tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8803936727488366822011-09-13T07:21:24.926-07:00Book reviews contributed by participating librarians throughout the Santiago Library SystemSLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-88033424925348368872011-03-17T19:32:00.000-07:002011-03-17T19:41:15.293-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWNgk8R0i0g/TYLGKx-IFFI/AAAAAAAAAjk/JEm5iszllHI/s1600/hothouse.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585244376407741522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWNgk8R0i0g/TYLGKx-IFFI/AAAAAAAAAjk/JEm5iszllHI/s200/hothouse.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>HarperTeen, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-167379-5</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Younger teen</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hothouse-Novel-Chris-Lynch/dp/006167379X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1300415968&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Life is not so straightforward in Chris Lynch's <em>Hothouse</em>. Russ and DJ, friends since boyhood, are bonded by the fact that both of their fathers are firefighters. Both fathers die together in what the town extols as heroism. Russ copes with a flood of memories and a tangled, twisted heap of smoldering emotion. Characters are all too real. Lynch knows the nuances of coping with tragedy and portrays the unfolding events with skill. The town that once heralded the boys' fathers as fallen heroes begins to learn trughts that knock the dead men off their pedestals. Recommended for the right reader, who has an interest in real, gritty, teenage boy <em>bildungsroman</em>. </div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, OCPL/Laguna Beach</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-8803342492534836887?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-71886148401210332362011-03-17T19:28:00.000-07:002011-03-17T19:32:44.066-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgllI3GHCbc/TYLEBfGmGEI/AAAAAAAAAjc/KeLjP4K2eOE/s1600/prairiewinter.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585242017700911170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgllI3GHCbc/TYLEBfGmGEI/AAAAAAAAAjc/KeLjP4K2eOE/s200/prairiewinter.jpg" /></a>Rating: Additional <div>Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, $16.00</div><div>ISBN: 9780618685882</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Grades 4-6</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prairie-Winter-Bonnie-Geisert/dp/061868588X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1300415523&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>With the wild winter we have been having, this book's subject matter is stilli topical even though it is set in the 1950's. Rachel and her family, who live on a farm, get cut off by severe blizzards. She and her two older sisters are allowed to move into a motel in town so they can continue school. The story, as were the earlier titles Prairie Summer and Lessons, is based on autho Bonnie Geisert's memories of growing up in South Dakota. Unfortunately, it reads more like a memoir than a novel; characters are only sketchily developed and the overall writing style is wooden.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7188614840121033236?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-14023012972847990872011-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-28T08:00:00.542-08:00Rating: Very Good<br />Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00<br />ISBN: 9780618507511<br />Age/Grade Level: ages 5-8<br /><br />View this book on Amazon<br /><br />In this extensively researched book, Micucci's bright eye-popping colors will have even the reluctant learner busy reading about corn. In fourteen informational chapters with such clever titles as "An A-Maize-ing Grain", Micucci presents corn's history in small kernels of information. Chapters are two pages in length; each page beginning with a seven-sentence introduction; with four bright pictures identified with a one-sentence explanation/definition. In short: at no time in this book will a beginning reader become overwhelmed. Even if they might, the corn yellows and vibrant greens will certainly hold their attention. Moreover, The Life and Time of Corn does not make the mistake of rendering itself potentially obsolete by dating itself--"corn of today"--which in ten years will no longer be pertinent, but rather informs the reader from an historical/informational perspective. Well written and charming; a must for your reference section.<br /><br />Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo Library<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1402301297284799087?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-66855997960388757312011-01-27T19:08:00.000-08:002011-01-27T19:16:56.154-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUI1FBg03hI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/RQ5LLwhh4EM/s1600/ascendant.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 136px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567070449805090322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUI1FBg03hI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/RQ5LLwhh4EM/s200/ascendant.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>HarperTeen, 2010, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061490026</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 14 and up</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ascendant-Diana-Peterfreund/dp/0061490024/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1296184428&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Astrid is a unicorn hunter, as were most of her female relatives. She joined before she finished high school, but now she is feeling trapped at the Cloisters in Rome. her boyfriend is going to college in New York and her friend Cory seems to be losing her sensitivity for unicorn hunting. Her mother has become a unicorn consultant. The Order of the Lioness at the Cloisters hunts unicorns who have killed people and Astrid is beginning to doubt her commitment. An offer for Astrid comes from Gordian headquarters in France, where staff are trying to find the mixture for the "Remedy" which can cure unicorn poison.</div><br /><div></div><div>Unicorns, good or bad, can be approached only by virgins. Teens will like Astrid, who struggles between wanting to help the hunters and wanting to lead a normal life. The background details of the Order of the Lioness are a mix of mythology and fairy tale. The conclusion of the story is surprising. This book may do for unicorns what vampires did for the teen reading craze. This is a sequel to <em>Rampant</em> but can be read alone.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6685599796038875731?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-23725237128203408222011-01-27T18:50:00.000-08:002011-01-27T18:55:28.303-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUIv4BQiqZI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LULfd9CW-XI/s1600/Black-Hole-Sun.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567064728840350098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUIv4BQiqZI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LULfd9CW-XI/s200/Black-Hole-Sun.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Greenwillow Books, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0061673047</div><div>Age/Grade Level: YA</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Hole-David-Macinnis-Gill/dp/0061673048/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1296183282&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>Earth has been decimated by a plague. Mars is in the process of being terraformed so that at the present time, the air and water of Mars are barely capable of supporting life. Mars resembles earth's wild west where kidnapping, assault and murder are common and no one is to be trusted. Durangeo is a mercenary--ahired gun but with a difference. He has an AI called Mimi flash-cloned to his brain, the latest in armor and weapons, and a conscience. Nonstop action and the bodies pile up as Durango and his crew of misfits are in a battle to the death against the Queen of Mars and her army of Draeu--DNA experiments gone wrong.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2372523712820340822?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-41779818235169741882011-01-27T18:37:00.000-08:002011-01-27T18:48:45.537-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUIuQ8zcTyI/AAAAAAAAAjA/i4CoWWv2MVk/s1600/henrys_night.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567062958118031138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TUIuQ8zcTyI/AAAAAAAAAjA/i4CoWWv2MVk/s200/henrys_night.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Special Reader </div><div>Houghton Mifflin, $16.00, 2009</div><div>ISBN: 9780547056630</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 6 and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Henrys-Night-D-B-Johnson/dp/054705663X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1296182879&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Incongruous as it may seem for a stylized, airbrushed dog to be a stand-in to intoduce children to the 19th century ideas of Henry David Thoreau, that is what D.B. Johnson has accomplished in a series of picture books of which this is the fifth. Unable to sleep, Henry (Thoreau) takes a moonlit walk in search of the elusive whipporwill. The dimly luminous artwork effectively captures fireflies and other night creatures. Yet overall there is a surreal quality to the story that young people might find confusing rather than illuminating.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro Branch Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4177981823516974188?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-39483806610105924092011-01-22T12:01:00.000-08:002011-01-22T12:01:00.798-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj6X997iBI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Qk2nSBprS7c/s1600/hung-the-moon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564472629294499858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj6X997iBI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Qk2nSBprS7c/s200/hung-the-moon.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Laura Cornell</div><br /><div></div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Joanna Cotler Books, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060290160</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 4-8 years</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Mommy-Hung-Moon-Story/dp/0060290161/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1295579973&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Opening Curtis and Cornell's book challenges the reader to actually begin reading, so mesmerizing is its visual largess. With deep, rich jewel tones, <em>My Mommy Hung the Moon</em> is as bold as the bond of love between Mother and Child. With carefree aplomb, each page solidifies the safety, security, and confidence children so need to feel for their parents. Trochaic rhyme is the lynchpin holding the child on the page while, at once, the dazzling illustrations send one into hyperspace--much like watching fireworks while holding your parent's hand. Through learning to burp, writing all the books, webbing the world, and making everything from scratch, the mesmerized reader is conviced in the end that there is absolutely nothing Mommy can't do!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Marie Louise Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3948380661010592409?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-66452949329370348092011-01-21T17:00:00.000-08:002011-01-21T17:00:01.363-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj3_fK5PlI/AAAAAAAAAiw/RMyob9v_Vk8/s1600/whistlebright.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564470009687260754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj3_fK5PlI/AAAAAAAAAiw/RMyob9v_Vk8/s200/whistlebright.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Katherine Tegen Books, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061882869</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 8-12 years</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whistle-Bright-Magic-Nutfolk-Tale/dp/B0046LUFEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1295579158&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>Zelly sees her first fairy at her Grandmother's funeral. Zelly and her mother have come to take over Plunkit Books in the town where her mother grew up and got married. Zelly hasn't seen her father since she was little and wants to know more about him. Zelly and her new friends discover Whistle, who explains the veil between the two worlds becomes thin when he caught Zelly's mood and concentrated on her. The explanation is convincingly contrived to explain how the girl and fairy Whistle can communicate. Zelly's mother doesn't even remember she once had the talent to be able to see the other world.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6645294932937034809?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-45426603175194325002011-01-20T18:54:00.001-08:002011-01-20T19:01:23.033-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj2h8MLNBI/AAAAAAAAAio/ve5xKfSrLZc/s1600/india_mcallister.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564468402569557010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj2h8MLNBI/AAAAAAAAAio/ve5xKfSrLZc/s200/india_mcallister.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Henry Holt, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780805089028</div><div>Grade/Age Level: 3rd-6th grade</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Adventures-India-McAllister/dp/0805089020/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1295578789&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Creating a microcosm of real-life dilemmas, Agell's authentic 9-year-old voice examines familiar emotions such as jealousy, friendship, and social mores from the fresh and charming perspective of India McAllister. Fourth grader India, of Chinese descent, is the adopted daughter of Rosemary and Andrew. Rosemary, an artist, and Andrew, a doctor, divorced when India was seven. Andrew now lives with Richard, and the only problem India has with that is sharing her father with someone new. Agell deftly develops familial acceptance and love through Tofu and Beatrice Strawberry while guiding the reading down the perilous path of friendship via Colby and Amanda "the rodent," while solidifying how truly loved India is by all. Agell's perky illustrations offer just enough humor and wit to make it enjoyable reading for young and old alike. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Marie Louise Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4542660317519432500?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-66066840717758849752011-01-20T18:49:00.000-08:002011-01-20T18:54:05.969-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj1Il-2nXI/AAAAAAAAAig/YqgnzdiIvsU/s1600/Fletcher_and_the_Snowflake_Christmas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564466867599744370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TTj1Il-2nXI/AAAAAAAAAig/YqgnzdiIvsU/s200/Fletcher_and_the_Snowflake_Christmas.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Greenwillow, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061990335</div><div>Age/Grade level: 3-7 years</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fletcher-Snowflake-Christmas-Julia-Rawlinson/dp/0061990337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1295578423&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Fletcher the fox is worried Santa won't be able to find the new rabbit burrow. The animals and birds all help him make arrows to point the way so Santa can find the new location. While the animals party, the snow covers the arrows, and the animals all vow to stay awake to tell Santa the location of the new burrow. They are all so tired they fall asleep. The next morning they all arrive at the burrow with gifts because they are afraid Santa wouldn't bring any. The happy ending and the convincing characters make this a satisfying storytime choice. This author and illustrator team worked together on two previous Fletcher stories, which are both definitely picks for your Children's collection.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6606684071775884975?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-47542042549187179702010-12-21T10:00:00.000-08:002010-12-21T10:00:01.314-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrbXF_F6NI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JOHOOWtFuuE/s1600/beardance.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 93px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551490680477837522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrbXF_F6NI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JOHOOWtFuuE/s200/beardance.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Monique Felix</div><div></div><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Creative Editions, 2008, $17.95</div><div>ISBN: 8791568461991</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 4-8</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Dance-Creative-Editions-Wahl/dp/1568461992/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1292557464&amp;sr=1-2">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4754204254918717970?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-430225741438765132010-12-20T10:00:00.000-08:002010-12-20T10:00:00.258-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrXkbSw7uI/AAAAAAAAAiM/qPEvhKLqsxk/s1600/floating.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551486511489281762" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrXkbSw7uI/AAAAAAAAAiM/qPEvhKLqsxk/s200/floating.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Yuyi Morales</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060843687</div><div>Age/Grade level: ages 4 to 7</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Floating-Mamas-Song-Laura-Lacamara/dp/0060843683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1292556406&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>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!</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-43022574143876513?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-56884737488678362662010-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:002010-12-17T10:00:03.668-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrQ9doHjdI/AAAAAAAAAh8/GtuOLAjW_RQ/s1600/magnus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551479245031050706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrQ9doHjdI/AAAAAAAAAh8/GtuOLAjW_RQ/s200/magnus.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780374347253</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magnus-Maximus-Marvelous-Measurer-Kathleen/dp/0374347255/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1292554446&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, OCPL/Irvine University Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5688473748867836266?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-3143568657075112182010-12-16T18:55:00.000-08:002010-12-16T19:01:09.385-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrSRaYwCGI/AAAAAAAAAiE/MF08uqKcOqw/s1600/spartacus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551480687270299746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrSRaYwCGI/AAAAAAAAAiE/MF08uqKcOqw/s200/spartacus.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Rating: Recommended<br /><br /><br />Creative Editions, 2010, $17.95<br /><br /><br />ISBN: 9781568462134<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spartacus-Spider-Etienne-Delessert/dp/1568462131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1292554851&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br /><br />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 <em>Spartacus the Spider</em> 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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Reviewer: Marie Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-314356865707511218?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-75979606367492888402010-12-16T18:12:00.000-08:002010-12-16T18:50:00.959-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrPzXbYgrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/rE12ON5wV2k/s1600/baghdadzoo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551477972056703666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQrPzXbYgrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/rE12ON5wV2k/s200/baghdadzoo.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Greenwillow, 2010, $17.99 </div><div>ISBN: 9780061772023</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 8 and up</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Baghdad-Zoo-Story-Heroes/dp/B0046LUF9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1292553792&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Saving the Baghdad Zoo</em> 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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, OCPL/Irvine University Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7597960636749288840?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-4049955616302059712010-12-09T18:27:00.000-08:002010-12-09T18:31:54.614-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQGRApYkl2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/sM6Q-ctd15U/s1600/pajama-pirates.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548875656192104290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQGRApYkl2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/sM6Q-ctd15U/s200/pajama-pirates.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Leslie Lammle</div><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><br /><div>HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99</div><br /><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-1251948</div><br /><div>Age Range: Ages 4-6</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pajama-Pirates-Andrew-Kramer/dp/0061251941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1291948114&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Pat Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-404995561630205971?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-50701067942366228172010-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:002010-12-09T18:27:48.250-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQGQGDwx-SI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Nc3DcYNyMMM/s1600/heyrabbit.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548874649660684578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TQGQGDwx-SI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Nc3DcYNyMMM/s200/heyrabbit.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><br /><div>Roaring Brook, 2010, $16.99</div><br /><div>ISBN: 978-1-59643-502-5</div><br /><div>Age Range: Toddler-Kindergarten</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Rabbit-Sergio-Ruzzier/dp/159643502X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1291947668&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Pat Campbell, OCPL/La Palma Branch</div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5070106794236622817?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-45461979417476728342010-07-01T18:54:00.001-07:002010-07-01T19:05:27.631-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TC1HUZkHTQI/AAAAAAAAAhU/sTvJUjHOIxo/s1600/KarmaClub.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489121936619818242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/TC1HUZkHTQI/AAAAAAAAAhU/sTvJUjHOIxo/s200/KarmaClub.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-374-33979-1</div><div>Age/Grade Level: YA</div><br /><div></div><div>View this book on Amazon</div><br /><div></div><div>After a romantic setback, three teens discover the concept of karma and decide it's their job to make the universe right. Their plans for revenge, I mean, <em>karmic retribution</em> are creative, if at times only marginally legal, and often hilarious. But playing with karma leads to unexpected and mostly unpleasant consequences. In other words, don't try this at home! The girls are sympathetic and the Northern California setting rings true. A fun summer read teenage girls are bound to enjoy.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Linda McLaughlin, Fullerton Public Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4546197941747672834?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-79002215425447423582010-05-27T19:14:00.000-07:002010-05-27T19:21:56.413-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S_8ostizb0I/AAAAAAAAAhM/BgIS-_pR3iw/s1600/tishkinsilk.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476140420510740290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S_8ostizb0I/AAAAAAAAAhM/BgIS-_pR3iw/s200/tishkinsilk.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Patrice Barton<br />Rating: Very Good<br />Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $15.99<br />ISBN: 99780374354817<br />Age/Grade Level: Grades 3-5<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naming-Tishkin-Silk-Glenda-Millard/dp/0374354812/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1275012873&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7900221542544742358?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-50777608197828355412010-05-13T20:46:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:50:56.827-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zIhkxIQ3I/AAAAAAAAAhE/k08g5CDP4pI/s1600/mygarden.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470968126479287154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zIhkxIQ3I/AAAAAAAAAhE/k08g5CDP4pI/s200/mygarden.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Greenwillow, 2010, $17.99<br />ISBN: 978-0-06-171518-1<br />Age/Grade Level: Preschool/Kindergarten<br />Rating: Very Good<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Garden-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0061715174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1273808848&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>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.<br /></div><div>I read this to a preschooler the other day, and she was animated and all smiles.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Jane Yarborough, Library consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5077760819782835541?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-68417998888657383722010-05-13T20:42:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:46:51.534-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zHnEtau2I/AAAAAAAAAg8/rjjf4Em_kr8/s1600/higpigchicks.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470967121441373026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zHnEtau2I/AAAAAAAAAg8/rjjf4Em_kr8/s200/higpigchicks.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Rick Chrustowski<br />Greenwillow, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-075043-5</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 2-5 years</div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Higgledy-Piggledy-Chicks-Barbara-M-Joosse/dp/0060750421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1273808629&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6841799888865738372?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-90827182858448616572010-05-13T20:37:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:42:39.655-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zGi8YgjJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/UcqShhWeTmo/s1600/whowould.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470965950975085714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zGi8YgjJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/UcqShhWeTmo/s200/whowould.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Illustrated by Anne Hunter<br />Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00<br />ISBN: 978-0-547-04625-9<br />Age/Grade Level: K-3rd grade<br />Rating: Recommended<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-Would-Like-Christmas-Tree/dp/0547046251/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1273808245&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library consultant<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-9082718285844861657?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-78176882130101105392010-05-13T20:31:00.001-07:002010-05-13T20:37:04.822-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zE8b4ctdI/AAAAAAAAAgs/__QZoAGuLms/s1600/insidetree.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470964189904025042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S-zE8b4ctdI/AAAAAAAAAgs/__QZoAGuLms/s200/insidetree.jpg" /></a>Illustrated by David Parkins <div><div>HarperCollins, 2010, $16.99</div><div>ISBN 98-0-06-029818-0</div><div>Grade/Age: 4-8 years<br />Rating: Very Good</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Tree-Linda-Smith/dp/006028241X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1273807895&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><br /><div>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.<br /></div><div>Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Educational Consultant</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7817688213010110539?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-17635547355220653882010-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:002010-03-30T08:00:01.689-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wbtCbtAII/AAAAAAAAAgc/wrdtkUnB47s/s1600/lastpolar.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452763709399957634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wbtCbtAII/AAAAAAAAAgc/wrdtkUnB47s/s200/lastpolar.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Wendell Minor</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Harpercollins, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061240676</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Polar-Laura-Geringer-Books/dp/0061240672/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1269570219&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1763554735522065388?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-74343674066008011802010-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:00:01.760-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wWQydTUwI/AAAAAAAAAgU/il7J8KSsvOo/s1600/rockwell+george.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452757726517220098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wWQydTUwI/AAAAAAAAAgU/il7J8KSsvOo/s200/rockwell+george.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Matt Phelan</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Harcourt, 2009, $17.00</div><div>ISBN: 9780152165833</div><div>Age/Grade level: Kindergarten and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-George-Became-President-Washington/dp/0152165835/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1269568146&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7434367406600801180?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-75928871395677608042010-03-26T13:00:00.000-07:002010-03-26T13:00:00.512-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wRmIL1e7I/AAAAAAAAAgM/mpsmO0UZ2I4/s1600/beagenie.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452752595568655282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wRmIL1e7I/AAAAAAAAAgM/mpsmO0UZ2I4/s200/beagenie.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Harper, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061252198</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 4th Grade and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Be-Genie-Six-Easy-Steps/dp/0061252190/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1269567793&amp;sr=1-32">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, OCPL/La Habra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7592887139567760804?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-72032107100821506712010-03-25T18:24:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:37:46.045-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wP3qtsO1I/AAAAAAAAAgE/_TdZv8f-oYM/s1600/day-glo-brothers.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452750697871981394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6wP3qtsO1I/AAAAAAAAAgE/_TdZv8f-oYM/s200/day-glo-brothers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Tony Persiani</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Charlesbridge, 2009, $18.95</div><div>ISBN: 978-1-57091673-1</div><div>Age/Grade Level: grades 2-5</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Day-Glo-Brothers-Chris-Barton/dp/157091673X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1269567425&amp;sr=8-1-spell">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7203210710082150671?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-19690704438894181552010-03-18T20:47:00.000-07:002010-03-18T20:54:03.649-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6L1SOdTb1I/AAAAAAAAAf8/Bg1CAeFNcTI/s1600-h/builtbyangels.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 135px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450188192539176786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6L1SOdTb1I/AAAAAAAAAf8/Bg1CAeFNcTI/s200/builtbyangels.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Harcourt, 2009, $16.00</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-15-2066789</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Grades 1-3</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Built-Angels-Story-Old-New-Synagogue/dp/0152066780/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268970774&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1969070443889418155?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-85449329968196863692010-03-18T20:43:00.000-07:002010-03-18T20:47:35.012-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6Lzv2fZ27I/AAAAAAAAAf0/QgOsKzAsXnM/s1600-h/pussycatsxmas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450186502478355378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S6Lzv2fZ27I/AAAAAAAAAf0/QgOsKzAsXnM/s200/pussycatsxmas.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Anne Mortimer</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Katherine Tegen Books, 2009, $9.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-186978-5</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 5-9</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pussycats-Christmas-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0061869783/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268970392&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Smith, OCPL/El Toro</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-8544932996819686369?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-17340798215422938952010-03-11T20:02:00.000-08:002010-03-11T20:06:39.241-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S5m9wdNzsDI/AAAAAAAAAfs/uxo3vi0BObs/s1600-h/WinterTrees.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593864455237682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S5m9wdNzsDI/AAAAAAAAAfs/uxo3vi0BObs/s200/WinterTrees.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Leslie Evans</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Charlesbridge, 2008, $15.95</div><div>ISBN: 9781580891684</div><div>Age/Grade level: Ages 4-7</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Trees-Carole-Gerber/dp/B0036DE50O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268366713&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1734079821542293895?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-27420274480023735602010-03-11T19:39:00.000-08:002010-03-11T20:02:26.709-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S5m8wQmI9MI/AAAAAAAAAfk/_I9zE-95DGU/s1600-h/whatscoming.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447592761556006082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S5m8wQmI9MI/AAAAAAAAAfk/_I9zE-95DGU/s200/whatscoming.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2009, $15.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780374399481</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Preschool-2nd grade</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Coming-Christmas-Frances-Foster/dp/0374399484/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268366422&amp;sr=8-2">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2742027448002373560?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-75256051917857144492010-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:002010-03-02T08:00:01.942-08:00Rating: Recommended<br />Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $18.00<br />ISBN: 9780547053417<br />Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pharaohs-Boat-David-L-Weitzman/dp/054705341X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1267159530&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7525605191785714449?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-30847861708031745432010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:002010-03-01T08:00:07.161-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dPkR6MELI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Ofi4WqG0H3U/s1600-h/leprechaun.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 167px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442406159401881778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dPkR6MELI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Ofi4WqG0H3U/s200/leprechaun.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Nancy Cole</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Albert Whitman, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0807544549</div><div>Age/Grade Level: K-2nd Grade</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leprechaun-Who-Lost-His-Rainbow/dp/080754454X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1267158951&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3084786170803174543?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-49710655224755997912010-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:002010-02-26T08:00:05.720-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dNLDVluJI/AAAAAAAAAfM/4w0mcKlx__k/s1600-h/cakegirl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442403526970292370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dNLDVluJI/AAAAAAAAAfM/4w0mcKlx__k/s200/cakegirl.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $15.95</div><div>ISBN: 9780374399092</div><div>Age/Grade Level: ages 8-11</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0374399093/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&amp;n=283155&amp;s=books">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, OCPL/West Garden Grove</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4971065522475599791?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-23932045931092437992010-02-25T20:26:00.001-08:002010-02-25T20:30:19.830-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dOSNDEC7I/AAAAAAAAAfU/xgMh8-XJdks/s1600-h/neverask.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442404749347654578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dOSNDEC7I/AAAAAAAAAfU/xgMh8-XJdks/s200/neverask.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Doris Barrette</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Harper, 2009, $16.99 </div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-1128769</div><div>Age/Grade level: K-2nd grade</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Never-Ask-Bear-Louise-Bonnett-rampersaud/dp/0061128767/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1267158559&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2393204593109243799?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-39932441015283628502010-02-25T20:03:00.000-08:002010-04-01T18:28:45.115-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dL3MFef3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/xaUFKP8FxgU/s1600-h/evidence.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442402086209617778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S4dL3MFef3I/AAAAAAAAAfE/xaUFKP8FxgU/s200/evidence.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Harper, 2009, $19.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061243431</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Junior High or High School</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Angels-Suza-Scalora/dp/0061243434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1267157200&amp;sr=8-1#noop">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>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 <em>Divine Light: Angels</em>, 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 <em>Weetzie Bat</em> will surely appreciate the world of angels and Scalora's convincing production.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3993244101528362850?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-69190999842083480492010-02-11T18:41:00.000-08:002010-02-11T19:04:26.536-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S3TE4Uq4bLI/AAAAAAAAAe8/coEg5UHQEsA/s1600-h/santasstowaway.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437187122043317426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S3TE4Uq4bLI/AAAAAAAAAe8/coEg5UHQEsA/s200/santasstowaway.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Greenwillow, $16.99, 2009</div><div>ISBN: 9780061351884</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 3-8 years</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Stowaway-Brandon-Dorman/dp/0061351881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265943809&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6919099984208348049?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-11445379154821963882010-02-11T18:32:00.000-08:002010-02-11T19:04:52.694-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S3S_btqGybI/AAAAAAAAAes/ksmo-7clF2A/s1600-h/hanukkah_mice.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437181132976605618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S3S_btqGybI/AAAAAAAAAes/ksmo-7clF2A/s200/hanukkah_mice.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Michelle Shapiro</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Marshall Cavendish, $14.99, 2008</div><div>ISBN: 9780761454281</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 4-8 years</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hanukkah-Mice-Steven-Kroll/dp/0761454284/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265942408&amp;sr=8-6">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>The simple, colorful illustrations by Michelle Shapiro do not detract from the story's theme. This story is simpler than Steven Kroll's <em>Will You Be My Valentine?</em> 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.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1144537915482196388?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-83899571466636247002010-02-09T08:00:00.001-08:002010-02-09T08:00:05.640-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2ua2SLZQfI/AAAAAAAAAek/z0KfjCpdN04/s1600-h/duckfor.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434607632735879666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2ua2SLZQfI/AAAAAAAAAek/z0KfjCpdN04/s200/duckfor.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter</div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Albert Whitman, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-8075-1734-5</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 5-8</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Turkey-Day-Jacqueline-Jules/dp/0807517348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265343119&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Elisabeth Ellis, OCPL/Stanton</div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-8389957146663624700?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-47755689720929234002010-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:002010-02-04T20:07:34.733-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uZWwDR9OI/AAAAAAAAAec/h6k_oC7-FZI/s1600-h/catstale.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434605991487468770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uZWwDR9OI/AAAAAAAAAec/h6k_oC7-FZI/s200/catstale.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Meilo So</div><div>Rating: Marginal</div><div>Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $17.95</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Tale-Years-Named-Animals/dp/1596432020/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265342735&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Elisabeth Ellis, OCPL/Stanton </div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4775568972092923400?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-47333852831467150802010-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:00:05.277-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uQCdj9dqI/AAAAAAAAAeU/si9m1mKyBJE/s1600-h/merryxmassplat.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434595747322230434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uQCdj9dqI/AAAAAAAAAeU/si9m1mKyBJE/s200/merryxmassplat.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060831608</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Splat-Cat/dp/006083160X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265340393&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4733385283146715080?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-78376697894263140792010-02-05T08:00:00.000-08:002010-02-05T08:00:01.483-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uNhVXULcI/AAAAAAAAAeM/diz33UII1Ns/s1600-h/mysteryvine.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434592979162770882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uNhVXULcI/AAAAAAAAAeM/diz33UII1Ns/s200/mysteryvine.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Greenwillow Books, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061771989</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Vine-Surprise-Cathryn-Falwell/dp/0061771988/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265339804&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>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!</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7837669789426314079?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-52302467215817002752010-02-04T18:58:00.000-08:002010-02-04T19:07:45.069-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uKyg_nIUI/AAAAAAAAAeE/nZvo1mhNgv4/s1600-h/Michelle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434589975807467842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uKyg_nIUI/AAAAAAAAAeE/nZvo1mhNgv4/s200/Michelle.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by AG Ford</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Katherine Tegen Books, 2009, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-1827396</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Deborah-Hopkinson/dp/0061827398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265338756&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><em>Michelle</em> 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.</div><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5230246721581700275?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-26856053915476755832010-02-04T18:48:00.000-08:002010-02-04T18:58:31.971-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uIb_NqmJI/AAAAAAAAAd8/sB4TfJwtPWc/s1600-h/tyrannoclaus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434587389759232146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S2uIb_NqmJI/AAAAAAAAAd8/sB4TfJwtPWc/s200/tyrannoclaus.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by John Shroades</div><div>Rating: Marginal</div><div>HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-1170546</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tyrannoclaus-Janet-Lawler/dp/0061170542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1265338141&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div><em>Tyrannoclaus</em> 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 <em>'Twas the Night Before Christmas</em>. 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. </div><div></div><br /><div>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, <em>'Twas the Night Before Christmas.</em> 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.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2685605391547675583?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-67394217868208299232010-01-21T19:36:00.000-08:002010-01-21T19:44:46.485-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S1ke7sAqrDI/AAAAAAAAAd0/gH5F38GqztE/s1600-h/jackfrost.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429404836546915378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S1ke7sAqrDI/AAAAAAAAAd0/gH5F38GqztE/s200/jackfrost.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Roaring Brook Press, 2009, $12.99</div><div>ISBN: 9781596434424</div><div>Age/Grade Level: PreK - Grade 2</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Frost-Kazuno-Kohara/dp/1596434422/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1264131536&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>The simple, yet intriguing illustrations will draw the young reader into this story of winter friends. Jack Frost has come to play with a young boy, and the joys of their friendship and the winter season are evident in these beautiful pages. The author uses spare text and shades of blue and white to share this charming story of winter.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Mary Pezzetti, OCPL/Tustin Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6739421786820829923?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-35859830116203831832010-01-21T19:25:00.000-08:002010-01-21T19:36:25.072-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S1kdBt7ByJI/AAAAAAAAAds/ARuBuBy-2kA/s1600-h/twelveprayers.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429402741116094610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S1kdBt7ByJI/AAAAAAAAAds/ARuBuBy-2kA/s200/twelveprayers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by James Bernadin</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Harper Blessings, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060776367</div><div>Age/Grade Level: PreK to Grade 2</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Prayers-Christmas-HarperBlessings/dp/0060776366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1264130406&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The illustrations in this beautiful book are simply stunning. The story of Jesus's birth is related in a series of twelve poems and pictures, each from a different participant in the event. This is a well-crafted book of praise and celebration, and is a good choice for family sharing during the Christmas season.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Mary Pezzetti, OCPL/Tustin Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3585983011620383183?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-17233777612444688732010-01-14T20:16:00.000-08:002010-01-14T20:22:31.365-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S0_tcmc34yI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Wpnwva8rcFI/s1600-h/sneep.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426817151618507554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/S0_tcmc34yI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Wpnwva8rcFI/s200/sneep.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Joel Stewart</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Random House, 2009, $16.95</div><div>ISBN: 9780374328689</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 3 and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Have-You-Ever-Seen-Sneep/dp/0374328684/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1263529276&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>A poetic tale of a young boy who questions the Sneep and friends who seem to be following him throughout his day and his picnic. A cute sotry with nice illustrations. The shades of color the illustrator uses are subtle and calming. Tasha PYm is a British author and a line or two may need to be explained to youngsters. A little British jargon makes the book standout nicely.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Kim Christofferson, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1723377761244468873?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-39274807854417065462009-12-10T19:11:00.000-08:002009-12-10T19:19:16.228-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SyG6JTSp3SI/AAAAAAAAAdc/yl9LyHa7HWo/s1600-h/justgrace.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413812896036150562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SyG6JTSp3SI/AAAAAAAAAdc/yl9LyHa7HWo/s200/justgrace.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00</div><div>ISBN: 9780618959570</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Grades 2-5</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Green-Charise-Mericle-Harper/dp/0547248210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1260501389&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>Like the prior books in the "Just Grace" series, <em>Just Grace Goes Green</em> presents a fun and spunky narrator, "Just" Grace, who encounters small, child-friendly conflicts (like a favorite stuffed animal being "borrowed" for too long) and quickly solves them with the help of her supportive friends and family. In this installment, Grace's class is learning about "going green", so the story contains tips and ideas for how children can help the environment. The ideas are well placed and match the plot without seeming didactic. The subplot of a visit from her best friend's cousin is also sweet and of course ends well. Interspersed with lists and drawings, this is an excellent choice for readers who are new to chapter books. The format is easy to follow and fun, even if you haven't read the previous titles. Though Grace gets in less trouble than her spunky-girl-character cohorts, this is also recommended for fans of Ivy and Bean, Clementine, and Junie B. Jones.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3927480785441706546?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-35544009396924570312009-12-10T18:56:00.000-08:002009-12-10T19:11:03.897-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SyG4MPilh5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/nL1STfoX3hA/s1600-h/dirty-laundry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413810747545585554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SyG4MPilh5I/AAAAAAAAAdU/nL1STfoX3hA/s200/dirty-laundry.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061131035</div><div>Age/Grade Level: teen/high school</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Laundry-Daniel-Ehrenhaft/dp/0061131032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1260500538&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Boarding School lit is always a hit. Something about the confines of high school combined with prep school drama is a guaranteed fun read. <em>Dirty Laundry</em> is no different, flipping things around a bit since the students at The Winchester School are the cast-offs from other prep schools: they are the "dirty laundry" of the academic world. The two main characters here, Carli and Fun, narrate the story in alternating voice, giving a nice mix of flavors to the information provided and tone of voice. Carli is actually secretly researching prep school life for a TV role and Fun is stuck being her PA for her duration. This personality conflict, plus the mystery of a missing fellow student, give the story potential, but not much else. Carli is whiny, Fun complains and YELLS in all caps, and neither are particularly interesting.</div><br /><div></div><div>One major pro is the two male characters, Fun and his buddy Nails, misfit emo artists who get their time to shine and rant--character types too often passed over in the world of <em>Gossip Girl</em> and <em>Demonata</em>. Additional title for larger teen collections, sure to get readership because of the drama and mystery elements. </div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3554400939692457031?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-60397543560512896912009-10-15T19:06:00.001-07:002009-10-15T19:24:59.002-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/StfYzbdaU3I/AAAAAAAAAdM/8loWdOMv__w/s1600-h/erikasan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393017456855503730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/StfYzbdaU3I/AAAAAAAAAdM/8loWdOMv__w/s200/erikasan.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $17.00</div><div>ISBN: 9780618889334</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Grades 1-3</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Erika-San-Allen-Say/dp/0618889337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1255658723&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Allen Say once again tells a touching story of Japan, with stunning illustrations to match. When Erika was a child she looked at a painting of a tea house in Japan and fell in love. Though she is not Japanese, she was inspired and set her life to learning Japanese language and culture. Fast forward through colege and Erika is off to Japan where she finds a teaching position in a small village and makes a home in the very tea house from the painting. This is an interesting story about respecting cultures and what it means to belong to a group of people. Cataloging describes this book as a 'love story,' which is true both between Erika and her fellow Japanese teacher, Aki, and between Erika and Japanese culture.</div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6039754356051289691?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-66039870292754615032009-09-24T18:41:00.000-07:002009-09-24T18:55:38.155-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Srwi5OU80KI/AAAAAAAAAdE/LPU67GyyDjg/s1600-h/beethovenshair.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 135px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385217620922126498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Srwi5OU80KI/AAAAAAAAAdE/LPU67GyyDjg/s200/beethovenshair.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Charlesbridge, 2009, $15.95</div><div>ISBN: 978-1570917141</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Beethovens-Hair-Russell-Martin/dp/1570917140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1253842944&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div>Age/Grade Level: 10 years and up<br /><div></div><br /><div>With a death mask on its cover and Beethoven's corpse's coiled hair on its back, inquisitiveness locks the reader into The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair. This forensic and historical odyssey is an adaptation of the similarly titled adult publication, winner of The Washington Post's "Book of the Year" award. Young readers sample, in well-written nonfiction, Beethoven's life, accomplishments, personality defects, and physical complaints. Ludwig's suffering is palpable. Readers, as time's bystanders, witness Beethoven's death and the subsequent snipping of his hair, a customary practice. Thus begins Beethoven's DNA caravan through place and time, from father to son, through Nazi-occupied Copenhagen, to the pages of a Sotheby's catalog, and ultimately to its owners who "find renowned scientists to perform forensic tests in order to unlock the mysteries of Beethoven's hair." A compelling read, and one that a children's librarian will be confident recommending.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6603987029275461503?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-38848113536209425232009-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-19T10:00:00.804-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTZfKZ3xUI/AAAAAAAAAc0/aUYmn0koJ8Y/s1600-h/bandit.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369655785124513090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTZfKZ3xUI/AAAAAAAAAc0/aUYmn0koJ8Y/s200/bandit.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Illustrated by Vincent Nguyen<br /><br /><br />Rating: Marginal<br /><br /><br />Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $15.99<br /><br /><br />ISBN: 978-0761453826<br /><br /><br />Age/Grade level: Ages 4-8<br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bandit-Karen-Rostoker-Gruber/dp/0761453822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1250220434&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></p><br /><br />Bandit the cat is distrubed from his sleep. Strangers are moving furniture. He doesn't understand why there are boxes everywhere and why Michelle put him in his cat carrier and then drives him away. It seems that Michelle isn't going to take him to see Vet, which is good. The bad thing is: Bandit finds himself in a strange house where he couldn't find anything comforting. Without a moment of hesitation, Bandit takes action--he is going back to the place he's familiar with. But the streets are far from friendly. Will Bandit and Michelle reunite?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The attraction of this book, to me, is the illustration. The main character, Bandit, is expressive and full of babbles of thoughts. The Pop Art illustration catches the reader's eyes. Suspense is building up through the story as readers follow the very territorial Bandit on his way to his old place. Alghough this simple story can serve as a conversation starter for families with young children that are going to move, the simplicity of the plot is not consistent with the sophisticated illustration style, which leads me to believe there is more to the story.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Reviewer: Zhen (Tracy) Li, Orange County Public Library, Laguna Niguel<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3884811353620942523?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-8249155447410508112009-08-18T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-18T10:00:02.966-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTXoB1E2YI/AAAAAAAAAcs/UxMjjZ6cxtg/s1600-h/americanhomes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369653738418264450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTXoB1E2YI/AAAAAAAAAcs/UxMjjZ6cxtg/s200/americanhomes.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen<br />Rating: Additional<br />Charlesbridge, 2008, $17.95<br />ISBN: 978-1570915659<br />Reading level: Grades 3-5<br />Interest level: Grades K-5<br /><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-Gandhi-Hundred-Nonviolent-Resistance/dp/1580891292/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1250218368&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></p>Each letter of the alphabet is defined by a certain kind of dwelling--with the exception of Z. Most of the letters have single-page spreads, but others have a double-page spread. The alphabet starts with Apartment and ends with the usual Zzzzzz. The text is factual and averages five sentences per letter. The 9.9 x 9.7-inch size of the book makes it great for sharing, and the variety of illustrations are in bright colors, except for dwellings that were popular in the past, such as Kilbourne and Log Cabin that are in black and white or sepia. The illustrations are exceptional and would be of interest to all ages. An additional purchase.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Reviewer: Pat Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-824915544741050811?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-91726866272921683022009-08-17T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-17T10:00:00.349-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTVw6gLBGI/AAAAAAAAAck/KjPrzspjw8A/s1600-h/aftergandhi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369651692047107170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTVw6gLBGI/AAAAAAAAAck/KjPrzspjw8A/s200/aftergandhi.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><br /><div>Charlesbridge, 2009, $24.95</div><br /><div>ISBN: 9781580891295</div><br /><div>Age/Grade level: Grades 3-5</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-Gandhi-Hundred-Nonviolent-Resistance/dp/1580891292/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1250218368&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>From Montgomery, Alabama, to Cape Town, South Africa, from Moree, Australia to Beijing, China, nonviolent resisters followed Mohandas Gandhi's lead to "take a stand without resorting to violence or hate."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sixteen sections feature sixteen historical incidents around the world when ordinary but extraordinarily courageous people fought for their rights and against wars. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Each section features the historical event and the person (people) who influenced it. For example, the first section presents a snapshot of Gandhi's Passive Resistance Campaign in 1908, South Africa. It is followed by a compact biography of Gandhi. Further information explains how Gandhi was inspired and eventually started his first acts of nonviolent resistance. This illuminating column is called "More to the Story." Different fonts are used to distinguish these three features.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Although the theme of this book is solemn, the large white space and differentiated fonts encourage young readers to read on and start their critical thinking. This is a valuable read for the future historical movers and shakers.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Zhen (Tracy) Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-9172686627292168302?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-42242771148762813922009-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-14T10:00:04.168-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTOj_d4WtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xJTdyDLnLn4/s1600-h/birds.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 165px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369643773459978962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTOj_d4WtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xJTdyDLnLn4/s200/birds.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Laura Dronzek</div><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><br /><div>Greenwillow, 2009, $17.99</div><br /><div>ISBN: 978-0061363047</div><br /><div>Age/Grade level: Preschool-Kindergarten</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0061363049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1250216850&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>An enchanting picture book about birds that introduces concepts such as color, shape, size and the number seven, as well as very basic facts about birds. It is highly imaginative, with the child narrator wondering what the sky would look like if clouds were birds or birds left colors in the sky with their tail feathers. She also wonders what it would be like to be a bird and even though she can't fly, the final page tells you what she can do. Illustrations are acrylic paintings that are perfect for preschoolers with their bright colors and black outlines. Highly recommended.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Pat Campbell, Children's Librarian, Orange County Public Library/La Palma</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4224277114876281392?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-29899846077337417352009-08-13T19:04:00.000-07:002009-08-13T19:26:20.850-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTK4m-WgMI/AAAAAAAAAcU/kN6t54UlFT0/s1600-h/dragon+road.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369639729616027842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SoTK4m-WgMI/AAAAAAAAAcU/kN6t54UlFT0/s200/dragon+road.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $17.89</div><div>ISBN: 9780060275211<br />Age/Grade level: Grades 5-9<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Road-Golden-Mountain-Chronicles/dp/0060275200/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1250216610&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div>Summary: In San Francisco, Chinatown, 1938, Cal just graduated from high school. Like millions of Americans, he couldn't find employment anywhere in the Great Depression. This adds to the frustration of everyday life. But he's not ready to give in, let alone allow sterotypical ridicule and racial insults to get to him.<br /></div><div>Failing at job hunting but skillful on the basketball court, Cal and Barney plot to con people by playing basketball with them in different neighborhoods. With some bucks in their pockets, they are tempted to take more risks and venture into menacing areas until one day, they find themselves involved in a faceoff with a mob at Butchertown. Fortunately, they are rescued by two strangers who offer them a job, joining a professional basketball team, the Dragons, to tour the whole country. The promise was for steady income. The drawback was to leave Chinatown, where they were born and grew up.</div><br /><div>Having to face challenges on the basketball courts as well as the non-stop traveling, could Cal persevere and find success?<br /></div><div>Inspired by actual events, this is a wonderful historical teen fiction about Chinese Americans, their experience, their families, and their perspectives. Yep, a skillful storyteller, pictured convincing character like Cal, aka Flash. From a first person aspect, readers get to have a glimpse of the racial barriers directed at immigrant families historically. It's an intriguing story for sports fans.<br /></div><div>Reviewer: Zhen (Tracy) Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2989984607733741735?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-6753158881637021272009-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-10T10:00:02.302-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuWIIKKDuI/AAAAAAAAAcE/un_3tbGwuX0/s1600-h/Vinnie_and_Abraham.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367048447315283682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuWIIKKDuI/AAAAAAAAAcE/un_3tbGwuX0/s200/Vinnie_and_Abraham.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Catherine Stock<br />Rating: Additional<br />Charlesbridge, 2007, $15.95<br />ISBN: 9781570916588<br />Age/Grade: 3rd grade and up<br /><br />View this book on Amazon<br /><br />This is a hard story to get across in a way to interest and inform children. The vocabulary is a bit over the head of most of the targeted audience. This would not hold their attention, and would bore them very easily. However, I liked the feel of the illustrations.<br /><br />Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, Orange County Public Library/La Habra branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-675315888163702127?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-78377497738727881802009-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:002009-08-07T10:00:03.104-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuUNozRKuI/AAAAAAAAAb8/RshUWblt9zU/s1600-h/woodenmile.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367046342953741026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuUNozRKuI/AAAAAAAAAb8/RshUWblt9zU/s200/woodenmile.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $9.95</div><div>ISBN: 978-159673830</div><div>Age/Grade level: 4th grade and up</div><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Mile-Something-Wickedly-Weird/dp/1596433833/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249612658&amp;sr=1-2">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Clever illustrations help this fantasy adventure, but it seemed a bit contrived and cliched. It does have werewolves though, and that should make it popular.</div><div><br />Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, Orange County Public Library/La Habra Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7837749773872788180?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-1430165777271058862009-08-06T19:31:00.001-07:002009-08-06T19:34:38.291-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuShBL9UZI/AAAAAAAAAbs/sipzWgSwMdA/s1600-h/sputter.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367044476894007698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnuShBL9UZI/AAAAAAAAAbs/sipzWgSwMdA/s200/sputter.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Bob Staake</div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060562229</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 2-5</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sputter-Sput-Babs-Bell/dp/0060562226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249612457&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As a children's librarian, every new picture book I read, I evaluate it as to whether or not it would be a good storytime book. This one would be a good storytime book! It has lots of sounds the kids can make and lots of actions the kids can do with their hands. The illustrations are bright and unusual in a cute way.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Kim Christofferson, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-143016577727105886?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-19104791485276452232009-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-05T09:00:01.561-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJj7_VtivI/AAAAAAAAAbc/XGh8uOte7FQ/s1600-h/rumi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364459988417612530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJj7_VtivI/AAAAAAAAAbc/XGh8uOte7FQ/s200/rumi.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Marshall Cavendish, 2009, $19.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780761455271</div><div>Age/Grade level: ages 9-12</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Music-James-Rumford/dp/1596432764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249008283&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>This little jewel of a book is another picture-book format biography written and illustrated by Demi. This time she introduces her readers to Rumi, a famous 13th century figure who was born in Afghanistan but settled in Turkey and was a highly respected scholar before becoming the great mystical poet who founded the order of the whirling dervishes. Demi condenses Rumi's life but adds many excerpts from his poems and writings. Her exquisite illustrations--reminiscent of Turkish miniatures, with many colored inks and gold overlay--will entrance even younger readers who may be attracted to the picture-book format but not always able to appreciate the lofty poetry.</div><br /><br /><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, Orange County Public Library/West Garden Grove</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1910479148527645223?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-67156131733527315202009-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-04T09:00:03.995-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJcDmFP39I/AAAAAAAAAbM/-sRuNa3swlI/s1600-h/silentmusic.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364451322983604178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJcDmFP39I/AAAAAAAAAbM/-sRuNa3swlI/s200/silentmusic.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Roaring Brook Press, 2008, $17.95</div><div>ISBN: 1596432764</div><div>Age/Grade level: 2nd and up</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Music-James-Rumford/dp/1596432764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249008283&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is a beautiful book, showing the importance of writing as an art, in communication, and as an instrument of knowledge. IN simple, elegant words and stunning illustrations incorporating Arabic calligraphy, the author takes the reader into his world. The reader gets a look into life in a different cultures and will find some ways in which it is very like his own.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gilette, Orange County Public Library/La Habra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6715613173352731520?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-43875912834824321152009-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-03T09:00:03.453-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJZ80P2rMI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NkmKDCKED-A/s1600-h/whenharrietmetsojourner.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364449007503846594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJZ80P2rMI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NkmKDCKED-A/s200/whenharrietmetsojourner.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Shane W. Evans</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>HarperCollins, 2007, $16.95</div><div>ISBN: 0060504250</div><div>Age/Grade level: 3rd and up</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Harriet-Sojourner-Catherine-Clinton/dp/0060504250/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249008133&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This book has wonderful illustrations. The text introduces two leading female civil rights leaders of the Civil War era in an interesting way. Basic info on their lives is presented to give a feel for the person, and then they are introduced to each other. The author is honest about not having any real information about the meeting, except that the two women did meet.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gilette, Orange County Public Library/La Habra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4387591283482432115?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-70167534228247603822009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:002009-07-31T09:00:03.821-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJWXpMqg-I/AAAAAAAAAa8/PABPpqVzCsc/s1600-h/bugalicious.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364445070347633634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJWXpMqg-I/AAAAAAAAAa8/PABPpqVzCsc/s200/bugalicious.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Bearport, 2009, $16.96</div><div>ISBN: 1597167576</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 6 to 11</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/licious-Extreme-Cuisine-Meish-Goldish/dp/1597167576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249007246&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>DO NOT open this book if you have a queasy stomach or if you don't like bugs! Boys will love this book for the yuck factor alone. The book talks about which countries eat bugs and how they cook them or eat them raw. There is a map at the back with the countries highlighted that eat bugs. On every other page is an insert in the form of a plate with a knife and fork; on the plate are facts, such as the fact that 1700 insects are eaten in over 100 countries around the world. Quite informative and gross!</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Kim Christofferson, Orange County Public Library, Cypress Branch </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7016753422824760382?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-62650509513644146742009-07-30T20:40:00.000-07:002009-07-30T20:44:36.424-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJodCuvL3I/AAAAAAAAAbk/y3CgyN3uY24/s1600-h/ink-exchange-melissa-marr.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364464954310078322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJodCuvL3I/AAAAAAAAAbk/y3CgyN3uY24/s200/ink-exchange-melissa-marr.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $16.95</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-121469-1</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Teen</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Exchange-Wicked-Lovely-Melissa-Marr/dp/0061214701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249011853&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is an engrossing story about the hidden society of Faery Courts existing in our world. Very contemporary, with good and evil clashing. Well written. I ran out and got the first book in the series, Wicked Lovely, and it was as good if not better. More to come in this series, worth waiting for.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Cathy Gillette, Orange County Public Library/LaHabra</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6265050951364414674?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-41200375384413367372009-07-30T19:05:00.001-07:002009-07-30T19:19:12.880-07:00<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJTRCjmUWI/AAAAAAAAAac/kQz1RVl2SI4/s1600-h/sillion.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJTdf6TFnI/AAAAAAAAAak/VCapGXFIYzI/s1600-h/sillion.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364441872399013490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJTdf6TFnI/AAAAAAAAAak/VCapGXFIYzI/s200/sillion.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJTJiVnI-I/AAAAAAAAAaU/U50UnlqXTYI/s1600-h/chairforalways.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364441529453061090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SnJTJiVnI-I/AAAAAAAAAaU/U50UnlqXTYI/s200/chairforalways.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Note: This review covers both the English language original and the Spanish translation by Liliana Valenzuela.</em></div><br /><div></div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Greenwillow, 2009, $17.99</div><div>English: 9780061722806</div><div>Spanish: 9780061722837</div><div>Age/Grade level: Grades 2-4</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Always-Vera-B-Williams/dp/0061722790/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249006570&amp;sr=8-1">View <em>A Chair for Always </em>on Amazon</a></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Always-sillon-para-siempre/dp/0061726435/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1249006709&amp;sr=1-1">View <em>Un Sillon Para Siempre</em> on Amazon</a></div><div></div><br /><div>In this fourth book about Rosa, Vera Williams again shows the warmth and vitality of family life. Central to the story, though, is Rosa's steadfast love for the now old velvet-rose-covered chair so beautifully described in <em>A Chair for My Mother</em>. Now that a new baby is about to be born in the family, Grandma suggests that the worn fabric could be replaced. Her mother even mentions buying a new chair, causing Rosa's offended outburst: "Don't you even care about history?" She reminds them how long it took to get the chair and all the memories associated with it. She already looks forward to telling it all to little Benji and asserts that no matter where she goes in the future, this chair will go too! The lovely gouache illustrations wonderfully enrich and enhance the text.<br /></div><div>In the Spanish version, lovingly translated by Liliana Valenzuela, the text perfectly conveys the spirit of the original. The soft, sunny gouache illustrations which capture the atmosphere of the story will make this book an appealing choice for many Hispanic families.</div><div> </div><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, Orange County Public Library/West Garden Grove</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4120037538441336737?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-64851895644983288892009-06-04T19:05:00.000-07:002009-06-04T19:11:35.512-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sih-i5Kc0LI/AAAAAAAAAaM/_cws9G23wi4/s1600-h/remarkable.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343660095800398002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sih-i5Kc0LI/AAAAAAAAAaM/_cws9G23wi4/s200/remarkable.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Rating: Recommended<br />Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99<br />ISBN: 978-0761454410<br />Age/Grade Level: Ages 10 and up</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Remarkable-Very-True-Story-Snowcap/dp/0761454411/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1244167308&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>What's better than a great book with an inspiring female protagonist ? A great book with two! Move over heroines and make room for Lucy and Snowcap, from the pages of <em>The Remarkable &amp; Very True Story of Lucy &amp; Snowcap</em>. This "Thelma and Louise" like tale for children takes place in Tathenland, a thirteen-island chain imbued with magical properties. The indigenous islanders, the "Colay" are forced to share their land with shipwrecked penal colony convicts. Every thing is not well and good, resulting in the journey of the heroine, or in this case, heroines. Bouwman's prose works nicely, melding fantasy and history. Likeable and strong girls debut in this well written, interesting book. Make this a recommended read!<br /><br />Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach Branch</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6485189564498328889?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-69901678958628658802009-05-14T19:00:00.000-07:002009-05-14T19:05:26.164-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SgzN0AND9BI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/AYmxb9EGYVw/s1600-h/barack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335865951818871826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SgzN0AND9BI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/AYmxb9EGYVw/s200/barack.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Illustrated by AG Ford</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0061703928</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Barack-Jonah-Winter/dp/0061703923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1242352979&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div><br />Hagiography? A biography with messianic overtones? Passionate examination of a historical man in a historical time? Is <em>Barack</em> by Jonah Winter a hit or a miss? Reader's choice. Published before the presidential election, Obama's life is chronicled from Honolulu to the Illionois State Senate, touching upon his historic ascent to the White House. The complexity of his life and the magnitude of his heritage are examined. Children will find the words and illustrations accessible. Older, and perhaps politically wary readers, may be off put by more than one overdone passage, more than one cliche. The "one moonlit night, the night Barack was born," shows a swaddled babe, cradled by mama, on the beach under a full moon, though on August 4, 1961, the moon was less than half full. AG Ford's illustrations work well with the story. </div><div><br />Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6990167895862865880?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-69678951718258052382009-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:002009-04-28T09:00:08.300-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEltrviePI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/F7AhEKaX4jE/s1600-h/stolen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328081300922464498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEltrviePI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/F7AhEKaX4jE/s200/stolen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Marginal</div><div>Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99 </div><div>ISBN: 978-0761455158 </div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Vivian-Vande-Velde/dp/0761455159/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1240540618&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><div><br />Vivian Vande Velde used pictures of unknown people for an exercise when she led writing workshops. She was fascinated by a girl's photo one day and that's how the heroine of this book was born.<br /><br />The story starts when an old witch, who had just stolen another baby from the village, was hunted down by the blood-thirsty villagers, crying for revenge. Scurrying to spare her life, the witch cast her spells…<br /><br />A girl was running through the woods, panic stricken, being chased by vicious dogs. She lost consciousness to pure terror, only to wake to face an even bigger one. She does not know who she is or where she came from. When Mady and Frayne show up to claim her as their long lost daughter, Isabelle, she is skeptical.<br /><br />Isabelle, it turns out, was six when she was taken by the witch six years ago. The little baby, the newly stolen child, was Isabelle's sister. Honey, Isabelle’s elder sister, does not seem too keen on warming up to her. The story goes on slowly as Isabelle tries to find out her true identity; a surprise ending is revealed.<br /><br />Vivian Vande Velde’s book <em>Heir Apparent</em> made a great impression on me. However, this book, although full of suspense leading to a shocking revelation, is slow-paced and never has enough excitement for young readers who enjoy substantial adventure and horror stories. </div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Zhen Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6967895171825805238?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-71808583968110533012009-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:002009-04-27T09:00:09.037-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEk1QePysI/AAAAAAAAAZs/ZTCTKPM1J54/s1600-h/marcopolo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328080331529505474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEk1QePysI/AAAAAAAAAZs/ZTCTKPM1J54/s200/marcopolo.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Rating: Recommended<br />Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $19.99<br />ISBN: 978-0761454335<br />Age/Grade Level: Grades 3-5</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Marco-Polo-Russell-Freedman/dp/043952394X/ref=pd_sim_b_1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div>This is another delightful tale from Demi. <em>Marco Polo</em> is a compact biography that covers the great explorer’s adventures on the route from Venice to China through Jerusalem, Turkey, the Silk Route, and Taklimakan Desert. Once Marco, his father, and his uncle arrived in China, he served as the ambassador for the mighty Emperor Kublai Khan. The Polos made it home safe and sound after the Emperor passed away twenty-four-years later. However, the domestic life was not all quiet and serene for Marco. He ended up imprisoned and met an experienced writer who was willing to record his fascinating journey.<br /><br />It is not important to know for sure whether Marco Polo’s adventure is reality or fantasy. Readers will be satisfied in knowing that Marco Polo’s explorations inspires mapmakers, historians, explorers, and scholars to follow suit, among them, Christopher Columbus.<br />Demi’s gorgeous illustration accompanies the historical details in text. A stunning map featuring the route of Marco Polo can be found at the end of this book. Sophisticated young readers who enjoy this book will like Val Ross’ <em>The Road to There: Mapmakers and Their Stories</em>.<br /><br />Reviewer: Zhen Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7180858396811053301?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-55868210564649314652009-04-24T12:01:00.000-07:002009-04-24T12:01:01.974-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEixqT2cLI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_5jtigmNUwc/s1600-h/kittycat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078070722490546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEixqT2cLI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_5jtigmNUwc/s200/kittycat.jpg" border="0" /></a>Illustrated by Laura J. Bryant<br />Rating: Recommended<br />Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $14.99<br />ISBN: 978-0-7614-5438-0<br />Age/Grade Level: Preschool-1st grade <div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Cat-Are-You-Waking/dp/0761454381/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1240539786&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div>Kitty Cat is waking up and getting ready for school, but is certainly taking her time. Each two page spread shows the off-screen mother cat's questions, all beginning with "Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat…," about whether she is waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast and ready to leave. Kitty's answers finish the rhyming couplet with excuses as to why she is taking so long. The illustrations show the small cat snuggling in bed, throwing clothing, chasing a mouse and so on. The pictures are large, easy to see and very sweet, while the text invites children to say the repeated phrase together and guess the concluding rhyme. A wonderful book for general cat storytimes or for discussing how to get ready in the morning. </div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5586821056464931465?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-20723161032655925582009-04-23T18:53:00.000-07:002009-04-23T19:01:35.297-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEdDgM4UWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/iZfNAgc6eno/s1600-h/elephants.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328071780176777570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SfEdDgM4UWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/iZfNAgc6eno/s200/elephants.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Illustrated by Christine Piepe</div><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Houghton Mifflin, 2008, $16.00</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-618-99784-8</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Preschool-1st grade</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&amp;field-keywords=elephants+never+forget">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>After a rainstorm, Elephant finds he is all alone in the jungle. After escaping some mean monkeys, Elephant joins a herd of buffalo and is fitting in just fine, even though he doesn’t look or sound like a buffalo. When Elephant is reunited with an elephant herd, he decides to stay with the buffalo where he belongs. Blue, black and white pen-drawn illsutrations tell the story with creativly placed text (sideways during a loud thunderstrom, wavy in the water, mixed text sizes in single words). Though a sweet story of finding where one belongs, the theme and plot don't really match the text. The story is told in short rhyming sentences so there is not much room for development as to why the elephant was left behind, why the monkeys are mean to him, why the buffalo take him in or why he choses to stay. The end almost comes too soon. The jungle placement and illsutration style seem to make the book look like a folktale but there is no author's note that this is the case. Perhaps I am thinking it out too hard, but I think it would have done better as an older child's book, with less white space and no rhyme. As a side note: the title doesn’t seem to really match, there is no mention of remembering or forgetting anything (perhaps it is because he "remembers" that he likes being with the buffalo?). Applicable for patient children at storytime or one-on-one sharing. </div><br /><div>Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2072316103265592558?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-68894019827180190462009-04-16T18:49:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:59:59.938-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SefijADDBKI/AAAAAAAAAZM/YWtPhlzz-zA/s1600-h/1968.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325474175324980386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SefijADDBKI/AAAAAAAAAZM/YWtPhlzz-zA/s200/1968.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Very Good <div>Roaring Brook, 2009, $22.95<br />ISBN: 1596434287<br />Age/Grade Level: grade 6 and up</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/1968-York-Times-Michael-Kaufman/dp/1596434287/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1239933443&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>Michael Kaufman, a reporter for the <em>New York Times</em> for four decades, draws on that newspaper's archives and his personal experiences to introduce readers to the people and events that defined an important year in history; worldwide change came that pivotal year through the power of the people (civil rights movements, antiwar protests, marches and teach-ins from Memphis, Chicago and New York to Paris, Prague and Mexico City). Each chapter chronologically focuses on a different hotspot around the globe and puts the event in context, ending in December with the Apollo flight to the moon which revealed to the world the fragility and connectedness of all people.</div><br /><div>Black and white photos and reproductions of newspaper articles add immediacy to the text. Certainly a valuable resource for any older student or adult with an interest in history.</div><br /><div>Reviewer: B. Carswell, Orange County Public Library/West Garden Grove Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6889401982718019046?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-30815974943167768112009-04-16T18:35:00.000-07:002009-04-16T18:49:22.958-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SefgBqNVfDI/AAAAAAAAAZE/K4EtWTnrHis/s1600-h/auntietiger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325471403503615026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SefgBqNVfDI/AAAAAAAAAZE/K4EtWTnrHis/s200/auntietiger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional<br />HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060295516</div><div>Age/Grade Level: ages 5-8 </div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Auntie-Tiger-Laurence-Yep/dp/0060295511/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1239932401&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set in China, Big Sister puts aside her differences with Little Sister to rescue her from a wolf in disguise. Sibling rivalry is humorously entwined in the tale which shows that although they may quarrel, the two sisters will always protect each other. Big sister cleverly outwits the wolf and, on their best behavior, the two girls are happily reunited with their mother. Charmingly illustrated in vibrant colors, this tale will delight many young readers.</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: B. Carswell, Orange County Public Library/West Garden Grove Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3081597494316776811?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-54566723816663742822009-04-09T18:32:00.001-07:002009-04-09T18:45:09.384-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sd6j3FiBc7I/AAAAAAAAAY8/KSceRhGLAAM/s1600-h/danny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322871976371516338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sd6j3FiBc7I/AAAAAAAAAY8/KSceRhGLAAM/s200/danny.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Additional<br /><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $17.89<br />ISBN: 9780061131851</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Preschool to Grade 2</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Danny-Diamondback-Barry-E-Jackson/dp/0061131849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1239327600&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a> </div><div><br />Danny the Diamondback's parents neglected to tell him that he is a poisonous snake. So he is very surprised when other creatures run in fear. He finally finds a friend in an extremely nearsighted prairie dog. This is the first children's picture book by Barry E. Jackson, who has worked on several notable animated movies including Shrek. I hope he tries again, because the illustrations are wonderful; scenic vistas with marvelous depth and characters with very expressive faces. The text, however, is so "folksy" that it seems forced rather than natural. Example: "Out popped Danny, hissin' and a-rattlin' like no tomorrow!" Maybe the author will get a more rigorous editor next time.</div><div><br />Reviewer: Mary Smith, Orange County Public Library/El Toro Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5456672381666374282?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-57353003523395408402009-03-26T20:05:00.000-07:002009-03-26T20:15:30.745-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScxEMBjx7uI/AAAAAAAAAY0/b62t0NXokWA/s1600-h/penguinstory.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317700233385340642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScxEMBjx7uI/AAAAAAAAAY0/b62t0NXokWA/s200/penguinstory.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended<br />HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780061456886</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Primary</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Story-Antoinette-Portis/dp/0061456888/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1238123669&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />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, <em>Not a Box</em> and <em>Not a Stick</em> were winners with this reviewer, and so is <em>A Penguin Story</em>. </div><div><br />Reviewer: Kim Christofferson, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5735300352339540840?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-39765614319421965712009-03-25T09:00:00.000-07:002009-03-25T09:04:07.913-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL-JYhb8wI/AAAAAAAAAYs/u_M0pKbRjaA/s1600-h/chihuahua.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315089947405579010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL-JYhb8wI/AAAAAAAAAYs/u_M0pKbRjaA/s200/chihuahua.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Recommended <div>Bearport, 2009, $17.99<br />ISBN: 1597167436<br />Age/Grade Level: K-3</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Garden-Aliki/dp/0061552070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1237515001&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>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.</div><div><br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3976561431942196571?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-79124876300394800282009-03-23T08:00:00.000-07:002009-03-23T08:00:20.856-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL6GqSa-cI/AAAAAAAAAYk/i8-PNLJNg1k/s1600-h/presidentsday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315085502588320194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL6GqSa-cI/AAAAAAAAAYk/i8-PNLJNg1k/s200/presidentsday.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell</div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $16.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-050-2</div><div>Age/Grade Level: K-2</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Presidents-Day-Anne-Rockwell/dp/B001PO659A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1237514473&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7912487630039480028?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-45212516490772813442009-03-19T18:39:00.000-07:002009-03-19T18:49:08.908-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL2BQ328FI/AAAAAAAAAYc/t1Db3RJb9Tg/s1600-h/trudy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315081011820163154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScL2BQ328FI/AAAAAAAAAYc/t1Db3RJb9Tg/s200/trudy.jpg" border="0" /></a>HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99<br />ISBN: 978-0061542671<br />Age/Grade Level: 4-8 years<br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trudy-Henry-Cole/dp/0061542679/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1237513460&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4521251649077281344?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-19566623813027562682009-03-19T18:12:00.000-07:002009-03-19T18:44:03.172-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScLxbtBfqzI/AAAAAAAAAYU/2K5FUvvwN-Y/s1600-h/pele.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315075968495233842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/ScLxbtBfqzI/AAAAAAAAAYU/2K5FUvvwN-Y/s200/pele.jpg" border="0" /></a> Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez <div><div>Rayo, 2008, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0061227790</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 8-12 years</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pele-King-Soccer-rey-futbol/dp/006122779X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1237511881&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1956662381302756268?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-10951029312285438322009-03-10T19:32:00.000-07:002009-03-10T19:42:48.875-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sbck_NRf9wI/AAAAAAAAAYE/UiGJR5FZVGQ/s1600-h/gooddog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311754953820206850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sbck_NRf9wI/AAAAAAAAAYE/UiGJR5FZVGQ/s200/gooddog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Frank Dormer<br />Rating: Recommended<br />Charlesbridge, 2009, $12.95<br />ISBN: 978-1-57091-645-8<br />Age/Grade Level: 4-7 years<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Dog-Aggie-Lori-Ries/dp/1570916454/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1236739344&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1095102931228543832?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-24032381085709193652009-03-10T19:18:00.000-07:002009-03-10T19:31:50.294-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sbcihnh2u8I/AAAAAAAAAX8/pfpZv_km7Cc/s1600-h/quietinthegarden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311752246448798658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/Sbcihnh2u8I/AAAAAAAAAX8/pfpZv_km7Cc/s200/quietinthegarden.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Greenwillow, 2009, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 978-0-06-155208-3</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 3-7 years</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Garden-Aliki/dp/0061552070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1236738119&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a> </div><br /><div><br />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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>End page provides ideas on how to "Make Your Own Quiet Garden."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This book is a reflection of Aliki's keen interest as a gardener, who, as her biography states, was afraid of worms!</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2403238108570919365?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-8757002255413157102009-03-05T20:20:00.000-08:002009-03-05T20:25:44.670-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SbClqPgbRXI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Ly9snryccWY/s1600-h/ohbrother.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309926105805440370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SbClqPgbRXI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Ly9snryccWY/s200/ohbrother.jpg" border="0" /></a>Illustrated by Mike Benny <div><div>Rating: Very Good<br />Greenwillow, 2008, $17.89<br />ISBN: 9780688172954</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Elementary school<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Brother-Nikki-Grimes/dp/0688172946/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1236313198&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a> </div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-875700225541315710?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-24861658428759650552009-03-05T20:14:00.001-08:002009-03-05T20:18:00.185-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SbCjmg4XBjI/AAAAAAAAAXk/_flXbKNYLQg/s1600-h/letitbeginhere.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309923842726495794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SbCjmg4XBjI/AAAAAAAAAXk/_flXbKNYLQg/s200/letitbeginhere.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional</div><div>Flash Point, 2008, $17.95</div><div>ISBN: 9781596432215</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Elementary school</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Let-Begin-Here-American-Revolution/dp/1596432217/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1236313012&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2486165842875965055?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-38327587880142757642009-02-26T19:21:00.000-08:002009-02-26T19:23:32.614-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadcsI8NwSI/AAAAAAAAAXc/U7s8R1ApTjg/s1600-h/doyouloveme.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307312599263461666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadcsI8NwSI/AAAAAAAAAXc/U7s8R1ApTjg/s200/doyouloveme.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Additional<br />HarperCollins, 2008, $14.99<br />ISBN: 9780061667992<br />Age/Grade Level: Ages 0-4<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Do-You-Love-Joost-Elffers/dp/0061667994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1235704694&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br />While this story sends a very sweet and important message - that a child is loved by its parent no matter what - I have seen similar books deliver this messages with more elegance. The colorful, balloon animal-esque illustrations are eye catching and fun, but make it difficult to connect to the story. With no sense of realism, the full impact of unconditional love cannot be impressed upon a child. Overall, a sweet sentiment that does not match its colorful illustrations.<br /><br />Reviewer: Monica Barette, Orange Public Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3832758788014275764?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-28815801434126104072009-02-26T18:40:00.000-08:002009-02-26T19:23:52.640-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadTUxhivRI/AAAAAAAAAXU/LCG0jne7RK0/s1600-h/whatlincolnsaid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307302302235933970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadTUxhivRI/AAAAAAAAAXU/LCG0jne7RK0/s200/whatlincolnsaid.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Illustrated by James E. Ransome</div><div>Rating: Recommended<br />Collins, 2008, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 9780060848194</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=what+lincoln+said+thomson">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br /><em>What Lincoln Said</em> is an excellent addition to the already numerous children's books about the man and his mission. While the pictures are a touch off-putting (they make Lincoln look much like Disney's Ichabod Crane, and other characters are equally distorted), the text is just right. Neither too lengthy or brief, the text does an excellent job of discussing Lincoln's life and explaining the Civil War and slavery in terms a child can comprehend, yet without oversimplifying these issues. The historical timeline of his life and the author's notes serve as icing on the cake, and I recommend this book for the library collection.</div><br /><div>Reviewer: Monica Barette, Orange Public Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-2881580143412610407?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-44617631141712819812009-02-26T18:37:00.000-08:002009-02-26T18:40:15.525-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadSX9T2Y-I/AAAAAAAAAXM/NNHjGqzgorg/s1600-h/brosandsis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307301257427706850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SadSX9T2Y-I/AAAAAAAAAXM/NNHjGqzgorg/s200/brosandsis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Spivey Gilchrist<br />Rating: Additional</div><div>Amistad, 2008, $17.99<br />ISBN: 9780060562847<br />Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Sisters-Family-Eloise-Greenfield/dp/0060562846/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1235701732&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br /><em>Brothers and Sisters</em> is a lovely collection of short poems. Each poem is simply written, easy to understand for all ages and, best of all, highly relatable. There is realism in these poems, not just "child siblings love each other at all times." Poems like "Teen Brother" give a very sad yet true depiction of a younger brother's sense of neglect from his withdrawn teenage brother, while ones like "Grandpa and Great Uncle Paul" ponder the future of sibling relationships. While I am not entirely sure about how well this will circulate at our library, those who read it should certainly enjoy this book.</div><div><br />Reviewer: Monica Barette, Orange Public Library</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4461763114171281981?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-32274112975494023352009-01-29T19:38:00.000-08:002009-01-29T19:42:14.304-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SYJ3BAiVUAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/WntLo4XZYtI/s1600-h/dangerous.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296926970948702210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SYJ3BAiVUAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/WntLo4XZYtI/s200/dangerous.jpg" border="0" /></a>Illustrated by Gris Grimly<br /><div>Rating: Additional<br />HarperCollins, 2008, $17.99</div><div>ISBN: 9789960783334</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 8 and up</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060783338/?tag=googhydr-20&amp;hvadid=3009299755&amp;ref=pd_sl_703tn235po_e">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />Not for the faint of heart, Gaiman and Grimly do what they do best with The Dangerous Alphabet, a creepy book stuck somewhere between beginning alphabet and teen gore. Each letter (with two purposely switched, can you catch which?) tells a piece of a story as two siblings and their pet gazelle explore an odd sewer-like world of monsters and gore. Sepia toned illustrations follow their journey while in the background, children are eaten by gooey creatures, a girl is chained to a wall, and body parts float in jars. Readers will be inspired to read mulitiple times, once for the text and many more to explore the pictures. Though the inside flap indicates that the book is for children 5 and up, I would be hesitant to put the eerie book in the hands of a kindergartner, as nightmares could surely follow. This would be a fascinating title for a middle grade book club; plot, pictures and even appropriateness could be topics of interest. More for 8+ children who want something very spooky to mull over, adults or the coffee table than the picture book area. </div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-3227411297549402335?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-59882888149629898462009-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:002009-01-15T19:05:52.237-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_5Wncgi_I/AAAAAAAAAW8/_rzAS1qvioY/s1600-h/ever.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291722254124616690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_5Wncgi_I/AAAAAAAAAW8/_rzAS1qvioY/s200/ever.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Very Good<br />HarperCollins Eos, 2008, $16.99 <div>ISBN: 9780061229626<br />Age/Grade Level: Ages 10+</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ever-Gail-Carson-Levine/dp/0061229628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1232075127&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div>Two voices, male and female. One very young (17) and good-looking god - and one bright, beautiful human girl. Olus, the young Akkan god of the winds, leaves his home and travels in human form in search of adventure and youthful companions; arriving in the land of Hyte, he meets Kezi, a dancer and rug weaver whose family are devout followers of their god, Admat. Their devotion is so great that Kezi's father has promised a human sacrifice to Admat if his wife is spared from death through illness. Unfortunately, Kezi becomes the sacrifice and, when the story begins, has only 30 days left to live. Unable to bear the sorrow of her family, she leaves home. She is followed by Olus. They meet and fall in love. Is their love strong enough to enable them to overcome their difficulties? He is, after all, immortal, and she is counting down the days to her death. They can only be together if Kezi is raised to the ranks of the gods, and to do that, the courage of each must be tested. </div><div><br />This deceptively simple story, told alternately by Olus and Kezi, raises several issues: If Admat, the god of Hyte, is the one true god, then how can Olus be the god of the winds? Religious conviction is called into question and does Kezi really appreciate what her life would be like as an "immortal" being? As a title by Gail Carson Levine, this book should gain a readership - I hope that those finding it will see beneath the story. It would be an interesting choice for a book discussion group. </div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-5988288814962989846?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-43334663701008868892009-01-15T18:53:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:58:00.387-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_3p663oEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/iIkVmfaO_uk/s1600-h/otherworldlies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291720386746490946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_3p663oEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/iIkVmfaO_uk/s200/otherworldlies.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Very Good<br /><div>HarperCollins Eos, 2008, $16.99<br />ISBN: 9780060739591</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 10+</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Otherworldlies-Jennifer-Anne-Kogler/dp/0060739592/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1232074599&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>Fern McAllister is weird - a friendless freak, if her persecuting classmates are to be believed. Certainly, she talks to dogs, can predict the weather and spends a lot of time in trees, but Fern considers all of that to be normal behaviour and her family loves her as she is. However, on the day that she disappears during a boring English class and finds herself on a local beach, she accepts that she really is very different from the other kids at school. Soon she discovers that she has powers other than teleportation - she has the ability to move water and can listen in on conversations about herself - but these changes are outweighed in her mind by the worsening relationship that she has with her mother and brothers. As Fern reaches her lowest point, she is befriended by Lindsey Lin, the most popular girl in the school. Lindsey expalins that Fern is an "Otherworldly", the PC term for vampire, and clues her in on the background to all the strange things that have been happening.</div><div><br />From this point, the story is less about Fern and more about vampires and a tenuous link with Greek mythology. The ending seems rather contrived with many loose ends being tied off in a hurry, possibly leaving the door open to a sequel. The characters and their relationships made for a very strong first half to this book; the "who is good, who is evil" and "why is Fern in danger" plot twists of the second half are less appealing and - in places - confusing. For all that, the popularity of the vampire genre will attract readers to this title and the early sections will draw them in. </div><div></div><br /><div>Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4333466370100886889?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-78539552299638059022009-01-15T18:46:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:53:30.560-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_17KTrp9I/AAAAAAAAAWs/NmzWoF1bX7k/s1600-h/sisterssnow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291718483911616466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SW_17KTrp9I/AAAAAAAAAWs/NmzWoF1bX7k/s200/sisterssnow.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rating: Very Good<br />HoughtonMifflin, 2008, $16.99<br /><div>ISBN: 9780061243875<br />Age/Grade Level: Gr 5-8</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Sword-Maya-Snow/dp/0061243876/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1232074384&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />In this tale of 13th century Japan, sisters Kimi (the tomboy) and Hana (the "girly" one) have a privileged life as daughters of the Jito - the much-respected local representative of the Shogun. Their upbringing has been somewhat unusual - they have learned martial arts as well as the gentler skills required of ladies of their social standing. Their secure childhood ends when their uncle, jealous of his brother's growing power, determines to wipe out the family and become Jito himself. The sisters witness the brutal murder of their father and brothers; with their mother and youngest brother, they escape a similar fate but are separated from them in the ensuing confusion. Together they set out to find a safe haven which they find in a nearby Samurai school where, disguised as boys, they gain positions as servants. </div><div> </div><div>The main plot theme is obvious from the beginning - the girls need to survive and avenge the deaths of father and brothers. In the telling, however, the story rises above this basic premise. The girls are likeable, their danger is well-described and feels real; the insight, strength and courage that they show in overcoming their situation take this tale above many adventure stories and make it a satisfying read. The ending leaves many issues unresolved - a sequel is to be expected.</div><div><br />Reviewer: Ros Wilkes, Orange County Public Library/Mesa Verde Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7853955229963805902?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-11313406110691082722009-01-08T19:19:00.000-08:002009-01-08T19:23:50.061-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWbCzqmTy5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/sSfO_UmJ4uQ/s1600-h/willoughbys.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289129005257313170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 136px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWbCzqmTy5I/AAAAAAAAAWk/sSfO_UmJ4uQ/s200/willoughbys.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>HoughtonMifflin, 2008, $16.00<br />ISBN: 9780618979745</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 9 and up</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Willoughbys-Lois-Lowry/dp/0618979743/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1231471401&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />Fans of Snicket and Dahl will eat up this "nefariously written and ignominiously illustrated" book by award-winning author Lois Lowry. Certainly a break from the author’s other works of historical and realistic fiction, <em>The Willoughbys</em> follows intertwining narratives with snappy dialogue and old fashioned fun! The four Willoughby children want to be orphans because of course, the orphans depicted in their favorite old books live the most exciting lives. Likewise, the Willoughby parents don't much like their children and would rather not be bothered by questions about breakfast and sweaters. Add together two wicked plots, a lost baby, a clever nanny, an avalanche, a chocolatier millionaire and very badly pronounced German and readers will laugh out loud at the Willoughby adventures! Complete with witty glossary and regal-sounding but hilariously-placed allusions to classic literature, this title is sure to become a future favorite! Recommended to all, especially young avid readers who will understand subtle humor. </div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Jacqueline Barry, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1131340611069108272?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-80982861314760661142009-01-08T19:13:00.001-08:002009-01-08T19:17:15.418-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWbBcCGRV9I/AAAAAAAAAWc/ApDfd88sm8M/s1600-h/boycott+blues.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289127499736897490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWbBcCGRV9I/AAAAAAAAAWc/ApDfd88sm8M/s200/boycott+blues.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Illustrated by Brian Pinkney</div><div>Rating: Very Good<br />HarperCollins, 2008, $17.89</div><div>ISBN: 9780060821197</div><div>Age/Grade Level: grades 2-4</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boycott-Blues-Parks-Inspired-Nation/dp/0060821183/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1231470995&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a><br /></div><br /><div>An intriguing, but not entirely successful effort to evoke the feeling of the blues in art and poetic prose. The subject is the 1955 bus boycott inspired by Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama. Brian Pinkney's swirling, ink-filled illustrations complement his wife, Andrea Davis Pinkney's, soulful narration, which begins, "Child, child. You have not known weary till you have walked in my shoes." What may be too abstract for children to grasp is their decision to picture a dog for "dog-tired" and a swirly black, almost unrecognizable crow as Jim Crow personified, going peck-peck-peck as Rosa Parks and others come up against the laws of segregation. This would be most effective read aloud by someone who could do justice to the African American speech patterns.</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Mary Smith, Orange County Public Library/El Toro Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-8098286131476066114?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-48846406633600333032009-01-08T18:54:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:42:06.547-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWa_lTbywuI/AAAAAAAAAWU/euCB8biXoEY/s1600-h/hurricane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289125459986137826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SWa_lTbywuI/AAAAAAAAAWU/euCB8biXoEY/s200/hurricane.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rating: Very Good<br /><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $16.89</div><div>ISBN: 9780060000196</div><div>Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hurricane-Novel-Terry-Trueman/dp/006000018X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1231469626&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />A fictional account of a true disaster, and how a thirteen-year-old boy had to cope with the horrific aftermath. Hurricane Mitch hit the village of La Rupa, Honduras with a terrific fury, leaving only two houses out of twelve standing. Jose Cruz is the oldest child at home when the category 5 hurricane hits. His father and older brother and sister were away, and even his dog wasn’t home. Jose knows he must not give in to fear and be brave and strong for his mother, younger brother and sister and the remaining townspeople who depend on him. He helps dig in the mudslide for any survivors and the dead. He shares his house with villagers who lost their homes and searches for food and water. When his little brother gets sick, he tries to find a doctor. All this time, he doesn’t know if the rest of his family is dead or alive. This is a survival story where readers might learn from Jose how to find their inner strength and courage when faced with a seemingly impossible situation. </div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Patricia Campbell, Orange County Public Library/La Palma Branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4884640663360033303?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-45796743066803301622008-12-22T20:30:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:36:19.105-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBqmOo1fFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/T3um-KuIncQ/s1600-h/manforall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282839567902538834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBqmOo1fFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/T3um-KuIncQ/s200/manforall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Wil Clay<br />Rating: Recommended</div><div>HarperCollins, 2008, $17.00<br />ISBN: 978-0060278861<br />Age/Grade Level: 6-9 years (content may appeal to children over 9)</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-All-Seasons-George-Washington/dp/0060278854/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1230006952&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />This inspirational biography of George Washington Carver focuses on his continuous search for learning from his boyhood days examining plants on his Uncle Moses' farm to his student days at Iowa Agriculture College. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When George graduated in 1894, he was recognized as a promising botanist. The theme of the story emphasizes his endless curiosity, and his passion for sharing his knowledge with others. He will be remembered for his work as a professor at Tuskegee Institute and for developing multiple uses for the peanut. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Every page of this book enriches the reader's understanding of this remarkable man. The beautiful illustrations effectively capture the emotions and character of Carver.</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4579674306680330162?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-14992151114032653782008-12-22T20:22:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:29:53.808-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBpLJ-bQmI/AAAAAAAAAWE/I4N2CoZC-mw/s1600-h/magicmargins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282838003282821730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBpLJ-bQmI/AAAAAAAAAWE/I4N2CoZC-mw/s200/magicmargins.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen</div><div>Rating: Very Good</div><div>Houghton Mifflin, 2007, $17.00</div><div>ISBN: 978-0618496424</div><div>Age/Grade Level: 6-9 years</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Margins-Medieval-Tale-Bookmaking/dp/0618496424/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1230006510&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A Middle Ages Tale of a young orphan named Simon, whose education fell to Brother William, a monk who worked in the monastery's scriptorium. Simon learned how to make parchment, cure quill pens and grind pigments to paint, but most of all he wanted to draw pictures on his own.</div><div></div><br /><div>The young apprentice is challenged by Father Anselem to use both skill and vision, and most of all his imagination. "Begin by capturing mice," directs the good Father. These mysterious words send Simon on a mission that leads to his understanding of how great artists are not those who merely copy pictures, but create wonderful images from their imaginations. </div><br /><div></div><div>The text is framed in decorative illustrations resembling those found in the early illuminated manuscripts. These pages should surely motivate the young artist to try creating his own illuminated story. The afterword provides useful information about this period.</div><br /><div></div><div>Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1499215111403265378?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-45409314644622528422008-12-22T20:15:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:22:12.616-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBnbwUbOnI/AAAAAAAAAV8/aY0lYuSX4II/s1600-h/baseballtreasures.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282836089430293106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SVBnbwUbOnI/AAAAAAAAAV8/aY0lYuSX4II/s200/baseballtreasures.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Photographs by Susan Einstein<br />Rating: Very Good<br />Smithsonian/HarperCollins, 2007, $17.89<br />ISBN: 978-0061144738<br />Age/Grade Level: 7-12 years<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Treasures-Stephen-Wong/dp/0061144649/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1230006069&amp;sr=1-6">View this book on Amazon</a><br /><br />If you love baseball, enjoy collecting baseball cards and want to learn some fascinating stories about the sport since its early days, this book is for you. The more than 100 photographs bring to life the champions of the game and fill the pages with memorabilia of caps, balls, bats and players' jerseys. A chapter on the World Series captures the excitement of games gone by.<br /><br />Stephen Wong, a devoted collector of baseball trearues, share with his readers his early interest in baseball and the culminating results in the Wong Family Archives Collection for everyone to enjoy.<br />Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-4540931464462252842?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-16246941212793522892008-12-18T19:32:00.000-08:002008-12-18T19:37:17.790-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUsWiE42UmI/AAAAAAAAAV0/cbSPpdF5PE0/s1600-h/bearspicture.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281339762705584738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUsWiE42UmI/AAAAAAAAAV0/cbSPpdF5PE0/s200/bearspicture.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Rating: Very Good<br />Houghton Mifflin, 2008, $16.00<br />ISBN: 978-0618759231<br />Age/Grade Level: preschool </p><p><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bears-Picture-Daniel-Manus-Pinkwater/dp/0618759239/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1229657781&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></p><p><br />This is a simple story about a bear who wants to paint a picture. Along come “two fine, proper gentlemen” who keep telling the bear that his picture doesn’t look like anything. But of course, the bear doesn’t mind because at the end he likes his picture anyway. This is a great choice for storytime as the text is short and sweet. The pictures are colorful and engaging and children will enjoy trying to decipher what the bear is painting as the story moves along. It’s also a good choice for teaching children the importance of being unique and appreciating their own creations. Overall, it’s a good picture book that will undoubtedly find plenty of readers in the children’s collection. </p><br /><p><br />Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park</p><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1624694121279352289?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-69214294526295855672008-12-18T19:09:00.001-08:002008-12-18T19:31:54.213-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUsQ3MMM1RI/AAAAAAAAAVs/u_v9bGHoMSs/s1600-h/trouble.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281333528373286162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUsQ3MMM1RI/AAAAAAAAAVs/u_v9bGHoMSs/s200/trouble.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Marginal</div><div>Greenwillow, 2008, $18.99<br />ISBN: 978-0061344312</div><div>Age/Grade Level: ages 9 to 12</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Begins-Life-Mark-Twain/dp/0061344311/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1229655836&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />This biography of Mark Twain was written by a Newbery medalist and generally received good reviews. It should be a sure selection. However, the unappealing writing style and seeming contradictions cited throughout the book make it a marginal choice for the library’s collection. Fleischman’s prose is tedious and unduly verbose. There is very little flow and children would find the text very difficult to follow. Although extensively and thoroughly cited, it seems as though the author constructed this entire book around a random selection of quotations that he found in other works. He is extremely subjective in certain parts of the book taking far too much artistic liberty- an act that he later tries to defend. (p.177) But the most glaring problem with the book is that it is full of contradications. For example, Fleischman states that Twain became depressed and gloomy near the end of his life. “His bleak view of life became as frozen and fixed as the north star”. (p.171) But less than a page later he writes that “Twain was never able to abandon his gift for laughter.” </div><div> </div><div>Overall, the book does not capture the essence of Twain’s life or his works. The prolix descriptions will turn away young and old readers alike. The only redeeming qualities to this biography are wonderful illustrations, a very good timeline, and a chapter that includes one of Twain’s stories, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”.<br /></div><div><br />Reviewer: Sarah Stimson, Orange County Public Library/Irvine University Park</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-6921429452629585567?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-14964056269015788212008-12-15T20:07:00.000-08:002008-12-15T20:12:40.672-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUcqpUqcPWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/8eP-jCekKxM/s1600-h/lancelot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280235977524919650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUcqpUqcPWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/8eP-jCekKxM/s200/lancelot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended<br />Houghton Mifflin, 2008, $15.00</div><div>ISBN: 978-0618777143<br />Age/Grade Level: ages 9 and up</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Lancelot-Great-Knights-Tales/dp/0618777148/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1229399892&amp;sr=8-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />Chivalry is not dead! The defender of Arthurian tales, Sir Lancelot, endures, slashing one heck of an enjoyble read. <em>The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great</em> is a hero's quest, beginning when newly knighted Lancelot leaves home pursuing honor, nobility and the "shiniest armor in all the world." Amusing in its tales, with a hint of Monty Python for children, the Sire doth make a reader contented. Gerald Morris writes with especially good command over dialogue and Aaron Renier's illustrations complete the good show. Recreants aside, purveyors of a good tale will enjoy this tale to the hilt.</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-1496405626901578821?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-880393672748836682.post-70921001585265425992008-12-11T20:32:00.000-08:002008-12-11T20:42:08.064-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUHrdEiiljI/AAAAAAAAAVc/O8oMTbrJJbI/s1600-h/hatecat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278759122922280498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1bgiLzSXSQg/SUHrdEiiljI/AAAAAAAAAVc/O8oMTbrJJbI/s200/hatecat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rating: Recommended</div><div>Joanna Cotler, 2008, $16.89<br />ISBN: 978-0061430930</div><div>Age/Grade Level: ages 9 and up</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hate-That-Cat-Sharon-Creech/dp/0061430927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1229056902&amp;sr=1-1">View this book on Amazon</a></div><br /><div><br />Grief's sting is still palpable in Sharon Creech's <em>Hate That Cat</em>, an appropriate sequel to <em>Love That Dog</em>. The main character, Jack, continues his poetic bildungsroman with room 204's Miss Stretchberry. A critical uncle, a hearing-impaired mother, a nasty cat, and a summons to love another animal provide grist for his self-expressive poetry. What is to "love, love, love" about this gem of a book is its real and raw look at death and the pain that follows loss. Poetry provides a nice vehicle for the call to love again. The question is not whether to read this book, but how much time to allow between reading the two Creech companion books.</div><br /><div><br />Reviewer: Rebecca Porter, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Beach branch</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/880393672748836682-7092100158526542599?l=slsbookreviews.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>SLS Children's Book Reviewsnoreply@blogger.com