|
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 - 2 - 3 - review list | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The Firekeeper's Son What a gem! In this very personal story of a little boy who desperately wants exciting things to happen, the balance point between war and peace is presented to the reader or listener! In Korea during the early 1800s, Sang-hee is the son of a firekeeper. Told from his perspective, he knows that his father lights a fire every night to keep the soldiers from riding to the defense of the king. When Sang-hee must take over for his father due to an accident, he has a choice to make. The signal fires are historical fact, wound into this story with deft mastery. Julie Downing's illustrations are suffused with the blues of a dark night and illuminated by the golds and oranges of a brilliant fire. Her attention to detail is apparent in the reflections of flames in Sang-hee's eyes to the farmers working in the rice fields to the small clay soldiers with which Sang-hee plays. It will be a story-hour favorite and will also serve as a good inspiration for research for older students. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars My favorite books by Douglas Florian are ones like Mammalabilia and Autumnblings, masterpieces of wordplay. In this new collection of 20 space poems, the poems sometimes feel fact-driven rather than language-driven. I guess that’s to be expected, since he could choose which mammals or autumn moments to write about, but I suppose his editors (and teachers using the book in classrooms) wouldn’t have appreciated him leaving out a planet that didn’t inspire him. Even though this collection doesn’t have quite the sparkle and silliness of my favorite books by him, it’s still full of wonderful writing. The poems are by turn thoughtful, factual, and funny. For me, Florian’s at his absolute peak when he’s funny, and here’s an excellent example: Pluto Pluto was a planet. The combination of watercolor with iconic images and cartographic features gives the illustrations a lovely feeling of mapping the universe. Circular die-cuts give a sense of discovery as you peek ahead at the next planet to explore. This book is a beautiful supplement for children learning about space. And for those not learning about it yet, this collection will definitely whet their appetites. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First What do you think would happen if the alphabet didn’t start with the letter A? In Alethea Kontis’ book, AlphaOops, the letter Z gets fed up with always being last. He revolts and demands his turn at the front of the line. The other letters like the idea of change and decide to help him create a new alphabet. Everything starts off just fine—Z, Y, X, W, until P jumps in, demanding a new place, too. Since P would be stuck in the middle, no matter which way the alphabet lined up, maybe it was time to stir the letters up even more. P, O, N, H, S, I, V, J, E. Next comes F, for flowers and fairies. But wait, none of the other letters got two things to name, why should F? A frustrated Z tries to settle the argument and move the letters along T, L, K, C, R, D, G, B, M, Q until suddenly, no one can find U? An alphabet is not complete without a U. When they finally get to A, the entire alphabet cheers. They enjoyed the change, but all agree that it’s better be in their normal positions. A strange twist on an alphabet book that is sure to please not only those children who are learning their letters but also those who have conquered them. Bob Kolar’s brightly colored illustrations give each letter a personality that only adds to the text. His art makes this book a visual delight that will capture the attention of any child. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Moses In this quiet, poetic, but dramatic and effective book, we see a devout woman following her conscience, leading enslaved people to freedom. Harriet Tubman led many people away from the plantations and farms on which they served masters both kind and cruel. She believed with all her spirit that the slavery system was wrong and she followed her beliefs at great danger of being caught and killed. The intensely emotional and affecting paintings in this book portray a woman of deep convictions who had daily conversations with God, drawing her strength from her beliefs. Illuminated by faith, it does not shirk from its realistic portrayal of the sickening conditions of slavery or the risks of escape. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
A Birthday Cake Is No Ordinary Cake Okay, admit it. What matters more to us than our birthdays? Even when we wish they didn't occur quite so close together, there's something magical about a day which is our very own. We can claim it. We can feel that the sun is shining just a little brighter on this day of days. Imagine, then, how the Earth must feel. It, too, has a birthday. Every year, it completes a magnificent journey around the sun. Spring, winter, the comfort of repetition, the macrocosm and microcosm of life ... Debra Frasier has written this wonder-filled story of our planet circling the sun as a birthday celebration, with the anticipation of delicious birthday cake as its focus. How do we demonstrate to young children the concepts of time passing, the orderly progression of the seasons, the science of the Earth's orbit? With exuberant cut-paper illustrations, a splendid birthday cake (recipe included), the author/illustrator once again creates a book that will make little ones ask for a reading year after year. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Clever Ali The story! The illustrations! This is a complete picture book, in which the the parts complement each other to make the book a greater whole. It's a story book rather than a picture book because the text is longer, but Nancy Farmer's magic with words pulls the reader into the weave of her storytelling and Gail de Marcken's illustrations capture our sense of wonder and mystery. The artist's color palette is bright and her textures honor those found in the Arabic world. The author takes an old story and creates a timeless tale that's just right for reading out loud or acting out in a classroom. Homing pigeons are at the heart of this story. Seven-year-old Ali is learning to be a man, working alongside his father who is the pigeon keeper for the Sultan. This ruler is mean, cruel, and childish. He maintains an oubliette with a demon at the bottom, just so he can throw people down the well who displease him. Ali is a very smart boy. When he has to use his brains to save his father from the oubliette, he does his best. But Ali has trained a pigeon who is a little selfish and a little spoiled, so things don't turn out as he hopes. The book's creators have invented one of the most satisfying demons in history ... oops, did I give something away? Prepare to be swept into the world of Clever Ali. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Library Lion I am utterly charmed by this book. A fine read-aloud with a memorable cast of characters, it is sure to be the star of library story hours everywhere. You see, a lion shows up at the library, causing great excitement among the patrons. Miss Merriweather asks if he's breaking any rules. He isn't. The lion loves story hour and makes himself quite useful in the library in appreciation. Then one day, the lion roars—for a very good reason—and Mr. McBee runs to tattle, thereby rescuing a staff member. However, Lion is so upset at breaking the rules that he sets off on a self-imposed exile. Does he return? This is the stuff of which good stories are made. Mr. Hawkes' illustrations are just right. He uses a palette reminiscent of books gone by, but his characters and this active story are thoroughly modern. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Duck & Goose Duck quacked and Goose honked at what they believe is a huge egg, and both lay claim to the circular egg with orange, red and yellow dots. The thoughts of each bird are clearly portrayed as they design a fenced in area to protect the egg from the other bird. Duck & Goose humorously do all the things they think an egg needs, and they plan like parents for the egg's hatching. Their back-and-forth dialogue about the hatching takes them through weather and hours. Both agree that the new baby will be a fast learner! A wise blue bird observes their antics and calls the egg "quite a beauty." Jostling and excitement prevail at what Duck & Goose perceive to be the baby's arrival, but readers will be thrilled to see the cause of the movements: a blue bird eager to play! Amazingly, the egg can bounce, roll, and even fly! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 - 2 - 3 - review list | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright 2002-2008 Children's Literature Network. Send us an e-mail. |