November 2007 Archives

Pink by Nan Gregory and Luc Melanson.

Vivi desperately wants to be one of the pink girls who have pink backpacks, pink clothes, pink hair bands all in the perfect shade of pink.  She dreams of the perfect pink life so different from her own.  Vivi then discovers the perfect pink bride doll in the window of a fancy toy store.  She works hard to save money to purchase the doll, doing odd jobs in their apartment building.  But when she reveals to the Pinks at school that she is going to buy the doll, one of them gets there before her and she is devastated. 

This is a book that dances along just like life.  It is a vividly pink look at wishing, wanting, striving and disappointment, only to discover that there are special pink moments in her own life too.  Vivi is a wonderful character, especially for a picture book.  Her parents are equally interesting and their parenting is warm and supportive.  It is a treat to have a book where the parents are role models but the text is not didactic. 

The end of the book is buttoned by music, dance and sunsets, things that everyone can enjoy and share whether they can afford pink perfection or not.  The message of the book is strong but never crosses over into preaching.  The story is allowed to stand on its own strength through clear writing and bright illustrations.

Recommended to both boys and girls (despite the pink focus) ages 5-7.

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones.

Jeremy desperately wants a pair of those black high tops with white stripes, but there is no extra money to get anything but new winter boots.  To make matters worse, Jeremy's shoes wear out and he has to wear a pair that fits him taken from the box the guidance counselor keep for kids who need things.  And they are bright blue and Velcro, like ones for little kids.  Jeremy's grandmother takes him shopping for boots and thinks about getting him the new shoes, but they are too expensive.  Then she willingly takes him to different thrift stores to see if they can find a pair.  And they do!  But the shoes are too small, even though Jeremy tries to curl his toes under his foot to make them fit.  He insists that they buy them, but finally admits that he can't wear them.  Perhaps someone else can?

This story simply and clearly tells the story of a child who lives in a family where he can't have everything he wants.  There is no shame here, no squalor, just a normal family where spending money has an impact and choices must be made.  The illustrations in the book show a rainbow of children going to school together.  Friendships are not racially divided and neither is the poverty line.  It is all nicely handled. 

This is one of those books that is important to share with all children of any means.  Children who don't face choices like this must learn that there are families right in their communities who do, and children who live in homes where finances are tight will be happy to know that they are not the only ones.  We live in a society where items are glorified and children are caught up in having the latest gizmos, gadgets, toys and clothes.  This book puts it all into perspective.  And just might lead to new perspectives in children who get a chance to read it, hear it and talk about it.

Highly recommended for ages 5-8.  This would be a wonderful book to get conversations started in a classroom about money and choices and differences.

The Horn Book has once again created an amazing compilation of best books.  Their Best Books of 2007 include so many of my favorites of the year!  In picture books, they are all marvelous.  Fiction includes three of my all-time favorites of the year: Hugo Cabret, Red Spikes and Absolutely True Diary.  All marvelous!  What a great list and what a great year for books! 

Rowling will not be suing George Lippert, author of a fan fiction 8th book in the Harry Potter series.  Rowling has stated that spin-offs are fine as long as they are not sold and it is made clear that she is not associated with the stories.  She also requested that they not contain racism or pornography. 

You can click here to see the Wikipedia entry on the Lippert book which is still hidden behind an elaborate website.  Wikipedia's entry offers the passwords you will need to explore the site fully.

Nominated for a 2007 Cybil in Fantasy/Science Fiction.



Giving Up the Ghost by Sheri Sinykin.

Davia is afraid of so much in her life when she leaves her native Wisconsin and heads down south to Louisiana with her mother and father.  Her mother recently survived cancer and now they are going to help with the hospice care of Davia's elderly Aunt Mari.  Everything about the aging southern plantation frightens Davia, especially when she meets its resident ghost, Emilie.  As Davia is drawn deeper into the mystery of Emilie, she finds herself steadily overcoming her fears and facing the uncertainty in her life.

It is the characters of this story that really make it come alive.  Aunt Mari is often unlikable and scary, but readers will find themselves feeling an ever-growing bond with her just as Davia does.  Davia's parents are complex, filtered by Davia's perspective of them both.  Emilie is less frightening than petulant, making her an interesting ghostly figure.  But the real achievement is Davia herself, who has been masterfully crafted to be truly human and vivid.  Her character's fears could have overwhelmed the writing, but Sinykin has managed to create a fearful character who discovers not only courage but also acceptance of uncertainty.  A strong message for readers.

Though Davia is 13 years old in the story, the book is more appropriate for elementary readers aged 10-12.  I recommend it for readers who enjoy ghost stories mixed with solid reality. 

The Tear Thief by Carol Ann Duffy, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli.

This ethereal book features a strange, delicate creature called the Tear Thief, who goes to a different place in the world each night to catch tears.  The thief listens for children crying and then sneaks to their sides invisibly to take their tears.  You can only see the Tear Thief in reflections not by looking at it directly.  The most valuable tears are those cried in true sorrow and they are the ones most useful in making the moon shine brighter and brighter, lit by children's tears.

This book is very fairy-like with dainty pictures that have a misty, magical quality.  The text too shares this feel of magical touches.  Having a book with a non-scary but mysterious character is lovely.  Children will recognize their own tantrums and cries here, and will wonder if the thief has ever visited them. 

Best shared in small groups or at bedtime, this book will add a magical moment wherever it is shared.

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio by Lloyd Alexander.

The author of The Chronicles of Prydain returns with his final book, a treasure hunt through the desert.  After being dismissed from his uncle's shipping business, Carlo finds himself homeless with only a vague map to treasure in his hands and a book of stories.  Carlo gets onto a ship and heads out to find the Road of Golden Dreams despite the dangers.  On his travels, he gathers a motley party to travel with him, including the laziest camel-puller in the land, a lovely girl with a tragic past, and a mystic traveler happy to be wherever he finds himself.  Is the map real?  How about the treasure?  Or is it worth the journey alone?

Alexander is in fine form here with a vibrant setting, hordes of evil and/or interesting characters, and lots to say about journeys and treasures.  He has created characters who really stand on their own, leaving nothing to stereotypes.   Additionally, Alexander has added a wonderful touch of humor throughout the story, leading to laugh-out-loud moments and great guffaws. 

Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed Indiana Jones.  Readers will enjoy the journey through the desert, the dangers and the lessons finally learned.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell

Emmy tried her hardest to be the best girl she could be.  But no matter how perfect she was, her parents continued to go on longer and longer vacations, leaving Emmy with her nanny, Miss Barmy.   Emmy misses her parent terribly, which is made worse by the fact that none of the children at school seem to notice her much less talk to her.  Emmy's life changes when she starts listening to the classroom rat speaking to her and she enters a world of strange rodents and danger. 

The book is well-written and lots of fun with its unique and strange take on rodents.  Emmy is a likable character, once the story gets going, and the other characters are equally well rendered.  The villains are cardboard figures, taken to an extreme.

My main quibble with the book is the use of lucky chance as a way to move the plot forward.  I would much have preferred some of the discoveries Emmy makes to be the result of sleuthing rather than happenstance. 

That said, this is a book that could be used in classrooms as a read-aloud or for early-reading children.  It is appropriate for those reading at an 8-10 year old level.

Calendar by Myra Cohn Livingston, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand.

This simple book that follows the months of the year offers just a line per page making it perfect for young children.  Livingston has created a poem that sings along the year and has a mix of both traditional and surprising touches.  Some of the surprising touches will get readers to look more closely at the illustrations and others will have readers smiling with pleasure and agreement. 

Hillenbrand's illustrations have a mix of collage and painting.  They are bold, bright and will project well to a group.  The first page "January shivers" is evocative of Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy Day with its child in red on a snowy background.  Even the collage technique evokes Keats' art.  Many of the illustrations have a sense of motion and joy.  There is a playfulness but also an art to the illustrations. 

Recommended when doing calendars with children in preschool and kindergarten, this book will get children thinking of what they enjoy about the different months of the year. 

Chester by Melanie Watt

Author Melanie Watt is trying to write a book about a mouse, but her cat Chester is trying to get her to write a book about HIM.  So Melanie will write a page, and Chester will take his red pen and edit it to suit his story.  It leads to a power struggle between the author and her cat, filled with laugh-out-loud funny moments. Who will win in the end?  You'll just have to read and laugh along to find out.

The illustrations are great fun here, because Chester does his best to change the detailed illustrations with his red marker.  Watt has done a fine job of creating two styles of illustration laid together.  She has also written a book that reads aloud very well with lots of personality and energy. 

This is one of those books that will get a classroom of children just shouting with laughter.  I highly recommend sharing this with a group of children ages 5-8.  The humor will draw in even the most jaded of elementary school children. 

The short list for the Costa Awards (formerly the Whitbread) has been announced.  The four children's books shortlisted are:

• The Bower Bird by Ann Kelley
• Crusade by Elizabeth Laird
• What I Was by Meg Rosoff
• Blood Red Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick

The Story of Charles Atlas, Strong Man by Meghan McCarthy.

This is a picture book biography of Charles Atlas, who started life with the name of Angelo Siciliano.  Atlas came to the U.S. from Italy through Ellis Island.  Throughout his boyhood he was the victim of bullies.  When he saw a statue of Hercules at a museum, Atlas was inspired to get himself into shape.  But the first weights he used don't seem to work.  Finally, Atlas created a new fitness routine and his body started to change.  His career after that was all based on his muscles and body.  He sold his fitness course to millions of people and his measurements are on file as the perfect human specimen. 

Picture book biographies often are dry and uninspiring, but this one will hold the interest of readers.  Even children uninterested in body building will be inspired by the way Atlas refused to give up and persevered in changing his life and build.  There is much more here than muscles, there is a real heart.

Recommended for children who normally won't read picture books, this melding of picture book and true story will perfectly suit some readers.  The book also reads aloud well, and could be used in elementary school as a great example of a biography. 

The Boy Who Painted Dragons by Demi.

Ping is a boy who paints dragons, but he doesn't do it out of love or joy, he does it because he is terrified of dragons.  Each dragon he paints, he hopes that he will no longer be afraid.  He covers entire rooms in dragons, but his fear doesn't lessen.  When the dragons in heaven take an interest in his painting, Ping is sent on a quest for three treasures.  Ping learns to face his fear and truly honor the dragons with his paintings.

The illustrations in this book are marvelous, filled with metallic and brightly-colored Chinese dragons.  Children will be immediately drawn into the story with the promise of dragons and may be surprised to learn about the traditions of dragons in the East.  The story is told with flourishes and touches that match the flamboyance of the illustrations.  It is a single unified story.

The lessons of the dragons:  Seek Your Truth, Find Your Truth and Dare to Be True will resound with children and adults alike.  It would make an interesting book to start a discussion on fears and overcoming them. 

Recommended for its multicultural focus and strong storytelling, this book will work well with a group.  It will be most appreciated by children age 6-8.

Great news for Alex Rider fans!  Author Anthony Horowitz says that there will probably be three more books to follow the just-released Snakehead, the seventh book in the series.  However, it looks like there will be no film series, because of earning issues with the first film which Horowitz puts down to distribution issues.

Get ready to be a little ticked off.  Or a lot, if you are like me.

Publishers in the UK are censoring children's books not for sexual content or violence, but for real evil.  Brace yourself.  Ready?  They are protecting your children from (gasp) sharp objects and walking alone - IN BOOKS.  Yup. 

So, no child in Britain will be exposed to the horror of sharp sticks, fire-breathing dragons, perching on ladders, or heating elements glowing red. 

Well, thank goodness that someone is protecting my children!  I mean, silly mother that I am, I might have read them books about dragons, swords, painting the stars on ladders, or any number of things.

Now let's understand what the real enemy is here:  IMAGINATION!  GASP!

Wouldn't want those kids to start thinking, dreaming, learning!  Just turn the TV back on.  They won't see anything bad there.  It's the books that are dangerous.  You could lose an eye!

Orange in January by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Julie Maren.

Reading like a poem, this picture book follows an orange from the blossom to the hands of a child.  The language of the book is beautiful, creating a very mellow and deep view of the world, just the right type of voice for a book about fruit. 

Here is one page, after the boy brings the orange home:

That night,
as ice gleamed on the branches,
he dreamed
of a land that shone
in summer light.

But there are so many pages with that sort of lovely language on them.  And do you see how child-friendly it is, but still emotionally deep and speaking volumes? 

And let's talk about the illustrations.  Maren has created images that echo the depth of the words, filled with rich colors of deep blues, bright oranges, and in the same way the illustrations are child-friendly but somehow deeper and richer than most. 

Highly recommended as a perfect intro to poetry for children.  Share it in storytimes, it reads aloud almost magically and the illustrations are perfect for sharing.  Or it is also a perfect book to curl up and read on a snowy evening, while snacking on an orange of course!

Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin, pictures by Harry Bliss.

Continuing the series that started with Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider, Cronin has once again written a seriously funny book that children will adore.

This is the story of a fly who is headed to school for the first time.  She has many of the usual worries of a child.  Why can't she have her own room?  Will everyone eat the same food at lunch?  What do her class pictures look like?  But she is also purely a fly, much to the joy of the reader. 

The art is lots of fun and carries the jokes in the text forward.  The two together form a winning and humorous pairing.  Because of the humor, even 8 and 9 year olds will enjoy this series of books.

Highly recommended for a good laugh, this can be used with a fairly small group of children, but shouldn't be used for a big group.  Part of the fun of the book is the detail of the illustrations and you don't want that to get lost.  Appropriate for ages 5-9.

One more list, just in case your to-be-read list has bloated enough with the previous lists!  Publisher's Weekly has released their list of the Best Children's Books of 2007.  Again, I see a lot of my favorites and others that are already patiently waiting to be read on my list. 

One book that will even bump the Cybil's books off of the top of my pile is the conclusion of Libba Bray's trilogy.  I can't wait to see how she ends it and just go along for the ride in her Victorian fantasy. 

Tis the season for Best of the Year lists!



School Library Journal has posted their favorite titles of the year.  Their list includes 63 books.  Lots of lovely picture books, great teen reads and wonderful middle grade books.  Many of my favorites of the year made their list.




Amazon also has their Best 0f 2007.  You'll have to scroll down to find their lists for picture books, middle readers and teens.  Each list has a full top ten.  And again some of my favorites are there.

How about you?

Nominee for the 2007 Cybil Awards in Fantasy and Science Fiction.



Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs.

Kathleen's brother dies in a car accident coming to pick her up from a party.  After his death, Kathleen learns that it is possible for her to move between realities and visit multiple universes where her life is similar but not the same.  As she starts to wonder about her sanity, she learns that Luke is also a shifter who can move about in the same way.  Luke becomes her only constant as Kathleen continues to wake up in new and unexpected realities.  Can Kathleen figure out how to control the shifting?  And if she can, can she find a reality where her brother didn't die?

This impossible-to-put-down book is a breathtaking rollercoaster ride.  Kathleen's character is vivid and constantly interesting as is the plot as it veers from reality to reality.  The writing is strong and controlled allowing the characters to take a wild ride, but making it completely believable.  Jacobs does an admirable job of creating alternate Kathleens who are just as interesting and convincing as the original without losing the focus and forward motion of the novel. 

Get it into the hands of teens who enjoy science fiction, but it will also be of interest to teens who enjoy general fiction.  The book should also be recommended to reluctant readers who may find themselves unable to put it down too.

Reading Rants! has released their 2007 top ten teen books.

I have read so few of them!  So they are going on my list of ones to read.  I have read Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt, and LOVED it.  I consider it a top contender for the Newbery.  But I wonder at Sherman Alexie not making the list...

The Public Library of Westland in Michigan has a great collection of 100 Books Your Child Should Hear Before Starting School.  Reading aloud to children is such an important part of emergent literacy! 

As their site says reading aloud to children will

• improve listening and communication skills
• build vocabulary
• and teach that written word has meaning
• most importantly, you foster a love of reading

Hurrah!!  Sherman Alexie has won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature!  His brilliant, amazing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is my favorite teen novel of the year.  I don't think I have ever had my favorite win the NBA.  So hurrah!  Hurrah! 

I heard it on NPR on my way to work and restrained myself to loud cheers and a happy dance, refraining from honking the horn and flashing my lights in glee.

Nominated for a 2007 Cybil in Fantasy and Sci Fi.



Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan.

This third book of short stories by Lanagan demonstrates exactly how short story collections should work.  I consider Lanagan a student of Ray Bradbury, whose short story collections filled my teenage summers.  Like Bradbury, Lanagan takes a supernatural or science fiction genre and delicately creates stories that within a few short pages create entire worlds.  Lanagan's stories are surprising, wondrous and at times quite horrific. 

One never quite knows where the story is headed, when the twist is coming, or if there will be a twist at all.  It makes the reading of the stories a very dynamic and engaging activity.  Unlike novels, there is no settling in with characters, no constant narration, no ground to rest on.  Here there is only the whirl of worlds, the dance of planets, and possibilities to explore. 

Lanagan excels at taking complex worlds and distilling them into an instance that speaks to their enormity.  She can create characters you care deeply about within a few paragraphs.  Her skill with this limiting form is astounding as her prose remains light and accessible while revealing so much more underneath.  There is a crystalline beauty to the stories as they chime together to a greater whole. 

Recommended for teens willing to try short stories.  These stories should be offered side-by-side with Bradbury's as a recommendation. 

The longlist for the 2008 Carnegie prize has been announced.  I haven't read many of them, but please if you have let's hear from you!  My favorite on the list is Skullduggery Pleasant, which is a real treat of a unique fantasy novel. 

AHLBERG, Allan The Boyhood of Burglar Bill

BERTAGNA, Julie, Zenith

BIRCH, Beverley, Rift

BOWLER, Tim Frozen Fire

BROOKS, Kevin Being

COLFER, Eoin The Legend of the Worst Boy in the World

CROSSLEY-HOLLAND, Kevin Gatty’s Tale

DOGAR, Sharon Waves

DOWD, Siobhan The London Eye Mystery

DOWNHAM, Jenny Before I Die

DUFFY, Carol Ann The Hat

FISHER, Catherine Incarceron

FLETCHER, Charlie Stoneheart

GILMAN, David The Devil’s Breath

GLASS, Linzi Ruby Red

HAIG, Matt Shadow Forest

HARDINGE, Frances Verdigris Deep

HOOPER, Mary The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose

JONES, Diana Wynne The Pinhoe Egg

KENNEN, Ally Berserk

KUIPERS, Alice Life on the Refrigerator Door

LAIRD, Elizabeth Crusade

LANDMAN, Tanya Apache

LANDY, Derek Skulduggery Pleasant

LOTT, Tim Fearless

McCAUGHREAN, Geraldine Peter Pan in Scarlet

McKENZIE, Sophie Girl, Missing

MORPURGO, Michael Alone on a Wide Wide Sea

PAVER, Michelle Soul Eater

PEET, Mal The Penalty

PRATCHETT, Terry Wintersmith

REEVE, Philip Here Lies Arthur

RIDDELL, Chris Ottoline and the Yellow Cat

ROBERTS, Katherine I Am The Great Horse

ROBSON, Mark Imperial Assassin

ROSOFF, Meg What I Was

ROWLING, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

ST. JOHN, Lauren Dolphin Song

SEDGWICK, Marcus Blood Red Snow White

SINGLETON, Sarah Sacrifice

SUZUMA, Tabitha From Where I Stand

THOMPSON, Kate The Last of the High Kings

VALENTINE, Jenny Finding Violet Park

WILLIS, Jeanne Shamanka

WRAY, Sarah The Forbidden Room

Good Enough to Eat by Brock Cole

There was once a poor girl who had no family and was forced to beg her way through life.  The townspeople considered her a pest, so when the evil ogre demands a fair maiden be given to him, the girl is the first choice of sacrifice.  The girl has lived with the townsfolk giving her cruel nicknames, but she uses those nicknames against the ogre and finds her own way out the situation.

I know that first paragraph is vague, but the joy of this sort of story is seeing how it all fits together, rather like a puzzle.  Cole has created a book that will flow off of your tongue as you read it aloud.  It almost reads itself simply because of his skill in creating prose and telling a good tale.  Here he has created a lively adventurous tale filled with traditional touches that begs to be shared or learned as a story to tell.

Cole's illustrations also contribute to the traditional feel of the story, but the girl being the smart one, the hero is certainly not traditional nor are the message of this tale about individuality, courage and grace.

Highly recommended as a read aloud for 5-9 year olds.  There is a deep enough story here to keep the older children engaged and such a life and flow that younger children will enjoy it as well. 

Nancy Pearl was on NPR's Morning Edition yesterday and gave her list of Out of This World: Great Sci-Fi and Fantasy.  One joy of Nancy's lists are that she never feels the need to limit herself to new titles, so this list as with many of her others has a mix of old and new titles.  The titles are not all for children, though two of them are definitely child titles.  Even the more adult titles will be of interest to teens who read this genre. 

Go to Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz

When Lucy doesn't want to go to bed one night, she decides to stay up and draw.  She draws a series of shapes that turn into a drawing of a monster who comes to life and plays with her.  They play and play, until Lucy is tired and ready for bed.  But Monster isn't!  So Lucy has to give him a bed, feed him, let him drink, make him a potty, and much more before Monster finally, reluctantly gives in to sleep.

This clever twist on parenting and getting children to sleep will be enjoyed with enthusiasm by all children.  Children will especially like the touch of potty humor and the demands of Monster.  The text of the book is a breeze to read aloud, and Monster gives readers a chance to flaunt their monster voices with great glee.  The illustrations are also very friendly, especially the thick, crayon of Monster.  No child will be scared of this Monster!

Recommended for bedtime storytimes or for use as a bedtime story for your own Monsters.

Fiona Loves the Night by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, illustrated by Amanda Shepherd.

Fiona is a little girl who falls asleep when the rest of her family does but awakens when the moon is at her window.  So she heads outside because she loves nighttime so much.  She looks at the stars, listens to the sounds, sees night creatures, feels plants, and just engages with the night on many levels.

This is a lovely book.  It offers a child who is not afraid of the dark at all, but revels in it.  The language of the book is rich, evocative and really creates the mood of a summer night.  The addition of the noises of the night on many pages will help children engage with the story even more.  Matching the language in their richness, the illustrations are done with deep color and have a thickness and body that speak to the deepness of night.  There are no murky grays of evening here, just the deep blues and blacks of real night with sudden bursts of color. 

Recommended for bedtime story times though not a great way to settle children for the night.  This book invites exploration of the dark outdoors and you may find yourself outside with flashlights rather than starting to doze. 

Nominated for the 2007 Fantasy/Science Fiction Cybil.



Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Aya is desperate for fame and attention, but she is just the 15-year-old younger sister of the famous Hiro.  In a society built entirely on feeds and online reputation, Aya seeks the perfect story to kick that will bring her immediate fame.  She finds it in the Sly Girls, a gang of girls who shun the reputation economy and refuse to seek the limelight.  The group do danger stunts like surfing trains, and Aya finds herself invited into the gang.  It is on one of their surfing stunts that Aya discovers a story far bigger than the Sly Girls.  One that is infinitely kickable.

Westerfeld has done it again with this fourth book in the Uglies Trilogy.  He has again created a fascinating society that carries part of our current society to an extreme.  In Extras it is the MySpace, Facebook factor that we see revealed before us.  Westerfeld does this with dynamic action, fascinating complications and reaches far beyond a dystopian look at an extreme society. 
Westerfeld excels at not only society building, but creating heroines who are flawed and human but at the same time wildly exceptional.  Aya is exactly that type of heroine, and will be a welcome addition to any list of strong females in science fiction.

Highly recommended for lovers of the trilogy, this book has to be read as fourth in a series.  The exceptional cover will have teens grabbing it off the shelf and then desperately returning for the first three novels. 

When I started my blog several years ago, I had always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to focus more on small press publications than on the big books making news everywhere.  So I tried.  I contacted small presses for review copies, got on some lists but very few, and eventually got swept up by other larger publishers and their glossy covers.

When I get books from small presses, they usually fall into similar categories as larger press.  There are the ones that exceed their promise, those that disappoint and those that are simply OK.  But what I love about small presses is that there are true undiscovered gems in there.  And even better, there are books that take real chances, risk it all and some work and others fail horribly.  But at least the risk was taken. 

So I wonder, how do we get copies of books by small presses to review?  How do we
bring to people's attention great books that are being overlooked
simply because of the size of their printing?  How do small presses
afford to even consider sending review copies? 

And my question to all of you is if you are reading small press materials, how did you get your hands on them?  I would much rather wade through unknown material never before reviewed than find yet another book whose marketing promises the moon and then the book is mediocre at best.

Bear's Day Out by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds.

The author of the beloved We're Going on a Bear Hunt, returns in great style with this new offering.  Bear lives in a cave all alone and spends each day singing to himself.  But when he hears the noise of the city, he decides to travel there and see it.  He is very unhappy until he meets a group of children who help him get back home. 

Just as in We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Rosen plays with sounds and rhythms, creating a book that welcomes children to participate in the telling of the story.  I can't imagine it will take long before preschool teachers have figured out hand gestures to go along with this story.  Rosen has used a different sort of pattern in this book where the bear makes a statement, it is repeated as a question, and then declared with an exclamation point.  Show children the pattern, and they will eagerly join in asking the question and then shouting the exclamation. 

Reynolds' art is also wonderful, filled with deep but welcoming colors in a friendly cartoon style.  Children will feel at home between these covers at once. 

Highly recommended for use in toddler and preschool storytimes, I would use it as the final rambunctious book that draws everyone's attention back after hearing several other stories.  I would also recommend it to first grade classrooms where they are learning about patterns.  What a fun and interesting way to bring literature and math together.

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

This picture book opens with pages filled with thick paint and deep color.  It features paper cut-outs which children love that demonstrate transformations in nature.  From egg to chicken, from tadpole to frog, from caterpillar to butterfly.  Each transformation offers a cut-out panel and friendly, simple paintings.  The text of the book is equally accessible with just a few words per page and plenty of pictorial clues to the content. 

Highly recommended for early readers, this book would also be welcome in any classroom of toddlers and preschoolers.

Children's Book Week is next week, November 12-18.  Their website offers all sorts of great items for promoting your special children's programs for the week.  Not doing any?  Well maybe in May you will have more time.  Children's Book Week moves to May starting next year, so you get another chance to have great children's book programs in on May 12-18. 

Anyone have plans for some great programs they would like to share?  Most of us probably couldn't get them off the ground fast enough to copy, but perhaps we can use them in May!

The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri.

Follow the busy day of a small squirrel preparing for winter in this charming picture book.  As he gathers food, squirrel rushes past all kinds of other animals, giving children a chance to make all kinds of animal sounds.  The refrain of "He was so busy" carries through the book, inviting toddlers to repeat the phrase again and again. 

This is a lovely autumn book by a wonderful author of picture books.  Tafuri knows how to create a book that will both interest small children and welcome them in.  The illustrations are large, bold and full of action and color.  Each page has just a few lines of text, meaning that the pictures will move by at the speed of a running squirrel.  

With the repetition in the text, animal noises and great art, this book is highly recommended for use in toddler story times or for preschoolers with short attention spans. 

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.

I have heard wonderful things about this book for months, so the minute I got it I moved it to the top of my reading pile.  (This is why I never seem to get to those down at the bottom.)  It did not disappoint!

Dashti and her mistress, Lady Saren, are locked in a tower together for seven years because Lady Saren refuses to wed a man she hates.  Dashti is a mucker girl, a girl used to a nomadic life on the steppes.  Luckily, she knows how to write and creates a diary of their time in the tower.  Lady Saren slowly grows more and more strange as the time passes, and Dashti tries to cure her with her healing songs but it doesn't help.  Cold, rats and spoiling food fill their days except for the ones where the outside world intrudes.  It is when Lady Saren's suitor comes to visit the tower that Dashti truly comes to life.  She plays the part of her mistress with him and they form a friendly bond.  But then he leaves and doesn't return despite his promises.  In fact, after a visit from the suitor that Lady Saren hates, no one at all comes to their tower not even the guards posted there by Saren's father. 

Hale has managed to make a gripping story of imprisonment, primarily due to the enchanting voice of Dashti, a down-to-earth girl who finds herself as a lady's maid despite the poverty she came from.  Dashti is a heroine with a clear voice, level head and plenty of bravery and resourcefulness.  She is nicely contrasted against the weakness and wealth of Lady Saren, who could have been a very cardboard character but also provides a welcome depth and interesting story. 

It is the writing here that really shines.  It is evocative, universal and yet stays friendly and easy to read. 

Highly recommended for teen readers who enjoyed Hale's previous books.  I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy featuring strong female characters, such as those who read Tamora Pierce. 

Kirkus Reviews has released their Best Children's Books of 2007.  For the first time, there are no YA books included on the list.  Lots of my favorites are present here:  Hugo Cabret, Sis' The Wall, Leaves, Pictures from Our Vacation!  Plenty of great reads!

Doing a blogging class! Say hello!

Publisher's Weekly has selected its Best Books of the Year for 2007.  To find the youth titles, get ready to scroll and scroll.  Just when your mouse has fallen off the mousepad for the third time, you should be near the children's list.  ;)  The categories are Children's Picture Books, Children's Fiction (which has clearly teen titles in it), Children's Nonfiction and Children's Comics.

Picture books include two of my favorites of the year:  Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear and Leaves.

Fiction has two of my top teen books: Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and A Swift Pure Cry. 

And there are many I have not managed to read yet, but have been on my list for some time.  Look