CJRLC's Book Evaluation Committee's "Book Notes"

From the April 1, 2005, meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 3, 2005, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Little Cat Baby
Ahlberg, Allan
Wegner, Fritz, (illus.)
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004
PS – Gr. 2, Fry 6

A couple picks out a cat baby at Nurse Doodle’s Baby Shop and the reader follows the adventures of the cat through very detailed and clever pencil drawings. Recommended for one on one reading by Carolyn Heuser.

Whose Nose and Toes?
Butler, John
Viking, 2004
PS, Fry n/a

A baby animal sneaks onto every other page, and the reader sees only the animals’ nose and toes. With a turn of the page, the question is answered as to who they belong to. Elaine Pollak says it’s fun for babies and toddlers.

Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First
Danziger, Paula
Karas, G. Brian (illus.)
Putnam, 2004
K – Gr. 4, Fry 2

Parents may be wary of young readers echoing the older sibling’s resentment of the new baby, but Frances Myers O’Brien feels that the frustration is understandable and the story rings true.

What’s in a Baby’s Morning?
Hindley, Judy
Burroughes, Jo (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2004
PS – K, Fry 1

This simple story is about a baby’s morning routine from the time he awakens until naptime. Natalie Auch recommends this book for a read-a-loud to toddlers.

Historical Fiction

The Greatest Skating Race: A World War II Story from the Netherlands
Borden, Louise
Daly, Niki (illus.)
McElderry Books, 2004
Gr. 3 – 5, Fry 4

A 10 year-old boy’s dream of skating in a famous race allows him to help two children escape Belgium by ice skating past German soldiers and other enemies. Monika Sisbarro reviewed this book.

Eddie, Harold’s Little Brother
Koch, Ed & Thaler, Pat
Warhola, James (illus.)
Putnam, 2004
Gr. 1 – 4, Fry 6

This fictionalized story about former New York City mayor Ed Koch will encourage children to value their own talents and try to do their best at what they are good at. Jenny Mischner calls this a nice slice of historical fiction that conveys an old-fashioned New York and a bigger than life person.

Thin Wood Walls
Patneaude, David
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
Gr. 5 – 8, Fry 6

The excitement of Christmas is overshadowed by the unforeseen attack on Pearl Harbor. This turn of events is especially troubling to young Joe and his family as they are Japanese Americans. Joe keeps a written account of life in the relocation camp. Alice Burnett says this is a wonderful story and a fantastic read aloud.

Franklin & Eleanor
Harness, Cheryl
Dutton, 2004
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 8

The author’s note at the beginning of this incredible book explains why she wrote this book about the Roosevelts and helps readers get to know the subjects from childhood. Rated outstanding by Jenny Mischner.

Old Hickory: Andrew Jackson & the American People
Marrin, Albert
Dutton, 2004
Gr. 7 & up, Fry 14

This book is more than a biography about our seventh president. The book also provides the reader with insight to the history of that time period. Terrie Katz finds it interesting that life back then was riddled with prejudice and dirty campaigns, just like today.

Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (& Evolving) Story of Women in Politics
Thimmesh, Catherine
Jones, Douglas B. (illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
Gr. 3 – 7, Fry 10

A young girl wants to become president of the U.S. as she takes a look at women who have been involved in politics. Carolyn Heuser says that despite the lighthearted presentation, there is a lot of information.

Jewish Holidays

Mystery Bear: A Purim Story
Adelson, Leone
Howland, Naomi (illus.)
Clarion Books, 2004
K – Gr. 3, Fry 2

Little Bear wakes up early from his winter nap and smells food from a nearby house. This is a cute story with festive and detailed illustrations that provide a nice introduction to the holiday according to Karen Stuppi.

Papa’s Latkes
Edwards, Michelle
Schuett, Stacey (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2004
K ­ Gr. 3, Fry 4

Papa is making latkes for Chanukah this year without Mama, who died last September. The lesson is to remember Mama and celebrate the holiday as she would want. Maggie Hanley says the full page pictures bring the home alive.

Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah
Glaser, Linda
Cote, Nancy (illus.)
Albert Whitman, 2004
PS – Gr. 2, Fry 3

Rachel turns her neighbor’s house into a catastrophe as they make latkes for Hanukkah. When her parents return, they help clean up and they all enjoy the latkes. The message of sharing shines through this adorable story, according to Carolyn Heuser.

Monkey Titles

Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie: A Friend is Made
Bell, Cece
Candlewick Press, 2004
PS – Gr. 3, Fry 2

Sock Monkey’s friends will be out of town on the night of the big dance, so sock monkey creates his own partner out of some argyle socks and teaches him to groove. Frances Myers O’Brien feels that the illustrations will attract youngsters.

Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek
Christelow, Eileen
Clarion Books, 2004
K – Gr. 3, Fry 2

The five little monkeys avoid going to bed by playing hide and seek with the babysitter. A cute bedtime story according to Nancy Cornell.

Nature

Garden of the Spirit Bear: Life in the Great Northern Rainforest
Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw
Milton, Deborah (illus.)
Clarion Books, 2004
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 7

Did you know that there is a species of black bear that is white? The plight of the spirit bear, or Kermode bear, a species that lives in British Columbia, is presented through legend and facts in simple, succinct and eloquent language. The book is illustrated with beautifully detailed water color paintings. Karen Enggren feels this book is a definite winner.

Poles Apart: Why Penguins and Polar Bears Will Never Be Neighbors
Scott, Elaine
Viking, 2004
Gr. 4 – 8, Fry 8

This well-written, attractive book imparts a lot of information including geological history, seasons, polar atmosphere, explorers and current scientific activity. Large, beautiful color photographs enhance the text according to Elaine Pollak.

Our Principal Promised to Kiss a Pig
Dakos, Kalli & DesMareau, Alicia
DiRocco, Carl (illus.)
Albert Whitman, 2004
Gr. 1 – 4, Fry 5

Ms. Juliet, the school principal, promises to kiss a pig if her students read 10,000 books in this picture book that is bogged down with quotes from Shakespeare. Jenny Mischner gave it a marginal.

True Everest Adventures
Dowswell, Paul
Usborne, 2004
Gr. ??, Fry 4

This seems like an extreme sports book, but it is one that is focused on death. Jennifer Salt found it extremely morbid and says to pass on this one.

Baby Goose
McMullan, Kate
LeMaitre, Pascal (illus.)
Hyperion Books, 2004
PS – K, Fry n/a

27 Mother Goose rhymes that have been changed to read “babies” when possible are contained in this marginal purchase. Maggie Hanley does not see the purpose of changing the rhymes.

Character Under Attack & What You Can Do About It
Sommer, Carl
Advance, 2005
Adult, Fry 14

In response to his didactic picture books panned by professional reviewers, the author has written this work defending the need for what he writes. While the ideas presented here may serve a purpose, according to Elaine Pollak, the sloppy editing and proofreading detract from the book’s usefulness.

A Child is a Child
Weniger, Brigette
Tharlet, Eve (illus.)
Minedition Books, 2004
PS – Gr. 2, Fry 3

When papa and mama frog don’t come home, two baby frogs are left alone and terrified. They are adopted by Momma Mouse and helped by other animals. Denise Geier feels that the idea of parents leaving and not returning is frightening for young children, and the young audience for whom this is intended couldn’t handle the idea.

First Thousand Words in Japanese
Amery, Heather
Cartwright, Stephen (illus.)
Usborne, 2003
K & up, Fry n/a

Learning Japanese words is not scary with this colorful picture word book. Monika Sisbarro says that the best part is that you can listen to the proper pronunciation of each word by connecting to a web site.

Red Kayak
Cummings, Priscilla
Dutton, 2004
Gr. 6 +, Fry 7

The son of a Chesapeake Bay waterman, Brady faces a terrible choice when he realizes that the death of a young child is a direct result of vandalism by his friends. Catherine Miller calls this an excellent, believable story.

Peaceful Piggy Meditation
MacLean, Kerry Lee
Albert Whitman, 2004
PS – Gr. 2, Fry 3

The book has a great message about finding inner peace in today’s rushed, chaotic world. Suggestions about how peaceful piggies should behave are offered, along with hints and tips for meditation. Cute illustrations help rate it an outstanding by Maggie Hanley.

Wow! City!
Newbecker, Robert
Hyperion, 2004
PS – Gr. 1, Fry n/a

Izzy, a 2 year-old with wild orange hair, visits New York City with her dad in this book based on a true life incident for the author and his daughter. The text is sparse, but what truly makes the book wonderful is the lush vibrant illustrations that capture the kinetic energy of city life. What a terrific picture book debut, raves Judy Casagrande.

Goldilocks and the Three Martians
Smith, Stu
Garland, Michael (illus.)
Dutton Children’s Books, 2004
K – Gr. 3, Fry 3

Goldilocks thinks her mother is too strict so she builds a rocket to take her to another planet where everything will be “just right.” She discovers there’s no place like home. Rated an outstanding by Darwin Page.