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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
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Dogs and Cats Put the bark into your child's reading Some 60% of Americans own a pet, and probably 100% of America's young readers have a book or several on pets and animals. It is a natural thing for a storyteller and illustrator to do - to put animals into scenes that relate to humans. And to give them humanlike voices and thoughts. One could argue that this genre does as much to begin the relationship between a young human and a pet as anything. There is much material out there on the subject. Here are a few of the best for early 2007. (For ages 3-5) The Cat's Meow By Warren Kimble (Walker & Company, 28 pages, hardcover, $16.95) Warren Kimble has matched words to what a cat does - and, often, a cat doesn't do an awful lot. He sits on a mat - that's the Mat Cat - and he sits in the tub - that's the Clean Cat. You get the message. Very young children will be delighted at seeing cute illustrations of exactly what their cat does, and what they can now expect a future cat to do. Hopefully they, too, will have a Happy Cat. It's a wonderful entrée to one of America's favorite pets. (For ages 3-6) Where Is Bear? By Leslea Newman; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev (Voyager Books/Harcourt, Inc., 44 pages, softcover, $6) It's a jungle out there. But when it comes to the forest, a hide-and-seek game can go a little bit wrong. How hard is it to lose the bear? Well, if you are the fox, the bunny, or the skunk, you know your way back. And if you are a turtle, you can hide really well. But, poor bear, he may be too tired to play for very long. And that becomes the big challenge for a forest full of creatures concerned about and looking for their best mate. (For ages 4-8) The Forever Dog By Bill Cochran; illustrated by Dan Andreasen (HarperCollins Children's Books, due out in April, 28 pages, softcover, $15.99) Bill Cochran reveals the closeness of the protagonists with the line about how Corky the dog "even sleeps on Mike's head." The dog and boy are inseparable. Mike talks and talks and Corky becomes a very good listener. Things that are secret, funny and wonderful are told from one to the other. Warning to parents: Corky gets sick and he dies, so this heartwarming story turns tragic very quickly. The lesson is that people, and animals, remain with you forever, as Mike's mom gently reminds him. Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant (and other poems) By Jack Prelutsky; illustrated by Carin Berger (Greenwillow Books, 34 pages, hardcover, $16.99) This book takes a little getting used to as Jack Prelutsky certainly has let his imagination go. But the rhyming is a wonderful way to learn words, and the illustrations, from an elephant trying to stay dry under an umbrella to the Ballpoint Penguins to the Pop-up Toadsters are inventive, if a bit odd. This will be strictly a read-to book, as there are big words and new words. But that's good, too. Sidney & Norman: a tale of two pigs By Phil Vischer; illustrated by Justin Gerard (Jellyfishpress, 48 pages, hardcover, $15.99) This is a takeoff of the three little pigs, each of whom faced a particular set of circumstances. So it is with Norman and Sidney, two working pigs who dress in suit and tie each day. But when an invitation comes from God who requests a visit, each takes the news differently. One is confident, the other, less so. Norman felt he was doing well in life; Sidney was always running 10 minutes late. And feeling the pressure. The lessons of selfishness and low self-esteem play a large role. It is a telling tale of pride, prejudice, and God's way of accepting everyone. Included at the end are a couple of pages about how to use this book with your children. When Sheep Sleep By Laura Numeroff; illustrated by David McPhail (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 28 pages, hardcover, $15.95) At a very young age, most children learn to count sheep if they cannot sleep. But what to do if the sheep are asleep? Should you count deer in a forest, or cows in a meadow? The wonderful illustrations by David McPhail help move this interesting twist of a tale along. At the end, it becomes a perfect last book before nighty-night. Because, as you learn, "with all of this counting...at last you are ready to drift off to sleep!" (For ages 2-6) My First Book About Dogs By Kama Einhorn; illustrated by Joe Matthieu (Random House, 22 pages, hardcover, $10.99) Just about the time your child starts asking you for the dog of the day, pull this book out and teach them about the different choices. With the help of Sesame Street stars Grover and Elmo, the young reader will be introduced to dogs that are short, tall, and all different colors. The illustrations are complemented by numerous photographs of puppies and several breeds. This may be the book that decides the choice of, say, an English setter. (For ages 5-9) Keeker and the Sneaky Pony By Hadley Higginson; illustrated by Maja Andersen (Chronicle Books, 48 pages, softcover, $3.95) This bridges the gap between a read-to book and an emerging reader book. Either way, the story is a quaint one of a little girl who wants nothing more than a horse, and a Shetland pony that has never given thought to having a little girl as its owner. So when the pony, Plum, moves onto the family farm, the girl has to do more than just say love me; she has to teach the pony to trust her. Can the two become friends? As their lives unfold together, the answer becomes quite clear. |
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