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This month’s books offer fabulous locations from places real and imaginary. A number of celebrities and famous writers contribute to this edition, from Maya Angelou and John Irving to Madonna. And we find that no matter the fame or relative anonymity of the writer, the message is the same: Reading is an adventure. For ages 3-6 My Little Chalkboard: Animal Friends Written by Nancy Krulik; illustrated by Barroux (Running Press Kids, board book, $12.95) Kids learn by seeing, then doing. This nifty little book and chalkboard combo contains both. Each page has an illustration and a few sentences on a farm animal. They are accompanied by chalkboard surfaces where a child can practice writing the animal word as well as make a little drawing. The nifty kit, which would be great for a youngster to take along in the car as an activity, contains colored chalk and an eraser. For ages 4 and older A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound Written by John Irving; illustrated by Tatjana Hauptmann (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 40 pages, $15.95) John Irving, the best-selling author of “The World According to Garp” and “The Cider House Rules,” contributes his first book for children with this beautifully illustrated volume. The book has an interesting history, as it was first found within Irving’s novel “A Widow for One Year.” A young boy named Tom awakes in the night after hearing a frightening noise. He is determined to find out what it is, and with the help of his sympathetic father, he does. This is a charming tale that will resonate with children, as will the muted, finely detailed pictures. The Adventures of Abdi Written by Madonna; illustrated by Andrej Dugin and Olga Dugina (Callaway Arts and Entertainment, hardcover, 30 pages, $19.95) In this, the fourth children’s book by Madonna, she takes children on a journey to a faraway, seemingly Middle Eastern country. There, a little boy named Abdi, the apprentice to a kind and skillful jeweler, must deliver a precious necklace to the queen. Along the way, he is robbed in the desert, thrown in a dungeon and must overcome other obstacles to achieve his goal. But no matter how difficult the obstacles he faces, Abdi is guided by the words of his mentor, Eli, that all things happen for the best and that you must let a sense of certainty be your guide. In the end, all things do turn out for the best but not without a few trepidations along the way. The book is a nice lesson in optimism. The illustrations, done by a husband-and-wife team that also worked on the film “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” are truly wondrous finely detailed and almost classical looking. Maya’s World: Renee Marie of France Maya’s World: Mikale of Hawaii Written by Maya Angelou; illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell (Random House Books for Young Readers, paperback, 24 pages, $3.99) Few people have led as storied a life as the renowned writer, poet, teacher and former dancer Maya Angelou. In her new series of books for children, Angelou takes young readers around the world to learn about children in other countries and cultures. In “Renee Marie of France,” we follow the young girl around her home city of Paris; in “Mikale of Hawaii,” a young Hawaiian boy who is fearful of the water learns how to swim. The stories are thoughtful and sensitive and show us that children are the same the world over. The illustrations are colorful and fun. Each book also has a paper doll of the main character that readers can cut out and save. Little Rabbit Goes to School By Harry Horse (Peachtree Publishers, hardcover, 30 pages, $15.95) It’s Little Rabbit’s first day of school, and he excitedly decides to take along his wooden horse, Charlie Horse, to share the day with him. The only trouble is that Charlie Horse keeps misbehaving: He won’t sit still during storytime, he dances across the floor during music, and when the class goes for a nature walk, he distracts Little Rabbit and causes him to lose the rest of the group. Young children will understand Little Rabbit’s reluctance to leave a familiar toy at home. The lovely illustrations, done in pen and ink and watercolor, sensitively portray the characters. Stanley Goes for a Drive By Craig Frazier (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) Stanley is someone who sees things differently, as does his creator, renowned illustrator and graphic designer Craig Frazier. In his first children’s book, Frazier introduces us to Stanley as he sets out for a drive in his red pickup truck. The road is dusty, the pond is dry and the sky is unusual looking all a kaleidoscope for Frazier’s fanciful illustrations, which are hand-drawn and colored on computer. The book is a creative delight, from its droll text to the great pictures. For ages 8-12 The President’s Daughter By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Delacorte, hardcover, 176 pages, $15.95) Ethel Roosevelt’s life was going just fine, and then her illustrious father Theodore, already a war hero and politician, becomes the president of the United States. The White House is a stuffy place for a child to live, and Ethel has trouble making friends at her new school. It’s not easy being the daughter of a president. This historical novel, based on the life of Ethel Roosevelt, is heartwarming and educational. Young readers get to learn about one of history’s most colorful first families, a legendary president, and his role as a loving father. For ages 10 and older The Sea of Trolls By Nancy Farmer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 480 pages, $17.95) The year is 793 AD, and Jack and his little sister Lucy are enslaved by Olaf One-Brow and his fierce young shipmate. The two are swept up into a wild adventure that is part “Lord of the Rings” and part Norse mythology. Nancy Farmer has written three Newberry Honor books; this rich and funny book is a nice addition to an older elementary school student’s reading list. |
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