MacDonald, Margaret Read. Conejito: A Folktale from Panama. Illus. Geraldo Valério. Little Rock: August House LittleFolk, 2006. (6-8)
This folktale from Panama tells the adventurous story of Conejito, a little bunny, as he makes his way across the mountains to visit his auntie. “‘I have a sweet old auntie, my Tia Monica! And when she goes out dancing . . . they all say, ‘Ooo la la!’” Along the way Conejito’s singing is interrupted when, “Whunk!” he is stopped by different animals who threaten to eat him for lunch. In his sly defense, Conejito gets out of trouble by convincing his predators that he would taste much better after eating lots of cakes and cookies at his aunt’s house. As the sharp-toothed fox, tiger, and lion await Conejito’s return home, they meet him in an unexpected way. Tia Monica finds a clever way to send Conejito home safely.
The bright, expressionistic illustrations capture Conejito’s fast paced journey, highlighting the rhythmic and musical flow of the story. Adults had fun reading this book to children. They specifically liked how many of the words throughout the story included Spanish translations, along with a pronunciation guide at the end of the book. Students enjoyed the repeated phrases and repetition in this story, which encouraged them to chant along. The creative, funny animals were also a hit. An author’s note provides the source for the folktale.
Margaret Read MacDonald worked for many years as a librarian for the King County Library System in Seattle, Washington. Geraldo Valério makes his home in Vancouver, Canada. ASHLEY ROEMER
MacDonald, Margaret Read. The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog: A Folktale from Great Britain. Illus. Julie Paschkis. Atlanta: August House LittleFolk, 2007. (6-8; 9-12)
The tale of the great smelly, slobbery, small-tooth dog is an attractive retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” After the big dog does a favor for a rich man, he is promised one of the man’s finest treasures. To his dismay the rich man is forced to give the dog his most prized possession: his beautiful, young daughter. She leaves her father to live with the dog in a luxurious castle. The heartfelt words of the young woman finally capture the heart of the big dog, and he is turned into a handsome prince. Pashchkis’ exquisite gouache paintings, each framed with ropes, are especially outstanding in their depiction of the three journeys of the daughter and the dog.
Students enjoyed hearing this story read aloud. They chimed in on the repeated verses and laughed and applauded at the end of the reading. These students also had many compliments for the illustrations. Teachers felt the illustrations were beautifully colored and were outstanding for their depiction of movement. Many students made the connection between this story and the tale of “Beauty and the Beast.” McDonald’s brief note provides the source of the tale as well as the motif and tale type.
Margaret Read MacDonald is a folklorist and storyteller. She was also a children’s librarian with the King County Library System in Seattle, Washington. Illustrator Julie Paschkis lives in Seattle and exhibits her paintings throughout the northwest. ASHLEY ROEMER
MacDonald, Margaret Read. A Hen, a Chick and a String Guitar: Inspired by a Chilean Folk Tale. Illus. Sophie Fatus. Cambridge: Barefoot Books, 2005. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
“Grandpa gave me a clucking red hen. Cluck! Cluck! Cluck! Cluck! Cluck! Ay! Ay! Ay! What a fine hen!” This interactive story, inspired by a Chilean folk tale, has readers taking a fun adventure on a farm. The narrator, a young boy, receives many different farm animals from various members of his family. Each time he gets a new pet, a baby is born. The dog has a puppy; the cow has a calf, etc. In the end, the boy sings and dances on the farm with his guitar and sixteen new pets! The reteller provides a detailed source note at the end of the story.
This interactive tale, supported by cartoon style illustrations in acrylics and pastels, along with a music CD, provides great learning opportunities for readers. Not only can children practice their counting skills, but they can also learn their colors and the names of various farm animals and their young. As one reader commented, “The kids absolutely loved this book. They loved the repetition and after a few pages started repeating the phrases in the book.” Other readers, particularly those who read to preschoolers, noted that the CD was superb, inspiring listeners to dance and clap. The music helped first graders pick up the melody and sing along.
Author Margaret Read MacDonald lives on Guemes Island (Washington State) and illustrator Sophie Fatus lives in Florence, Italy. ASHLEY ROEMER
MacDonald, Margaret Read, reteller. The Old Woman and Her Pig: An Appalachian Folktale. Illus. John Kanzler. New York: HarperCollins, 2007. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
According to the author’s note, the traditional story of “The Old Woman and Her Pig” appeared in print as early as 1842. When Old Woman’s Little Boy discovers a shiny copper penny in their backyard, a trip to the marketplace is in order. Old Woman skips and hops along to market to purchase a fat-bellied pig. All is working as planned until a bridge crossing frightens that fat little pig, and he refuse to take one more step towards home. With nighttime darkness approaching, the poor Old Woman does not want Little Boy to have to be alone. After encounters with a less than helpful dog and an unfriendly rat, the plan to get home before dark seems hopeless. Finally, a cat decides to help the troubled Old Woman. The cat worries the rat, who nips the dog, who barks at the pig, and finally the pig zooms over the bridge straight towards home. Margaret Read MacDonald put her own creative stamp on this well-known tale by adding the character of the helpful cat and the “jogging song.” Illustrations convey each and every character’s facial expressions and movements with energy and color.
Children appreciated the rhythm, rhyme, and repetition of the story and enjoyed singing along with the reader. They also giggled and laughed and commented on how much they liked the pictures with their vivid colors.
Margaret Read MacDonald, a storyteller, author, folklorist, and children’s librarian, resides in Kirkland, Washington. Illustrator John Kanzler lives on a farm with his wife in Greenfield, Massachusetts. CHRISTINE FALZON
MacDonald, Margaret Read. The Squeaky Door. Illus. Mary Newell DePalma. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
When Little Boy spends the night at Grandma’s house, he gets a surprise—he gets to sleep in the new, big, brass bed. After being tucked in tight, Grandma asks if Little Boy is going to be scared. He says he doesn’t think so, that is, until the lights go out and the door closes with a “SQUEEEAK!” Grandma quickly returns to the frightful crying boy and begins to try a variety of remedies. First she tucks the cat in with Little Boy, but, since the squeaking continues, Grandma adds the dog, pig, and even the horse! When the big brass bed breaks, Grandma returns the animals to the barn and has to resort to a new solution—a solution that involves an oil can.
Children thought this story was very funny and paid close attention to the book when it was read aloud. They enjoyed the farm animals and had fun making the animal noises along with the reader. Children also liked repeating some of the phrases in the story, such as “‘No, not me!’” after Grandma asked if her grandson was scared. Adult readers thought the text and the illustrations were very well matched, and they admired the patient and capable grandmother. After hearing this story read aloud, many children could not wait for a repeated reading. An author’s note provides a history of the tale.
Margaret Read MacDonald lives in Kirkland, Washington, and illustrator Mary Newell DePalma resides in Boston, Massachusetts. ASHLEY ROEMER
Mackall, Dandi Daley. Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depressions Era Story. Illus. Chris Ellison. Chelsea: Sleeping Bear Press, 2007. (9-12)
In the Depression Era, thousands of Americans lost their jobs and practically everything they had to their name. The entire country was in a state of disarray and no one felt it any harder than ole’ “Ramblin’ Rudy.” This story is a work of fiction, but it truly captures Rudy’s spirit and the spirit of American adventure lived by young Rudy and so many others during the Great Depression. When Rudy realized his family’s life was going nowhere fast, he made a noble and mature decision to hit the rails for California in search of work and a better life. His father imparted one piece of advice before he departed on his nation-crossing journey: “‘You gotta look out for you and yours, and nobody else.’” With an end of a piece of bread, a moldy chunk of cheese, and this very piece of advice, Rudy headed out and began his train hopping journey. Along the way he found small jobs to save some money to send home and used the rest for food for himself. He also met other rail riders, known as hoboes. The journey became a lonely one, and Rudy realized that he was not very knowledgeable about hobo ways. He eventually chummed up with “Fishbones” and “Boxcar Betty” who gave him his very own handle—“Ramblin’ Rudy.” They taught him the ways of the hobo and helped him to decipher what the meaning of different carved markings hoboes used to communicate with one another. After arriving in California, Rudy soon figured out that life was not going to be as easy as he originally anticipated. There were hoboes everywhere, and he knew he would never find work so his journey continued. The next destination was back home!
Each page is beautifully illustrated with realistic paintings of hobo life. Some pages include a “hobo symbol.” A hobo glossary in the back of the book provides definitions and a key to each carved symbol. An author’s note explains the historical context for the story.
Many of the children who listened to this story were very interested in learning more about the symbols hoboes used to communicate with one another. Readers described the story as very detailed, introducing a new topic for many of the children. This book both entertains and teaches.
Author Dandi Daley Mackall, who lives with her family in rural Ohio, met the real “Ramblin’ Rudy” in 2000. Chris Ellison, a native of Louisiana, resides in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with his wife and son. CHRISTINE FALZON
MacLachlan, Patricia, and Emily MacLachlan. Bittle. Illus. Dan Yaccarino. New York: Joanna Colter Books-HarperCollins, 2004. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Nigel and Julia, a cat and a dog, are living wonderfully in a big yellow house, yet have nothing in common with one another. One day they start noticing changes around the house and soon a brand new baby girl is brought into the household which Nigel insisted on naming Bittle since she was just so tiny. Before long it becomes both Nigel and Julia's responsibility to keep Bittle filled with joy, and they do just that. Yaccarino's illustrations have a comforting look with numerous round shapes and a palette of brown tones with pastels.
Children laughed at the story and enjoyed the humor, especially the interactions between the pets and the baby. Many children asked questions about the story. For instance, one four-year-old asked why babies don’t have teeth! The book also provided a lot of opportunities for making predictions, inferences, and connections. One child meowed with Nigel, barked with Julia, and howled with Nigel, Julia and Bittle!
Patricia MacLachlan lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, while Emily MacLachlan is from Boxborough, Massachusetts. Dan Yaccarino has a home with his family in New York City. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Mahy, Margaret. Down the Back of the Chair. Illus. Polly Dunbar. New York: Clarion Books, 2006. (6-8)
Through flowing rhyme and rhythm, Margaret Mahy tells about a family who finds success and happiness by digging in the back of their living room chair. After Dad loses his keys to their wreck of a car, his daughter in a red dress and knee-high stockings begins to share her dismay: “No car, no work! No work, no pay! We’re growing poorer day by day.” As the frazzled father is shown pulling at his empty pockets, his three rosy-cheeked children are delighted by the shiny coins they have found in the chair cushion. The father is instantly drawn to the back of the chair, and the happy children watch to see the many things he finds. The most beneficial prize is found at the end of the story: “The long lost will of Uncle Bill, down the back of the chair.”
Full-color watercolor and cut paper illustrations fill the pages and become more bizarre as Dad finds even more unbelievable items down the back of the chair.
A third grade teacher noted: “The students liked the pace of the story and seemed to be excited about what else would come out of the chair. They laughed and smiled and talked about other things that might come out of the chair. Most of all, they seemed to love the fact it ended happy, with the Dad finding all the money.” Students liked the rhyme and rhythm of the text and had fun examining the pages for all of the objects that came out of the chair. One reader provided this feedback after reading to a first grader: “The funniest thing was that after I was done reading, she wanted us to look under the cushion to see what we could find. When we found some change, she was ecstatic.”
Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand, while illustrator Polly Dunbar lives and works in Brighton, England. ASHLEY ROEMER
Maltbie, P.I. Picasso and Minou. Illus. Pau Estrada. Watertown: Charlesbridge, 2005. (9-12)
It is not often that a famous artist’s success is partially attributed to a normal street cat. In Picasso and Minou, P.I. Maltbie used her imagination supplemented with facts from Picasso’s actual early life to tell quite a story. At a time when young Picasso was poor and unknown, he had great difficulty selling his paintings due to their depressing visual elements. His paintings at this time were filled with “sad, blue people living in a cold, blue world.” He was trapped in his “Blue Period” and the only positive aspect in his life was the street cat he brought in and cared for named Minou. One day, Picasso realized that he did not have enough money to feed himself let alone a stray cat and was forced to send poor Minou back to the streets. Although this was very troublesome for the struggling painter, it would turn out to be the greatest thing he could possibly do. Minou, using a daily sausage, leads Picasso to circus performers. Picasso began painting them using more vivid colors, and thus he flourishes in what was called his “Rose Period.” Illustrations using pencil, watercolor, and gouache not only attract the eye but also do a wonderful job of recreating some of Picasso’s famous works of art. The story is not only entertaining but also does an excellent job of tying together cross-curricular topics.
This fictionalized biography was read aloud to children ranging in age from 9 to 12 years old. They enjoyed learning about Picasso in the early stages of life and also found it humorous how the cat brought him a sausage every day. The setting of this book was in Paris, France and many of the children found it interesting to see a different side of the world come alive through text and illustrations. An author’s note provides further insights into Picasso’s Blue and Rose Periods and his experiments with Cubism. It also explains the factual and fictional elements of the story.
Author P.I. Maltbie resides in California, while illustrator Pau Estrada lives in Barcelona, Spain. Before illustrating this book, he studied Picasso’s paintings in museums and visited Montmartre in Paris, where Picasso lived at the time of this story. CHRISTINE FALZON
McCarthy, Meghan. Seabiscuit. New York: Paula Wiseman Book-Simon & Schuster, 2008. (6-8; 9-12)
In this adventurous text based on a true story, a lazy, angry horse named Seabiscuit transforms into an elegant, strong racehorse. In the 1930s going to the racetrack was a mental escape from the economic crisis of the Great Depression. Charles Howard, a car salesman, decides to buy a lazy and lonely horse named Seabiscuit when nobody thinks the horse has potential. With the help of a jockey and a trainer, Seabiscuit becomes gentle, friendly, and fast. People around the country hear rumors about Seabiscuit’s strength, but they wonder if he is as strong as War Admiral, the most famous racehorse of the time. The two horses race each other, and in a dramatic and spectacular ending, Seabiscuit wins the race while happy crowds surround him, cheering their hearts out.
Rather than a realistic representation of the horse, McCarthy uses acrylic paint, bold outlining, and exaggerated lines to express humor and character, giving the horse a stylized, cartoon-like representation. McCarthy does a fabulous job with lighting. For the more serious spreads, she uses a harsher, darker pallet of colors to portray a solemn, somber tone, and for the lively spreads, her pallet is warm and bright, expressing energy and life. Seabiscuit himself is represented as wacky and wild, with huge white eyes and a whimsical grin; children are sure to connect with him. Each illustration has minute details that make it interesting and appealing.
Appealing to second through fourth graders, this book inspired children to nudge closer to the book, ask questions, applaud, and make positive comments. Teachers appreciated the historical value of the text and noted the strong message of the story: the power one person has if they believe in something. Children became excited during the horserace, anticipating the drama of the page turns. The back matter includes further details about Seabiscuit and the men who made him a champion, as well as a bibliography of sources.
Meghan McCarthy graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in New York City. KATIE CLAUSEN
McCutcheon, John. Christmas in the Trenches. Illus. Henri Sørensen.
Atlanta: Peachtree, 2006. 2007 Comstock Honor Book (9-12)
In this story
within a story, Grandfather tells his grandchildren about his favorite
Christmas when he was a young soldier. He was stationed in the trenches
of France during World War I and relates the amazing story of how the
German and British soldiers came together on the battlefield to
celebrate Christmas Eve. Henri Sørensen’s sepia tone oil paintings bring
this moving story to life.
Included with the book is a CD of the
story, along with John McCutcheon’s song “Christmas in the Trenches” and
“Silent Night” sung in both English and German. An author’s note
provides historical details about this unofficial Christmas truce.
Students
in grades four through six appreciated this book. A librarian found
this to be a terrific read aloud for older students. She said the
students really got into the story and questioned why the soldiers would
fight each other after celebrating Christmas together. While listening
students moved so they could see the pictures better and made
predictions based on the illustrations. Afterwards they asked why the
enemy was so nice. Later in the day a sixth grader suggested giving the
book to two returning soldiers that the school was welcoming back from
the war in Iraq.
John McCutcheon, author, folksinger, and composer,
lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. McCutcheon, a Wisconsin native,
graduated summa cum laude from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
Illustrator Henri Sørensen resides in Denmark. CAROL HANSON SIBLEY
McDonald, Megan. Saving the Liberty Bell. Illus. Marsha
Gray Carrington. New York: Richard Jackson Book-Atheneum, 2005. (9-12)
Saving
the Liberty Bell is a story that is suspenseful, fun, and based on true
historical events. Young John Jacob McKinley retells the journey of how
he and his father brought the sacred Liberty Bell to safety. His
younger brothers and sisters are in awe throughout his entire tale of
excitement and mystery. While traveling to Philadelphia to sell farm
goods, both John Jacob and his father are recruited to sneak the Liberty
Bell out of the area before the Redcoats attack. Double-page humorous
cartoon style illustrations done in acrylic paint help make readers feel
like they are traveling along on this quest. Although the main
character spends most of his time in fear of being caught, he clearly
feels pride and honor knowing that his family played an integral role in
American history. Equipped with its own historical note, this book
would be an excellent addition to a unit on the American Revolution. It
makes this period of history more easily understood by younger students.
Children who were studying the American Revolution in their
social studies classes were excited to see how this book fit into the
history of this time period. The large, lively illustrations were a huge
plus for the story. Overall, teachers described this tale as an
educational yet entertaining story dealing with an important event in
American history.
Megan McDonald lives with her husband in
Sebastopol, California. Illustrator Marsha Gray Carrington, along with
her husband, two daughters, and one dog, resides in Los Angeles,
California. CHRISTINE FALZON
McKissack, Patricia C.,
and Onawumi Jean Moss. Precious and the Boo Hag. Illus. Kyrsten
Brooker. New York: Atheneum, 2005. 2006 Comstock Honor Book (6-8; 9-12)
In
this literary tale, Mama leaves young Precious at home while the family
is out planting corn. Precious, who’s been sick with a stomachache, gets
a firm warning from Mama: “‘Now remember, don’t let nothing and
nobodyin this house.’” Her older brother explains that if she lets
somebody in, it might be Pruella the Boo Hag, who tries to trick and
scare youngsters into disobeying their mamas. In fact, Pruella shows up
in numerous transformations trying to fool Precious into letting her
inside. Precious, triumphant and smart, is perfectly safe when Mama and
Brother come home.
Brooker’s expressionistic illustrations in collage
and oil add to the scary and humorous quality of the text. The
realistic wooden frames used on some pages emphasize the need for
Precious to stay inside the house in order to outwit the tricky Pruella.
Kindergartners
through fourth graders were afraid for Precious and gasped each time
they thought she might be tricked by the Boo Hag. They liked the bright
colors and the expressive faces of the characters.
Patricia C.
McKissack lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and Onawumi Jean Moss resides in
Amherst, Massachusetts. Illustrator Krysten Brooker lives in Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada. CAROL HANSON SIBLEY
McNamara,
Margaret. How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? Illus. G. Brian Karas. New York:
Schwartz & Wade Books-Random House, 2007. (6-8)
Every day, Mr.
Tiffin’s class lines up for school by size, tallest to shortest or
shortest to tallest. Poor Charlie loves school but because he is the
smallest, he always has to be at the end or front of the line. One fall
day, Mr. Tiffin brings three pumpkins of different sizes to school and
asks the students to guess how many seeds are in each pumpkin. Once
again, Charlie is discouraged because he feels that all of the best
guesses are taken. The next day, the students open the pumpkins to carve
out the seeds. After counting by twos, fives, or tens, the students
soon discover some surprising results. Charlie’s smallest pumpkin has
the most seeds! As Charlie leads the class at the end of the day, he
tells Mr. Tiffin, “‘Small things can have a lot going on inside them.’”
Teachers
of early elementary grades loved the story’s many math and science
connections. Students were excited to learn new facts about pumpkins,
particularly the idea that the number of lines on a pumpkin determines
the number of seeds. Along with the easy to follow, educational story
line, readers also enjoyed the warm, detailed naïve style illustrations
created in gouache, acrylics, and pencil. This book is a great story to
share with students in the fall. Following this story are pumpkin facts
and a special note from Mr. Tiffin.
Margaret McNamara lives in
New York City with her husband and their children and illustrator G.
Brian Karas lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. ASHLEY ROEMER
McPhail,
David. Big Brown Bear Goes to Town. Orlando: Harcourt, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
An
unlikely duo of neighbors pair up in this warm-hearted story about Big
Brown Bear and his tiny friend, Rat. Bear wakes up one morning after a
night of rain and realizes how well his trusty mailbox keeps the
rainwater from getting on his letters. He then walks past Rat’s car
which is filled to the brim with rainwater. After dumping it out for
him, Bear believes that there is a way to protect Rat’s car from ever
being filled up like that again. The two jump into, and in Bear’s case
onto, Rat’s car and make their way into town, so that they both can run
some secretive errands. After returning home Rat is surprised to learn
that his good friend picked him up a mailbox to serve as a garage for
his yellow convertible. Bear finds out that Rat has bought a treat for
both of them—brown sugar for their oatmeal. The text is divided into
chapters to give early readers the feeling of reading a chapter book.
The pen and ink and watercolor illustrations filled with both humor and
charm are perfect for group reading.
Children enjoyed the humor,
the suspense, and the action of the story. They liked the theme of
friendship and talked about what it meant to be a good friend. Children
also made predictions as to what Big Brown Bear had in the box that he
had purchased at the hardware store and asked numerous questions about
the story.
David McPhail lives in New Hampshire, close to the
woods where big wild bears are often within sight. CHRISTINE FALZON
Merz, Jennifer J. Playground Day! New York: Clarion Books, 2007. (Toddlers-5)
“Sunny smiles, pretend and play. Hurray, hurray! It’s playground day!”
As a young girl in pigtails skips along pulling her wagon full of toys,
her mother follows behind walking their pet dog. The playground is a
busy place, filled with children, animals, and fun playground
activities. Readers solve mini-mysteries with each page of the story,
using the textual clues to determine what animal the young girl is
pretending to be as she plays. “Stretching, swaying, jungle playing, I
climb like a . . . MONKEY!” Readers continue to use clues to guess the
different animal until the sun begins to set and the ever-popular
question is asked: “Do we have to go now?”
Young children were very involved with the book, giving many predictions
about what kind of animal the girl was pretending to be. Both listeners
and readers loved the cut and torn paper images in the book for their
texture and bright colors. Children related well to this story because
of their frequent visits to the playground. They compared what they like
to do at playgrounds with the adventures of the young girl in the
story.
Author and illustrator Jennifer J. Merz lives in Allendale, New Jersey.
ASHLEY ROEMER
Meschenmoser, Sebastian. Learning to Fly. La Jolla: Kane/Miller, 2006. 2007 Comstock Honor Book
(Ages 9-12)
The narrator finds a penguin that crashed while flying. He could fly
until some other birds said “Penguins can’t fly.” The narrator takes him
home and tries to help him figure out how to fly again. Together they
undergo a training program, study books about flying, and try out what
seem like good ideas. These range from taping on bat wings, being shot
like an arrow, and trying out Icarus-like feathers. Nothing works. One
day they see a penguin colony flying overhead and the penguin “stretched
out his wings, pushed off, and joined them in the air.” This is a
modern parable with a philosophical lesson: believe in yourself and
never stop trying to achieve your dream, even when others tell you they
are impossible.
Third and fourth graders enjoyed the story’s humor and liked the theme
of never giving up. Students were attracted to the pen and ink sketches
with bits of color detail. Children also found the story humorous and
especially liked the drawings of the various ways the penguin was
outfitted for flying.
Sebastian Meschenmoser lives and works in Frankfurt, Germany. CAROL
HANSON SIBLEY
Mewburn, Kyle. Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! Illus. Ali Teo, and John
O’Reilly. Atlanta: Peachtree, 2008.
(Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Whenever Auntie Elsie comes over, she plasters Andy with wet, slimy
kisses: one on the left cheek, one on the right, and one big, squishy
hug. Andy tries everything to escape. He hides under his bed, but she
comes in shouting, “‘Where’s my Andy Apple Jelly?’” He hides in the
chicken house under a pile of straw, but she stomps in, crying, “‘Got
you, Andy Apple Sauce!'” He is always slobbered with sloppy, slippery
saliva, and he’s sick of it. However, one week when Andy crawls under
the house, he waits all afternoon, and Auntie Elsie never comes. Andy
wonders what is wrong. When he finds out that she has broke her leg and
won’t be back for awhile, Andy realizes something: maybe, just maybe, he
misses Auntie Elsie’s wet kisses. In a touching reunion, Andy grabs
Auntie Elsie, but this time, he is the one that gives her a kiss on the
left cheek, one on the right, and one big, squishy, hug.
Teo and O’Reilly create their humorous illustrations in pencil, collage,
and digital treatment to capture the wacky, whimsical mood of the text.
The combination of cartoon-like characters drawn over collage is
stunning and effective. Teo and O’Reilly use short, broken, bold
detailing, simplistic representation of faces, and vibrant colors,
varying the pictorial perspectives in imaginative and original ways.
Children are sure to giggle at Andy’s huge, circular white eyes and
Auntie Elsie’s round, pink lips.
Appealing to children in preschool through third grade, this book is an
ideal read aloud. Children chanted along with the reoccurring phrases,
laughed hysterically, pointed at the illustrations, helped turned the
pages of the book, asked for it to be read again, and even made kissing
noises and giggled. Teachers noted that students related to the
characters and situations in the book—they knew what it felt like to
miss someone they loved and thus could put themselves in Andy’s shoes.
Kyle Mewburn lives in New Zealand. Ali Teo and John O’Reilly live and
work together in New Zealand, with three dogs and a bird. KATIE CLAUSEN
Meyers, Susan. Kittens! Kittens! Kittens! Illus. David Walker. New York:
Abrams Books, 2007.
(Toddlers-5)
What better way to describe the development of one of the most beloved
household pets than through rhyme in a children’s story. The rhyming
text is almost as innocent as a group of kittens tangling with a ball of
yarn. The words wind around the pages of adorable illustrations of all
sorts of kittens in pencil sketches layered with acrylic paint. This
story portrays nestling newborn kittens on their journey to becoming
proud, independent cats ready to have kittens of their very own. It is
stock full of different adjectives to describe the lovable felines. It
also plays on the idea that kittens can go from loving and cuddly to
mischievous and sly in mere seconds yet their human caretakers love them
all the same.
This feline friendly tale was read aloud to young children in mainly day
care or preschool settings. It was a story that caused instant
giggling. Children were very eager to chant out: “Here and there and
everywhere, Kittens! Kittens! Kittens!” Many children identified with
the story because they have kittens of their own. One child loved the
book so much that she went through and named each and every kitten
illustrated within the story. Others enjoyed counting the kittens or
telling which ones they liked best.
Author Susan Meyers has shared her home in northern California with many
wonderful cats. Illustrator David Walker lives and works in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina. CHRISTINE FALZON
Meyers, Susan. Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! Illus. David Walker. New York:
Abrams Books, 2005. (Toddlers-5)
“Here and there and everywhere. Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!” The poetic,
rhyming text throughout this book correlates perfectly with the
bouncing, rhythmic style of puppies, big and small. The colorful
illustrations in acrylic paint capture the life and spirit puppies have
as they play and discover new things in their surroundings. This story
takes readers through the life of puppies as they grow out of their busy
ways and eventually have pups of their own!
Children as young as ten months found humor and delight in this story.
Children became involved with the text, chanting “Puppies! Puppies!
Puppies!” Readers found that the rhyming text helped to keep the
attention of young listeners. After hearing the story, many preschool
children wanted a puppy of their own.
Susan Meyers lives in northern California with her dog, Cody.
Illustrator David Walker lives with his two daughters in Chapel Hill,
North Carolina. ASHLEY ROEMER
Monks, Lydia. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004.
(Toddlers-5; 6-8)
A friendly spider tries her best to become a family’s household pet by
making a good impression. Her attempts repeatedly fail as the family
evacuates the spider, each time chanting a harsh, “‘Out you go!’” The
spider feels hopeless so she stays outside alone until night arrives
when the family discovers many beautiful sparkling webs and deems her an
acceptable household pet. The cartoon style acrylic paintings in bright
colors have interesting patterns, shapes, and textures. Monks uses
glitter to create sparking silver webs on the book’s cover and towards
the end of the story.
Children enjoyed this story and especially “loved the pictures.” One
reader commented: “As soon as I turned to the page with the glittered
webs on it he had to touch them and talk about how cool they were.”
After hearing the story, one seven-year-old asked his mom if he could
have a pet spider!
Lydia Monks lives in London. SEAN LEWIS
Morris,
Carla. The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians.
Illus. Brad Sneed.
Atlanta: Peachtree, 2007. 2008 Comstock Book Award.
(9-12)
Melvin loves the Livingston Public Library which he visits every day
after school. There he befriends reference librarians Marge, Betty, and
Leeola, who answer his many questions and help him with school projects
and contests. Melvin attends all the library programs, including movie
nights and sleepovers. In high school he works part-time in the Library
and at his graduation his librarian friends beam with pride. The story
has a satisfying, cyclical closing when another young boy comes to the
library and gets help from the new librarian—Melvin!
This homage to librarians is brought to life with Brad Sneed’s detailed
and humorous watercolor and gouache illustrations. Melvin and each
librarian age appropriately as Melvin grows up to finally join them at
the Livingston Public Library.
Students in grades three and four were great fans of this story. They
enjoyed the humor, the interesting characters, and the detailed
illustrations. The topic of libraries was a popular theme. The children
liked learning how librarians find all kinds of information and “how
smart librarians are.”
Carla Morris, who is the children’s librarian at the Provo City Library
in Utah, got the idea for this book from a “real boy who blossomed under
the wings of Provo’s librarians.” Carla lives with her husband and
three children in Springville, Utah. Illustrator Brad Sneed lives near
Kansas City, Kansas with his wife, and daughter. CAROL
HANSON SIBLEY
Moses, Will. Hansel and Gretel: A Retelling of the Original Tale by the
Brothers Grimm. New York: Philomel Books, 2006.
(9-12)
Using a unique style of folk art, Will Moses creates a wonderful
re-telling of this well-known tale. The story alternates between long
sections of text with small illustrations to full-page illustrations
with no text. The detailed, oil painted forests are rich with color and
texture. The appealing illustrations coincide well with the rhythmic
text. When Hansel and Gretel got lost in the woods, they soon come upon
“a beautiful gingerbread house, complete with sugar crystal windows and
decorated with candy treats and frosting.” In the end, the children
return to their cottage. “Now, with their newfound good fortune and the
love of each other, the woodcutter and his children lived out the rest
of their lives in happiness and peace.”
Although this version is longer than most others, students in the upper
elementary grades enjoyed hearing this book read aloud. One fifth grade
teacher commented: “Having recently finished a folktale unit, my savvy
fifth graders relished this text-heavy folktale.” Third grade students
liked the beautiful, soft looking pictures of the woods. Children in
general enjoyed discussing the differences between this retelling and
others they had heard.
Will Moses, great grandson of author/illustrator Anna Mary Robertson
Moses (better known as Grandma Moses), lives and works in Eagle Bridge,
New York. ASHLEY ROEMER
Moss, Marissa. Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen. Illus. C.F. Payne.
New York: Paula Wiseman Book-Simon & Schuster Books, 2004. 2005 Comstock Honor Book (9-12)
April 2, 1931 was an important day in baseball history. On this day the
Chattanooga Lookouts played the New York Yankees in an exhibition game.
Thousands packed the stadium to see Lookouts’ pitcher,
seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell, pitch against the Yankees. Jackie
made baseball history because she was the first professional female
pitcher. Not only did she pitch against the Yankees, but with her “lefty
pitch with a low dip” she also struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
This slice-of-life biography explains how Jackie grew up playing ball
with her father and how at age eight she learned to pitch from Dazzy
Vance, a star pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The mixed media colored illustrations show movement and emotion. The
full-page close-ups of Babe Ruth capture the intensity in his eyes and
the total shock and disgust when the umpire yells “strike three.”
Jackie, surrounded by male players, looks undaunted and determined.
Just the cover of the book alone excited eight to twelve year olds.
Children listened intently to the story and talked about the book with
excitement. They thought it was great to have a female pitcher and
yelled “strike three” when Jackie struck out Babe Ruth.
Author Marissa Moss is from Berkeley, California, and illustrator C.F.
Payne lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. CAROL HANSON SIBLEY
Moss, Miriam. Bare Bear. Illus. Mary McQuillan. New York: Holiday House,
2005.
(Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Busby the bear bares it all in this rollicking book of friendship and
exploration. A lilting rhyme scheme gives a carefree spirit to the work,
even as poor Busby wakes up one morning to find his clothes have flown
away in the wind. As Busby searches for his lost attire, he meets a trio
of imaginative characters: a hare in a red riding hood, a mouse living
in a grandfather clock, and a vegetarian ogre. They each have a part of
his clothing, and help him find the rest. By the end, he has not only
found his clothes, but three new friends to boot. McQuillan’s cartoon
illustrations skillfully make use of line and curve to craft an
appropriately windswept feel to the whole work. This feeling is accented
by creative formatting of font, as the text itself dips, weaves, and
swoops throughout like it too, were affected by the blustering winds.
This story left children ages three to eight asking for it to be read
again. Teachers noted the clever use of foreshadowing hidden in the
illustrations, encouraging students to predict what would happen next.
One reader noted: “The children really showed excitement for this book.
They were practically sitting on top of me as I read. Their eyes were
fixed on each page.”
Miriam Moss and Mary McQuillan both reside in England. TARVER MATHISON
Muntean, Michaela. Do Not Open This Book! Illus. Pascal Lemaitre. New
York: Scholastic, 2006.
(6-8)
The title itself draws young readers into the story as a fretful pig
tries to keep readers from reading the book! This interactive story
between the “author” and the readers sets up many laughs and daring
actions. The pig explains that the story is not yet written and readers
discover lots of mixed up words plastered along the pages. Throughout
the book the pig tries to get the reader to leave him alone so he can
write, but he finds himself actually using the reader to help create a
very silly story. In the end the pig decides his story is complete and
he heads to bed dreaming of literary awards for his finished product.
A classroom of second grade students really liked how this book allowed
them to interact and be in suspense. Teachers found this story to be an
excellent tool to use when talking about writing. “Working with words is
carried out throughout the entire book,” said a first grade teacher.
Readers also liked the unique way the text was presented because it was
not in the traditional, straight line format. The hand-lettered text fit
well with the cartoon style illustrations, created in pen and ink.
Michaela Muntean lives with her husband in Shelter Island, New York.
Illustrator Pascal Lemaitre and his family divide their time between
Brussels, Belgium where he teaches illustration, and Brooklyn, New York.
ASHLEY ROEMER
Muth, Jon J. Zen Shorts. New York: Scholastic, 2005.
(6-8)
Zen Shorts is a delightful children’s story which introduces three Zen
stories from Japan. Muth does a wonderful job of introducing the tales
through a story of a giant panda and three young siblings. After
Michael, Karl, and Addy meet a big bear named Stillwater in their
backyard, the children take turns spending time with him. Upon each
individual visit, Stillwater and the child have a relaxing and fun
afternoon. During their time together, Stillwater has a unique way of
teaching the children something about themselves and the world they live
in through a Zen fable. The illustrations in this Caldecott Honor Book
greatly support this unique story, contrasting between watercolor
paintings framed in white borders to black and white drawings on colored
backgrounds.
Many young students loved the watercolor pictures and felt the book
itself had a very good moral. Students enjoyed hearing the little
stories inside the story itself. One adult reader thought the content of
this book would be difficult for first grade students to understand but
found that her students did understand the intent in each of the three
stories. At the end of the book, an author’s note further explains Zen
and other themes and ideas from the story.
Jon Muth lives in upstate New York. ASHLEY ROEMER