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What you are about to see is real. These are the books that actual, honest-to-goodness children are putting on hold at the school libraries where I work. The photo below (of books on hold at my 3rd and 4th grade school) has not been altered in any way.
Wait, let’s make this easier on ourselves:
Much better. Okay, since it’s a fairly crowed shelf this month, let’s put these books in categories.
The No Surprises Group:
39 Clues, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Calvin and Hobbes, Goosebumps, Scholastic Book of World Records, Batman/Superman
You didn’t know these were popular? I’d like to welcome you to 2010, because it is very likely you are a time traveler from the past.
The Seasonal Sensations:
Halloween, Mostly Ghostly
There’s something I love about the annual renewal of interest in seasonal books. It’s like they become famous again every year.
The Perennial Classic:
Where the Sidewalk Ends
This book just continues to get love – as you can probably tell by the condition it’s in. It has the pesky top o’ the spine tear going on.
The High Interest Nonfiction Contingent:
The Loch Ness Monster, Buck Wilder’s Small Fry Fishing Guide, The Golden Retriever
Lovers of facts make their presence felt on the hold shelf with this trio of titles.
The “I Didn’t Realize that was Popular Until I Realized It” Crew:
The English Roses series by Madonna, The Young Dancer by Darcy Bussel, The Scary States of America by Michael Teitelbaum
English Roses has been a unquestionable smash hit at my schools. As a result, my tongue-biting strength has never been better. The popularity of The Young Dancer once again re-affirms that one can never underestimate books on this topic. Scary States, a collection of 50 scary short stories is almost always on hold. If I can recommend you purchase one lesser-known title on this list, this crowd-pleaser would be it.
The Fiction Creeper:
Peak by Roland Smith
This book has been getting a bunch of checkouts recently – I’m chalking this one up to positive student word-of-mouth, which is always welcome.
Look for more books On Hold @ the Library next month.
Quality low-level series don’t grow on trees. Well actually, Extraordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud doesn’t either – it hails from the UK – but I think you get where I’m going here. Light fun for kids who are a step above easy readers, yet are still in the early stages of chapter books, Extraordinary Ernie is the first book in a series that will charm scores of youngsters.
Ernie is not extraordinary. Remove the “extra” part and you’re getting closer to the truth. When the local branch of the Superhero Society holds a tryout for some new blood, Ernie is the only applicant, so he’s welcomed into the group and given a talking sheep sidekick named Maud. With the help of the other heroes our unlikely duo learns the ropes of becoming super, before striking out on their own local adventure. Ernie and Maud realize they may not have superpowers, but they work pretty well as a team.
Watts does a good job of bringing the concept of superheroes down to earth, an approach that brings out humor as these invincible men and women talk and act like everyday Joes and Josephines. Through it all Ernie is likeable as a kid who wants to be more, but isn’t quite sure how to get there.
Really, this book had me within the first couple pages. You have to love a setup like this:
The idea of a child being chosen for a life as a superhero will delight many a young reader. And the comedy of “winning” a sheep as your sidekick will make them laugh.
Sketchy pen and ink illustrations add a nice touch, guiding the reader through key moments. Watts tells a story that humanizes superheroes, and Watson’s illustrations reflect that – there are no superman-esque physiques to be seen here.
A nice start to a series that is easy to love, Extraordinary Ernie and Marvelous Maud will make a solid addition to the ranks of your early chapter book fare.
Review copy from publisher.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
0 Comments on Review: Extraordinary Ernie & Marvelous Maud by Frances Watts as of 1/1/1900
Author/illustrator Sergio Ruzzier (Hey, Rabbit!) has a great idea – ask book-related folks for their top 10 picture books and share the results, list by list. I even get in on the action. Click here to read.
Anita Silvey is doing something cool. She started a blog and will post a book recommendation every day. At the end of the year, the whole thing gets published. There’s some serious knowledge to gain here folks. Click here to check it out.
Four of the top five bestselling chapter books are brand new to the New York Times bestseller list. Let’s name names:
While there is a serious strain of Bieber Fever running through the schools where I work, I have to say I’m happy to see Riordan beat out the Canadian pop star for the #1 spot.
0 Comments on Morning Notes: Green Eggs & Shirt Edition as of 1/1/1900
I have an uncanny ability (see also: curse) to agree with both sides of an argument. Although I am an avid fan of sports programs where everyone yells their hastily-formed, yet brazenly unwavering opinions at each other, I personally try to avoid blowhard-ism at all costs. I try to see both sides.
Which is why I’ve waited to say anything about It’s a Book by Lane Smith, which has been stirring up a bit of controversy lately for its use of the word “Jackass”.
School Library Journal recently published a story describing the book and the hubbub surrounding it. Interesting stuff. Click the image below to read it.
Part of the reason I didn’t feel the need to chime in earlier is because others were covering the topic pretty well.
I agree with Philip Nel’s assertion that Smith’s word choice isn’t simply an “easy” joke.
I’m with MotherReader, who expressed that reading the conclusion with youngsters causes a certain level of discomfort.
I can’t argue with A Chair, a Fireplace & A Tea Cozy and Kids Lit who both say that the themes of It’s a Book make it better suited for readers who are older than the standard picture book audience.
So what do I think? I look at it from an elementary school librarian’s perspective. While I’ll certainly have this book around, I don’t see myself reading it aloud to a group. Am I a prude? Maybe. But I also am not a fan of using what is, in many families, an off-limits word in a group setting. Should the book be in libraries? Yes. Would I read it to my child? No question. And while I’m with Kirkus Reviews in calling the use of the word in question a bit “gratuitus”, there’s no real harm done here.
What say you?
0 Comments on Controversy Report: It’s a Book as of 1/1/1900
In a weird way, the two links I’m bringing to the table today sum up 100 Scope Notes as well as anything I’ve posted. One part serious, one part absurd. First up, the serious:
Fellow school librarians take note! ShelfTalker has a wonderfully useful post about managing a successful author visit. Whatever you do, don’t underestimate the treats. Click here to read.
Now, for the absurd:
BuzzFeed again brings the children’s lit-related noise with this post on HP ink. Hey, if you’re gonna get a Harry Potter tat, why not have it cover your entire back? Click here to see ‘em all.
0 Comments on Link Du Jour: Author Visits & HP Tattoos as of 1/1/1900
I’m in the midst of book fair madness at my schools – just a quick Morning Notes today.
CHARLOTTE SOLD; EXCEEDS PREDICTIONS
Original artwork from Charlotte’s web recently hit the auction block, and sold for five times higher than expected. Click here to read the details.
SEUSS MANUSCRIPT UNCOVERED
Recently an unpublished Dr. Seuss manuscript came to light, and it makes for an interesting perusal. The rough outline for All Sorts of Sports gives a glimpse into a master’s process. Click here to read.
LIBRARIES SAY ‘IPAD AND KINDLE ARE NO FRIENDS OF MINE!’
I have yet to purchase an e-reader. The fact that you can’t borrow ebooks from the library on the two most popular devices ain’t helping. Click here to read.
Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems. Currently #1 on the New York Times and Indiebound bestseller lists.
I frequently check both the New York Times and Indiebound bestseller lists and you be surprised at how rarely the same book tops both lists. This week, the final installment in the Knuffle Trilogy accomplishes the feat.
Not children’s lit-related, but certainly school-related. If you’re interested in discovering the latest and greatest on the web, Best of the Web 2010 is a must read. Online tools chosen specifically for those i
I was cruising through my local Barnes & Noble the other day, fending off employees who seemed intent on getting me to buy a Nook, when I came upon this:
“Wait a second”, I thought. I did a double take and turned on my zoom-in vision:
Yes, indeed. It appears that the famously whitewashed Mysterious Benedict Society covers have been corrected. Remember the originals?
Back in January, School Library Journal looked into the curiously pale depiction of Sticky on these jackets (click here to read the article). Now they appear to be officially … sans whitewash? Whitewash free? What do we call this?
Whatever it’s called, it’s good to see.
0 Comments on Photos: Whitewashed Covers Un-Whitewashed as of 1/1/1900
Sometimes a cover trend irritates me like loose glitter (see: socks). Other times, I really don’t mind it. Today qualifies as the latter. I am enjoying the peculiar re-occurrence of picture frame walls. With a double high-five’s worth of appreciation to Boni Ashburn, who alerted me to this trend, let’s take a look at the examples.
Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder.
Secondly:
Name That Dog by Penny Archer, illustrated by Stephanie Buscema.
Thirdly (and finally):
The Cat’s Pajamas by Wallace Edwards.
Side by side by side:
That, friends, is a lot of frames.
Did I miss any that fit in this group?
0 Comments on Cover Curiosity: Framed! as of 1/1/1900
The National Book Foundation has just released their list of finalists for the 2010 National Book Award. Click here (or the image below) to visit the site for more details.
The Big Question: Who’s your pick?
Paolo Bacigalupi, “Ship Breaker”
Kathryn Erskine, “Mockingbird”
Laura McNeal, “Dark Water”
Walter Dean Myers, “Lockdown”
Rita Williams-Garcia, “One Crazy Summer”
Vegas really needs start taking bets for the Newbery and Caldecott award winners – if for no other reason than I’d like to boast to all the serious gamblers that “I just threw down mad loot on Flora’s Very Windy Day“.
If you’re interested in handicapping the race thus far, you should check out the Newbery 2011 and 2011 Caldecott Hopefuls lists on Goodreads. People add outstanding titles to the list and vote for their top books of the year. The result is every librarian’s dream – a ranked list of the books getting buzz. If you’re a Goodreads member, you can vote too. Check out the lists and support your favorites:
When GOOGLE teams up with Independent Bookstores there's a good reason.
From the NewYork Times: SAN FRANCISCO: Independent bookstores were battered first by discount chains like Barnes & Noble, then by super-efficient Web retailers like Amazon.com. Now the electronic book age is dawning. With this latest challenge, these stores will soon have a new ally: the search giant Google.
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From Radio and Internet Guru Kim Komando's Daily News:Say goodbye to shelves of dusty old books! Thanks to e-readers like the Kindle, Nook and Sony’s Reader, e-books are taking off. You’re not limited to a few titles. You can download the latest best-sellers. And, you’ll find thousands of free e-books online.
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Wall Street Journal - Life & Styles:Here's more news about the growing popularity of e-books:SAN FRANCISCO—Libraries are expanding e-book offerings with out-of-print editions, part of a broader effort to expand borrowing privileges in the Internet Age that could challenge traditional ideas about copyright.Starting Tuesday, a group of libraries led by the Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library, are joining forces to create a one-stop website for checking out e-books, including access to more than a million scanned public domain books and a catalog of thousands of contemporary e-book titles available at many public libraries.
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2 Comments on GOOGLE and MARGOT - They Can't Both be Wrong About eBOOKS & eREADERS., last added: 7/6/2010
"Tashlich is the time we apologize for things we wish we hadn't done. Tashlich means to throw. We throw away things we don't like or don't need. Tashlich is like cleaning your heart's closet. A new year, a clean heart." - New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
This weekend, groups of people will gather together at the water's edge and throw pieces of bread into the water. While it might look as if they are feeding the ducks or seagulls, they're not. They're participating in the Rosh Hashanah ceremony of Tashlich, a symbolic practice where they "cast off" the previous year's sins. Beginning at sundown tonight, Friday, Sept. 18, and continuing through Sunday, Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Tashlich is one part of the Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
April Halprin Wayland's newest picture book New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story introduces children to the ceremony of Tashlich and teaches about forgiveness and making amends. In preparation for Tashlich, a little boy called Izzy makes an "I'm sorry" list by drawing pictures of four things that he's sorry for doing. On Rosh Hashanah, he sincerely apologizes to his sister, mother and others that he had wronged during the year. He follows members of his synagogue as they all make their way to the pier. After listening to the sound of the shofars, he reflects upon what he has done wrong and throws pieces of bread into the ocean's waters.
Stephane Jorisch successfully captures the solitude of the ceremony, the quiet reflection, and the sense of community in his beautiful watercolor and gouache illustrations. Wayland's text has this wonderful, lilting quality, accurately depicting the uplifting, spiritual aspects of Tashlich. You can tell the Tashlich is her favorite tradition. In an email to me, she wrote this description of her feelings about Tashlich:
"The thing I love most about Tashlich is that I'm outside, where I feel particularly spiritual. Even though this wonderful ritual involves community and singing, it is also a very private time--just me and the end of the pier and the wind, thinking about what I've done wrong and how I can do better in the New Year before tossing a piece of bread out to sea."
I admit I didn't know much about Rosh Hashanah before reading this picture book. New Year at the New Pier provides a touching introduction to the Jewish New Year and, in particular, the tradition of Tashlich. Before reading the book, I talked to my preschool daughter about different holidays, and I told her that this book describes one holiday where people take the time to apologize to each other. The important lessons of apology and empathy aren't ones that are easily learned, but Izzy provides an excellent role model for all children, no matter their religion. My daughter's favorite part of the book is where Izzy's mother apologizes to him for always being on the phone. Hmmm...wonder if that is a subtle hint? Izzy has the hardest time apologizing to his best friend, and the actions he takes show children how they can reconcile with their own friends. While my daughter and I appreciate and understand Izzy's story, I imagine that children that have experienced the actual ceremony would especially enjoy reading the book. Teachers and librarians may find the book useful in their discussions about New Year celebrations or religious holidays.
After reading the book, my daughter and I were curious how people observe Tashlich if they don't live near a body of water. Wayland provided an interesting response,
"When my friend Diane lived in Kansas, she put out an old clawfoot bathtub in the yard for the kids in her synagogue class. They wrote what they regretted doing on slips of paper and then walked around the tub singing songs and tossing the pieces of paper into the tub. (She said that they liked this so much, they ran back to write out more "sins" to throw in!)"
Special terms or phrases related to the Jewish New Year discussed in this book: Rosh Hashanah Tashlich L'shanah tovah Avinu Malkenu Shofar
Author April Halprin Wayland regularly contributes to Teaching Authors, a blog where six children's book authors share writing tips, exercises, author interviews and other useful information with aspiring and experienced children's book writers.
New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Dial Books for Young Readers; (June 2009); 32 pages; ISBN 9780803732797; Ages 5-8 Book Source: Review copy provided for free by Dial Books for Young Readers (View my full disclosure statement for more information about my reviews.)
We live in exciting times. Authors, illustrators, reviewers, publishers and readers all get the chance to correspond and interact with each other thanks in part to book blog networks. As a blogger I especially love working directly with children’s book authors and helping them get the word out about their latest books. I met author/illustrator and blogger Elizabeth O. Dulemba through the Yahoo kidlitosphere group. Each Tuesday on her website she posts amazing coloring pages for children to print out and enjoy. My daughter has worn out her markers coloring Dulemba's awesome pictures. If you spend time around kids, you'll want to print out a few for them to color, especially the holiday or book themed pages.
Next week on September 25th, Dulemba releases her picture book titled Soap, Soap, Soap / Jabón, Jabón, Jabón. I'm the first stop on her Blog Tour. Elizabeth, thanks for introducing me to this book and your blog!
"Now Hugo was muddy and stinky too, but he still had to go to el mercado. To help him remember what he needed to buy, Hugo kept repeating, 'Soap! Soap! Soap! ~ ¡Jabón, jabón, jabón!'" - Soap, Soap, Soap / Jabón, Jabón, Jabón by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Those familiar with Appalachian folktales will recognize the storyline of "Soap, Soap, Soap." The Jack Tales story has been retold many times and many versions exist. In Dulemba's updated adaption available in a bilingual format, a boy named Hugo walks to the local grocery store to buy soap for his mother. He takes the long route to the store and travels across a playground, down a sidewalk and by a ditch near his schoolyard. He runs into a number of obstacles along the way, gets mud all over his body and forgets the reason for his journey--the soap, soap, soap! The bilingual edition features Spanish expressions like el dinero, huevos, and ¡Ay caramba! effortlessly sprinkled into the English narrative. A vocabulary page at the end of the book provides an overview of all Spanish terms used.
If a muddy romp is your idea of good, clean, picture book fun, you'll enjoy reading Soap, Soap, Soap / Jabón, Jabón, Jabón. The book is available in two different versions: bilingual and all-English. Although we received a galley of the all-English version, I actually prefer the bilingual book mainly because schools and libraries have a need for eye-pleasing bilingual picture books, especially folklore tales. Dulemba's bright illustrations reflect the light, playful tone of the text. My daughter loved the soap graphic underneath each page number and also liked the hilarious picture of grocer pinching his nose to avoid smelling the stinky Hugo. She really liked tracing the dotted path Hugo takes on his journey to the grocery store, though we did notice the illustration is a bit different from the actual story sequence. Part of the fun of telling the original "Soap" tale is that the boy mindlessly repeats phrases over and over, trying to remember his goal. The repetition is somewhat missing in Dulemba's version, though it is implied. It's wonderful that Dulumba has reintroduced a lesser known folktale to the picture book audience.
Because I'd never heard of the "Soap" folktale until reading this version of the story, I asked Elizabeth when she first heard the Appalachian tale. Here's her reply:
"As far as SOAP - I've been a fan of Jack Tales for a long time. For my graphic design exit show I created a line of posters for the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. There I heard Ray Hicks (National Treasure) tell Jack Tales first hand. I don't know if I heard him tell it, or somebody else. But I still have the collection of Jack Tales (gathered by Richard Chase) dedicated to me by my Grandparents in 1975. Soap is in a later edition I picked up a while back. So, all said, it's probably been in my life for a long time, even though I can't pinpoint the first time I heard it. And I've heard some wonderful adaptations since as well, although it does seem to be a little lesser known story than say, "Jack and the Beanstalk" (an adaptation of that was the first book I illustrated for Raven Tree Press: Paco and the Giant Chile Plant). Glad I introduced you to something new!"
Besides the multicultural element of the book there's a lesson to be learned in this time-tested tale of forgetfulness and mud: Even though you may get side-tracked on your journey, don't forget where you are headed or what you started out to accomplish. That's wise advice for everyone to live by -- children, adults, new graduates, and yes, even bloggers.
Soap, Soap, Soap / Jabón, Jabón, Jabón by Elizabeth O. Dulemba. Raven Tree Press; (September 2009); 32 pages; Bilingual Edition: ISBN 9781934960622 hardcover; ISBN 9781934960639 paperback - English Edition: ISBN 9781934960646 hardcover; 9781934960653 paperback Book Source: Galley provided for free by Raven Tree Press (Preproduction copy - Quotations should be checked against the finished book)
My daughter had a good time coloring the duck from Dulemba's story. Print your own picture at the Soap, Soap, Soap activity page!
Thanks for including links to my web site AppLit. I enjoyed reading this review and I can't wait to see this new book by Elizabeth Dulemba. I love the way she is linking Appalachian folktales with bilingual texts in picture books. Tina Hanlon
This book looks like it will have great appeal to my six year old boy. He loves books with fabulous illustrations. Once hooked with the illustrations he then can get into the story.
Please check out my other "Full to the Brim" posts as well. Many contests are still underway. I publish "Full to the Brim" every Monday and Friday. Thanks for visiting my blog and come back soon!
And this has nothing to do with books but if any of you happen to live on a farm with acreage and have a passion for raising animals, you can enter the giveaway for a small herd of Angora goats. http://www.fiberfarm.com/2009/09/a-mighty-big-giveaway
Have a children's book you are giving away on your blog? Let me know! I'll spread the word here!
3 Comments on Full to the Brim - Kid's Book Giveaway List (9/7/09), last added: 9/10/2009
Thanks for spreading the word about my contest :) A couple of people have mentioned that you referred them, but I didn't see a comment from you. Did you wish to be entered into the drawing for Uglies/Pretties/Wintergirls?
Please check out my other "Full to the Brim" posts as well. Many contests are still underway. I publish "Full to the Brim" every Monday and Friday. Thanks for visiting my blog and come back soon!
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Books that offer delightful illustrations, great quality writing, and fun elements that will encourage your kids to enjoy reading. Whether it is a paper book to snuggle up with at bedtime, or one of those new, thrifty green e-Book Downloads that keep kids out of mischief on a rainy day, you want to make sure the books you buy include YOUR family values.
Check Out 3 Terrific Sites Where They Review Children's Books.
These sites will make sure the kids in your life read the very best books possible - books they will want to read over-and-over again - whether they're on paper, or a GREENe-Book Download, oracool book on CD.
With a little guidance from knowledgeable sites like these, and
others out there as well, wonderful children's books are always at your fingertips.
NOTE:Boys and reluctant readers WILL begin to read when you find books that HOOK their interest.
My son did!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: My Website - Manuscript Critiques :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
* Join the Children's Writers Coaching Club, & pick my brains once a month. Learn from me and 3 other Teleclass Coaches. PLUS: Daily guidance & workshops from Suzanne Lieurance: http://www.cwcoachingclub.com/ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
2 Comments on CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS - Find Books That Turn Your Child Into a READER!, last added: 5/18/2009
Thanks for your comment Karen. Yes, small boys (like big boys) like the yuck factor, humor, and lots of action. Long descriptions and inner angst do mot work for boys.
Write about the thing boys love, and add plenty of action and fun and they WILL read it. You have to cater to that macho factor, mate.
BUY any Autographed Children's Book from my website, and a FREE LINK to me READING that story is included. reluctant reader friendly: www.margotfinke.com
Blogs are the latest craze. Everyone has one – or that’s the way it seems. However, are they worth the time and effort it takes to keep them amusing, on target, and up to date? And more importantly, do they help you sell more children’s books?
Will Your Blog Help You Sell More Books? I cannot make promises about a jump in your online book sales. Much depends on your blog’s style, and whether it hooks viewers – or not.
Click this LINKto read my complete column in The Purple Crayon.
I would love your comments on Blogging. Please hit Comments at the end of this post.
This weekend the Webmeister celebrated a birthday. Well, actually more than one birthday – just only one of them was his. The kids and I joined him down south Jersey for some birthday celebrations en famille (his, that is).
Now that he’s such an old guy (do you think I can still call him my toy boy?) we figured we’d better keep him young by indulging his inner kid. First we hit the New Jersey Aquarium .
We saw all sorts of cool fish and sharks and the Webmeister took this awesome video of the jellyfish:
We were really disappointed with the 4D SpongeBob Squarepants ride, even though Daughter and I looked rather Mod Squad in our 4D glasses (6D in my case)
Take my advice. Don’t waste the $5 a person. The thing lasted about 4 minutes and was a complete ripoff. But other than that, the Aquarium was awesome. Although I did rather wonder where this guy fits into the whole Aquarium theme:
I mean, I know he can survive underwater for periods of time, but he’s hardly what I consider fishy. Still, he looks kinda how I felt after all I ate over the weekend.
Speaking of which, that evening, we had a delicious birthday dinner with The Webmeister’s parents. Mom Webmeister cooked really awesome “Spherical meat” as my daughter calls them – that’s meatballs to the rest of us mere mortals. She also made these incredibly delicious truffle brownies that tasted like molten chocolate cake but in square rather than semicircular form. (See! I can speak food geometry, too!)
The Franklin Institute is a really cool place and I highly recommend a visit.
Seeing as that it was the Webmeister’s birthday, we made him use this machine that takes a picture of you and then shows you what you’ll look like when you’re old.
I looked like an old hag. But lucky him - he looked pretty much the same. Now is that because he already looks old or because he’s ageless? Hmmm….
Anyway, I had to go out to the car with daughter to attend to some diabetes matters and on the way back in I saw that none other than BRIAN SELZNICK was giving a talk and then signing books. I was completely bummed because I was too late for the talk, but I was hoping to meet him at the signing in the Science Store afterwards, especially since we are now Scholastic sibs. But this is what the line looked like:
So this is about as close as I got to Brian Selznick (taken through the window of the store):
I’m sure we would have been best buds if we’d like, you know, actually met. BFF’s, in fact. Oh well. Maybe next time.
0 Comments on VIDEO VIOLENCE - versus GREAT KID'S BOOKS and FUN! as of 1/1/1900
introduces children to the ceremony of Tashlich and teaches about forgiveness and making amends. In preparation for Tashlich, a little boy called Izzy makes an "I'm sorry" list by drawing pictures of four things that he's sorry for doing. On Rosh Hashanah, he sincerely apologizes to his sister, mother and others that he had wronged during the year. He follows members of his synagogue as they all make their way to the pier. After listening to the sound of the shofars, he reflects upon what he has done wrong and throws pieces of bread into the ocean's waters. 
Great information. Thanks Margot.
Glad you felt it was helpful.
Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com