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By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: October 30, 2009

Thirteen Days of Halloween 

by Carol Greene (Author), Tim Raglin (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September 2009)

What to expect: Halloween, Rhyme, Parody, ghosts and gouls

I love a good song and it looks like Carol Greene does, too. She has taken "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and put her own spooky spin on it.

The song begins with, "On the first day of Halloween, my good friend gave to me: a vulture in a dead tree." You can only imagine where it goes from there: hissing cats, fat toads, giggling ghosts, cooked worms, and so-on; until, "On the thiteenth day of Halloween, I invited my good friend to tea, and I gave HIM a present. A real, live ..." and this is how it ends: with a big, fat question mark.

Raglin's illustrations are eerie and completely complimentary to this imaginatively-creepy and lots-of-fun sing-a-long book. He has conjured up a classic, spooky crew to portray the books troupe of ghosts and ghouls, who certainly bring energy and entertainment to Greene's inventive parody. The guessing-game-ending took me by surprise, but it sure makes for a good conversation -- or even an introduction into Pandora's box. Spooktacular!

Publisher's synopsis: "On the first day of Halloween my good friend gave to me: a vulture in a dead tree."

Children will love to sing along!

Everyone knows "The Twelve Days of Christmas," but are you ready for The Thirteen Days of Halloween? In this delightfully offbeat story, a dashing ghoul tries to win his ghostly love's heart with heaps of hilarious gifts ranging from broomsticks and bats to cauldrons and cats! Carol Greene's lively verse is perfectly complemented by Tim Raglin's enchantingly erie illustrations. Children of all ages will love to sing along. The result is a frightfully funny Halloween tale you'll never forget.

About the author: Carol Greene wrote her first poem when she was six years old (it was about a spider). To date she has published over a hundred books for children. Carol also likes to read, sing, and make teddy bears. She lives in Webster Groves, Missouri, with her cat Dulcie.

About the Illustrator: Tim Raglin brings his wacky imagination and wonderfully odd cast of characters to The Thirteen Days of Halloween. His previous books include Five Funny Fights, Pecos Bill, and The Birthday ABC. He received a silver medal from the New York Society of Illustrators for his book Uncle Mugsy & the Terrible Twins of Christmas. Mr. Raglin lives in his hometown of Independence, Kansas.

Add this book to your collection: Thirteen Days of Halloween 

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: October 20, 2009

by Gordon Korman

Reading level: Ages 9-12

What to expect: Mystery, Action, Suspense, Babysitter, Brothers and Sisters, Family, Orphans, Travel

Here is what I had to say after reading book one: Calling all reluctant readers! Action, mystery, suspense, and orphans, all mixed into a well-balanced, fast read. Not to mention the interactive website and collectible clue cards. Maze of Bones is the first book of a ten book series written by ten different well-known authors. Rick Riordan (author of The Lightning Thief) has set the pace well, creating a suspenseful adventure and scattering it with secretive clues. Riordan has outlined the rest of the series, but it will be completed by the 9 other authors.

Note: A discovery I made is that the books will be completed by 5 authors, each writing 2 of the books in the series.

Author number 2 of 5, Gordon Korman, transitions readers smoothly into book two, One False Note, and manages to strengthen the readers relationship with the characters. As the Cahill siblings continue on their journey to win the race by solving the mystery of all 39 clues, determination and self discovery are key themes in the series. Knowing your grass roots, extended family and all, can be a huge part of understanding one's self. The Cahill's certainly have an exciting and powerful family, including Benjamin Franklin (book one), and a whole branch of artistic members, including the historical figures Mozart and Picasso (book two).

Remaining true to the readers, Korman mixes history with a dash of hip-hop (Snoop Dog) and current themes to hold their interest levels. He has packed in plenty of action and suspense, not to mention a bunch of geographical locations. From Paris to Germany to Austria and then Italy, readers truly are presented with a nice tasting of culture and scenery as the pace of the race for clues quickens.

Publisher's synopsis: THIS JUST IN! Amy and Dan Cahill were spotted on a train, hot on the trail of one of 39 Clues hidden around the world. BUT WAIT! Police report a break-in at an elite hotel, and the suspects ALSO sound suspiciously like Amy and Dan. UPDATE! Amy and Dan have been seen in a car . . . no, in a speedboat chase . . . and HOLD EVERYTHING! They're being chased by an angry mob?!?

When there's a Clue on the line, anything can happen.

Add this book to your collection: The 39 Clues: Book Two: One False Note

Visit the website: www.the39clues.com

Have you or your children been reading and playing along? Let us know what you think, leave a comment below.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: October 19, 2009

Ripley's Believe It or Not: Seeing Is Believing

Reading Level: Ages 9-99

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Ripley Publishing; Ill edition (August 4, 2009)

Language: English

What do you want to know? What don't you want to know? What interests you? What doesn't interest you? Not sure? Here's a list of topics to get you started:

• Strange But True
• Extreme Earth
• Incredible Feats
• Unusual Customs
• Crazy Creatures
• Travel Tales
• Fantastic Food
• Body Oddity
• Strange Sites
• Artistic License
• Amazing Science
• Beyond Belief

I think it's safe to say, without even reading this book, you have spotted a topic of interest. That is what's so great about Ripley's Believe It or Not, there is certainly something for everyone -- kids and adults alike! With it's shiny, blue hardcover, it's the perfect coffee table book for the adult who enjoys something a little different, or perfect for the table next to the bean bag in a teenagers room.

Here is a glimpse at some of the stuff you can expect:

• The amusing: Anthony Lason ... , sang karaoke songs for more than 39 hours straight in June 2008.

• The interesting: Each year more than 14,000 tons of cosmic dust fall to earth ... .

• The outstanding: In 1934, W.M. Keefe from New London, Connecticut, was able to touch his toes and then reach down a further 10in (25cm), despite being 73 years old.

• The fascinating: A newly discovered lake at the south pole of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is bigger than Lake Ontario. ...the lake is filled mostly with methane and ethane, ... liquids on the ice-cold surface of Titan.

• The awful: It is estimated that a foot separated from a drowned body could travel by strong currents around 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before reaching land.

• The sad: An elephant was hunted in 2006, after a two-year reign of terror in which he destroyed hundreds of homes and killed 27 people.

• The amazing: In a reversal of the Evel Knievel classic motorcycle jump over buses, fearless stunt driver Steve Hudis soared 109 ft (33m) in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a school bus ... , ... clearing 15 motorcycles before crash-landing and emerging unscathed.

I could go on-and-on, but the truth is that there are thousands of these hard-to-believe pocket sized stories to discover, along with startling--and some pretty gross--color images. Each one is certainly a conversation starter. A fantastic gift book for the hard-to-buy-for!

Publisher's synopsis: This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley's Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design.

This year's book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.

Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley's fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.

Add this book to your collection: Ripley's Believe It or Not: Seeing Is Believing

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: October 16, 2009

The gift that beats all gifts: a book suitable for anyone between the ages of 9 and 99, and suitable for all maturity immaturity levels.

im.ma.tu.ri.ty /ˌɪməˈtʃʊərɪti, -ˈtʊər-, -ˈtyʊər-, -ˈtʃɜr-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [im-uh-choor-i-tee, -toor-, -tyoor-, -chur-]

In celebration of the release of The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Vol 2 -- the follow up to the very sought after The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Vol 1 -- we have copies of Volumes 1 & 2 to giveaway to our readers. Special thanks to Scholastic and Big Honcho Media!

The Encyclopedia of Immaturity Vol 2

by The Editors of Klutz

Reading level: Ages 9-99

Spiral-bound: 200 pages

Publisher: Klutz; Pap/Toy edition (September 1, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis: When we published The Encyclopedia of Immaturity in 2007, we knew it would make a great gift for someone’s nephew. And, sure enough, people gave it to their nephews — but also to their grandparents, brothers-in-law and accountants. Soon we were flooded with letters, e-mails and calls sharing one common theme — "More! More! More!"

So here’s a second helping of skills, activities, and secret knowledge — suitable only for those whose maturity stopped developing around the age of 12. In addition to thought-provoking topics like What We Talk About When We Talk About Wedgies, the book includes detailed directions for how to: fake a cold, slide down a banister, balance a ping pong ball on your nose, send a toiletgram, throw a sloshie, and more. It’s all new and all hopelessly goofy.

You can imagine our delight as we looked over the sales figures for the first volume of this encyclopedia. For years we’ve felt like the only kids at the grown-up table. Now it turns out the world is populated by a lot more people who are lot less mature than they look. Well, duh!

PRIZE:
Three (3) winners will receive:

• The new release Encyclopedia of Immaturity VOL 2

• The original Encyclopedia of Immaturity VOL 1

Here is what you have to do to enter (maximum entries, 5):

• Watch the video below to find out how to slip on a banana. Once you have the answer, keep it to yourself and leave your name and a message in the comments field below. If you are one of the lucky winners, you will be contacted directly and will need to have the answer before the mailman will deliver the book.

• An extra entry will be given for each time you twitter about the giveaway and/or blog about it. You will need to paste the link in a separate comment to make this entry valid. Click here to follow me on Twitter. 

• Don't forget to leave your contact information with your comment -- a valid e-mail address is a must.

• Shipping Guidelines: The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail!)

• The contest will run October 16, 2009 - November 11, 2009, with the winners being drawn November 12.  Administrator's computer is the official time keeping device for the Giveaway. Winners will be picked at random using a random sequence generator (your comments are numbered in the order they are received and the numbers are like raffle tickets drawn from a hat). Winners have 72hrs to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be awarded to an alternate winner.

• Comment away!

Disclaimer: Books will be shipped directly from Big Honcho Media, delivery of the giveaway item lies solely on the sponsor. Names, e-mail address and physical addresses of all winners will be shared with Big Honcho Media for the purpose of fulfillment of the giveaway.

For more information you can visit the Klutz website: http://www.klutz.com/book/The-Encyclopedia-of-Immaturity-Volume-2

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: October 8, 2009

More than 100 bookstores and libraries are planning to host Ivy & Bean Day Events on November 7th, 2009, to celebrate the release of Ivy and Bean: Doomed to Dance, Book 6 in the New York Times Best-Selling series by Annie Barrows.

About the author: Annie Barrows is the co-author of the New York Times Best-Selling The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society but Ivy and Bean was her first book for kids. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. One daughter is like Ivy and the other is like Bean.

Pre-order your copy here to add it to your collection: The Children's Book Review Store

By Amanda Lynch, The Children's Book Review
Published: July 14, 2009

Just as a warning, there are spoilers in this post. 

For me, it was the third book.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the first two.  I loved the premise.  Don't we all sometimes wish we could be plucked from obscurity and tell us our true destiny?  From the moment Hagrid says, "You're a wizard, Harry", the picked on, poorly attired, lonely Harry Potter suddenly feels his life fall into place. It's not without obstacle, of course:  Harry has a terrible time in Potions class (mostly due to Professor Snape's intense dislike of him), from time to time students suspect that he is trying to kill them (as in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry is suspected to be the Heir of Slytherin), and he sometimes has to sadly learn that even Magic has its limitations (as the Mirror of Erised can show him his parents, but not bring them back).  Over all, the first two books in the series, while fraught with peril, were a great deal of fun:  we cheered Harry on as he became a Quidditch hero, we enjoyed his successes at Hogwarts, and we always suspected that Dumbledore was almost approving of the mischief that he, Ron, and Hermione got into.

But then the third book changed everything.

For the first time, Harry had someone to be angry at besides Lord Voldemort for the death of his parents--Sirius Black.  Harry's rage and anger at Sirius--the person who he believed deprived him of a happy and loving childhood--really turns Harry into a sympathetic and relatable character.  It was from that point on that I really wanted to know what happened to little Harry Potter--and each subsequent book brought a stronger emotional attachment to his plight.

With the sixth movie coming out today, we wanted to take a look at why the Harry Potter Books are as beloved as they are.  So, without further ado, here are the top five reasons we love Harry Potter:

1.  The Magical Realm 

The Burrow.  Hogwarts.  Hogsmeade.  Don't you just want to visit all of these magical places?  J.K. Rowling's creations are exquisite:  the shiny red Hogwarts express; the beautiful castle at Hogwarts; the spooky Forbidden Forest.  I think Rowling is often at her best when describing Diagon Alley:  The Magical Menagerie (where Hermione finds Crookshanks and the dancing rats put Ron's pet Scabbers to shame); Flourish and Blotts, a bookstore where I'm sure any booklover longs to go; and of course, Ollivander's, where the wand chooses the wizard.  Of course, in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, where we get the fabulous addition of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, which (after 5 books filled with pranks pulled by the Weasley twins) is everything we could hope for from the schemers of the family.

2.  The Students and Staff at Hogwarts

Colin Creevy with his camera.  Romilda Vane and her love potions.  The elusive Cho Chang.  Burly Oliver Wood, whose life revolves around Quidditch.  The often-overlooked but extremely brave Neville Longbottom.  The dreamy and unusual Luna Lovegood.  While the story often centers on the exploits of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, some of the other Hogwarts students really steal the show.  The teachers also are fantastic, from Hagrid and his unfortunate love of deadly creatures, to the self-obsessed Gilderoy Lockhart.  What I think is one of Rowling's strongest suits is her ability to make even the most repulsive character seem humane.  She somehow manages to make Argus Filch, the caretaker, pitiable when we discover he's a Squib (unable to do magic); Draco Malfoy, who's been antagonistic to Harry throughout the whole series, arouses sympathy when we find what he's forced to do under Voldemort; and of course, there is the case of Severus Snape, whose true intentions we wonder about from the beginning to the end.

3.  The Supporting Cast of Characters

Ask yourself:  would these books be half as delightful without all the quirky minor characters?  The sometimes misguided devotion of Dobby the House-Elf to Harry can sometimes be exasperating, but equally endearing (and Dobby's fanaticism with socks always can elicit a chuckle).  Molly Weasley's mixture of pity and love for Harry is also one of the sweetest points of the series, as she consistently strives to make Harry feel like he has a home at the Burrow by cooking his favorite meals, fussing over him, and never failing to knit him a sweater at Christmas. Even Hedwig, Harry's owl, has quite the personality:  she gets angry at him when he doesn't visit her or when he keeps her locked in her cage for too long.

One of the best supporting characters by far is Peeves the Poltergeist.  Something that never fails to make me laugh is his song from Chamber of Secrets:

    "Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done?

You're killing off students, you think it's good fun!"

4.  Albus Dumbledore

Dumbledore's love for Harry as practically his own son is one of the most moving aspects of the series.  From the beginning, he takes an especial interest in Harry, and it's easy to see from the gift of his father's invisibility cloak at Harry's first Christmas at Hogwarts that he cares.  That's also why it's so heart-wrenching to see Dumbledore distance himself from Harry in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when he believes doing so will be beneficial to Harry, whose mind is being invaded by Voldemort. Dumbledore's pride in Harry is often obvious, from the time when he rescues Sirius in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to when he obtains a vital memory from Professor Slughorn in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Harry's relationship with Dumbledore is one of the cornerstones of the story, as it is nice to see a father figure in Harry's life. And of course, the reunion of the two at the end of the series easily brings tears to one's eyes.   

5.  Harry Himself

And then there's Harry.  Harry has many great qualities, but he's also deeply flawed--another reason why he's such a relatable character.  He's also very normal for a wizard.  Harry deals with the same problems that boys and girls his age deal with:  worry about being accepted by others in school; a desire to live up to his father's athletic skills, and his unrequited love for Cho Chang--which becomes an awkward situation for the both of them as the series continues. In Order of the Phoenix, for instance, Harry starts behaving as less of a hero and more of what he actually is:  an adolescent boy.   While he has a temper and is sometimes arrogant, Harry is characterized by his humility and often tries to downplay his accomplishments.  Still, he does do well when he steps into the role of leader of Dumbledore's Army; he is a natural teacher and is patient with his fellow classmates.

Something that really stands out about Harry is his concern for others.  He has obvious indignation over the other students who are unkind to Luna, and he shows a particular kindness to her by inviting her to Professor Slughorn's party.  He is strongly guided by his conscience, as shown when he is insistent on bringing back Cedric Diggory's body after he is murdered.  What is especially heart-wrenching is in the sixth book when Harry insists on ending his relationship with Ginny in order to protect her from Lord Voldemort.

Finally, Harry is extremely brave:  he confronts Voldemort on numerous occasions, he rescues Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets, he goes into almost certain death on more than one occasion because of his self-sacrificing nature and knowledge that he is the one who can stop Voldemort.  However, he also deals with self-doubt and frustration that he is "The Chosen One", the "Boy Who Lived."  His own celebrity gets to him on more than one occasion, and he frequently wishes that this burden wasn't put upon him.  In the end though, Harry's love for others saves them all.

So....do you have your tickets yet for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? 

For some extra Harry Potter fun, check out Cake Wrecks.  They have some incredibly beautiful Harry Potter cakes.  They're almost too pretty to eat!  Note that I said "almost"...

Take a behind the scenes look at Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: June 17, 2009

Boo Hoo Bird

by Jeremy Tankard

Reading level: Ages 1-6

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2009)

What to expect: Birds, Animals, Boo boos, Emotion

Jeremy Tankard has certainly found the right frequency when it comes to connecting with children. Bird, the star of two fantastic picture books, is a character whose personality has been developed with brilliant accuracy to portray the honest nature of children. Bird first appeared as his cantankerous self in Grumpy Bird. He returns to us in fine form for Boo Hoo Bird. The book shares many different ideas on making boo boos feel better. Tankards wording is precise, and his illustrations have perfect comedic timing. Perceptive parents should welcome discussions at the end of this book to talk about the camaraderie between Bird and his friends and their ability to express empathy even when Bird is at his worst. Tankard delivers an excellent message of compassion. This is such a relate-able book for children, and parents will find it hilarious. It's short, sweet, and easy to read over-and-over again--and you will have to!

Publisher's synopsis: Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head. "Boo hoo hoo!" he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A cookie? A bandaid? Bird's friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and Fox are full of sweet and funny ideas.

Perfectly pitched and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to come up with just the right way to give comfort.

About the author: "After a childhood of drawing and writing I attended the Alberta College of Art and Design where I studied drawing and printmaking. I worked as a graphic designer and typesetter before embarking on a career in illustration. After a few years of commercial illustration I went back to storytelling and began writing and illustrating my own books."

Add this book to your collection: Boo Hoo Bird

You may also like: Grumpy Bird and The Pout-Pout Fish

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: June 4, 2009

Summer reading with a child between grades 1 and 5 is so exciting. The youngest are gaining priceless reading skills at their "early reader" stage and the eldest are full-steam-ahead reaching an "early-fluent to fluent reader" stage. It's more important than ever to keep up their momentum with their newly found skills -- reading a minimum of four books over the summer will help keep them at their current level of reading. The trick is to pick books they will engage in easily. I've hand-picked some of my favorite titles, new and old, that are well-suited to the season and the different reading abilities.

NOTE: Please remember that all children develop at a different pace and learn in different ways. During each reading phase there will be a a wide range of development taking place. I have included some tips for encouraging reading, and a list of my favorite "early reader" series.

My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life

by Kate Feiffer (Author), Diane Goode (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (March 24, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis: Everyone has only nice things to say about my mom.

Everyone likes her.

She looks nice.

But would a really nice mom do embarrassing things like kiss me in public and tell loud jokes that no one thinks are funny? Well, my mom does those terrible things and worse - that's why I am sure that I have the most embarrassing mom in the world and that my mom is trying to ruin my life...

Or is she?

TCBR review: "My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life essentially defines the quintessential spirit of parent-child  relationships. It's a picture book that even adults will appreciate reading to themselves ..."

Add this book to your collection: My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life

The Composer is Dead (Book & CD)

by Lemony Snicket

Publisher's synopsis: There's dreadful news from the symphony hall—the composer is dead!

If you have ever heard an orchestra play, then you know that musicians are most certainly guilty of something. Where exactly were the violins on the night in question? Did anyone see the harp? Is the trumpet protesting a bit too boisterously?

In this perplexing murder mystery, everyone seems to have a motive, everyone has an alibi, and nearly everyone is a musical instrument. But the composer is still dead.

Perhaps you can solve the crime yourself. Join the Inspector as he interrogates all the unusual suspects. Then listen to the accompanying audio recording featuring Lemony Snicket and the music of Nathaniel Stookey performed by the San Francisco Symphony. Hear for yourself exactly what took place on that fateful, well-orchestrated evening.

Booklist review: "... The whole slightly macabre package is great fun, and while many youngsters will miss the clever wordplay and wry twist at the end, this still winds up being a fairly good overview of each orchestral section’s role in bringing music to life. Or death." --Ian Chipman 

Add this book to your collection: The Composer is Dead (Book & CD)

by Marla Frazee

Reading level: Ages 6-9

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (March 1, 2008)

Publisher's synopsis: When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.  

SLJ review: "Frazee brings out the typical energy of a couple of boys who may scoff at nature and seem to prefer watching TV, but it is through her artful illustrations that readers catch glimpses of just how savvy and creative these kids can be. . . . This intergenerational story will elicit howls of laughter and requests for repeated readings." - starred review, School Library Journal

Add this book to your collection: A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

Wild Tracks!: A Guide To Nature's Footprints

by Jim Arnosky

Reading level: Ages 6 - 10

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Sterling (April 4, 2008)

Publisher's synopsis: When children learn to recognize and read animal tracks they’re actually mastering an ancient language of shapes and patterns—and gaining knowledge of the natural world. Acclaimed artist and naturalist Jim Arnosky has created a breathtaking and informative reference on the subject, filled with intricately drawn prints from creatures both wild and domestic, as well as large-scale paintings of the animals in their environment. Some of the art, labeled in Arnosky’s own handwriting, even looks as if it came straight out of his personal notebooks. And best of all, many of the tracks are true to size, so kids can compare the trace left by a big-footed polar bear (whose paws act as snowshoes in its icy home) with that of a small bird. Adding to the eye-catching illustrations are four awesome gatefolds that display paintings of a bobcat, wolf, deer, and a variety of hoofed animals right next to their prints. Every spread has plenty of details on how to interpret the footprint, and the featured menagerie includes bighorn sheep and goats, chipmunks and rabbits, grizzlies and brown bears, horses and burros, domestic cats and dogs, and even slithering reptiles! This is the perfect gift for a budding naturalist, animal lover, or artist.

Add this book to your collection: Wild Tracks!: A Guide To Nature's Footprints

The Willoughbys

by Lois Lowry

Reading level: Ages 6 - 10

Hardcover: 176 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books; 1 edition (March 31, 2008)

Publisher's synopsis: Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good oldfashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children’s literature.

TCBR review: "Brilliant! The Willoughbys is reminiscent of so many classics - Mary Poppins and The Secret Garden, to name only two - all rolled together with a witty and twisted humor that reminds me of the wonderful Roald Dahl. ..."

Add this book to your collection: The Willoughbys

Horrid Henry

by Francesca Simon (Author) and Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 7 - 10

Paperback: 112 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 1, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis: Henry is dragged to dancing class against his will; vies with Moody Margaret to make the yuckiest Glop; goes camping; and tries to be good like Perfect Peter - but not for long.

TCBR review: "Wow! Francesca Simon really knows kids! Clever, witty, and horridly hilarious, Horrid Henry, the first book in an excellent series for young readers, is everything it should be. ..."

SLJ review: "... Arnosky lets children in on these insiders' tips with the amiable tone of a knowledgeable guide. ..."

Add this book to your collection: Horrid Henry

Dessert First

by Hallie Durand (Author), Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 7-10

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher: Atheneum (May 19, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis:

Because all you really need in the world is a Maraschino cherry.... Plus something to put it on top of, like a hot-fudge sundae or a cornflake-cream-cheese cookie or a banana split.

But sometimes walking to the beat of her own drum means walking right into a heap of mischief, especially when it comes to the legendary family recipe (and Dessert's all-time favorite chocolate treat), Grandma Reine's Double-Decker Chocolate Bars. As the oldest child in a rambunctious, restaurant-owning family, Dessert seems to be better at getting into trouble than getting out of it. And that's because for this eight-year-old, saying sorry is definitely not a piece o' cake!

TCBR review: "... Durand [has] created believable third-grade characters that have wonderfully supportive families and school teachers."

Add this book to your collection: Dessert First

Emmaline and the Bunny

by Katherine Hannigan

Reading level: Ages 7-12

Hardcover: 112 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins (February 24, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis: Emmaline lives in a very tidy town, but Emmaline is not tidy. Emmaline likes to hop, hop, hop and holler, “Hoopalala!” And, more than anything, Emmaline wants a bunny.

Orson Oliphant is mayor of the town. He is very tidy. Orson Oliphant does not like hopping and hollering. And, more than anything, Orson Oliphant does not like animals. He has banished them all, including bunnies.

But there is still one special, secret place in town where animals can hop and fly and be free—a place where there is a bunny.

Is there a way for Emmaline to have a bunny of her own?

Written and illustrated in full color by Katherine Hannigan—the best-selling author of Ida B—Emmaline and the Bunny is a celebration of ingenuity . . . and untidiness.

Publishers Weekly review: "Hannigan follows Ida B., her critically acclaimed debut, with this environmental fable, which she has illustrated with tender watercolor art that often displays deft touches of humor. ..."

Add this book to your collection: Emmaline and the Bunny

The Problem with the Puddles

by Kate Feiffer (author), Tricia Tusa (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 8-12

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (February 24, 2009)

Publisher's synopsis: What if your parents agreed to disagree?

Eight and a half years ago, when their beautiful baby girl was born, Mr. and Mrs. Puddle couldn't agree on what to name her. So Mrs. Puddle calls her daughter Emily and Mr. Puddle calls her Ferdinanda. And everyone else? They call her Baby.

Having parents who agree to disagree does mean twice as many presents on your birthday, but it can complicate your life! There was the time Baby's parents couldn't agree on what kind of dog to get -- so they got two, both named Sally. One summer day, when rushing back to the city from their country house, the Puddles leave the Sallys behind. Will the Puddles agree to go back? What will become of the Sallys?

Kate Feiffer's debut novel is by turns funny, heartwarming, and wholly satisfying. Tricia Tusa's pleasing artwork makes the Puddles' world complete.

Let the Puddle family into your heart. You will be glad you did.

TCBR review: "... There is almost a picture on every page making it a great choice for kids that are new to the more serious layout of chapter books. ..."

Add this book to your collection: The Problem with the Puddles

Kenny & the Dragon

by Tony DiTerlizzi

Reading level: Ages 8 -12

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 5, 2008)

Publisher's synopsis: What do you do when your new best buddy has been designated a scourge by the community and marked for imminent extermination? Just ask Kenny Rabbit. When the simple folks in the sleepy little village of Roundbrook catch wind that there's a dragon running loose in the countryside, they get the wrong idea and the stage is set for a fight to the death. So it's up to Kenny to give his neighbors front-row seats to one of the best-known battles in history -- the legendary showdown between St. George and the dragon -- without losing a friend in the fray.

TCBR review: "... Kenny is such a courageous character, that I am sure any young reader would idolize him. And believe me, you want your child to idolize him because Kenny has the biggest thirst for knowledge, learning and books. Tony DiTerlizzi, known infamously for The Spiderwick Chronicles, has told this captivating story with such ease that it's hard to put down - even for reluctant readers! ..."

Add this book to your collection: Kenny & the Dragon

Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

by Erica Kirov

Reading level: Ages 9+

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (May 1, 2009)

Publisher's Synopsis: What would you do for an hourglass that stopped time?

Nick Rostov's father is the worst stage magician in Las Vegas. He can barely pull a rabbit out of a hat. So it is a strange morning indeed when Nick wakes up to find himself on the top floor of the Winter Palace Casino with a promise from the greatest magician in the world to teach him magic.

And not just stage magic. Real magic. Nick sets out to learn about his mother's family, the strange Russian clan of magicians that secretly run the Winter Palace. But there is a catch: Nick has the sight, the ability to see into the past. And so it must fall to him, with only his cousin Isabella to help, to pick up the long-buried clues and unravel the mystery of The Eternal Hourglass, the only magic artifact ever created that can actually stop time.

TCBR review: "... This book is so well thought through that I am beginning to think that Erica Kirov may actually be from a family of magicians. I have been bewitched and I can't wait for book two. A vonderful novel!"

Add this book to your collection: Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

Early Readers:

• Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel

• Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant

• Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems

• Mr Putter & Tabby by Cynthia Rylant

• Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor

• Fly Guy by Ted Arnold

Tips for encouraging reading:

• Keep some books in every room, in the car, and in every backpack. Audio books, magazines, comics, and other reading material count!

• Take your child to get their own library card.

• Take your child to author events at local bookstores.

• Provide a little guidance to help your child select books on topics that interest him. Books about camps, swimming, going to the beach, and vacations are a often a good start for this time of year.

• Activity books are great summer reading. Not only do they get some reading in, but they can get busy learning how to play chess, juggle, or sew.

• Be a role model: read books with your kids or let them see you read a book, magazine, or newspaper of your own.

• Start a book swap with friends. It encourages conversation about the book when kids have read the same one.

• A wise person once said, "Reward reading with more reading." Stop by the bookstore or library to pick up a new book as a reward for finishing one.

Still can't get your children reading? Try this:

Where's Waldo? The Ultimate Travel Collection

by Martin Handford

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 152 pages

Publisher: Candlewick; Min edition (May 20, 2008)

Publisher's synopsis: The essential travel companion! Now Waldo can wander everywhere his fans do, thanks to a compact bind-up of five classic adventures.

Waldo seekers young and old won’t want to hit the road without this paperback compilation of his world-famous excursions, including:
* Where’s Waldo?
* Where’s Waldo Now?
* Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey
* Where’s Waldo? The Wonder Book
* Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood

With such a wealth of Waldo at hand, even the most restless travelers will be entertained for hours on end. Don’t leave home without it!

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: June 3, 2009

Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

by Erica Kirov

Reading level: Ages 9+

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (May 1, 2009)

With its gold embossed razzle-dazzle cover and the publisher's synopsis, I was allured by a super-natural power that the Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass beholds. When Nick turns 13-years-old his life takes an unsuspecting turn. He's been living in a not-so-cool hotel in Las Vegas, The Pendragon, with his magician father whose magic skills are more illusion than magic. Nick has trouble making friends because everyone he meets is only in Las Vegas for a vacation. On his birthday everything changes -- he discovers that his heritage runs much deeper than one could ever anticipate. He is part of the most powerful Russian magic family there is, and they live in The Winter Palace Hotel and Casino where the world-famous Damian puts on the greatest show on earth.

With a strong Russian heritage, author Erica Kirov brings an old-world depth to the fast paced neon-world of today's Las Vegas. Two very different times and cultures collide in an out-of this-world experience. Swords, caviar, and Siberian tigers meet skateboards, pizza, and hedgehogs. Kirov's descriptions of characters and scenes are vivid and picturesque. This book is so well thought through that I am beginning to think that Erica Kirov may actually be from a family of magicians. I have been bewitched and I can't wait for book two. A vonderful novel!

If you like J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, or The Navigator by Eoin Mcnamee, you'll be really happy with Magickeepers. I also found a few very basic similarities between Kirov's story and Ingrid Law's Savvy. For more information visit: http://www.magickeepers.com/index.html and http://www.magickeepers.blogspot.com/

Publisher's Synopsis: What would you do for an hourglass that stopped time?

Nick Rostov's father is the worst stage magician in Las Vegas. He can barely pull a rabbit out of a hat. So it is a strange morning indeed when Nick wakes up to find himself on the top floor of the Winter Palace Casino with a promise from the greatest magician in the world to teach him magic.

And not just stage magic. Real magic. Nick sets out to learn about his mother's family, the strange Russian clan of magicians that secretly run the Winter Palace. But there is a catch: Nick has the sight, the ability to see into the past. And so it must fall to him, with only his cousin Isabella to help, to pick up the long-buried clues and unravel the mystery of The Eternal Hourglass, the only magic artifact ever created that can actually stop time.

About the Author: Erica Kirov is an American writer of Russian descent. Though she is not from a family of magicians, she is from a proud family of Russians, and she grew up hearing stories of their lives there.

Erica lives in Virginia with her husband, four children, three dogs, parrot, her son's snake (she really hates snakes), and a pet hedgehog. She is busy at work on the next Magickeepers novel.She also writes on http://teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com as well as her parenting blog, http://demonbabyandme.blogspot.com/.

Add this book to your collection: Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

Check out more reviews of this book at the following blogs:
YA Books Central
Books For Your Kids
The Reading Tub
Book Loons
Dolce Bellezza
The Written World
Biblio File
Abby the Librarian
Booking Mama
A Childhood of Dreams
Eva’s Book Addiction
Word Candy

And even more reviews coming soon:
Looking Glass Review (6/5)
Alea Pop Culture (6/18)
Beth Fish Reads (6/23)

By Bianca Schulze, The Children's Book Review
Published: May 21, 2009

Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up

by Robert Sabuda

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 14 pages

Publisher: Little Simon; 1 edition (November 4, 2008)

What to expect: Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Fantasy, Pop-up

Whatever Sabuda touches turns to magic. So what happens when he touches a story like Peter Pan that is already magic? An alluring feast of enchantment! His illustrations stay real to the time period in which J.M. Barrie wrote this classic tale (1902), only they have a richness about them that comes from a more magical and modern time. Using his masterful, paper engineering talents, the illustrations leap to life with a whole new depth, allowing the characters to reach out and draw you further into the well-adapted version. Each pop-up spread contains a booklet that contains the text and a few extra pop-ups to enhance the story -- they tuck neatly away. The detail of this book is extraordinary, making it a wonderful gift for all ages.

Publisher's synopsis: Readers will delight in this retelling of the classic story of Neverland, pirates, and flying. Robert Sabuda's elegant text and paper engineering give new life to favorite characters like Tinkerbell, Wendy, Michael, and John, and, of course, Peter Pan. Sabuda's beautiful pop-ups are further complemented by full color illustrations that pull readers even deeper into the magical world that is Neverland.

Add this book to your collection: Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up

Summer is approaching fast, which means school will be out very soon. It also means it's baseball season. What better way to entice our kids to read over the summer than giving them a series of books that is based around a sport that they love -- topic can be everything! SLUGGERS, a series about three kids who travel the country playing baseball, is sure to captivate it's audience with mystery, fantasy, and even some historical-fiction. Loren Long, one of my all-time favorite illustrators and the guy who thought-up the series, has ever so kindly answered some questions, shedding light on his career and SLUGGERS.

Bianca: Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an illustrator?

Loren: My journey as an illustrator started with a confused college education from the University of Kentucky majoring in a number of different areas from Business to Communications to Architecture and finally to art in my senior year. Next came one year of art school at The American Academy of Art in Chicago which lead to my first professional job as an illustrator at Gibson Greeting Cards in Cincinnati, Ohio. I worked at Gibson illustrating greeting cards by day and trying to forge a freelance illustration career by night. Left Greeting card land after almost 4 years to freelance full-time mostly working for magazines. I had become a student of the American Regionalist painters from the early 20th century such as Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood. This began to show up in my illustration samples and seemed to give me an identity of style on the national illustration scene.  I began to get jobs from magazine's like Time, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Atlantic  Monthly and Reader's Digest.

This continued to shape my artistic direction as I began to have my work accepted into national juried illustration exhibits such as The Society of Illustrators and Communication Arts magazine. After some time, publishers began calling me to do book covers for the YA book market. I loved it. My very first book cover assignment was Gail Carsen Levin's novel, Dave at Night. I remember the excitement of reading a manuscript for a novel that was yet to be published and the pride that I'd been chosen to create one piece of art that would be the face of the book on the bookshelf. It also helped that I loved the stories they were sending me.

After illustrating a couple dozen book covers I began to get calls to try my hand at chapter books (more art) and picture books (even more art). I was hooked. I fell in love with children's publishing. I love the fine art of making a picture book and as my own son began learning to read chapter series, the idea for SLUGGERS hit me.

Bianca: How does it compare illustrating picture books vs. chapter books?

Loren: There is a significant difference for me between illustrating a picture book and a chapter book.  In simple terms, (in my opinion) art for a picture book is essential to help the text tell the story. The illustrations work in symphony with the words. They work together along with the voice of the reader and the imagination of the child to complete the picture book experience. The art in a picture book is vital.

In a chapter book, the overall design and art of the book is also important but in a different way. The packaging of a chapter series is vital. The jackets are important. The interior art is also important to help the story create mood, a sense of drama and to support the setting and character development. Especially in our series SLUGGERS, where a magical element creates quite bizarre occurrences on the baseball field such as magical horses thundering through the baseball diamond during the game or baseball bats going up in flames while the hitter is swinging at the ball. But the art cannot tell the story as significantly as picture book art can. In my mind, the art in a chapter book seems to "enhance" the book rather than in a picture book the art "is" the book. I do not mean to diminish the role of art for chapter books OR the role of text in picture books. Each component is vital for the audience. They each depend on another. The roles are just  different.

Bianca: Being baseball season, tell us about the series SLUGGERS and how you collaborate with Phil Bildner?

Loren: SLUGGERS is a baseball chapter series about three kids who travel around the country with a quirky band of barnstorming baseball players in the summer of 1899. It is part mystery, part drama, part historical fiction with a fantasy element in which the kids have possession of a very special, magical, mysterious baseball. And when the 3 children hold the ball at once, strange, bizarre and mysterious occurrences appear on the field during the baseball games. The children learn that they are being followed by an evil villain who wants what the children have.He wants more than one thing they have and he also has something that the children want.

Readers will learn lots of "vintage" baseball terms that were common in the old days of baseball such as calling a ground ball a "daisy cutter", a fly ball a "rain maker" and the baseball bat a "willow".

The initial "seed" idea for SLUGGERS came from my own experience playing on a vintage baseball team here in Cincinnati in which we wore 1869 uniforms and played and performed the game of baseball to the rules, practices, sportsmanship and vernacular of the day. It was such fun playing the grand old game that I thought it would make a wonderful backdrop for a chapter series for today's young readers.
Being only a picture book illustrator at the time, I felt I needed a writer to make my dream project come true. This is where Phil Bildner came in. I was aware of his work from his picture book, Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy and I thought he'd make a good co-creator for SLUGGERS. I pitched my "seed" idea to Phil and together (by way of e-mail and phone) we concocted the entire arc of the 6 book series. In the early days it was great fun exchanging ideas, developing the characters, naming the characters and coming up with the story-lines of SLUGGERS. From the very beginning, Phil and I knew where and how we wanted the 6 book series to end. It was a blast. I would call Phil from Cincinnati to Brooklyn with all these crazy ideas. And let me make it clear that I may have pitched an initial overall idea for the project to Phil but he brought so much of his own ideas to the book series and together we shaped and crafted the books into what they are today. It has been an interesting collaboration and one that I am very proud of.

It is a co-creation collaboration where even though I am the chief artist and Phil is the chief writer, our roles are much more involved than the than simple designation of one writer and one illustrator doing separate work. We weigh in at every step of the way on the work each of us are contributing.

 

Bianca: What was the decision making process behind changing the series name from Barnstormers to SLUGGERS?

Luisa: To read more about the decision process that went into changing the name of the series from Barnstormers to SLUGGERS, please go to www.LorenLong.com. The main issue was that in large part, the title "Barnstormers" was not an easily identifiable "baseball" term and we felt that we were not reaching the audience we are trying to reach with SLUGGERS, the series that saved baseball. In short, if you write a book about baseball for emergent readers, you want your title to say "baseball" and many folks did not understand that "Barnstormers" was about baseball! It was a learning experience. Changing the title of our series was a decision that we did not take lightly. But ultimately, we feel that it was the right decision. Please go to my website for more scoop and visit Readsluggers.com to see more and even hear some SLUGGERS music written specifically for the books!

Bianca: Of all of your works, which has been the most rewarding for you on a personal level? Why?

Loren: I've been very fortunate that on most every level, all of my books have been incredibly rewarding. I'm perhaps most honored by the opportunity to have illustrated the classic, Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper because of what the book has meant to so many of us and in particular, what it meant to my mother and me and our lasting close bond.

It has now been very rewarding to begin writing and illustrating my own picture books such as the recently published DRUMMER BOY and the upcoming Fall '09 picture book OTIS...because I never thought I'd be a writer.

And it is very rewarding to create a chapter series like SLUGGERS that I hope will ignite an interest in reading for that sluggish, reluctant young, emergent boy or girl reader. And with SLUGGERS, it may be because they simply like baseball or the idea of how three children help save their family with a magic baseball.

Bianca: Please tell us about winning the two Golden Kite awards.

Loren: I'm a big supporter of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (the scbwi). My very first picture book, I DREAM OF TRAINS won the Golden Kite for picture book illustration. And later, WHEN I HEARD THE LEARN'D ASTRONOMER won the Golden Kite Honor for picture book illustration. I was over the moon to be recognized and those awards will always be a little happy place in my career in publishing.

Bianca: My favorite version of  Watty Piper's The Little Engine That Could is the 2005 edition that you illustrated. Do you have any plans to re-illustrate anymore classics?

Loren: I've been excited that my 2005 edition of Watty Piper's THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD has been accepted and well received by so many for young and old. What an honor, I'm pleased that folks are gifting it to graduating seniors and older kids and adults alike who are "struggling in medical school" and loved the book as a child. It's been rewarding to hear those stories and to know that I'm a small part of the rich The Little Engine That Could publishing history.

It was digging into the classic Little Engine That Could as an illustrator that ignited my interest in creating my own books that I hope to have a classic feel such as TOY BOAT and I very much had my favorite classic books in mind as I created OTIS (Philomel, Fall'09).

Bianca: What should we expect to see from you in the near future?

Loren: I'm working on the last two books in the SLUGGERS series for Spring 2010 and I mentioned my newest picture book, OTIS coming this September 2009 about a little tractor who befriends a baby calf on the farm.

Bianca: If you had to illustrate a picture book which was about a well-known children's author or illustrator, who would you choose and what story would the pictures tell?

Loren: Hmmm, if I had to illustrate a picture book about a well known children's author I'd probably zoom in on Virginia Lee Burton and try to get to the heart of how she came up with Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel!

Thank you so much for your time, Loren!

Check out the SLUGGERS series (Ages 8-12) at www.lorenlong.com