A Penguin Story, by Antoinette Portis

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 9780061456886

Age/Grade Level: Primary

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Edna the penguin, who lives in the Antarctic, wants to see something else in her life but white, black, and blue. So she goes on an expedition to find that something else. On Antarctica there aren't many other colors. Portis's illustrations are simple yet jump off the page. The book could be a tie in to talking about the Antarctica Scott Base, which is where the author has based the book. Portis's other books, Not a Box and Not a Stick were winners with this reviewer, and so is A Penguin Story.

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

Chihuahua: Senor Tiny, by Natalie Lunis

Rating: Recommended

Bearport, 2009, $17.99
ISBN: 1597167436
Age/Grade Level: K-3

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This book offers a combination of true heroic dog tales, historical references to the ancestors of the Chihuahua, and famous owners of this tiny dog. Delightful photographs and brief descriptions provide useful information about the character and habits of this fragile animal. The "dress-up" dog pictures will bring a smile, and when the reader is finished, he will know a great deal about this special little dog. The book feaures excellent photographs, as well as interesting sidebars, a glossary, and a list of online references.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

Presidents' Day, by Anne Rockwell

Illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell

Rating: Very Good

HarperCollins, 2008, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-050-2

Age/Grade Level: K-2

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Students decide to put on a "Presidents' Day" assembly program showing the rest of the school what they learned about the presidents. They chose the four presidents on Mount Rushmore. Charlie played Abe Lincoln, and Nicholas sat at a desk and wrote just like Jefferson. Guess how Jessica portrayed the "galloping" Teddy Roosevelt. Back in Mrs. Madoff's classroom, the students conduct their own election for class president. A simple introduction to voting, and a few pertinent facts about each of the four great presidents on Rushmore are included.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

Trudy, by Henry Cole

HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99
ISBN: 978-0061542671
Age/Grade Level: 4-8 years

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Esme’s grandfather had promised to buy her a pet at the county auction. None of the farm animals up for auction seemed to be right. The pigs were too stinky; the Holstein cow was too big. A sign on a wooden fence read “Trudy”, Free to a Good Home. Esme peeked over the wooden fence and found the perfect pet—a goat! Trudy took up residence in a small red barn in her grandparents' little yard right next to the apple tree. Esme took good care of Trudy. She seemed like an ordinary goat until one day when she showed a talent for predicting snow. Soon her talent for being a goat weather-forecaster became known to the neighbors and the local newspaper and TV channel. One day as the neighbors gathered, the TV channel set up cameras near Trudy’s small red barn and the newpaper reporter stood ready, Trudy went into the barn as usual before a snowfall. This time it didn’t snow. Soon everyone left, disappointed. Esme was concerned that Trudy was sick. But the next day Esme found out why Trudy stayed in the barn. She gave birth to a baby.

Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch

Pele: King of Soccer/El Rey del Futbol, by Monica Brown

Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Rayo, 2008, $17.99

ISBN: 978-0061227790

Age/Grade Level: 8-12 years

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Illustrated with pictures by Rudy Guierrez that look like they are moving on the page, author Monica Brown writes a picture book biography for young readers of Pele, the king of soccer. Pele was born in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. His family was so poor that he sometimes worked shining shoes and selling meat pies to help them. He would play soccer with his father every night in the streets. He would also play soccer with his friends using a grapefruit or a sock stuffed with newspapers to substitute for a soccer ball. When Pele and his friends started a soccer team, they were called the "Barefoot Team" by opposing teams because no one on Pele's team could afford shoes. As a teenager, Pele tried out for a professional team. At age 15, he was playing professional soccer. A satisfying true rags-to-riches story about the king of soccer.

Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch

Good Dog, Aggie, by Lori Ries

Illustrated by Frank Dormer
Rating: Recommended
Charlesbridge, 2009, $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-57091-645-8
Age/Grade Level: 4-7 years

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Fanciful and animated illustrations carry the young reader through the fitful relationship of good dog Aggie, who needs a little training, and young Ben, who is trying his best to teach his dog to obey.

When even the Dog Training School sends Aggie home, it's up to Ben to teach Aggie to "sit," "stay" and fetch a ball. Is success around the corner? An early chapter book with an action-packed narrative.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

Quiet in the Garden, by Aliki

Rating: Recommended

Greenwillow, 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-155208-3

Age/Grade Level: 3-7 years

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The strength of this book is in the illustrations that create a beautiful and colorful design of a lovely garden of flowers, bushes, berries, and trees. A young boy listens to the sounds of the birds and watches the work of the snails, butterflies, and other insects and animals that visit here. His many questions are answered as he closely oberves the "life" in the garden.

End page provides ideas on how to "Make Your Own Quiet Garden."

This book is a reflection of Aliki's keen interest as a gardener, who, as her biography states, was afraid of worms!

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant

Oh, Brother! by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Mike Benny

Rating: Very Good
Greenwillow, 2008, $17.89
ISBN: 9780688172954

Age/Grade Level: Elementary school

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This collection of short poems is told from the point of view of a young boy named Xavier. When his mother gets remarried, Xavier doesn’t like that he has to share everything with his new stepbrother, Chris. What he doesn’t realize is that Chris is extremely shy and dealing with a lot of grief over missing his own mother. The poems capture a lot of the difficult feelings children experience when families are merged together such as tension, jealousy, and loss. But the poems also capture the friendship that develops between the boys and many of the good things about getting new family members. Eventually, Xavier gives Chris a chance, realizing that Chris is not trying to steal his place. In the end, the boys are brought together by their shared experience and genuinely come to appreciate one another. This is a good book for elementary-age kids because it isn’t too heavy. In spite of the seriousness of the subject, there is a lot of humor and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. The poetry format works very well because it keeps the text on each page to a minimum and the progression of time seems natural without a lot of explanation. This is a good choice for libraries needing more books in their collection about step-families.

Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park

Let It Begin Here! April 19, 1775, the day the American Revolution began, by Don Brown

Rating: Additional

Flash Point, 2008, $17.95

ISBN: 9781596432215

Age/Grade Level: Elementary school

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This nonfiction book discusses some of the events that led up to the American Revolution as well as several of the battles fought during the war. The text is very short and concise, with illustrations on every page. This might prove to be confusing when determining the appropriate reading level, because while the text is simple and there are lots of juvenile illustrations, the subject matter makes it more appropriate for older readers. There are many references to death and violence, and the pictures show fallen and bloodied soldiers. The author lists names, dates, and number of casualties for most of the battles mentioned. However, there is little substance beyond the details. There is almost no mention of what is taking place in the government during the Revolution or the consequences of the War. Because of this, it would not be a good recommendation for students who need information for reports on the American Revolution. It is more suited for students who are reading for pleasure. But since the topic is not broadly appealing, this title is not a necessary addition to the library collection unless patrons have been requesting more books on this subject.

Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park