If you have a recent or upcoming book, let us know!

Look for Anne Broyle's new title,
Priscilla and the Hollyhocks
published by Charlesbridge, January 15, 2008
ISBN 978-1570916755

Priscilla is only four years old when her mother is sold to another master. All Priscilla has to remember her mother by are the hollyhocks she planted by the cow pond. At age ten, Priscilla is sold to a Cherokee family and continues her life as a slave. She keeps hope for a better life alive by planting hollyhocks wherever she goes. At last, her forced march along the Trail of Tears brings a chance encounter that leads to her freedom. Includes an author's note with more details about this fascinating true story as well as instructions for making hollyhock dolls.

Melissa Stewart's newest nonfiction book is
When Rain Falls
published by Peachtree, March 1, 2007
ISBN 978-1561454389

We go inside when the rain comes down, but where do animals go? That depends on the kind of animal and where it lives. Bees hide in hives and ants stay safe in underground nests. Squirrels pull their long bushy tails over their heads like umbrellas. Caterpillars crawl under leaves. This new book for young readers offers a first glimpse at how different animals in different habitats behave during a thunderstorm.

In simple, easy-to-understand language, veteran children s book author Melissa Stewart takes a lyrical look at the behavior of animals in forests, fields, wetlands, and deserts and briefly describes how each creature interacts with its rained-soaked environment. Constance Bergum s soft, watercolor paintings colorfully depict the animals and special features of each habitat. Individual sidebar and panel illustrations provide close-up details of the natural world.

Jump the Cracks
is Stacy DeKeyser's first young adult novel
published by Flux, March 1, 2008
ISBN 978-0-7387-1274-1 (paperback)

A small child is in imminent danger, and Victorial has only seconds to make a decision that cuold change the course of his life—and her own. A fast-paced thriller about a determined teenager who becomes both rescuer and abductor of a child at risk.

You'll love Mike Wohnoutka's newest book,
Mama's Little Duckling
written by Marjorie Blain Parker
Dutton, February 28, 2008
ISBN 9780525479505

Dandelion Duckling is ready to explore ... all by himself. Soon he’s paddling across the pond to visit with his friends—Dragonfly, Little Polliwog, and the Centipedes. Mama is watching closely, though, and when she sees danger, she sounds the warning: QUACK! QUACK! QUACK! and Dandelion scoots right back. But one day not even Mama sees the weasel waiting in the willows. Can Dandelion remember what Mama Quack had taught him this time, before it’s too late? Mike Wohnoutka’s vibrant, sun-splashed paintings capture the exuberance and can-do spirit of Marjorie Blain Parker’s rhythmic read-aloud.

Erik Brooks has illustrated this celebration of all things polar bear!
Polar Polka
written by Cherie B. Stihler
Sasquatch Books, February 28, 2008
ISBN: 978-1570615207

Ten polka-playing polar bears gather on an iceberg that’s big enough for a stage. The band begins to play, then suddenly — SNAP! — a chunk of the iceberg breaks off and one of the bears floats away. Undaunted, the now nine-member band strikes a chord when — POP! — there goes another piece, and another bear, too. Bear by bear, the band is eventually reduced to—none! How will the show go on? The bears’ clever solution provides a satisfying finale to this amusing learn-to-count story. Colorful illustrations depict whales, walrus, seals, and other Alaskan wildlife along with the furry musicians.

William Durbin has an exciting new novel out,
The Winter War
Random House/Wendy Lamb Books, February 12, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-385746526

When the Soviet Union invades its tiny neighbor Finland in November 1939, Marko volunteers to help the war effort. Even though his leg was weakened by polio, he can ski well, and he becomes a messenger on the front line, skiing in white camouflage through the forests at night. The dark forest is terrifying, and so are the odds against the Finns: the Russians have 4 times as many soldiers and 30 times as many planes. They have 3000 tanks, while the Finns have 30. But a tank is no help in the snowy forest–a boy on skis is. And the Russians don’t know winter the way the Finns do, or what tough guerrilla warriors the Finns are. Marko teams up with another messenger, Karl. Gradually Marko learns that Karl’s whole family was killed by the Russians. And Karl has a secret–he’s really Kaari, a girl who joined up to get revenge for her family’s deaths.

Ahh, a new book illustrated by Stephen Gammell!
My Friend, the Starfinder
written by George Ella Lyon
published by Richard Jackson at Atheneum, February 8, 2008
ISBN 978-1416927389

Dazzled, a little girl listens to her old neighbor's story of following a falling star when he was a boy. He found it, too. He put it in her hands. But that's not all the starfinder has to tell. One day something found him. It's a story too good to keep. See for yourself.

The Turtle-Hatching Mystery (Dog Watch #6)
by Mary Casanova
illustrated by Omar Rayyan
published by Aladdin January 28, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1416947837 (pb)

When Kito, Chester, and Schmitty head to Mexico with their owners, they plan on taking a vacation from their Dog Watch duties, until they discover that someone is destroying sea turtle nests on the beach.  But can these Minnesota dogs uncover the mystery without getting locked up in a pound ”south of the border”?

Gwyneth Swain's newest book
Riding to Washington
Illustrated by David Geister
Sleeping Bear Press, January, 2008
ISBN 978-1585363247

Leslie Helakoski's newest book
Big Chickens Fly the Coop
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Dutton Juvenile, January 24, 2008
ISBN 978-0525479154

The four big chickens who were afraid of everything in their wellreceived debut, Big Chickens, are now feeling all cooped up, so they set off to find the farmhouse. But where, the hapless hens wonder, is it? First they find a doghouse (loud barking!); then they run into a tractor (ewww, dirty!); and then they stomp into the barn (wild horses!). Who knew the farmhouse was right under their beaks the whole time? Sidesplitting silliness abounds in this second riotously funny read-aloud by Leslie Helakoski, once again illustrated with Henry Cole’s boisterous art.

Derek Anderson has wittily illustrated a practical book on
The Potty Train
written by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison
Simon & Schuster, January 8, 2008
ISBN 978-1416928331

Time to say good-bye to diapers and take the journey to Underpants Station. Are you ready? Let's chug away on the Potty Train!

Leslie Helakoski's newest book
Woolbur
Illustrated by Lee Harper
HarperCollins, January 2, 2008
ISBN: 978-0060847265

Woolbur's list of Do's and Don'ts:

DO express yourself creatively
DON'T worry if you weave your forelock into a pot holder!

DO march to your own beat
DON'T worry when Maa and Paa tell you to stay with the herd!

DO be bold and brave
DON'T be afraid to BE YOURSELF!

Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd.

Spunky, funky, and refreshingly distinct, Woolbur will strike a chord with anyone who's ever felt different. And that's all of us!

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about space,
And Then There Were Eight
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429617475

A collection of original, space-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about autumn,
Shrinking Days, Frosty Nights
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429612050

A collection of original, fall-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about color,
Flashy, Clashy, and Oh-So-Splashy: Poems About Color
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429617451

A collection of original, color-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about the USA,
Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429617482

A collection of original, United States-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about weather,
Seed Sower, Hat Thrower
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429612098

A collection of original, weather-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Laura Purdie Salas has penned a book of poetry about schools,
Do Buses Eat Kids?
Capstone Press, January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1429617468

A collection of original, school-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

Michelle Edwards's book
Chicken Man
Junebug Books, 2nd edition January 1, 2008
ISBN 978-1588382238

Linda Glaser has an informative and fun book about
Dazzling Dragonflies
illustrated by Mia Posada
published by Millbrook Press, December 27, 2007
ISBN 978-0822567530

A dragonfly lays her clutch of eggs and the life cycle of dragonflies has begun. Watch as the little nymphs change over time into beautiful adults who can move through the air like an acrobat.