Turnbull, Victoria. The Sea Tiger.

Turnbull, Victoria.  The Sea Tiger.  Candlewick Press 2015  np  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-7986-6  pre K-elem  Fantasy     E     

Victoria Turnbull has written and illustrated a story about friendship and growing up that will resonate with readers, who will hear echoes of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree between the lines, and enjoy the dreamlike water-colored illustrations that depict a lasting friendship between a merchild and his favorite pet.  Sweetly evocative, pensive, and nostalgic, Turnbull’s picture book will hold great appeal for a wide-ranging audience.   

Summary: This picture book depicts the friendship between a merchild and his pet.

Picture books, Mermaids                               --Hilary Welliver

Arndt, Ingo. Best Foot Forward.

Arndt, Ingo.  Best Foot Forward.  Holiday House  2013  unp  ISBN 978-0-8234-2857-1  pre K-elem  E-BNe   Nonfiction     

In a series of gorgeous photographs, the author zeroes in on the features of various animals’ feet, claws and flippers that help them adapt to their habitats.  The text is just enough to get the message across that all of the animals evolved just the way they needed to.  In addition, there is a little guessing-game quality to the book, as the beginning of each section asks the reader to identify the animal whose foot is shown.  The rich colors and superb detail of the photographs is complemented by succinct language that explains why each animal’s foot (or claw, or flipper) is just right for that animal.  I can see using this book with one child or a small group gathered around the reader.  It is a great lesson in adaptation and evolution at a very elementary level, and it really engages the child.         

Summary: In a series of gorgeous photographs, the author zeroes in on the features of various animals’ feet, claws and flippers that help them adapt to their habitats.  The text is just enough to get the message across that all of the animals evolved just the way they needed to.     

Evolution, Animal anatomy                                --Carol Kennedy

Martin, Mary. Princess Addison Gets Angry.

Martin, Mary.  Princess Addison Gets Angry.  Capstone/Picture Window    2013 unp  ISBN 978-1-4048-7851-8    pre K-elm   VG      Conflict   

In this charmingly illustrated book for young children, Addison learns to deal with her anger over a rainy day.  It is the perfect book for a parent or grandparent to read aloud to a young child (especially a little girl) on a rainy day.  The drawings are whimsical and amusing, full of imagination and good humor, and they help to underline the message that it is okay to have one’s feelings, as long as one doesn’t hurt anybody or break anything.  It ends on a hopeful note, with Addie looking forward to another day, one without rain.    

Summary: In this charmingly illustrated book for young children, Addison learns to deal with her anger over a rainy day.     

Feelings-Picture books                                   --Carol Kennedy

Yasuda, Anita. The Crazy Clues.

Yasuda, Anita.  The Crazy Clues.  Capstone/Stone Arch  2014  32p  ISBN 978-1-4342-5971-4  series: Dino Detectives  preK-elem  E    Mystery/Detective

This first entry into the mystery genre is a book for independent reading by emerging readers.  It would have been a book of note, except that our committee gives that designation only to books suitable for grades 5-12.

Dot has to be the cutest dinosaur around.  Her swimsuit, goggles and swim cap show that she is ready for her swimming lesson.  Her mom and brother are equally visually appealing.  The names of the four dinosaurs in the series are well thought out and represent the type of dinosaur each one is.  This book is perfect for independent reading for emerging readers, with a glossary on the last page.  The mystery format will introduce young readers to that genre, with the posing of a problem to be solved, clues along the way, and finally, the resolution of the mystery.  This is a first-rate addition to early-reader

collections.

Summary: The dinosaurs are adorable, adorned with headsets, i-pods, swimsuits and goggles.  This book will appeal to young readers from preschool through grade 2.   

Mystery-Fiction, Dinosaurs-Fiction                  --Lois McNicol

Kelleher, Kathie. The Night Before Christmas, Deep Under the Sea.

Kelleher, Kathie.  The Night Before Christmas, Deep Under the Sea.            Holiday House  unp          $16.95  978-0-8234-2336-1          2012      pre K-elm              E-BN                  Picture book

                                   

This is a very cute under-water rendering of the classic Clement Clark Moore poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, with Santa as a jolly walrus with seahorses pulling a conch-shell sleigh.  A young lobster takes the role of the child excited about Christmas.  Bright colors and interesting sea life bring the poem to life.  This would be a wonderful read-aloud for a librarian, parent or grandparent.

Picture books, Christmas stories                                                                                                                 --Lynn Fisher

 

Long, Ethan. The Croaky Pokey.

Long, Ethan. The Croaky Pokey.
Holiday House 2011 14.95
978-0-8234-2291-3 Animal stories VG

Hokey Pokey becomes Croaky Pokey when frogs, toads, an egret and an alligator all try to catch a pesky fly for dinner. Song lyrics are aptly illustrated and creatively depicted in this pictorial version of the famous song. As children sing the Hokey Pokey song, instrument-playing frogs rock in the bog. Children will delight in singing along and watching as one of the frogs sticks out his very long tongue while trying to snatch a fly from the sky. The frog fails, and a hungry toad next tries to catch that fly. All kinds of water creatures join in as one frog does the Croaky Pokey, and all meet with failure. Frustration on the alligator’s face is sure to please youngsters, and as the story moves to the “backside”, we see alligator, frog, turtle, egret swishing their backsides to the tune. “Snap!” Every mouth in the bog snaps shut, missing that pesky fly! The final pages of this book show all of the frogs snapping frantically for the illusive fly, and all become entangled in their tongues as a fish jumps forward to catch his dinner!
The pictures are so good that text is not needed! One can envision a resourceful teacher of literacy using this book to teach sight vocabulary and easy song words. Another idea might be to play the Hokey Pokey version and compare it to the Croaky Pokey! Books that entertain young readers abound, so what will make someone buy this one? The facial expressions of the animals combine with the clever way that the author teaches body parts and left from right with a timeless classic to make this book a good choice for the early learner.
This book is a good choice for nursery and elementary schools. The pairing of illustrations and music is both entertaining and educational as it has been proven that music helps children to remember what they are learning. Squaresky, Martha

Gormley, Greg. Dog in Boots.

Gormley, Greg. Dog in Boots.
Holiday House 2011 unp 17.95
978-0-8234-2347-7 Animal stories E-BNe

Dog reads Puss in Boots and tries to find the right footwear for himself. After several failed attempts, he finds the perfect choice - his paws. Dog reads his favorite book- Puss in Boots. He then heads to a shoe store and buys boots for each of his feet. However he found that they are no good for digging in mud. He returns them for rain boots that can take the mud but filled with water when Dog went for a swim. So on through several varieties of footwear until he is reminded that his paws are perfect for all his activities.
This simple story line helps young children learn that the way they are is the best way to be.
The illustrations are bright, enthusiastic and delightful. Young children will be attracted to the antics of Dog as he tries different footwear and finds each to be lacking in some way.
Recommended for pre-school and early childhood collections.
Theal, Joan

Cabrera, Jane Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush

Cabrera, Jane Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Holiday House 2010 unp 16.95
978-0-8234-2288-3 elem E-BNe
In this delightful picture book, we follow two adorable spotted puppies through their daily activities with verses to the song “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”. The puppies wake up, brush teeth, get dressed, march to school, read and write, skip and jump, hop home, bounce, splash, settle down, and go to sleep.
The illustrations are bright, colorful and delightful. Parents and care givers will enjoy sharing the song with their children. Very highly recommended for pre school children. Very highly recommended for pre school children. Theal, Joan
Daily activities

Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the move. by JoAnn Early Macken

Macken, JoAnn Early. Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the move.
Holiday House, 2008, 32p, $16.95, 978-0-8234-2043-8.

Illustrates the journeys taken by different kinds of seeds.
This nicely illustrated children’s book visually shows the wonders of seeds and how they germinate. Both the text and the illustrations show how various seeds from plants and trees are carried by wind, rain, or animals to new locations, where they can set down roots and grow. There is a good balance between the illustrations, showing the different seasons, and the text, which simplifies the life cycle of seedlings for beginning scientists. The illustrations will attract young readers with both the color palette and the close-up diagram of the different seeds. A picture glossary is included. This is a perfect pairing with A Seed is Sleepy.
Recommended for preschools and elementary schools. RZ