Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk by Brian P. Cleary - ESSENTIAL

Cleary, Brian P. Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What are Similes and Metaphors? Illustrated by Brian Gable. Millbrook (Lerner), 2009. $15.95. 

EL – ESSENTIAL

Cleary and Gable continue their collaboration in this look at the difference between simile and metaphor. After you are finished, you will wonder why you were never able to remember the difference before!  

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Fairies and Elves by Shannon Knudsen - OPTIONAL

Knudsen, Shannon Fairies and Elves, 46 p. Lerner, 2010. $21 

EL, MS – OPTIONAL. 

From the very first fairy tales to the modern world, Knudsen looks at the lore of the fairy and how it has evolved over the centuries. 

At first, at only 46 pages, I thought this title might be scant on information. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it. If you have the money for a series for entertainment, then Lerner’s Fantasy Chronicles (5 titles to date) may be just the ticket. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta by Jarrett Krosoczka - OPTIONAL

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta 96 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Content: G

EL – OPTIONAL

It’s a bird, It’s a plane. . . . . it’s the Lunch Lady? That’s right! This lunch lady serves justice up on a plastic tray!

In this exciting and mysterious episode the villain is a children’s book author with his league of vicious bunnies! The school is all a buzz with excitement over the scheduled author visit. Unfortunately, this author doesn’t seem to like being around kids. Soon after his visit, the gym teacher mysteriously disappears. Is there a connection? Yes, and the Lunch Lady is on the case!

This third volume will engage fans of the series, but if you don’t have a following, you may want to pass on this one.


 Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

night-night, baby! by A. J. Wood and Emily Hawkins - GIFT

Wood, A. J., & Hawkins, Emily. night-night, baby! BOARD BOOK Silver Dolphin Books, 2007. $13

Pre-K - ADVISABLE

This multi-textured book is sure to appeal to its target audience. Includes black and white pictures of baby faces, simple illustrations, touchable sheep’s wool, and a star cut out. The text is simple and unoriginal.

Samantha, Public Librarian.

A Pinata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora - ESSENTIAL

Mora, Pat. A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas, illustrated by Magaly Morales. Clarion Books, 2009. $16.00. PICTURE BOOK.

EL – ESSENTIAL

A little girl enjoys the 12 days of Christmas (Christmas Day to Three Kings Day) with foods and traditional Latino items from her amiga. Such as pastelitos, luminarias, and campanitas sonando, to name a few.

Each page includes a pronunciation of the number and the gift; e.g. piñata=pee-NYAH-tah. The back of the book includes: a Spanish glossary and pronunciation guide, an author’s and illustrator’s note, as well as the music of the song. The acrylic illustrations are bright and beautiful. A great book to read aloud

Samantha, Public Librarian.

Supersister by Beth Cadena - ADVISABLE

Cadena, Beth. Supersister, illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. PICTURE BOOK Clarion Books, 2009. $16

EL – ADVISABLE

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s supersister swooping into save the day. She pours cereal, ties shoelaces, and goes to school where she thinks of more ways to help her mom. When she gets home she walks to the dog, sets the table, and when she goes to sleep counts sheep. She can’t wait until she becomes a supersister. Her mom says it will be soon.

The super cartoon illustrations combine traditional picture book format with comic book scenes. This book is a good choice for children who are expecting a new sibling.

Samantha, Public Librarian.

Dodsworth in London by Tim Egan - ADVISABLE

Egan, Tim. Dodsworth in London. Houghton Mifflin, 2009. $15

Content: G 

EL – ADVISABLE.

Pack your umbrella Dodsworth and his duck are visiting London. Arriving via hot air balloon the duo sees Buckingham Palace. The duck wants to stay there, but Dodsworth explains that’s where the queen lives. Dodsworth and the duck begin viewing the sites but get divided due to a duplicate duck and a double-decker bus. Dodsworth and the Royal Duck look for his friend duck all over London and finally find him in a royal situation.

Readers will enjoy touring London with Dodsworth and duck and learn a little trivia too. The cartoon animal illustrations are attractive and sure to appeal to beginning readers.

 Samantha, Public Librarian.

Just Grace and the Snack Attack by Charise Mericle Harper - ADVISABLE

Harper, Charise Mericle. Just Grace and the Snack Attack, 164 pgs. Houghton Mifflin, 2009. $15

Content: G

EL – ADVISABLE.

Just Grace’s class is studying food from around the world. Each student can create their own food project. Just Grace chooses to do her report on potato chips from around the world after her neighbor Augustine Dupre gives her a bag of French potato chips and her first zine. Her best friend Mimi plans on writing her report on hot dogs of the world. Just Grace’s dad knows a lot about hot dogs and helps Mimi with her project. Just Grace is jealous of the attention and help. She’s so grumpy that she throws her pencil at Owen 1. What should she do?

The author’s chatty journalistic style with lists and simple illustrations make this a fast and friendly read. Author includes instructions on how to make a zine. Recommend the Just Grace books to fans of Judy Moody.

Samantha, Public Librarian.

Stage Fright by Meg Cabot - ESSENTIAL

Cabot, Meg, Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: Stage Fright. Scholastic Press. 2009.

Content: G.

EL -  ESSENTIAL. 

Allie’s class is putting on a play called “Princess Penelope and the Realms of Recycling.” Every girl wants to be Princess Penelope, including Allie. With the help of her Uncle Jay, who once was a theater major, she practices really hard and has an excellent audition. She feels she’s a shoo-in for the main part, but Mrs. Hunter picks her best friend, Sophie instead. When Allie gets the part of the evil stepmother, she tries to be the best evil stepmother she can be, but the play seems to be going to people’s heads, including her best friend’s. With people refusing to act their parts, Allie’s enemy trying to steal Sophie’s part, and Allie’s inability to discover the motivation of her character, Allie starts getting worried whether or not her class is going to be able to pull off their play. Will Allie discover her character’s motivation in time to perform her best? Will her classmates stop acting childish and start acting?

This book is an excellent addition to the other Allie Finkle books. Allie’s personality just keeps getting better and better as she grows up and learns more about the importance of friendship. The other characters are also well developed. The plot is well-written, and the humor complements well the story. Girls will have fun reading this book as well as Allie’s rules. Readers who like realistic fiction, Meg Cabot, and humorous books will enjoy reading this book.

Reviewer: Kira, Youth Services Librarian -HUN Public Library

A Really Short History of Nearly Everything by Martin Sanders - OPTIONAL

Bryson, Bill. A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. Ill. By Martin Sanders. 161 pages. Kingfisher Press, 2003

EL, MS - OPTIONAL

Ever wondered how the universe was created? How inventors came up with their wonderful ideas and inventions?

This book will introduce you to space, Earth and its origins, and more. This book is a good overview to questions students may ask, but is not an end-all information book. Some things it mentions and talks about like they’re scientific facts are only theories. Despite it being very simplified for the average reader, those who joy question and answer books, are reluctant readers, or enjoy science and space book will enjoy reading this book.

Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

Warriors vs Warriors ill. by Steve Stone - ESSENTIAL

Brereton, Catherine. Warrior vs Warriors. Ill. By Steve Stone. 64 pages. Kingfisher Press. 2009.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

The most top-notch, ruthless fighting warriors throughout history have been brought together in the book’s arena to see who is the best fighter in history. Who will win?

The illustrations in this book are excellent. The facts are presented in a fun, easy-to-read format. Reluctant and avid readers alike will enjoy figuring out who will be deemed the most effective warrior in history.

Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing - ESSENTIAL

Wing, Natasha An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers illustrated by Julia Breckenreid  PICTURE BOOK. 40 pgs. Henry Holt and Company, 2009. $17

EL-ESSENTIAL

Learn all about the life and art of Josef Alber in this picture book biography. This would be a wonderful book to use to introduce students to colors, different art forms, and artists.

The actual story text isn't overly-long, but there are more details provided in the back of the book if you wanted to learn more about Josef Alber. Also included are different art activities you could do on your own. The art in the book is vibrant and colorful and portrays what I think Alber wanted to express through color. The fact that the author knew Josef Alber adds a nice personal touch to the story.

Whitney, Library-Teacher.