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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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This month’s selection of books covers all youthful age groups and addresses specific themes and ideas. There are nursery rhymes for the youngest readers, lively and interesting picture books for emerging readers, and a touching story of overcoming grief for middle-schoolers. And, in a nod to Halloween later this month, there are even a few spooky reads. Of course, Edgar Allan Poe is always a bit spooky, and the selections offered here bring out both the best of his talent as well as his macabre look at life. [For ages 3-7] Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose Illustrated by Mary Engelbreit (HarperCollins, hardcover, 128 pages, $19.99) Either you are a fan of prolific illustrator Mary Engelbreit, or you’re not. But if you fall in the first category, her compilation of classic Mother Goose tales and poems, including Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and Wee Willie Winkie, is irresistible. Her pictures – colorful and finely etched, bearing likenesses of adorable children of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities – are perfect in this context. [For ages 5-8] Don’t Eat the Babysitter! By Nick Ward (Random House, hardcover, 32 pages, $9.95) Sammy and Sophie are two young sharks, and they’re excited because their parents are going out and their favorite babysitter, Anna, is coming over. Sammy gets very excited about things, and when he does, he tends to bite – as young sharks will. He not only eats the kiddie fingers Anna serves him for dinner, but in his excitement, he eats the tray as well. Will Sammy get so excited that he accidentally eats Anna, too? This funny tale is brightly illustrated in a cartoon-like style. Nick Ward inserts lots of little visual jokes that might go over the head of young readers, but should give the grownups a chuckle. George and the Dragon By Chris Wormell (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 32 pages, $16.95) There was once a mighty and horrible blazing-red dragon who struck fear into the hearts of all he encountered. But it turns out there was something that frightened the dragon more than anything in the world, and one just moved in next to the dragon’s cold, dark cave. It was a mouse, named George, and he certainly couldn’t understand why the dragon was so scared. The pictures in this book are quite beautiful, with plenty of detail and expression. And children might well enjoy learning that almost everyone in life has a fear they must somehow learn to conquer. Railroad John and the Red Rock Run Written by Tony Crunk; illustrated by Michael Austin (Peachtree Publishers, hardcover, 32 pages, $16.95) A rootin’, tootin’ time awaits young readers when they learn about the Sagebrush Flyer and Railroad John. It seems that Lonesome Bob and Granny Apple Fritter need to get to the town of Red Rock by 2, as Lonesome Bob is scheduled to marry Wildcat Annie. But woe is to come to the train, as they encounter outlaws, twisters and lord knows what other obstacles. Will they make it in time for the wedding, and can Railroad John keep his perfect on-time record intact? This is a hoot of a book, with quirky, funny language and great sepia-toned acrylic pictures. Thirteen O’Clock By James Stimson (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) In a fairly normal house on a fairly normal night, something strange is going on. The old clock’s numbers don’t count to 12, but rather to the spooky number 13. When the clock tolls the unlucky number, a group of creepy, kooky characters emerge. But are they for real, or is it just the work of a wily prankster? James Stimson’s pencil drawings are clever and stylized (Stimson was the cutout character designer for the film version of “James and the Giant Peach”). The wordplay is lots of fun, the fright is more of the bump-in-the-night variety than anything truly scary. [For ages 11 and older] Tales of Terror By Edgar Allan Poe; illustrated by Michael McCurdy (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 96 pages, $15.95) Six scary tales by the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, are brought to young readers in this handsome anthology. The black-and-white woodcut illustrations are appropriately eerie. Each story – among them “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Masque of the Red Death” and “The Pit and the Pendulum” – are introduced with historical and biographical information to put them in context. The somewhat formal, old-fashioned language may be hard for young readers to get into, but once they give these frightful tales a try, they will no doubt enjoy them. A CD of the stories, read by Edward Blake, is included. [For ages 11-14] Pieces of Georgia By Jen Bryant (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 176 pages, $15.95) Twelve-year-old Georgia is having a rough time. Her mother, an artist, has died, leaving Georgia’s father inconsolable and unable to give his daughter the support that she needs. A wise school counselor gives Georgia a red leather diary, and tells her she can skip coming to guidance sessions if she promises to write in the diary daily, maybe even writing down the thoughts she wishes she could say to her mother. It turns out Georgia is a gifted artist as well, and an anonymous gift arrives in the mail on her 13th birthday, a membership card to the local museum. But will she be able to overcome her grief and struggles to fulfill her talent? This is a touching story, written as diary entries, that will appeal to middle-schoolers. Listen! By Stephanie S. Tolan (HarperCollins, hardcover, 199 pages, $15.99) Stephanie Tolan, the Newbery-winning author of “Surviving the Applewhites,” offers another tale of survival. This time it’s 12-year-old Charley, who has just had her leg shattered in a car accident. She also lost her mother several years back. Charley makes some excursions into the woods near her home and comes across a wild dog. The girl makes it her mission to tame the dog, but it’s not an easy task. How will she ever teach the dog to trust her? |
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