The Last Polar Bear, by Jean Craighead George

Illustrated by Wendell Minor

Rating: Additional

Harpercollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061240676

Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten and up

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Beautiful illustrations. Mini-lesson on the results of global warming and pollution. A little bit preachy for the adult readers, it manages to touch on endangered species, gender stereotypes, pollution, the theory of global warming and its ultimate impact. Aka, the young Native American, and his grandmother take in an orphaned polar bear cub to teach it how to "survive in a changing world." Good intentions, but are they doing the bear any favors by bringing him nto contact with the people and living with them? Would he be able to return to the wild and survive after that? All sorts of questions about the real value of taking in a wild animal to have humans teach him how to survive in the new world are raised, and not really addressed.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra

Big George: How a shy boy became President Washington, by Anne F. Rockwell

Illustrated by Matt Phelan

Rating: Recommended

Harcourt, 2009, $17.00

ISBN: 9780152165833

Age/Grade level: Kindergarten and up

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Great illustrations and a very accessible telling of the important events in the life of young George Washington, leading to his growing up to become the Commander of the American Revolutionary Army, and the first President of the United States. Makes George an interestng person, and young readers and listeners will remember his story of service and patriotism. A rare readable book that can be used for Presidents' Day and on other special occasions.

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra

Be a Genie in Six Easy Steps, by Linda Chapman and Steve Cole

Rating: Very Good

Harper, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061252198

Age/Grade Level: 4th Grade and up

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A fun, old-fashioned story about four chidlren in a new combined family becoming a family, as they deal with relocation from London to a small English village and they find a magical book. In that book is an enchanted bookworm, who guides them through the steps and rules of being a real genie. While the children show real aptitude, they have to deal with the moral and ethical aspects about granting worthy wishes and how to select the best way to do it. No Harry Potter, but a good read with a satisfactory conclusion that gives the reader something to think about!

Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra

Day-Glo Brothers: The true story of Bob and Joe Switzer's bright ideas and brand-new colors, by Chris Barton

Illustrated by Tony Persiani

Rating: Recommended

Charlesbridge, 2009, $18.95

ISBN: 978-1-57091673-1

Age/Grade Level: grades 2-5

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This book is hard to ignore. Not only is it about the development of fluorescent pigments, but the eye-popping tones are liberally used in the book design and illustrations. Chris Barton's clever text chronicles how an interest in ultraviolet light led Bob and Joe Switzer to what they called "Day-Glo" paint in 1938. It took years, but as Joe would say, "If just one experiment out of a thousand succeeds, then you're ahead of the game." Tony Persiani's cartoonish illustrations have just the right retro feel for this light-hearted but inspiring story.

Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro

Built by Angels: The story of the old-new synagogue, by Mark Podwal

Rating: Very Good

Harcourt, 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 978-0-15-2066789

Age/Grade Level: Grades 1-3

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The old-new synagogue in Prague is the oldest standing synagogue in Europe. Author Podwal has spun together some of the legends that have sprung up about this historic building: that angels built it from stones originally from the destroyed temple in Jerusalem, that a golem is locked in the attic. The brightly painted illustrations in the manner of Chagall evoke the dreamlike mood. Some of the elements (like the golem) are glossed over so quickly that a reader not already familiar with Jewish folklkore might be confused. But overall, this is an evocative, poetic tribute to a special place.

Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro

Pussycat's Christmas, by Margaret Wise Brown

Illustrated by Anne Mortimer

Rating: Additional

Katherine Tegen Books, 2009, $9.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-186978-5

Age/Grade Level: Ages 5-9

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Before you buy this, check if you might already have it in your collection. Although this is the "first paper-over-board edition," it has the same illustrations by Anne Mortimer as an edition from 1994. Very fine illustrations they are, too. Pussycat's bright yellow eyes shine, and her finely rendered fur gleams. The text by Margaret Wise Brown is copyrighted 1949 and has some similarities to "The Golden Egg Book," but the story is more rambling and less satisfying than that classic. The main appeal will be to cat lovers who will enjoy the kitty's-eye view of the Christmas season.

Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro

Winter Trees, by Carole Gerber

Illustrated by Leslie Evans

Rating: Additional

Charlesbridge, 2008, $15.95

ISBN: 9781580891684

Age/Grade level: Ages 4-7

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A young boy and his dog take a walk in the snow; he uses sight and touch to observe how--bare of leaves--many trees have strikingly different and easily recognizable shapes.

The simple poetic text and the linear illustrations--a mix of lenoleum block prints, watercolors, and collage--convey a subtle appreciation of nature which this lovely, quiet book can foster in young children on a one-to-one basis, in primary classrooms, or even effectively presented in a storytime.

Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove

What's Coming for Christmas? by Kate Banks

Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben

Rating: Additional

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2009, $15.99

ISBN: 9780374399481

Age/Grade Level: Preschool-2nd grade

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It is Christmastime on the farm, and both humans and animals are filled with anticipation. The suspense mounts as the pages unfold: "Something was coming," but although the children might guess that Christmas was approaching, what is happening among the animals will come as a wonderful surprise.

This tender story beautifully illustrated with soft-focus acrylic drawings, which could almost have been done by children, strikes just the right note between realism and wonder. A lovely addition to the Yule season books.

Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove

Pharoah's Boat, by David Weitzman

Rating: Recommended
Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $18.00
ISBN: 9780547053417
Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12

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With poetic language and striking illustrations, David Weitzman chronicles the story of how one of the greatest boats of Ancient Egypt came to be built -- and built again, after a miraculous find at the great pyramid of Giza led to its excavation and reconstruction.

Fascinatingly written and enriched with myriads of meticulous drawings, the book unfolds like a mystery and reveals a tantalizing portrait of this glorious age in Eyptian history.

Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove

The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow, by Sean Callahan

Illustrated by Nancy Cole

Rating: Additional

Albert Whitman, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0807544549

Age/Grade Level: K-2nd Grade

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Colleen's grandfather is getting ready to play his bagpipes in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, when the rain threatens to ruin the day. While she plays her little green pennywhistle, a little leprechaun pops out and asks for her help in making a rainbow so they can stop the rain and find his gold. With Colleen's help, and her special whistle, together the two make a rainbow and save the day. Colleen is rewarded for her generosity, and the parade can go on. Though this sweet story is a little too text-heavy for a rave review, it provides a nice way to introduce colors, the concept of rainbows, and cultural significance with references to Irish traditions and myth. Good for larger library and holiday collections.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park