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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 books are a potpourri of styles and themes: An alphabet book that honors education. A family of mice put in charge of baby-sitting an elephant. A little boy who discovers everyday wonders in his small hometown. The common denominator is the fine art and storytelling in all of them. For ages 3-7 Ten Little Sleepyheads Written by Elizabeth Provost; illustrated by Donald Saaf (Bloomsbury Publishing, hardcover, 28 pages, $16.95) First-time author Elizabeth Provost has come up with a charming counting book that uses rhyming text. A variety of cute little bugs counts backwards from 10 as nighttime approaches and it’s time to get ready for bed. The bright and cheerful art was done in mixed media. Fish is Fish By Leo Lionni (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 40 pages, $15.95) A minnow and a tadpole forge a friendship in the pond. But one day, the tadpole begins growing legs, and the nature of his friendship with the minnow is soon changed. The newly turned frog hops out of the pond to see the world, and tells his friend about everything out there: birds, cows, even people. Oh, how the fish longs to see the rest of the world. But how can he leave the pond? This is a delightful fable by Caldecott-winning author-illustrator Leo Lionni. The book, now reissued in hardcover, will charm a new generation with its simple eloquence. T is for Teachers Written by Steven L. Layne and Deborah Dover Layne; illustrated by Doris Ettlinger (Sleeping Bear Press, hardcover, 36 pages, $16.95) This is a charmingly different take on the alphabet book: It takes us through our letters by taking us on a tour of a school, where H is for history, L is for librarian and Q is for quizzes. The book, written by a husband and wife who are teachers, is done in a two-tier format, with simply rhyming explanations for each letter and more detailed entries for older readers, which include facts about the different topics. The illustrations are simple and expressive. I Spy Shapes in Art By Lucy Micklethwait (Greenwillow Books, hardcover, 28 pages, $19.99) Most young children are familiar with the “I spy with my little eye” game. But this book takes that game to a new level. Lucy Michlethwait has assembled a wonderful collection of artwork and asked questions about what simple shapes are visible in the paintings, such as a semicircle in Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Ladder to the Moon,” or the triangle in David Hockney’s “Self-portrait With Blue Guitar.” It’s a great way to familiarize children with some fine artwork while they learn about basic shapes. Looking After Little Ellie Written and illustrated by Dosh and Mike Archer (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, hardcover, 28 pages, $15.95) What happens when a family of mice is called upon to baby-sit for a little elephant? Well, fortunately there is strength in numbers, and the mouse family needs it when watching Little Ellie. They have to feed her lunch, walk her to the park, and change her diaper! Not an easy task, but their cheerful attitude goes a long way. The bright acrylic illustrations are paired with photographs on some pages for an interesting effect, and the cute facial expressions of the characters will be a hit with young children. For ages 5-8 The Well at the End of the World By Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Rebecca Walsh (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 38 pages, $16.95) Princess Rosamond is a great heroine: She is strong, feisty, independent and brave. And she needs all those characteristics to battle her greedy stepmother and stepsister, who scheme to rob the royal treasury when Rosamond’s father, the king, falls ill. For ages 9-13 The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs Written by Betty G. Birney; illustrated by Matt Phelan (Simon & Schuster, hardcover, $16.95, 212 pages) They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and Eben McAllister would certainly agree with that. He longs for adventure, but has never been out of the confines of his little hometown of Sassafras Springs. His father offers him a challenge: To find seven wonders in Sassafras Springs that rival the Seven Wonders of the World. Eben doesn’t think he will have any luck, but he is in for a big surprise as he discovers the treasures in the everyday life of the town. The easygoing style of first-time author Betty G. Birney, combined with the simple black-and-white drawings of Matt Phelan, make for an enjoyable tale. |
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