The Naming of Tishkin Silk, by Glenda Millard

Illustrated by Patrice Barton
Rating: Very Good
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $15.99
ISBN: 99780374354817
Age/Grade Level: Grades 3-5

View this book on Amazon

Griffin Silk is the youngest member of the Silk family, an almost ethereal family in a small town. He is attending real school for the first time because his mother has "gone away," and though he draws quite a bit of attention because of his rather eccentric family, he makes a friend in Layla, a sweet classmate who wears a daisy-chain crown. As the two become friends, Layla breaks Griffin's fragile shell and learns the details of his family's silence as to why their mom lives somewhere else and why there was once a baby sister whose crib lays empty. At only 100 pages with large margins and pictures, this is a quiet and sweet story of grief, forgiveness and family. A great pick for parent and child to read together and discuss.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park

My Garden, by Kevin Henkes

Greenwillow, 2010, $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-171518-1
Age/Grade Level: Preschool/Kindergarten
Rating: Very Good

View this book on Amazon

Mother has a garden, but this unique garden is the product of a young girl's imagination. This one would have no weeds and the flowers would never die. There would be chocolate rabbits, birds and sea shells. "What are you doing?" asks mother. "Oh, nothing," I say. "Just working in my garden." Simple text is a strong match to the corresponding illustrations.

I read this to a preschooler the other day, and she was animated and all smiles.

Reviewer: Jane Yarborough, Library consultant

Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks, by Barbara Joose

Illustrated by Rick Chrustowski
Greenwillow, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-075043-5

Age/Grade Level: 2-5 years

Rating: Very Good

View this book on Amazon

Mama stays very busy keeping her seven new chicks from getting into trouble in a very busy barnyard. The reader will delight in all the "animal sounds" that punctuate this delightful tale. In the end pages, the illustrator shares her experiences raising young chicks, and the inspiration for trying a new art form -- collage. It also provides a great model for a fun art activity.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library consultant

Who Would Like a Christmas Tree? by Ellen Bryan Obed

Illustrated by Anne Hunter
Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00
ISBN: 978-0-547-04625-9
Age/Grade Level: K-3rd grade
Rating: Recommended



View this book on Amazon


A Christmas tree farm is home to all kinds of animals. It depends upon which month of the year, from January to December, that you visit the farm. You will catch sight of these wonderful woodland creatures feasting on the roots and pine nuts, feeding their young and spinning webs. We learn about the habits of bucks and fawns, woodchucks and wild turkeys. But, "Who would like a Christmas tree in December?" "We would!" answer the happy children and their parents.


At the end of the book, a month-by-month plan describes how a Christmas tree farmer takes care of her farm. Bright and bold colored illustrations greatly enhance the theme of the story.


Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library consultant

The Inside Tree, by Linda Smith

Illustrated by David Parkins

HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99

ISBN 98-0-06-029818-0

Grade/Age: 4-8 years
Rating: Very Good

View this book on Amazon

A fanciful tale about Mr. Potter, his dog, and what happens when he brings the lone tree from his yard into his house. when it grows and grows, Mr. Potter decides to make some changes in his living quarters. The colorful and "busy" illustrations give the reader many opportunities to identify the numerous happy "winged visitors" that find a home in Mr. Potter's house.

Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Educational Consultant