Bear Dance, by Jan Wahl

Illustrated by Monique Felix

Rating: Recommended

Creative Editions, 2008, $17.95

ISBN: 8791568461991

Age/Grade Level: 4-8

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With Van Gogh-esque illustrations, Felix and Wahl draw the reader into the natural beauty of the wilderness where Bear is dancing, living in freedom and peace. To the adult reader the ominous approach of the tiny caged wagon drawn by two horses signals impending doom. Small men with orange hats capture Bear, shove him in a wagon, and feed him only when he performs their demanded requests. If your goal is to subtly imbue children with respect for nature's freedom, the egregious wrong of dominating and taking against someone's will, then this is the book for you. Circling back to the way things should be, Bear teaches the reader that despite terrible things that happen to you, joy of spirit cannot be destroyed.

Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Floating on Mama's Song: Flotando en la Cancion de Mama, by Laura Lacamara

Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 9780060843687

Age/Grade level: ages 4 to 7

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Simply delightful! Mama loves to sing, and her gift holds a special magic. But sometimes special magic is not understood by everyone. Out of fear and ignorance, negative neighbors pressure Grandma into making Mama promise never to sing again. Told from the young daughter's perspective, we learn how to navigate our way out of misery and oppression. Singing during childhood is a powerful method of expressing emotions that young children may not be capable of articulating. Moreover, Lacamara's text teaches a lesson of self-esteem by juxtoposing the neighbor's negative disapproval against the positive aspects of Mama's singing. Morales' dreamy illustrations soften what could be a pedantic lecture, although Lacamara's lyrical style would not have permitted that either. All in all, an enjoyable bilingual tale that will encourage the Spanish and English learner to read on!

Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer, by Kathleen T. Pelley

Rating: Very Good

Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 9780374347253

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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This unique picture book tells the tale of Magnus Maximus, an old man who likes to measure things. But he doesn't just measure normal things, he likes to measure all kinds of crazy things like the wobbliness of a jellyfish or the itchiness of an itch. The book is nicely illustrated and it's enough unlike a typical picture book that it might be an interesting choice for an older storytime crowd. The story concludes with Magnus realizing that his obsession with measuring things has made him unappreciative of many things around him, such as his friends at a dinner party or the beauty of the ocean. This lesson seemed a little abrupt, especially since his measurements seemed really cool and fun up until practically the end of the book. However, the story is well written and the alliterative sentences and vocabulary make it enjoyable to read aloud.

Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, OCPL/Irvine University Park

Spartacus the Spider, by Etienne Delessert

Rating: Recommended


Creative Editions, 2010, $17.95


ISBN: 9781568462134



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Delessert is without a doubt one of the most talented illustrators, as is evidenced by numerous awards and renowned recognition. So it goes without saying that the contrast between glossy white, charcoal grays, honey browns decorated with soft rose-toned hues, accented occasionally with some fire-engine red makes Spartacus the Spider visually uplifting. Equally uplifting is the story of a young spider imbued with expectations of grandeur by his parents, who discovers through an intricate process of reflection and consideration the rewarding confidence healthy self-esteem supplies. Moreover, Delessert's platform provides considerable topics for discussion depending upon one's viewpoints. His work supplies an arena in which values can be discussed and considered; an excellent method of developing a child's mind.





Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes, by Kelly Milner Halls

Rating: Additional

Greenwillow, 2010, $17.99

ISBN: 9780061772023

Age/Grade Level: Ages 8 and up

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Saving the Baghdad Zoo is a nonfiction account of the almost complete destruction and subsequent rebuilding of the Baghdad Zoo during the war in Iraq. It's written largely from the perspective of Major William Sumner, a U.S. soldier serving in Iraq during the war. He was sent to investigate the conditions of the zoo after it had been virtually abandoned during the conflict. The book is immensely interesting, discussing a topic that we rarely hear about in the news. There is a lot of information about the animals and wonderful photographs throughout, which help convey the immensity of the challenges they faced. This book also shows how saving the Zoo became a uniting force for Iraqis and Americans both working toward the same goal. So while the story is a winner, the writing itself is a little scattered. There is not a whole lot of cohesion between chapters. Some of the more contentious aspects of the story, including the death of one of the tigers by an American soldier, are only touched on briefly. And there are a lot of sidebars and lengthy captions that make the layout crowded and unappealing. Overall, it's an interesting book and would attract readers. But because it's not a topic in high demand, it would probably work best in large library collections.

Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, OCPL/Irvine University Park

Pajama Pirates, by Andrew Kramer

Illustrated by Leslie Lammle

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1251948

Age Range: Ages 4-6

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This simple rhyming book captures the fun of imaginative play. It's bedtime and three children and a dog turn into pirates on the hunt for treasure in a bed-boat. They barely escape with their lives when they meet up with unfriendly pirates and are hopelessly outnumbered. They outwit them by turning their torn sail into a ghost and scaring them off. This brave trio and dog can't escape Mama Nature's final call, so they land their ship and walk the plank to their beds and dream about buried treasure. The double spread watercolor illustrations are perfect with their dreamy quality and soft pastel colors.

Reviewer: Pat Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Branch

Hey, Rabbit by Sergio Ruzzier

Rating: Recommended

Roaring Brook, 2010, $16.99

ISBN: 978-1-59643-502-5

Age Range: Toddler-Kindergarten

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Take a rabbit, add a magical suitcase and rabbit's animal friends, and you have a recipe for an enchanting and delightful read-aloud story for prereaders. "Hey, Rabbit! Is there anything for me in your suitcase?" is the question that greets rabbit as he pushes, carries and pulls his magical suitcase along the grass and individually meets his friends. Of course there is! As the suitcase is opened, each animal friend gets exactly what they want and more. The magic spills onto a double page for each one. A dog wants a bone for his birthday and gets a birthday cake made of bones. A toucan wants a leaf to remind him of home and gets a jungle complete with plants and animals. A bear, cat, mouse, and crab also get what they want. When rabbit wonders if there is anything left for him in the suitcase, he slowly opens it and all his friends come out of it, along with a huge radish. The illustrations are simple and sweet. There is plenty of white space in most pictures. I would highly recommend this book. It will be enjoyed by anyone who has a special wish.

Reviewer: Pat Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Branch