Patches and Scratches by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Simply Sarah series)

Rating: Recommended

Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $14.99

ISBN: 978-0-761453475

Age Level: 6-8 years

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This book would be an excellent one to give a child who has ever wanted a pet. The large text makes the book easy to read, and the illustrations are fun as well. A good transitional book for children who are ready for a chapter book. Sarah wants to help her friend Peter find a pet that he can keep in the apartment he and his Grandmother live in. The only problem is Peter wants a dog and there are no dogs allowed in the apartment complex they live in.

Reviewer: Kim Bell, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch

Lungs: Your Respiratory System by Seymour Simon

Rating: Recommended
Collins, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0060546540
Age Level: 4-8 years


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This tutorial on the human respitory system is very informative. Colorful pictures of the body's inner workings lend great visual explanations that mix well with the text. The text itself is large and reader friendly, helping the it to remain easy to follow. This is a great way for anyone to learn about lungs, and I believe it would succeed in keeping a young person's attention.



Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Had Gadya by Michael Strassfeld

Illustrated by Seymour Chwast
Rating: Additional

Roaring Brook, 2007, $15.99

ISBN: 978-0-7614-5353-6

Age Level: 4-8 years

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In his afterward, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld writes that Had Gadya was designed to provoke the interest of children. While this story may not circulate well in a public library, it certainly is interesting and educational, in a very simple way. Through light-hearted singing and childlike illustration, a symbolic tale of Jewish belief and survivial through the ages is told. The ending may turn some off, but it is the most impactful way to portray this Jewish folk song.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold

Illustrated by Mary Peterson

Rating: Not Recommended

Charlesbridge, 2007, $12.95

ISBN: 978-1596431362

Age Level: 4-8 years

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There seems to be neither a point nor a coherency to this book. The characters are flat and uninteresting, and there are too few lessons to be learned from their adventures. Because the main characters are worms, the illustrations are equally uninteresting. Also, the chapters do not seem to end at satisfactory points or flow well as an overall story. The only real positive thing that can be said for this book is the worm facts on the final page, which at least offer some education if not entertainment.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Alaska by Shelley Gill

Illustrated by Patrick J. Endres

Rating: Recommended
Charlesbridge, 2007, $6.95
ISBN: 978-0881062939

Age Level: 4-8 years
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This is a great book to learn not only about the beauty of Alaska, but also the importance of conservation. The latter is a subtle message that does not beat the reader about the head like other similar tales. I learned many new facts about Alaska, and have a whole new respect for the land. The gorgeous photographs and laugh-out-loud "Cheechako Tips" help make this book almost as fun as it is educational. The short poems that go with each new topic are another great bonus. This is a very good book for Alaska state reports or just casual learning.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Show Horses by Margaret Fetty

Rating: Recommended

Bearport, 2007, $25.27

ISBN: 978-1597163996
Age Level: 9-12 years

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It is clear in the book that the author is passionate about horses. Informative yet easy to follow, this is a lovely book that offers an inside look at the world of competitive horse racing. The corresponding photos, vocabulary words, and fast facts add icing to the cake. This is a great book that will both educate and intrigue readers.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Custard Surprise by Bernard Lodge

Illustrated by Tim Bowers

Rating: Recommended
HarperCollins, 2007, $16.89
ISBN: 978-0-06-073688-0

Age Level: 4-8 years
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An excellent book for children who are just starting to read on their own. Big, widely spaced text makes it especially new reader friendly. The story itself is silly, and added with the comical illustrations it becomes downright funny. It is a great book to entertain children and hopefully make them want to read more.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Cassie Was Here by Caroline Hickey

Rating: Additional

Roaring Brook, 2007, $16.95

ISBN: 978-1596432055

Age Level: 8-12 years

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The characters in this book are very well developed, especially that of the title character Cassie. Written from the eyes of the lonely and younger Bree, Cassie is especially frightening in her confidence and lack of regard for the rules. The reader will cringe a number of times right along with Bree as Cassie turns her life upside down. Each of the other characters is almost equally as relatable, and this story takes the adult reader right back into their own preadolescence. I recommend this book to the savvy young reader, and even to their parents.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Every Season by Shelley Rotner and Anne Love Woodhull

Rating: Additional
Roaring Brook, 2007, $16.95
ISBN: 978-1596431362
Age Level: 4-8 years
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Visually, this book is beautiful. Unfortuantely, many children may not appreciate this as much as an adult, or even a photographer, would. In fact, this book does feel like a photographic indulgence rather than a book aimed at getting a child's attention. However, the small amount of text nicely pulls things together, and this book brings the imagination right into the seasons of topic. Overall, this book is worth adding to the collection, but it may not have a high rate of circulation.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Emma Dilemma and the Two Nannies by Patricia Hermes

Illustrated by Vera Soki

Rating: Marginal
Marshall Cavendish, 2007, $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5353-6
Age Level: 9-12 years
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I have seen this character of Emma Dilemma be compared to Junie B. and Ramona, but I feel that Emma is much less entertaining. While Emma has the same types of thoughts and feelings as many children her age, she lacks that extra spark that both Junie and Ramona have. This lack of spark carries throughout the story, which is too long for the end result. The ending has a very nice message, but one that was simple enough to not need over 100 pages of almost humorless misadventure. Overall, this Emma Dilemma tale feels like real life, and what is the purpose of reading the ordinary?

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library