floor, chugging along in a the imagination.”—Booklist, starred review by bugs, and the text below states, “Soggy/ steam engine. At a station in Canada, they buggy bog.” Many frogs eating the bugs ap- meet their friend Olive, who runs the maple- From award-winning artist Shaun Tan pear in the last spread in this section, and the syrup stop, and Justin and Squidgy take the cumulative text on the bottom summarizes syrup and Olive to the Flapjack Falls Pan- the scene: “Soggy froggy/buggy bog.” This cake Festival. Along the way, a tree blocks the book is a delight on many levels. The illustra- tracks, but a friendly beaver and moose use ★ “ Rich and complex… tions are filled with humorous details. Ike and their talents to clear the way. Readers learn A treasure trove Spike cry and frown in vexation as they are about the mechanics of steam engines when for any young swarmed by bugs, and the reprise of all the the train runs out of coal and wood from the happy animals in a “lunch bunch munch” cut tree becomes a substitute fuel. James’s artist.” is charming. The cumulative text bursting colorful cartoon illustrations support the text — Publishers Weekly, with rhyme and alliteration is just perfect and vary in size. Those looking for didactic starred review for beginning readers learning the sounds of stories will find the plot offers teachable mo- language. After enjoying this story, they may ments on cooperation and transportation, even be stimulated to create their own cumu- but it is strictly an additional purchase.–Lynn “ From a master of lative text for favorite pictures. Don’t miss this Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH visual mystery, a neat treat.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT SHEA, Bob. Cheetah Can’t Lose. illus. beguiling by author. 40p. HarperCollins/Balzer & gathering of SCHNEIDER, Josh. The Meanest Birth- Bray. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06- sketches, doodles, day Girl. illus. by author. 48p. Clarion. 173083-2. 2013. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-547- PreS-Gr 3–Cheetah always has to win. On portraits and 83814-4. the title page, readers see him looking in the written thoughts… Gr 1-3–Dana is downright mean. Because mirror flexing his muscles. Meanwhile his Rewarding.” she gets to do whatever she wants on her two kitten friends have something up their —Kirkus Reviews birthday, she pinches, takes her friend An- furry sleeves as their kyuuto shushing faces thony’s dessert without asking, and name- reveal. In color-coded dialogue, they an- calls. Dana is an ornery bully until An- nounce (their colors intertwined) that it is 978-0-545-46513-7 • $19.99 thony gives her a white elephant with pink the day of the big race. The retro artwork is toenails as a gift. It needs endless love and kid-friendly, flat with textures as if done in attention, and Dana quickly learns to care crayon, with lots of little motion lines, and a ALSO AVAILABLE: about something other than herself. When palette of mostly orange and blue, all creat- another birthday girl needs to learn a les- ing a flow of action. The two kittens know son about how to act on her big day, Dana Cheetah oh so well, and entertain them- knows just what to give her. Schneider’s wa- selves (at his expense) before the big race tercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations have by sponsoring various other competitions, humor and sweetness: the cover art is hi- all contrived to slow him down. They use larious and there is a lovely moment when a mixture of cunning and flattery, awarding Dana is depicted lying on a hill, exhausted, Cheetah with such prizes as wooden plat- and the elephant’s trunk is reaching around forms they call winner shoes. The pacing is to take her sandwich. The small details in energetic and lively–untethered by any set- the artwork add to the character develop- ting and formulated for those young listeners Lost & FoundFound TalesTales fromfrom TheThe ArrivalArrival ment; the ever-present Band-Aid on Dana’s who would rather be tearing across the yard 978-0-545-22924-1 Outer Suburbia 978-0-439-89529-3 knee along with the horses and unicorns than sitting and reading. Written for those $21.99 978-0-545-05587-1 $19.99 that decorate her room give readers insight who must endure the antics of younger ones $19.99 into her personality. However, there are also who pout and cry if they lose, this title is an

SCHOLASTIC™ Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC™ scholastic.com oddities in the artwork: the vacant look in apt choice to open a discussion about deal-

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 127

SLJ130301-MAG_0127 17 2/20/2013 12:36:22 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

acrylic illustrations include a variety of ing cat, and a poisonous cactus, she perspectives both outside their unusual takes Egypt by storm in pursuit of a house and within. The boy’s imagina- stolen artifact. With the smarts of tion is vividly portrayed in pictures that Nancy Drew and the charm of Elo- show the tiger magically appearing in ise, Agatha is an exciting addition the steam and on his sister’s face when to the girl-detective canon. Action- she roars. Action shots of the narrator packed black-and-white illustrations defending himself against the menac- are scattered throughout and range in ing cat move the story along, while size from small insets to full spreads. the girl’s inability to see her brother’s The story is fast-paced and contains plight adds some comic relief. This is a enough surprises to keep readers en- good story to show how readers can get gaged. The illustrations will entice wrapped up in a book.–Martha Simp- those transitioning to chapter books, son, Stratford Library Association, CT but the sometimes-challenging vocabulary make this a pick for those with a higher reading level. A fun, HSPINELLI, Eileen. When No One modern-day detective story with an Is Watching. illus. by David A. international flair.–Sarah Townsend, Johnson. 26p. Eerdmans. 2013. Tr Norfolk Public Library, VA $16. ISBN 978-0-8028-5303-5. LC 2012025506. Bluebird (Staake) STIER, Catherine. Barnaby the Bedbug K-Gr 2–The nameless protagonist in ©2013 by Bob Staake Detective. illus. by Karen Sapp. 32p. fur- this picture book is a wallflower around than in this wordless title about a heroic ther reading. websites. Albert Whitman. other people, but alone, she blossoms bird. Readers follow its flight past a New Mar. 2013. Tr ISBN 978-0-8075-0904-3. with exuberant play and a vivid imagina- York City skyline filled with cones, pyra- LC 2012013166. tion. Quirky and endearing with her wild mids, and rectangular prisms. Vertical lines K-Gr 2–Stier visits a timely subject in this in- mop of black curls, pink high-tops, and are punctuated with stylized circular trees, formational picture book. Barnaby is an exu- struggle with shyness, she will appeal to heads, iris shots, clocks, etc. The sky and berant shelter dog, finally adopted by Mar- readers who know what’s budding inside bird are indeed blue, but the lonely boy tha, who thinks he’d make a perfect bedbug them, but who aren’t quite ready to open with the large, round head is dark gray; sniffer. They both attend training, and the up. The illustrations alternately show shades of gray comprise much of his world. pup proves to be an apt pupil. After graduat- the little girl’s introverted behavior and White and black, used symbolically, coming, they visit a hotel, cinema, college dorm, her lone, free-spirited singing, dancing, plete the palette. The warbler notices the and various other places before going to a stomping, and pretend-wrestling with boy with the downcast eyes being mocked family’s home. While there, Barnaby finds wild animals. Spinelli’s narrative is sim- as he enters school. Afterward, the two play bedbugs, making the little girl upset. He is ple, lyrical, and written from the first-per- hide-and-seek, share a cookie, sail a toy boat distraught at making her unhappy until her son perspective, giving the sense that the together–in short, they become friends. brother tells him that he is a hero. Anthro- child is sharing her secrets with a trusted Tuned-in readers will note the dedication pomorphism aside, there is plenty of useful friend. She is accompanied throughout to Audubon, examples of his art, the clock information here, including endpapers with by a charming cat whose actions and ex- brand “Icarus,” and other subtle thematic bedbug facts, and tips for preventing infesta- pressions mirror her own–perfect, given supports. Conflict arises when they enter tion, and how to find evidence of bedbugs. the feline tendency to be reserved be- Central Park, which is ominously dark, and The friendly illustrations dispel some of the tween bursts of energy. In the end, read- bullies attempt to steal the boat. When one misconceptions about bedbugs (they are not ers are introduced to the girl’s shy friend, of them hurls a stick, the bird blocks it and attracted to dirty homes).–B. Allison Gray, Loretta. They buoy one another when falls, lifeless. As the child cradles his friend, Goleta Public Library, CA they are out and about, and they appreci- the background brightens and a brilliantly ate sharing quiet time, too. Johnson’s il- colored flock lifts the pair into the clouds, STOUT, Shawn K. Penelope Crumb Never lustrations are dynamic, done in a palette where the creature fades from view as the Forgets. Bk. 2. illus. by Valeria Docampo. of earthy colors and filling the pages with boy waves good-bye. With echoes of Dis- 182p. (Penelope Crumb Series). likable faces and activity. This is a won- ney-Pixar’s Up and William Joyce’s The Philomel. 2013. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0- derful book for reassuring a quiet kiddo Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Less- 399-25729-2. that she is special, and that the world will more (S & S, 2012), this is an apt fable for Gr 3-5–Penelope again embarks on be happy to know her, too, when she is our time as we seek to help children de- adventures that are both troublesome and ready to introduce herself.–Alyson Low, velop empathy, curb aggression, and sense outlandish. Since her father passed away, Fayetteville Public Library, AR hope.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC she has had a fascination with what she calls Public Library Graveyard Dead. On the school field trip STAAKE, Bob. Bluebird. illus. by author. 40p. to the town museum, where the other kids Random/Schwartz and Wade. Apr. 2013. STEVENSON, Steve. The Curse of are more interested in the gift shop than in Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-87037-8; PLB the Pharaoh. Bk. 1. tr. from Italian by the artifacts, Penelope becomes enraged $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-97038-2; ebook Siobhan Kelly. illus. by Stefano Turconi. and vows to never let the important people $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98904-9. LC 134p. (Agatha Mistery Series). Grosset & in her life be forgotten. She also becomes 2012007043. Dunlap. 2013. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0- jealous when her best friend, Patsy Cline, Gr 2-5–Staake’s ability to digitally com- 448-46217-2. shares in the tradition of wearing best- pose and contrast shapes for a pleasing Gr 2-5–Precocious Agatha, 12, is an inter- friends-forever necklaces with Vera Bogg. geometric balance, aesthetic effect, and national detective. With the help of her Later, Patsy loses her necklace and Penelope narrative purpose has never been stronger cousin-in-training, her butler, her sleuth- finds it and adds it to the museum she has

128 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0128 18 2/20/2013 12:36:35 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

created in her closet so she will never forget. line drawings add little, and children portrait of a rumpled canine who lives and TAYLOR, Thomas. The Pets You Get. Penelope then goes about collecting things unfamiliar with Penelope Crumb (Philomel, breathes to play fetch with his favorite hu- illus. by Adrian Reynolds. 32p. that are very important to the living people 2012) will have trouble connecting all the man companion. When the girl goes to Andersen. Apr. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN in her life. Now she is in trouble and relies dots in this one. Purchase only if the first school, the dog is bereft; his beloved ball is 978-1-4677-1143-2. on her older friend Littie to help her out book is popular.–Nancy Jo Lambert, Ruth lifeless. He tries to find other companions PreS-K–Big sister loves her guinea pig, but of this predicament. While the writing Borchardt Elementary, Plano, TX to fill the ball-throwing gap, but the adult is her younger brother can think of more inter- and character development are very good, meditating, the baby isn’t even mobile, and esting pets. He imagines the thrill of having Penelope Crumb is just a little too quirky. SULLIVAN, Mary. Ball. illus. by author. the cat is, well, a cat. The dog tries hiding a pup, but his sister says dogs are smelly and With an unresolved ending between 40p. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. 2013. the ball and then “finding” it, and eventu- messy. He enthuses about having a bear, but Penelope and Patsy and the fact that this RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-547-75936-4. ally falls asleep and experiences an amusing she nixes that idea, too: a bear is too big to fourth grader goes all over town alone, the K-Gr 2–A humorous portrait of a dog with ball-themed dream sequence that turns into sleep in bed with her. How about a huge book is less than satisfying. The occasional a one-track mind. Ball is a day-in-the-life a nightmare. At long last the pup’s anguish smoking dragon? That would show her! is relieved as the girl comes home from When his sister points out that dragons don’t school and they resume their happy rapport. really exist, the boy suggests other amazing The only text is the word “ball” repeated pets, among them a panther, polar bear, INTRODUCING on every page; however, Sullivan adroitly eagle, rhino, dinosaur, sea monster, and rat. infuses the canine with a wide variety of Any one of those would do. Then his sister emotions, and a great deal can be read into places the guinea pig on his arm, where it that single word. The book uses a comic- runs, leaps, slides down, and then zooms strip layout for most of the pages, with a few off, leading the two children into a “fantastic spreads during the dream sequence. The game of hide-and-seek.” Suddenly, a guinea digitally colored pencil drawings are full pig is not so bad, and maybe they could of action and energy and employ a muted share the pet, although the boy still wants palette dominated by yellows and oranges to have a dragon someday. While the story that give the book a warm 1970s feel. The line is common, the children and animals proliferation of extra textures and flourishes shine and take center stage in the big, bold, that break the panels creates a lived-in, di- and colorful illustrations, with backgrounds sheveled look to the drawings, which suits minimal or nonexistent.–Ieva Bates, Ann Ar- the bug-eyed, warts-and-all style used for bor District Library, MI the figures. A fine choice for independent readers and dog lovers everywhere.–Anna UMAN, Jennifer & Valerio Vidali. Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, Jemmy Button. illus. by authors. White Bear Lake, MN 48p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6487-9. LC TAYLOR, Sean. Robomop. illus. by 2012942662. Edel Rodriguez. 32p. Dial. 2013. RTE Gr 1-3–This picture book is based on the true $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3411-1. LC story of Orundellico, a boy from Tierra del 2012012901. Fuego who was taken to Victorian England PreS-Gr 3–“Washing, sloshing, rubbing, by a British sea captain. The captain gave scrubbing”…Robomop is good at his job the child’s family a mother-of-pearl button cleaning the bathroom in the basement. in exchange for him, hence his nickname, However, with no friends or fresh air, what “Jemmy Button.” The boy experienced the he really wants to do is escape. He comes music, food, and education of England, up with a brilliant plan, but his attempt is but realized where he belonged when he thwarted and Robomop seems destined to returned home. These historical details are clean the bathroom forever. Things start related via an endnote, but the story itself Ages 6–10 looking up for him when a friendly window wisely focuses on the emotions and sensory TR: 978-0-7364-2795-1 cleaner joins the crew and the two bond experiences of Orundellico’s journey. From Ages 6–10 GLB: 978-0-7364-8138-0 TR: 978-0-7364-2794-4 over honky-tonk music. But with visits be- the cover where he peeks out through lush GLB: 978-0-7364-8137-3 ing just once a month, Robomop is still greenery, to the vast visions of the night sky lonely and dreams of seeing the world. To over the island, illustrations of Orundellico’s make matters worse, he discovers that he home pop with color. The scenes in Eng- is being replaced by a brand new, state-of- land, in contrast, feature muted tones, with the-art cleaning robot and is thrown away. people who appear only as silhouettes, em- Discouraged and dejected, he almost gives phasizing the boy’s sense of displacement. up hope, but realizes that this may just be This treatment brings the story home for Visit NeverGirlsBooks.com the best thing that could have happened to young readers and provides an excellent dis- for a sneak peek at their story. him. This humorous story shows that ev- cussion-starter.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, eryone has a place in the world and should Carroll County Public Library, MD © Disney never give up. The illustrations are reminiscent of vintage picture books and brightly UNDERWOOD, Deborah. Part-time fill each page. The art was created with oil- Princess. illus. by Cambria Evans. 40p. based woodblock ink and digital media in Hyperion/Disney. Mar. 2013. RTE a palette of five or six colors. A unique ad- $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2485-6. Visit RHTeachersLibrarians.com, your online destination dition.–Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal K-Gr 2–Though the narrator leads a regular for all the resources you need for your school or library! School, Middleton, DE life during the day, she becomes a princess

130 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com SLM_NeverGirls_SLJ.indd 1 2/11/13 5:07 PM

SLJ130301-MAG_0130 19 2/21/2013 1:27:51 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 portrait of a rumpled canine who lives and TAYLOR, Thomas. The Pets You Get. every night after her mother tucks her in bed. like to dance.) After dancing with the head breathes to play fetch with his favorite hu- illus. by Adrian Reynolds. 32p. She leaves her house in a pink coach worthy of troll and a very handsome prince, she leaves man companion. When the girl goes to Andersen. Apr. 2013. Tr $16.95. ISBN Cinderella, and her faithful dachshund goes in the Royal Air Balloon and heads for home. school, the dog is bereft; his beloved ball is 978-1-4677-1143-2. with her. Wearing a fire hat with P.T.P. on the The next morning young readers realize that lifeless. He tries to find other companions PreS-K–Big sister loves her guinea pig, but front, she fights the blaze set by an unhappy the mother with sparkles in her hair is also to fill the ball-throwing gap, but the adult is her younger brother can think of more inter- dragon, invites him to tea, and becomes his the queen from a distant land, and they know meditating, the baby isn’t even mobile, and esting pets. He imagines the thrill of having friend. She plays leapfrog in the Royal Mud that the mother, daughter, and dachshund the cat is, well, a cat. The dog tries hiding a pup, but his sister says dogs are smelly and Puddle with a queen from a distant land, and will be saving the kingdom again. The car- the ball and then “finding” it, and eventu- messy. He enthuses about having a bear, but she bathes in a giant tub with a dolphin be- toon artwork features a palette of pink, lime ally falls asleep and experiences an amusing she nixes that idea, too: a bear is too big to fore dressing for the Royal Ball. When trolls green, and aqua. Observant children will see ball-themed dream sequence that turns into sleep in bed with her. How about a huge crash the party, the girl averts disaster by strik- that the toys in the child’s bedroom inspire a nightmare. At long last the pup’s anguish smoking dragon? That would show her! ing up the band. (She has learned that trolls her adventures. The simply written, upbeat is relieved as the girl comes home from When his sister points out that dragons don’t school and they resume their happy rapport. really exist, the boy suggests other amazing The only text is the word “ball” repeated pets, among them a panther, polar bear, on every page; however, Sullivan adroitly eagle, rhino, dinosaur, sea monster, and rat. ★ “[Patricia Reilly] Giff infuses the canine with a wide variety of Any one of those would do. Then his sister emotions, and a great deal can be read into places the guinea pig on his arm, where it is one of few writers who can entwine an odd lot that single word. The book uses a comic- runs, leaps, slides down, and then zooms of characters, set them in Brooklyn during strip layout for most of the pages, with a few off, leading the two children into a “fantastic spreads during the dream sequence. The game of hide-and-seek.” Suddenly, a guinea World War II, ﬂ avor the story with soup recipes, digitally colored pencil drawings are full pig is not so bad, and maybe they could add a ghost and infuse the plot with a of action and energy and employ a muted share the pet, although the boy still wants palette dominated by yellows and oranges to have a dragon someday. While the story longing for family—and make it all believable.” that give the book a warm 1970s feel. The line is common, the children and animals — Kirkus Reviews, Starred proliferation of extra textures and flourishes shine and take center stage in the big, bold, that break the panels creates a lived-in, di- and colorful illustrations, with backgrounds sheveled look to the drawings, which suits minimal or nonexistent.–Ieva Bates, Ann Ar- the bug-eyed, warts-and-all style used for bor District Library, MI the figures. A fine choice for independent readers and dog lovers everywhere.–Anna UMAN, Jennifer & Valerio Vidali. Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, Jemmy Button. illus. by authors. White Bear Lake, MN 48p. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6487-9. LC TAYLOR, Sean. Robomop. illus. by 2012942662. Edel Rodriguez. 32p. Dial. 2013. RTE Gr 1-3–This picture book is based on the true $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3411-1. LC story of Orundellico, a boy from Tierra del 2012012901. Fuego who was taken to Victorian England PreS-Gr 3–“Washing, sloshing, rubbing, by a British sea captain. The captain gave scrubbing”…Robomop is good at his job the child’s family a mother-of-pearl button cleaning the bathroom in the basement. in exchange for him, hence his nickname, However, with no friends or fresh air, what “Jemmy Button.” The boy experienced the he really wants to do is escape. He comes music, food, and education of England, up with a brilliant plan, but his attempt is but realized where he belonged when he thwarted and Robomop seems destined to returned home. These historical details are clean the bathroom forever. Things start related via an endnote, but the story itself looking up for him when a friendly window wisely focuses on the emotions and sensory cleaner joins the crew and the two bond experiences of Orundellico’s journey. From over honky-tonk music. But with visits be- the cover where he peeks out through lush ing just once a month, Robomop is still greenery, to the vast visions of the night sky Ages 8–12 lonely and dreams of seeing the world. To over the island, illustrations of Orundellico’s 978-0-375-83891-0 make matters worse, he discovers that he home pop with color. The scenes in Eng- GLB: 978-0-375-93891-7 is being replaced by a brand new, state-of- land, in contrast, feature muted tones, with EL: 978-0-307-98029-8 the-art cleaning robot and is thrown away. people who appear only as silhouettes, em- ቕ Discouraged and dejected, he almost gives phasizing the boy’s sense of displacement. up hope, but realizes that this may just be This treatment brings the story home for the best thing that could have happened to young readers and provides an excellent dis- “ Readers will be swept along by Jayna’s ﬁ rst-person narrative him. This humorous story shows that ev- cussion-starter.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, and moved by the novel’s ending.”—Booklist eryone has a place in the world and should Carroll County Public Library, MD never give up. The illustrations are reminis- “Quiet but emotionally charged.”—Publishers Weekly cent of vintage picture books and brightly UNDERWOOD, Deborah. Part-time fill each page. The art was created with oil- Princess. illus. by Cambria Evans. 40p. based woodblock ink and digital media in Hyperion/Disney. Mar. 2013. RTE a palette of five or six colors. A unique ad- $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2485-6. dition.–Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal K-Gr 2–Though the narrator leads a regular Visit RHTeachersLibrarians.com, your online destination for all the resources you need for your school or library! School, Middleton, DE life during the day, she becomes a princess

www.slj.com MARCH 2013 School Library Journal 131 SLM_Gingersnap_SLJ.indd 1 1/30/13 5:27 PM

SLJ130301-MAG_0131 20 2/20/2013 12:36:49 PM The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4 The Book Review/Preschool to Grade 4

text in this picture book can be easily read racing greyhounds and end up taking one ceived. And while the family depicted seems by emerging readers. Girls will be enchanted home. Prince is a great pet who loves recognizable, it is familiar in a stereotypical by this spunky, kindhearted, part-time prin- to play and be around people; TV sitcom kind of way. Purchase if there is cess.–Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside he quickly becomes a member a need for additional tributes to dads.–Gloria Elementary School, Lebanon, TN of the family. One afternoon Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT he escapes from the back- VAN GENECHTEN, Guido. Guess What? yard and runs to school to ISBN 978-1-60537-116-0. wait for Christina. After that, Nonfiction ––––. Guess Where? ISBN 978-1-60537-115-3. the family gets a Chihuahua ea vol: tr. from Dutch. illus. by author. 16p. so that Prince isn’t lonely dur- AJMERA, Maya, Victoria Dunning, & Clavis. 2012. Tr $9.95. ing the day anymore. Simple Cynthia Pon. Healthy Kids. 32p. maps. PreS–Each book features seven simple black-and-white illustrations depict the photos. Charlesbridge. 2013. RTE puzzles for toddlers to solve. Guess What? action and help new readers understand $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-436-4; pap. poses questions comparing the appearances the plot. As many children dream of hav- $7.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-437-1. LC of animals and objects, while Guess Where? ing a furry, four-legged pet of their very own, 2012000784. focuses on where animals perform tasks. A the subject matter has broad appeal. The The Pet Project (Wheeler) Gr 2-4–This book contains full-color pho- single question is set against a white back- simple sentence structure and repetitive ©2013 by Zachariah OHora tographs of children from around the world ground, e.g., “Guess what looks like bare vocabulary combine to create a somewhat practicing healthy habits. The emphasis tree branches?” The opposite page features stilted text, but this is a fair choice where ad- ISBN 978-1-4169-7595-3. is on good food, clean water, safe homes, an appropriate acrylic cartoon image, such ditional books for newly independent read- Gr 1-4–When children read the foreword, proper medical care, and family/commu- as a tree branch with adjacent leaves flut- ers are needed.–Amy Commers, South St. which includes the warning, “Animals aren’t nity support. The outstanding photographs tering down. A full-page flap unfolds to Paul Public Library, MN always charming,” they will know that this is are clean and crisp and set against vibrantly reveal the antlers of a deer. Guess Where? not going to be your average, warm and fuzzy hued backgrounds. An introduction by Me- asks where the dog goes to the bathroom; WELLS, Rosemary. Following Grandfather. animal poetry book. The tongue-in-cheek linda Gates explains that while all children opening the flap shows “Against a tree!” illus. by Christopher Denise. 64p. verses serve as a “research guide” (and alert) still do not have access to everything they Though these books are sometimes tricky or Candlewick. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978- for youngsters who are considering getting a need, progress is being made. An afterword a little too advanced for the intended audi- 0-7636-5069-8. pet. A young girl armed with a notebook in details all the things needed to be a healthy ence, toddlers will enjoy the game.–Laura K-Gr 3–A heartwarming tale of love and which to write her observations visits a farm, child and offers suggestions for how young- Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ loss, privilege and class, set in bustling Bos- a zoo, and the woods to gain insight into how sters can make a contribution to achieve a ton. Jenny is a mouse who is looked after various creatures really live in order to de- better world both in their own community VAN ZEVEREN, Michel. That’s Mine! by her wise and worldly grandfather while cide on the right kind of pet and whether or and around the globe. Good for browsing tr. from French. illus. by author. 32p. her parents run the family restaurant. Sum- not she would be able to care for it. Humor- and as a discussion starter.–Grace Oliff, Ann Gecko. Mar. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978- mer days are spent at the beach where she ous first-person rhymes show her findings, Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ 1-8775-7927-1. savors the taste of clams lovingly prepared which ultimately highlight the downside of PreS-K–A frog claims that an egg he finds in by her grandfather with “a little olive oil the various animals. For example, monkeys ARNOLD, Caroline. Too Hot? Too Cold?: the jungle is his. Along comes a snake, “... and a dab of fresh mozzarella.” It is during smell “funky” and horses have a tendency to Keeping Body Temperature Just Right. illus. ssssmine,” he says. One after the other, ani- these visits that she learns that life is not kick. The girl also performs a “home study” by Annie Patterson. 32p. diags. glossary. mals of increasing size lay claim to the egg, necessarily better for those privileged with wherein she observes goldfish; an ant farm; Charlesbridge. 2013. RTE $17.95. ISBN but the eagle fights back when the lizard expensive possessions. Grandfather imparts and standard pets like cats, dogs, and ger- 978-1-58089-276-6; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978- wrestles it away. During their tussle, the egg this knowledge to his granddaughter by trav- bils. Ultimately, she decides that animals 1-58089-277-3; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1- goes airborne and lands on an elephant’s eling through the diverse neighborhoods are probably not worth all the trouble and 60734-596-1. LC 2012000792. head, giving him a painful lump. When he of the city, introducing her to the many asks her parents for a microscope instead. Gr1-3–This well-organized title uses a pic- enquires as to the owner of the object, the ways that mice make a living and treating OHora’s illustrations, done in muted acryl- ture-book format to take a relatively boring blame goes back down through the chain all whom they encounter with respect and ics, add to the whimsy and even give the si- concept–temperature regulation in people of animals. The elephant graciously returns dignity. One day, Jenny’s world of comfort lent creatures personality. While the rhyme and animals–and make it downright inter- the egg to the gleeful frog, much to the con- and adventure is shattered when Grandfa- falls flat at times, kids will love the silly hu- esting. Arnold touches on all aspects of the sternation of the others. And then a croco- ther passes away. Unable to absorb the loss, mor and animal discussion.–Rita Meade, subject, from the internal (fevers, muscle dile hatches. “Mine!” she cries, and the frog she thinks she sees him all around town. She Brooklyn Public Library, NY contraction, goose bumps, sweating) to the is on the run. The illustrations are the best finds peace when she receives a special mes- external (sunbathing, burrowing, hibernat- part of this book. Everything is outlined in a sage from him in the sand and shells of their ZAPPA, Ahmet. Because I’m Your Dad. ing, migrating). The text is clear and read- thin black line, the animals have expressive beloved beach. Beautifully written text and illus. by Dan Santat. 32p. Hyperion/ able, and the design includes plenty of faces, and the background is mainly white endearing gray-scale illustrations transport Disney. Apr. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978- white space to avoid overwhelming readers. space with a bit of ground and greenery. readers and add to the poignancy of the tale. 1-4231-4774-9. LC 2012002794. The illustrations, though appealing, feature The pictures make the book look attractive The message that all people are worthy of K-Gr 1–Zappa presents a daddy monster who muted tones that are unlikely to grab read- to young children, as does the repetition of respect is artfully delivered and the manner tickles, plays games, plans fun-filled excur- ers’ attention. The lack of an index or table “mine,” but the ending can be alarming if in which Jenny mourns her grandfather’s sions, and offers spaghetti for breakfast and of contents lessens the book’s usefulness for one knows that crocodiles eat frogs.–Ieva death will evoke empathy from young read- ice cream in the tub. He evinces a generally reports.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI ers who have suffered a similar loss. A must- goofy persona that allows for plenty of mud County Public Library, MD have for most collections.–Amy Shepherd, and burping along with cuddles and care. WALTERS, Eric. Prince for a Princess. St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE Young children will probably giggle and BATES, Katharine Lee. America the illus. by David Parkins. 64p. (Orca Echos warm up to the monster dad, who appears Beautiful: Together We Stand. illus. by Series). Orca. 2012. pap. $6.95. ISBN WHEELER, Lisa. The Pet Project: Cute more silly than scary in Santat’s exuberant il- Bryan Collier, et al. 32p. Scholastic/ 978-1-4598-0200-1; ebook $4.99. ISBN and Cuddly Viscious Verses. illus. lustrations. However, there isn’t much story Orchard. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0- 978-1-4598-0319-0. by Zachariah OHora. 40p. S & S/ line beyond the list of pledges that the grown- 545-49207-2. Gr 2-4–Seven-year-old Christina loves dogs. Atheneum. Apr. 2013. ebook $9.99. up makes to his child, based, as he explains K-Gr 5–When illustrations from 10 promi- Her parents take her to a kennel for retired ISBN 978-1-4424-4234-4; Tr $16.99. in the end, on the parenting he himself re- nent children’s book artists are combined

132 School Library Journal MARCH 2013 www.slj.com

SLJ130301-MAG_0132 21 2/20/2013 12:36:51 PM Buy eBooks and save up to $1,000 on your next order

Now choose from over 150,000 curriculum-focused titles and save $50-$1,000 on your next Follett purchase.

Hurry, offer good until March 22, 2013* follettshelf.com/slj 888.511.5114 x1164

*Offer is good for Follett eBook and interactive book purchases made between 1/15/2013 and 3/22/2013. Redemption period is 5/1/2013 through 12/31/2013. See website for complete details.

Full pg.indd 8 1/9/2013 12:04:48 PM