Cake Girl, by David Lucas

Rating: Additional

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $15.95

ISBN: 9780374399092

Age/Grade Level: ages 8-11

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In this bedazzling book, a witch bemoans being--again--alone on her brithday. So she bakes a Cake Girl and tells her to sing and dance and do all the housework. "And then," says the Witch, "I'll eat you." Cake Girl, being bright and clever, manages to turn the tables on the witch with happy results for them both. Deliciously illustrated with cheery pen-and-watercolor artwork that dances across the pages, this magical picture book will enchant young readers, and not just at Halloween.

Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove

Never Ask a Bear, by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud

Illustrated by Doris Barrette

Rating: Additional

Harper, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1128769

Age/Grade level: K-2nd grade

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Bright two-page spreads illustrate the ten "rules" about what not to do when you have a grizzly bear over the play. Bears are apparently very bad houseguests who will break doors, scare siblings, paint on pets and flood the bathroom. The illustrations are fun and lively, showing lots of movement, but the rules don't have that same fun. This would be a fun storytime book because of the silly theme and clear, big pictures, but the ending doesn't have that "pow" factor, and may actually lead kids who are playing attention to ask, "huh?" Good for larger collections and for bear and "what if" storytime themes.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch

Evidence of Angels, by Suza Scalora

Rating: Additional

Harper, 2009, $19.99

ISBN: 9780061243431

Age/Grade Level: Junior High or High School

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In this oversized title, the author uses her personal grief over the loss of her "Gustav" as a jumping point into the discussion of angels. With bright and hazy "photographs" depicting her angel sightings, Scalora describes her experience and interactions with angels and others touched by a mysterious presence. With limited text, mostly descriptions of her walks around the city, letters from other angel-watchers and quotes from a "tattered leather-covered" library book entitled Divine Light: Angels, Scalora introduces different types of angels and their mantras with an almost nonfiction feel. Francesca Lia Block is listed as an additional author, and her name makes this almost odd, spiritual title much more approachable and special. This is an additional title for larger collections to add to their older child/teen sections. Young teens who feel for the world of Weetzie Bat will surely appreciate the world of angels and Scalora's convincing production.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park

Santa's Stowaway, by Brandon Dorman

Rating: Additional

Greenwillow, $16.99, 2009

ISBN: 9780061351884

Age/Grade Level: 3-8 years

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Sam, a new elf in Santa's workshop, asks Santa why Christmas matters. To discover the answer, Sam stows away on Santa's sleigh and actually follows Santa into a house. The little girl who discovers Santa is so pleased with the toy Sam made that Sam realizes what makes Christmas so special for him.

The digital art used as the basis of the illustrations in this picture book has a soft edge, which gives the book an old-time feeling. Brandon Dorman is primarily an illustrator working wiht digital art for book covers, but he also creates a theme appropriate for young children and adults in this particular story. The illustrations are so detailed and engaging, they compete with the story for attention. Be sure to watch for the mouse.

Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley

The Hanukkah Mice, by Steven Kroll

Illustrated by Michelle Shapiro

Rating: Additional

Marshall Cavendish, $14.99, 2008

ISBN: 9780761454281

Age/Grade Level: 4-8 years

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A picture book about the Hanukkah tradition of gift-giving to children. The mouse brother and sister are amazed when the human girl receives a doll house just the right size for a mouse family the first night of Hanukkah. Each night after, the new present is furnishings for the doll house. The eighth night, the gift is a miniature menorah. The mice are having so much fun, they are not even aware the girl is watching them enjoy the doll house.

The simple, colorful illustrations by Michelle Shapiro do not detract from the story's theme. This story is simpler than Steven Kroll's Will You Be My Valentine? holiday book, but it also deals with how children look at holiday giving, in a story that addresses the way adults help young children learn the meaning of different holidays. This is a good selection for young children about the traditions of Hanukkah and gift giving.

Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley

Duck for Turkey Day, by Jacqueline Jules

Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter

Rating: Very Good

Albert Whitman, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-8075-1734-5

Age/Grade Level: Ages 5-8

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This is a story of the traditional American holiday, Thanksgiving, through the eyes of a young Vietnamese girl whose family traditions vary from those of some of her classmates. It tells of her desire to have turkey on Turkey Day rather than her well-loved family tradition, duck. The heartwarming conclusion gives insight into the many other traditional meals had by American children at Thanksgiving other than turkey. It is cultural understanding delivered to an early school-age audience. The illustrations are bright and soft. This is a story children can relate to and will follow easily.

Reviewer: Elisabeth Ellis, OCPL/Stanton

The Cat's Tale: Why the Years Are Named For Animals, by Doris Orgel

Illustrated by Meilo So

Rating: Marginal

Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $17.95

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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The story is a children's version of how the Chinese calendar was named for twelve different animals. Willow, a young girl, is told the story by her grandmother until the little girl's precocious cat, Mao, takes over the telling. The story tells of the race between the animals to be named an animal of the Chinese calendar. The writing style of the author is somewhat difficult to follow, and I think the book will have a hard time keeping the attention of young readers. it is too wordy for a storytime, and the illustrations are presented in a very busy manner. The traditional tale is interrupted several times by the search for Willow's stuffed pig, creating more confusion within the book.

Reviewer: Elisabeth Ellis, OCPL/Stanton

Merry Christmas, Splat, by Rob Scotton

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780060831608

Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7

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Scotton's vibrant illustrations are melted-crayon colorful against the black and white backdrop, inviting any young reader to pet Splat because he looks so darn soft and fluffy. It's nearing Christmas, and Splat, with help from his loyal friend Seymour the rat, is writing a letter to Santa because it's very important to let Santa know what to bring you. However, Splat's confidence in his good behavior is shaken by his incredulous little sister; so in an endeavor to assuage his growing doubts, he begins to do chores around the house. For example, Splat washes all the dishes: problem is, the dishes aren't dirty! And when he opens the front door to shovel the snow, well, you guessed it, the snow splats all over Splat. Scotton's comedic timing places Splat in near misses and almost catastrophes that any child (or adult for that matter) can relate to in this sweet tale of personal expectations and rewards.

Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Mystery Vine, by Cathryn Falwell

Rating: Recommended

Greenwillow Books, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061771989

Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7

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Perfect for Toddler Storytime, Falwell's simple rhymes accompany colorwheel brightness, while imparting a soft, earthy tone essence of nature as Mom, brother, sister, and even the family dog plant lots of seeds, watch them grow and pull the weeds. Do employ dialogic reading and have your kids point out the intricacies Falwell places on each page, from the tiny red ladybug crawling across the growing mystery vine to the small yellow butterfly accenting the sky above. In cumulative style, Falwell presents the seasons cycles while simultaneously offering a simple lesson in fruits and vegetables (and no, they don't all come from the grocery store!). As a special bonus, Falwell includes recipes, gardening fun with simple, easy-to-follow instructions, and while this reviewer is no fool and not about to give away the identity of the mystery vine, let's just say that it rhymes with bumpkin. You are absolutely never going to guess!

Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Michelle, by Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrated by AG Ford

Rating: Additional

Katherine Tegen Books, 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1827396

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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Michelle is presented as a picture book biography of First Lady Michelle Obama. The book covers information about Mrs. Obama from her birth through the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The book includes colorful illustrations of Michelle Obama throughout important periods in her life. At the end of the book is an author's note with additional details about Mrs. Obama's life.

As a book for young children, this is a good introduction to information about the First Lady. The book solely presents a positive side of Michelle Obama, but for young children researching her or trying to learn about her, it gives good background about her life and history. The color illustrations are detailed and give warmth to the book, which keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read more about the First Lady.

Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch

Tyrannoclaus, by Janet Lawler

Illustrated by John Shroades

Rating: Marginal

HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1170546

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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Tyrannoclaus is the story of a Tyrannosaurus Rex serving as a dino-version of Santa Claus for all the dinosaur children. It follows the model of the classic holiday tale 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. In this fractured version of the tale, Tyrannoclaus and his helpers are busy preparing for Christmas when the volcano crater they are working in begins to erupt. Tyrannoclaus and his helpers must rush to escape impending doom and safely deliver gifts to all the young dinosaurs.

What child doesn't love T-Rex and Christmas? Well, I think a child who experienced this book might find it a big disappointing. The cover art for this book made me very hopeful, but when I started reading it I was disappointed by the contrived rhyming that was used so that the story would mimic the classic, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I am sure young children will appreciate the illustrations in the book, with brightly colored dinosaurs, but the text and flow of the story are lacking in what could have been a great picture book.

Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch