Merry Christmas, Splat, by Rob Scotton

Rating: Recommended

HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780060831608

Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7

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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.

Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Mystery Vine, by Cathryn Falwell

Rating: Recommended

Greenwillow Books, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061771989

Age/Grade Level: Ages 3-7

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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!

Reviewer: Marie L. Twombly, OCPL/Aliso Viejo

Michelle, by Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrated by AG Ford

Rating: Additional

Katherine Tegen Books, 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1827396

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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Michelle 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.

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.

Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch

Tyrannoclaus, by Janet Lawler

Illustrated by John Shroades

Rating: Marginal

HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 978-0-06-1170546

Age/Grade Level: Ages 4-8

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Tyrannoclaus 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 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. 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.

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, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. 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.

Reviewer: Kristine Russell, OCPL/Ladera Ranch

Here Comes Jack Frost, by Kazuno Kohara

Rating: Recommended

Roaring Brook Press, 2009, $12.99

ISBN: 9781596434424

Age/Grade Level: PreK - Grade 2

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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.

Reviewer: Mary Pezzetti, OCPL/Tustin Branch

The Twelve Prayers of Christmas, by Candy Chand

Illustrated by James Bernadin

Rating: Recommended

Harper Blessings, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780060776367

Age/Grade Level: PreK to Grade 2

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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.

Reviewer: Mary Pezzetti, OCPL/Tustin Branch

Have You Ever Seen a Sneep? by Tasha Pym

Illustrated by Joel Stewart

Rating: Recommended

Random House, 2009, $16.95

ISBN: 9780374328689

Age/Grade Level: Ages 3 and up

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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.

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

Just Grace Goes Green, by Charise Mericle Harper

Rating: Very Good

Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 9780618959570

Age/Grade Level: Grades 2-5

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Like the prior books in the "Just Grace" series, Just Grace Goes Green 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.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch

Dirty Laundry, by Daniel Ehrehaft

Rating: Additional

HarperCollins, 2009, $16.99

ISBN: 9780061131035

Age/Grade Level: teen/high school

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Boarding School lit is always a hit. Something about the confines of high school combined with prep school drama is a guaranteed fun read. Dirty Laundry 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.

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 Gossip Girl and Demonata. Additional title for larger teen collections, sure to get readership because of the drama and mystery elements.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, OCPL/Villa Park Branch

Erika-San, by Allen Say

Rating: Very Good

Houghton Mifflin, 2009, $17.00

ISBN: 9780618889334

Age/Grade Level: Grades 1-3

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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.

Reviewer: Jacqueline Overlid, Orange County Public Library/Villa Park