Nedwidek, John. Ducks Don’t Wear Socks. Illus. Lee White. New York: Penguin, 2008. (Toddlers-5; 6-8; 9-12)
Emily is a very serious girl. She is busy with music lessons, fancy dinners, and reading The Big Book of Serious Things. However, one day she runs into Duck. Emily is confused and asks why he is wearing socks. “‘Cold feet!’” he mutters, and rides away on his unicycle, juggling fruit. Over the next few days, the two characters keep meeting each other, and Emily eventually starts to perk up. When Emily sees Duck out on a ship wearing underwear, she can’t help but begin to giggle. The next day, she meets duck, but this time she is the silly one. She is dressed up in a duck costume, and she has finally learned not to take life so seriously.
Choosing a quiet palette of colors, soft blues, greens, and browns, White captures the simple beauty of this story. With simplistic, cartoon-like representation, the characters come alive with just two brushstrokes for flushed cheeks and two rounded arches for expressive eyebrows. White has an extraordinary ability to artistically place light sources, highlighting Emily’s expressive face in some illustrations and blending and brushing the colors together in others. The simple fact that Duck’s eyes often look like they are jumping off of his head gives his character extreme energy and excitement.
Children were delighted by the humor and wit of this book. During the read aloud, they pointed to details in the illustrations, laughed spontaneously (especially about the duck wearing underwear), helped turned the pages of the book, showed excited facial expressions, applauded, read along with the story, and asked for it to be read over and over again. Teachers appreciated the book’s engaging humor, noted the book’s many opportunities for making predictions, and loved the dynamic illustrations. One teacher commented, “This book leaves the reader feeling good.”
John Nedwidek, both a designer and illustrator, lives in Victoria, British Columbia with his wife, two daughters, two cats, a snoring pug, and a duck that really does wear socks. Lee White resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Lisa, and their three cats. KATIE CLAUSEN
Newman, Lesléa. The Best Cat in the World. Illus. Ronald Himler. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Books, 2004. (6-8)
Victor feels that his cat is the best cat in the world until one day Charlie the cat dies and Victor mourns. One day Dr. Levin, the veterinarian, calls up to talk about a kitten looking for a good home and wonders if Victor might take the new kitten home with him. At first Victor doesn’t want to replace Charlie but takes the chance anyway. The new kitten, Shelley, isn’t anything like his old pal, but Victor soon comes to realize that all the differences aren’t so bad. In fact, most of them make Shelley the new best cat in the world. Himler’s realistic watercolor and pencil illustrations give the story the emotional push needed to fit the serious mood of the story.
There was quite an emotional response to this book. Many of the children related to Victor’s experiences. One fourth grader even had tears in her eyes when this story was read. One teacher really summed up the read aloud experience: “This book would be a good read aloud and discussion starter for those tough situations when students deal with the death of a pet or even a friend or family member.”
Lesléa Newman, who believes that every single cat is the best cat in the world, resides in Northampton, Massachusetts, while Ronald Himler lives in Tucson, Arizona. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Newman, Lesléa. Where Is Bear? Illus. Valeri Gorbachev. Orlando: Gulliver Books, 2004. (Toddlers-5)
In a harmless game of hide-and-seek in the woods, bunny is the seeker finding his way to all of the hidden animals. However, bear is nowhere to be found. With the help of the gathered forest friends, the search is on. Finally, the animals reach a dark and scary cave where the big tired bear is snoring away. Gorbachev creates appealing animals with pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. He expertly uses hatching and crosshatching to create the fur of the animals and various textures in the forest.
Younger audiences loved the rhyming text, laughed at the animals, and predicted the ending. Some children asked where bear was on ever spread and others pointed at their favorite animals. One group of three to five year olds were so excited by the book that they nudged closer and closer to the reader until she was literally crammed up against the wall!
Lesléa Newman has her home in Northampton, Massachusetts. Valeri Gorbachev, who emigrated from the Ukraine in 1991, can usually be found painting in his studio in Brooklyn, New York. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Newman, Patricia. Jingle the Brass. Illus. Michael Chesworth. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004. (6-8; 9-12)
This well-titled story takes a trip back to the 1920’s when transportation by train (and its lingo) was alive and well. The monologue is by the old hogger, a wise engineer, as he takes his eager young friend for a journey into a day on his “ole hog”—engine number 417. The engineer not only shows the ropes of his profession, he also talks the talk. Woven into the text are fifty-four words and phrases that have everything to do with railroading, such as “snoozer” (a car with sleeping compartments) and “trestle” (a bridge with railroad tracks). Chesworth’s watercolor and pencil drawings, full of details and movement, really help explain what the old hogger is talking about.
This interesting book about trains was well received by children. They appreciated the detailed illustrations, the factual information, and the language of railroading. One ten-year-old even reviewed all the words in the glossary to remind herself where they were used in the text.
Patricia Newman lives in northern California with her husband and two children. Michael Chesworth has his home in Amherst, Massachusetts, with his wife and their two children. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Niland, Deborah. Annie’s Chair. New York: Walker, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Ever since she was a tiny girl, Annie has always had a special chair of her own. Often times, the preschooler curls up in her chair to read books. Other days Annie takes the chair outside to “sit and think.” Annie likes her chair so much that she firmly claims it as her own. No one is allowed to sit on Annie’s chair, not even her mom or dad. Her big brother Jack is especially not allowed to sit on the chair. Finally Annie’s space is challenged when her dog, Benny, sits on her chair. After some tears and howls, Annie finally finds a way to share her special chair with Benny.
Through the use of gouache and digital techniques, bright and colorful illustrations fit well with the simple, kid-friendly text. Many children liked hearing this story read aloud. First graders truly felt the emotions of Annie. Kindergarteners laughed a lot, particularly when Benny lounged in the chair. Children wanted to know why Annie had such a hard time sharing. Preschoolers easily related to the theme of having something special of their own.
Deborah Niland lives in Sydney, Australia with her three children and many dogs. ASHLEY ROEMER
Noble, Trinka Hakes. The Orange Shoes. Illus. Doris Ettlinger. Chelsea: Sleeping Bear Press, 2007. (9-12)
When autumn comes, Delly walks a mile to school barefoot. She loves the feel of the dried dirt and the smooth sand under her feet. However, a fellow student in her classroom, Prudy Winfield, insists that only poor kids walk barefoot. One day Delly’s teacher announces that at this year’s Harvest Festival, there will be a Shoebox Special to raise money for art supplies. Each student must decorate a shoebox artistically. The box will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, while the person who decorated the box stands behind a curtain and sticks out his or her shoe. At the dinner table that evening, Delly realizes that her family simply cannot afford shoes for the festival. However, after a visit downtown where Delly sees some beautiful creamy orange shoes, she finds them the next morning by her bedside—a special surprise from her dad. Delly takes them to school the next day to show the girls, but Prudy Winfield stomps on her foot and everyone starts scraping, scuffing, and scratching her shoes. They are ruined. Miserable Delly turns to her sketchbook for comfort, and suddenly she gets a wonderful idea. She turns the scratches on her shoes into leaves and the cracks into vines and the scuffs into wild roses. Suddenly, the shoes are transformed into a lovely, artistic pattern. Delly replicates this pattern on her box, creating a beautiful matching set. The day of the Harvest Festival arrives, and Prudy Winfield has decorated beautiful pink ballet slippers. Prudy receives the highest bid—that is, until Delly’s turn comes. When Delly stands behind the curtain and sticks her shoe out, the bids go flying. She receives the highest bid. After festivities and celebration, Delly and her family walk home barefoot, realizing that feeling dried dirt and smooth sand under your feet is more of a treasure than anything money can buy.
Ettlinger uses delicate, detailed lines and subtle watercolors to create illustrations that are realistic and intimate. The warm, pastel palette of paints and soft brushstrokes capture the cozy tone of the text. The design of Delly’s box and shoes are artistic and graceful, giving the page a tactile texture that will appeal to children and inspire them to become creative.
Fourth-graders through sixth-graders were enthralled by this story. Children nudged close to the book, showed intent attention, pointed, clapped, cheered spontaneously, and asked for the story to be read again. They enjoyed the realistic illustrations, related to the powerful message of the book, and connected with the creativity of Delly. As one teacher put it, the book “really warmed the hearts of the kids!”
Author Trinka Hakes Noble lives near Berndardville, New Jersey. Illustrator Doris Ettlinger resides in western New Jersey. KATIE CLAUSEN
O’Connor, Jane. Ready, Set, Skip! Illus. Ann James. New York: Viking, 2007. (Toddlers-5)
A young girl shares her feelings with her pet dog as she watches the other children at the playground. Even though she is good at many things, such as leaping, creeping, slurping, and burping, there is still one thing she cannot do—skip! As her pet dog watches with pointed ears and a wagging tail, the girl shows off all of her talents. It is not until her mother overhears her dismay about not being able to skip that the girl starts getting lessons. “‘Hop on one foot, then the other. That is skipping,’ says my mother.” The mother-daughter team practice together down the sidewalk until the girl’s feet are flying, and she’s ready to skip to school.
While hearing this story read aloud, many students couldn’t wait to get up and do the actions in the story. A kindergarten teacher thought this was a great book for starting a discussion about self-esteem and trying new things. The full color illustrations are full of movement and very appealing to young children.
Author Jane O’Conner lives in New York City with her family, while illustrator Ann James resides in Victoria, Australia. ASHLEY ROEMER
O’Connor, George. Uncle Bigfoot. New York: Neal Porter Book-Roaring Brook, 2008. (6-8; 9-12)
When Uncle Bernie comes to visit, George notices that some things about him are quite bizarre. He is very hairy; he has huge feet, and he eats so much that his belly swells out like a balloon. After some research in his important book, George knows—his uncle is a Bigfoot! However, his parents are convinced that George is just exaggerating. “‘Just wait until you get older, you’ll be hairer, too,’” his dad says. George is puzzled, but when he reads that Bigfoots are mean and scary, he realizes that his uncle is not. He’s different, just like every person in the world is different and unique. After Uncle Bernie leaves, the family is notified that Aunt Nessie is coming to visit. What will she be?
O’Connor’s cartoon style illustrations give life to the characters’ vibrant personalities and echo the whimsical, quirky tone of the text. Using short, broken, descriptive lines to give expression to eyes and intricate detail to exaggerate the stylization of faces, O’Connor succeeds in capturing the story’s imaginative, humorous nature. The variety of perspectives and viewpoints in the book is outstanding. O’Connor uses single-page spreads, double-page spreads, vignettes, and even a page that folds out to display Uncle Bigfoot’s massive, elongated, hairy stature!
Written from a first-person point of view, this book is the perfect read aloud for children in grades one through four. During the reading children showed intent attention, pointed, nudged closer to the book, commented on the book’s design, asked questions, and laughed spontaneously. Teachers noted that the book sparked creativity, as a student made up another story about a monster. Another teacher commented on the remarkable detail and color in the illustrations and appreciated that children practiced prediction skills as they guessed what was coming next.
George O’Connor is quite possibly a Bigfoot, as he is said to inhabit the vast, dense forests of Brooklyn, New York. KATIE CLAUSEN
Odanaka, Barbara. Smash! Mash! Crash! There Goes the Trash! Illus. Will Hillenbrand. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books-Simon & Schuster, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
It’s not often that people actually get excited to hear the garbage trucks approaching. Barbara Odanaka does an excellent job of shining light on sanitation workers and their “crushing, cramming, screeching, slamming, garbage trucks . . . .” No job is too big or too small for this down and dirty team. From last night’s leftovers to old furniture, this story follows a crew of pigs through neighborhood streets to pick up as much garbage as they can. Through playful rhymes and onomatopoeic words, such as “gooey,” “gloppy,” “slimy,” and “sloppy,” readers are introduced to the fun side of waste management. This offering, along with colorful, cartoon style illustrations rendered in ink and egg on tempera, gives readers both an eye and earful! The garbage truck is made to look like an extremely hungry monster with playful pigs satisfying its unending cravings. Picking up garbage could not be made to look anymore enjoyable than in Smash! Mash! Crash!
Children loved to chant along with their readers and were mesmerized by the wacky illustrations. Its unusual topic of a personified garbage truck kept the interest of all of the children. The book also stimulated children to talk about their own experiences with the garbage trucks coming through their neighborhoods. A first grade teacher commented: “Great book to read when teaching “ing” endings, verbs, and our first grade unit on litter.”
Barbara Odanaka lives with her husband and young son in Laguna Beach, California, and illustrator Will Hillenbrand resides in Terrace Park, Ohio with his family. CHISTINE FALZON
Oppenheim, Joanne. The Prince’s Bedtime. Illus. Miriam Latimer. Cambridge: Barefoot Books, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
“In a faraway kingdom, a long time ago, when bedtime drew near; the Prince shouted, ‘No!’” So begins the tale of a young prince who refuses to go to bed despite the many suggestions offered by residents of the fantasy kingdom. The physician tries to give the boy a sleeping medicine, the dancers and musicians try to entertain until the prince gets tired, and a town peasant brings the boy a “feather-down quilt stuffed with feathers of pheasant.” Even with more suggestions, the Prince still will not fall asleep, that is, until an old woman arrives at the castle gate. “‘Of course I can dance, and I do love to sing. But for betime,’ she said, ‘I’ve the very best thing.’” The key to the Prince’s slumber is finally discovered as the old woman lulls the boy to sleep by reading him a bedtime story.
Children were attentive during the read aloud sessions as they wondered if and how the Prince would ever get to sleep. Many students offered their own suggestions for getting the prince to fall asleep. Other students guessed before the end of the story what the old woman would to share with the Prince. The colorful illustrations, prepared in acrylics and collage, were very appealing to students. As one adult reader shared, “The kids enjoyed the story and the pictures—they were very vivid and the students loved them.” During the read aloud, one group of first graders “leaned in and pointed at all the pictures and told each other things they thought were funny.”
Author Joanne Oppenheim lives in New York City, while illustrator Miriam Latimer resides in Plymouth, England. ASHLEY ROEMER