Lizard Walinsky, by Roberta Baker

Rating: Recommended

Little, Brown and Co., 2004, $15.95

ISBN: 0316073338

Grade level: Preschool

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There are lots of books about fairies, princesses, and girly situations. Lizard Walinsky is for girls who like to play with lizards, go camping, and play in the mud. The illustrations will bring a smile to a preschooler's face. Definitely a book to add to your collection.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Library

The White Elephant by Sid Fleischman

Rating: Additional

Greenwillow, 2006, $15.99

ISBN: 0061131377

Grade Level: 3rd/4th

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This is a well-written book with a nice layout. Double-spaced sentences make this book easy to read. A good book to be read by a teacher or librarian. Worth adding to your collection.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Library

What Does Bunny See? by Linda Sue Park

Rating: Additional

Clarion, 2005, $15.00

ISBN: 9780618234851

Age level: Preschool

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This book is a good way for preschoolers to learn their colors and the names of flowers. Nice illustrations, but not outstanding. Add to your collection if you have money to spend, but it's not special enough for a tight budget.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Library

The Spectacular Adventures of Sophie and Sebastian by Ruth Jeyaveeran

Rating: Additional

Houghton Mifflin, 2005, $16.00

ISBN: 9780618507566

Age level: Preschool

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The illustrations are attention-getting and unique. However, the book has a clumsy layout for storytime, with long-ways illustrations that cannot be easily turned the right direction while reading to a group. The plot felt formulaic and a bit too obviously didactic for my comfort, although there were some clever word images and turns of phrase.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra branch

Pete the Sheep-Sheep by Jackie French

Rating: Very Good

Clarion, 2004, $14.00

ISBN: 9780618568628

Age Level: 5 and up

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This book features a cute story and illustrations, and it reads well for storytime. The only problem might be that USA readers might not understand what a "sheep-dog" does, making a "sheep-sheep" an unknown, and therefore miss out on a big part of the book's humor.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra branch

Stink Files/Dossier 002: To Scratch a Thief by Holm and Hamel

Rating: Very Good

HarperCollins, 2004, $15.89

ISBN: 0060529830

Grade level: 4th and up

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A clever, tongue-in-cheek book about a cat, formerly owned by a British spymaster, who is an international spy. Mr. Stink is undercover as a housecat whose new American family is being threatened by someone from his own past. Clever references to James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, the Godfather, etc. might be hard for kids to understand, but the names and terms will soak in for later identification. A fun book that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra branch

Sally and the Something by George O'Connor

Rating: Additional

Roaring Press, 2006, $16.95

ISBN: 1596431415

Age Level: 5+

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This book has great illustrations for storytime, but unfortunately it is difficult to see the text on some pages because it is set upon the pictures. The story is a bit predictible, but not annoyingly so: a little girl finds a friendly juvenile monster to play with when bored.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra Branch

Brother Juniper by Diane Gibfried

Rating: Recommended

Clarion Books, 2006, $16.00

ISBN: 0618543619

Grade level: K-3rd

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Brother Juniper was a holy friar who lived in the hills of Assisi with Father Francis and his seven brothers. One day the fathers go out to preach and leave Brother Juniper to stay behind and watch the chapel. The brothers' concern for Brother Juniper's generous nature is proven beyond measure as he gives away everything in the church to the very needy people of the village.

When the brothers return, Juniper stands in the hole where the chapel once stood. It is only after the crowd of villagers come to thank them that the brothers realize his generosity is what the church is really about.

A story of love and kindness with warm and tender illustrations that only add to its charm.

Mountains: Surviving on Mt. Everest, by Michael Sandler

Rating: Very Good

Bearport, 2005

ISBN: 1597160865

Grade level: 3rd/4th

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Temba Tsheri, a Sherpa, is the youngest climber to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Dramatic descriptions of survival on the mountain are accompanied by brilliant-colored photographs, maps, and illustrations of survival equipment.

Sidebars provide interesting facts about elevations, oxygen levels at high altitudes, and the dangers of frostbite. Back pages provide a timeline of the many 'firsts' - important events on Mt. Everest from 1850 to 2001.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

United No More! Stories of the Civil War by Doreen Rappaport and Joan Verniero

Rating: Additional

HarperCollins, 2006

ISBN: 0060506008

Grade Level: 5th through 8th

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Seven stories of the famous and the ordinary citizen, from both the North and the South, who became a part of the Civil War story. In "The Bread and Blood Riots," a group led by Mary Jackson takes to the streets to complain of the high prices for food and their inability to feed their starving familes. There is Farragut's accounting of the fierce battle of Mobile Bay, and the brave Union soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th colored infantry, and finally the moving story, "The Surrender: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee."

The strength of these seven documented stories is found in the vey real and personal accounts of people and events from the North and the South during the Civil War.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

When Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia by Ann Turner

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2003

ISBN: 0060275804

Grade level: Picture book for older children (5th grade content)

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It is the summer of 1776, and the calls for freedom are everywhere. Young Ned's mother's boarding house becomes Mr. Jefferson's lodging place while he works with other colonists in writing the Declaration of Independence.

Through the eyes and ears of Ned we see and hear the story unfold of those moments in history when our country fought for its independence. Ann Turner's words verge on a poetic narrative that "carries" the theme of freedom to the highest level. Mark Hess's exceptional illustrations portray a colonial time when, as the author said, "There was a wild feeling in the air and a fierce wind blowing."

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

Rotten School series by R.L. Stine

This review is for two titles, Lose, Team, Lose! and Shake, Rattle, and Hurl!

Rating: Recommended
2005, HarperCollins, $14.89
Grade Level: 3-4th

R.L. Stine has done it again! These books are fun reads, great for the reluctant reader. Wonderfully funny stories that children will enjoy. The comical illustrations will bring smiles to readers' faces. Add this series to your collection.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Branch

Who Will I Be? A Halloween Rebus Story by Shirley Neitzel

Rating: Additional

2005, Greenwillow Books, $13.89

ISBN: 006056068

Grade Level: Preschool

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Who Will I Be? should keep the interest of a preschooler. The illustrations are fun and very well done. The type is large, with plenty of space between the sentences. A good book to add to your Halloween collection.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Branch

Grandfather's Dance by Patricia MacLachlan

Rating: Recommended
2006, Joanna Cotler, $14.99
ISBN: 0060275618
Grade Level: 3-4
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This is the last of the Sarah, Plain & Tall stories. Well written, and easy to read, with double spacing, and wide borders. The book is a - must have - to complete the collection.

Reviewer: Karen Emerson, OCPL/Costa Mesa Technology Branch

Tripper's Travels: An International Scrapbook by Nancy Kapp Chapman

Rating: Additional

2005, Marshall Cavendish, $16.95

ISBN: 0761452400

Age Level: 5-9

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Canine "Tripper" earns a well stamped passport as he internationally travels from his birthplace of "Dogtown" to ten cities. Flags, stamps, scenic shots, and vocabulary are introduced as the tailed traveller sight sees with tour guides like the Mexican Chihuahua and the French Poodle. Cultures never clash and friendships are founded in this enjoyable voyage. Sentence structure becomes redundant in areas, but content makes amends. Layout and illustrations are attractive, although some of the title fonts fade into the page and Tripper's tail colors get reversed when he visits the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Tripper is a likeable pooch who does well at introducing young readers to far away places.

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, OCPL/Laguna Beach

Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald

Rating: Additional

2006, Roaring Brook Press, $16.95

ISBN: 1596431377

Age Level: 11-15

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Tess Munro, 13 year old soccer chick, puts gumption into more than sports in this “well-rounded girl enters the school of life” story. Author Dawn FitzGerald gets soccer’s kinematics, and brings the reader on and off the field into the life of not easily subdued Tess. As the athletically nimble teenager learns her "soccer chick rules," she also buds friendships, endures conflicts with perky cheerleaders and dancers with purple manicured nails, as she fights to keep school sports intact. As Munro notes "The U.S. Women's Soccer League bit the dust," but in reading at least, there is room and hope for this sporty novel, even with its few cliches. The front cover jacket, however could be improved.

Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Laguna Beach

Nosy Rosie by Holly Keller

Rating: Recommended

2006, Greenwillow, $16.99

ISBN:0060787597

Grade Level: K-2

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Rosie the little fox uses her exceptional sense of smell to help others find things they have lost until they start teasing her, calling her "Nosy Rosie". Because of her hurt feelings, she decides not to make use of her gift anymore until one day, in the woods, she smells powder and soap and finds baby Harry while everyone is frantically searching for him. She is now a hero and all agree to call her just Rosie.The simple words and line and watercolor pictures perfectly convey the intended message - how wrong namecalling is - and might also tempt some preschoolers to discover the many scents of the world around them.

Reviewer: Beatrice Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove

Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur! by Margaret Read MacDonald

Rating: Very Good

2006, Marshall Cavendish, $16.95

ISBN: 0761452257

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A lively Palestinian folktale in which a woman who wishes for a child is given a little cooking pot to love. Mother and child spend nice days together indoors, but soon Little Pot wants to explore the wider world. Her adventures take her to the market and even the king's palace, and every time she manages to roll away with valuable goods under her lid, which she is most reluctant to relinquish. She does receive a stinky comeuppance though, and is made to stay at home until she learns right from wrong. The briskly paced text, repetitive phrases and tumbling rythms, as well as the striking, richly hued and stylized acrylics bordered with Islamic motifs help leaven the didactic message, and make this an enchanting tale to share with all young children.

Reviewer: Beatrice Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove