Hugo & Miles in I've Painted Everything, by Scott Magoon

Rating: Recommended
Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $16.00
ISBN: 0-618-6438-8
Age Level: 3-6 years
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Scott Magoon's illustrations are colorful and cute and the story he tells is well written. The story is about Hugo the elephant who is an artist that thinks he has painted everything. His friend Miles takes him on a business trip to Paris. There Hugo sees the world in different ways.

Reviewer: Kim Bell, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch

Patches and Scratches by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Simply Sarah series)

Rating: Recommended

Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $14.99

ISBN: 978-0-761453475

Age Level: 6-8 years

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This book would be an excellent one to give a child who has ever wanted a pet. The large text makes the book easy to read, and the illustrations are fun as well. A good transitional book for children who are ready for a chapter book. Sarah wants to help her friend Peter find a pet that he can keep in the apartment he and his Grandmother live in. The only problem is Peter wants a dog and there are no dogs allowed in the apartment complex they live in.

Reviewer: Kim Bell, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch

Lungs: Your Respiratory System by Seymour Simon

Rating: Recommended
Collins, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0060546540
Age Level: 4-8 years


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This tutorial on the human respitory system is very informative. Colorful pictures of the body's inner workings lend great visual explanations that mix well with the text. The text itself is large and reader friendly, helping the it to remain easy to follow. This is a great way for anyone to learn about lungs, and I believe it would succeed in keeping a young person's attention.



Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Had Gadya by Michael Strassfeld

Illustrated by Seymour Chwast
Rating: Additional

Roaring Brook, 2007, $15.99

ISBN: 978-0-7614-5353-6

Age Level: 4-8 years

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In his afterward, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld writes that Had Gadya was designed to provoke the interest of children. While this story may not circulate well in a public library, it certainly is interesting and educational, in a very simple way. Through light-hearted singing and childlike illustration, a symbolic tale of Jewish belief and survivial through the ages is told. The ending may turn some off, but it is the most impactful way to portray this Jewish folk song.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold

Illustrated by Mary Peterson

Rating: Not Recommended

Charlesbridge, 2007, $12.95

ISBN: 978-1596431362

Age Level: 4-8 years

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There seems to be neither a point nor a coherency to this book. The characters are flat and uninteresting, and there are too few lessons to be learned from their adventures. Because the main characters are worms, the illustrations are equally uninteresting. Also, the chapters do not seem to end at satisfactory points or flow well as an overall story. The only real positive thing that can be said for this book is the worm facts on the final page, which at least offer some education if not entertainment.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Alaska by Shelley Gill

Illustrated by Patrick J. Endres

Rating: Recommended
Charlesbridge, 2007, $6.95
ISBN: 978-0881062939

Age Level: 4-8 years
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This is a great book to learn not only about the beauty of Alaska, but also the importance of conservation. The latter is a subtle message that does not beat the reader about the head like other similar tales. I learned many new facts about Alaska, and have a whole new respect for the land. The gorgeous photographs and laugh-out-loud "Cheechako Tips" help make this book almost as fun as it is educational. The short poems that go with each new topic are another great bonus. This is a very good book for Alaska state reports or just casual learning.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Show Horses by Margaret Fetty

Rating: Recommended

Bearport, 2007, $25.27

ISBN: 978-1597163996
Age Level: 9-12 years

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It is clear in the book that the author is passionate about horses. Informative yet easy to follow, this is a lovely book that offers an inside look at the world of competitive horse racing. The corresponding photos, vocabulary words, and fast facts add icing to the cake. This is a great book that will both educate and intrigue readers.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Custard Surprise by Bernard Lodge

Illustrated by Tim Bowers

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2007, $16.89
ISBN: 978-0-06-073688-0

Age Level: 4-8 years
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An excellent book for children who are just starting to read on their own. Big, widely spaced text makes it especially new reader friendly. The story itself is silly, and added with the comical illustrations it becomes downright funny. It is a great book to entertain children and hopefully make them want to read more.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Cassie Was Here by Caroline Hickey

Rating: Additional

Roaring Brook, 2007, $16.95

ISBN: 978-1596432055

Age Level: 8-12 years

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The characters in this book are very well developed, especially that of the title character Cassie. Written from the eyes of the lonely and younger Bree, Cassie is especially frightening in her confidence and lack of regard for the rules. The reader will cringe a number of times right along with Bree as Cassie turns her life upside down. Each of the other characters is almost equally as relatable, and this story takes the adult reader right back into their own preadolescence. I recommend this book to the savvy young reader, and even to their parents.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Every Season by Shelley Rotner and Anne Love Woodhull

Rating: Additional
Roaring Brook, 2007, $16.95
ISBN: 978-1596431362
Age Level: 4-8 years
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Visually, this book is beautiful. Unfortuantely, many children may not appreciate this as much as an adult, or even a photographer, would. In fact, this book does feel like a photographic indulgence rather than a book aimed at getting a child's attention. However, the small amount of text nicely pulls things together, and this book brings the imagination right into the seasons of topic. Overall, this book is worth adding to the collection, but it may not have a high rate of circulation.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Emma Dilemma and the Two Nannies by Patricia Hermes

Illustrated by Vera Soki

Rating: Marginal
Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5353-6
Age Level: 9-12 years
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I have seen this character of Emma Dilemma be compared to Junie B. and Ramona, but I feel that Emma is much less entertaining. While Emma has the same types of thoughts and feelings as many children her age, she lacks that extra spark that both Junie and Ramona have. This lack of spark carries throughout the story, which is too long for the end result. The ending has a very nice message, but one that was simple enough to not need over 100 pages of almost humorless misadventure. Overall, this Emma Dilemma tale feels like real life, and what is the purpose of reading the ordinary?

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The Terrible Storm by Carol Otis Hurst

Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Rating: Not Recommended
Greenwillow, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0060090012
Age Level: 5-8 years
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Terrible Storm is an example of an adult indulgent story that would be of little or no interest to children. The characterization is clever, especially by the end. However, this cleverness may either not be understood or be of no consequence to the young reader. The illustrations go well with the story, but lack any sort of liveliness that might have possibly saved the story from losing a child's interest. Also, these same illustrations are at times too detailed, including close-up drawings of the main characters that almost make them look frightening. Overall, it seems that the writer wanted to share a story that would have best been left as an oral tradition within her own family. I do not see a story of this type circulating well within a library.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The Storm: Students of Biloxi, Mississippi, Remember Hurricane Katrina by Barbara Barbieri McGrath

Illustrated by Biloxi Public School children

Rating: Recommended

Charlesbridge, 2006, $18.95

ISBN: 978-1580891738

Age Level: 4-8 years

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This is an extremely powerful book for both children and adults. The testaments from the children who lived through Katrina are gripping, and really help to bring this disaster into reality for those of us who did not live through it. The illustrated depictions of Katrina made by the children are equally as compelling. This is an excellent book to help explain to a child about the devastation caused by Katrina, or any natural disaster. I highly recommend this for every library's collection, as well as for every home.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The Growing Story by Ruth Krauss

Rating: Additional
HarperCollins, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0060247164
Age Level: 4-8 years
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This book may be good for reading to any child who is anxious or curious about growing up. A simple story, with illustrations to match, it offers no memorable characters or plotline. For this reason, it may not be suitable for keeping children's attention during storytime. However, it would be a nice, calm read for bedtime.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Dear Miss Perfect: A Beast's Guide to Proper Behavoir by Sandra Dutton

Rating: Marginal

Houghton Mifflin, 2007, $16.00

ISBN: 978-0618677177

Age Level: 4-8 years

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Two things struck me before I even started reading the story: the different fonts are too light and hard to read, and illustrations are too pastel and do not add anything to the story. The story itself is cute often comical, and even has a great message about being polite. However, because it is a series of questioning letters and answers from Miss Perfect, there is no cohesive tale that runs throughout. Also, the ending is a bit depressing when we find out that Miss Perfect is lonely. Overall, the nature of the book alone almost guarantees that only girls would be interested, and without a real story here, even they may lose interest.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale by Helen Ketterman

Illustrated by Diane Greenseid

Rating: Very Good
Albert Whitman, 2007, $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-8075-8687-7
Age Level: 4-8 years

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An adorable Texas-twang twist on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk fariy tale. This book may be somewhat lengthy for storytime, but there is never a dull moment. I especially appreciate both the Texas vibe and the use of a female in the role traditionally played by Jack. The illustrations are as lively as the characters, especially the close-up picture of the giant. This book is a solid addition to your children’s collection.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies

Illustrated by Lee White
Rating: Additional

Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-7614-5331-4

Age Level: 4-8 years
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The idea of your house indulging in a vacation when you do is certainly inventive and intriguing. This is a satisfying story, though perhaps a bit too full of jokes that children may not understand. The illustrations are entertaining, like the faces drawn onto various parts of the house, but the colors are a bit boring. This book has a tidy ending, though again, it may go over the younger children's heads. Overall, not a must read but certainly a nice children's story.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli

Illustrated by Glin Dibley

Rating: Additional
Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5333-8
Age Level: 4-8 years

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This story is inventive, and even somewhat cute, but somehow it also seems a bit gross to me. Children are dirty, but turning their bath water various colors is a greater level of filth. That aside, this book does succeed in giving the adult reader a chance to re-live one week in the life of a child. This book would only work for storytime if the reader practiced with the rhyme scheme. There are lots of things to see within the illustrations on each page, and this book could be lots of fun at bedtime.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Dog and Bear by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Rating: Marginal
Roaring Brook Press, 2007, $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-59643-053-2
Age Level: 3-7 years

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An overly simplistic story, even for a children's book. It has three distinct sections, yet each one is short and lacking in substance. The illustrations are lively and original, but the same cannot be said either the characters or the story itself. Overall, not entertaining enough to keep the reader's interest.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

King Puck by Michael Garland

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2007, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-084809-5

Age Level: 4-8 years
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This beautifully illustrated story offers both a taste of Irish culture and an appreciation for books. It is a sweet story throughout, though possibly just a bit too sappy. Overall, worthy of adding to your library collection and even good for storytime use.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Shells! Shells! Shells! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Rating: Very Good
Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-76145332-1
Age Level: 5-8 years

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This story is both entertaining and very informative. Though it comes close to overloading on facts at times, the liveliness and realism of the "bear-child" character saves this book from becoming too dull for young readers. Due to the length and relative complexity of the topic, Shells! is not storytime material. However, it is a wonderful book for teaching children about seashells and ocean life.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library