That Book Woman, written by Heather Henson and illustrated by David Small. Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, 2008. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"And I can bring the cow home too
come evening-time,
which is right handy,
seeing as how
my sister Lark
would keep her nose
a-twixt the pages of a book
daybreak to dusky dark
if Mama would allow.
The readenest child
you ever did see -
that's what Pap says."

Cal and Lark live far from civilization, way up in the hills. Cal helps with chores and has no interest in what his book-learned sister wants to teach him. He wasn't born to sit still and fill his head with the nonsense that books provide. Lark's head is in a book when the woman rides up on the sorrel mare. When they have finished their tea, the woman opens her saddle bags and out spill books to make Lark's eyes sparkle. Cal gets no pleasure from the visit, and scoffs at the thought that the woman has travelled so far to sell books to folks who have no money. He is aghast when his father offers to trade berries that Cal has picked for a book for Lark. They are in for quite the surprise. The woman will not take the berries...and she leaves books just the same. They are free and she will be back in two weeks to swap for more! She comes back again and again...braving much bad weather. Cal is impressed with the bravery of horse...and rider. He wonders what drives a person to do what she does. With those thoughts in mind, Cal seeks help from his younger sister and she is pleased to provide it. By the time spring arrives there are TWO readers in the house. Cal would like to offer a gift...and he does. It is gift enough!

In the 1930s in the hills of Kentucky book women made biweekly treks to the remote regions to make sure that the children of Appalachia, who had few schools and no libraries, knew the joy to be had in the written word. They took great pride in the work they did and were paid little to do it.

I have often read picture books to children and adults without sharing the illustrations that accompany the story. This book has colloquial language that endears Cal to its readers and the story stands on its own merit for being well-told. But, you would miss much if you did not get a chance to see the wonderful watercolors done by David Small. He brings the Appalachian region to full life, makes us shiver in the deep cold of the winter, and gives us a family of warm, loving people who appreciate and welcome the visits of the 'book woman'. I absolutely love the final double page spread that ends this inspiring book, and would love to hang it on one of my walls!

My Librarian Is a Camel, written by Margriet Ruurs. Boyds Mills, Publishers Group Canada, 2005. $22.00 ages 8 and up

"I was thrilled to learn how far people would go to put books into the hands of young readers. I began to contact librarians in faraway places. They responded by sharing information, personal stories and photos of their mobile libraries and of the young people who use them. Over time, I assembled a scrapbook of mobile libraries from all over the world."

Margriet Ruurs begins in Australia and ends in Zimbabwe in her world tour of libraries and the many forms they take. She gives us uplifting short peeks at the ways people find to get books into the hands of kids. In Australia, there are seventy-two mobile libraries that cover the whole continent to make sure that children who can't get to a city library still have access to books. One such truck sports a high tech facility which uses solar power to run six computers and a printer. It also has air conditioning, surround sound, spotlights, a wheelchair ramp, and other amenities for those who use it. In Nunavut a Borrower-by-Mail system is used by the government's public library system to send books to those requesting them. Children pay nothing to get the books, or to return them. In Finland a book boat brings six hundred books to the rocky islands of the south coast. It makes ten stops each time from May through October.

Fascinating photos accompany the author's text and she includes a map to show the country of interest, their flag and information about the nation and its people and languages. The photos show clearly the many ways that people have devised to ensure that children get books and the learning that comes with them. Camels, sleds, wheelbarrows, bicycles, wagons, double decker buses...if it moves it might find use as a deliverer of books to children who love them. Readers will be surprised to learn what this book has to tell us about libraries, and the many forms they take.

A world map, at the beginning, places each country mentioned, and is useful.

Library Mouse, written and illustrated by Daniel Kirk. Scholastic, 2007. $20.95 ages 5 and up

"Every day, when the library was full of people walking up and down the aisles, studying, checking out books, and working on the computers, Sam was curled up in his little hole, sound asleep. Every night, when the people went home and the room was dark and quiet, the library belonged to Sam."

And so it is that we meet Sam, the mouse who is a bonafide library afficianado. Sam loves to read, and read, and read. What better place for a wee mouse to live and discover others times, people and places! Once he has filled his head with the words of fine writers, he thinks he might try writing his own story. Books filled with advice, and good models for writing and illustrating that story have nourished him through long quiet evenings and nights. With the idea established and the story written, he stands in front of a mirror and uses himself as the model for the illustrations in a story about Sam...who knows him better? Once his first book is completed he finds a place for it in the biography/autobiography section of 'his' library. A little girl discovers it and shows it to a librarian who shares it with the others. Sam is delighted and on his way to penning a picture book, next on his list. It, too, is found and brought to the attention of the librarians. No one knows this author, and they are intrigued.

With nonfiction and a picture book under his belt, Sam considers mystery as his next genre. A similar discovery of this third tale leads to a note from the library staff asking Sam to be a guest author, to share some of his writing secrets. Sam is shy, as mice are. He finds a solution to his dilemma and young readers will be delighted to see what it is. If you are looking to get children interested in writing their own stories, this is a great book to use. They will find a mentor mouse who has confidence that he can tell stories others want to hear, with wide ranging interests and ways to share them.

Boo Hoo Bird, written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard. Scholastic, 2009. $16.99 ages 3 and up

"Bird and Raccoon were enjoying a game of catch, when Bird got bonked on the head."

And what a commotion results! Bird is hurt and he starts to cry. Raccoon is distraught that he has hurt his friend and does what he can to help. But, it's not enough. Together, they search out Rabbit, who offers hugs and sympathy but that doesn't do the trick. Off to find Beaver. Beaver is picnicking and offers a cookie. No help and by now, Bird is getting dizzy. Sheep tries to distract Bird from his hurt and is maligned for doing so by Bird who can now HARDLY WALK. Fox is wily; perhaps he's got the solution. The suggestion is made by Fox that a bandaid might be just the ticket and he's off to find one. But, Bird is still upset and crying!

When all his friends start to cry because they have not be able to appease his hurt, Bird is astonished. He is worried about his friends and searches for the bonk, which he can no longer feel. When he reassures them that he is OK, they can't hear him for all the caterwauling. Finally getting his point across, he does a headstand to prove his good health. Of course, everyone follows his lead; and then Bird suggests that they play CATCH! Oh, oh!!!

I'm Your Bus! Written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Evan Polenghi. Scholastic, 2009. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"Howdy, you can count on us.
Morning, evening, I'm your bus.
Sweepers sweeping, bakers baking.
Dawn is barely even breaking.
Time for buses to be waking!"

If you have ever found yourself wondering about the day in the life of a school bus, wonder no more! Marilyn Singer has written a wonderful account of just that. Each bus seems dewy-eyed to be charged with picking up, and transporting its children to the safety of their schools. As the buses make their way along the streets they stick to the rules of the road and arrive at their destination with a smile and a sign that encourages their charges to have a nice day. Once the children have disembarked, it is up to the buses to keep everything left behind safe until the return trip. Generally, they spend quiet hours anxiously anticipating that end of the day trip. They love that the kids depend on them for friendly, safe service, day in and day out. When the day is done the buses return to the compound to get the sleep needed for the next day's work.

What fun this book is...for those who ride the bus and those who don't! It's a great readaloud and a perfect book for young readers wanting to hear rhyming language, repetitive text and look at fun-filled illustrations.

Keesha's House, written by Helen Frost. Farrar, Douglas & McIntyre, 2003. $9.50 ages 14 and up

"I sleep in my sleeping bag in a room
with a lock in the basement of the place
on Jackson Street. And I feel safe.
If Keesha wants to talk to me, she knocks
first, and if I want to let her in, I do.
If I don't, I don't. It's my choice."

Keesha is just one of the seven troubled teens who find safety and solace in Keesha's house. Actually the house belongs to Joe, an older man whose own troubled past was assuaged by a loving relative. With her death Joe inherited the house and has given it over to Keesha, who provides a place for those who need it. She is a teen herself, but holding her life together after leaving a home filled with drinking, death, physical abuse and hopelessness. She is mature, forthright and 'never going to live like that'. Keesha provides friendship, support and does not judge. Visitors can stay for a night or a extended time, whatever they need. Other teens find their way to her house, in an attempt to deal with the problems plaguing them.

Jen is pregnant, afraid to tell her parents and wondering if her boyfriend will support her and their baby. Jason, the father, is an up and coming sports star with his sights set on college, not teen parenthood. Harris discloses that he is gay, and has been kicked out of the house by his father. Dontay's parents are in jail and he has been moved from one foster home to another. Katie fears the sexual advances of her stepfather, and Carmen is struggling with alcoholism.

Are you thinking teen soap opera? too many issues?

That is not the case. Helen Frost, in her first novel, explores in poetic forms (sestina, sonnet) the anguished lives of these teens; yet, she gives them clear,
and poignant life through her so skillfully chosen words. They are young people worthy of our admiration and hope for their futures. We also hear from the adults in their lives...teachers, parents, grandparents, foster parents, and Joe. The voices are so authentic.

I love that there are more writers using the 'novel in verse' as a way to tell their tales. They make exceptional stories more accessible to those readers reluctant to read longer novels, and they show us that the power for telling them comes from the heart, no matter the form. Every new book I read from Helen Frost leads me to find another. We are blessed to have such amazing people telling powerful stories for a young adult audience, and for everyone else who wants to read a heartfelt, hopeful book.

"There's light ahead of me as I walk on
into my senior year. I wasn't sure
about going back, but Katie said, If you're
about to quit, The Jerks will think they won.
She calls them that -The Jerks- like Dontay calls me son
when he gives me fake advice: Stay pure,
son, in thought word and deed. We'll find a cure
for you someday. I laugh. It's all in fun.
If people we're supposed to count on can't
(or don't) support us, it's up to us to find
the friends who can and do."

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, written by Jacqueline Kelly. Henry Holt, HB Fenn, 2009. $18.99 ages 10 and up

"We resumed our walk to the riverbank and found shade under a hospitable tree in the pecan bottom. Then he told me some stupefying things. He told me about the ways in which you get to the truth of any matter, not merely sitting around thinking about it like Aristotle (a smart but confused Grecian gentleman) but going out and looking with your own eyes; about making your Hypothesis and devising your Experiment, and testing by Observation, and coming to a Conclusion. And then testing the strength of your Conclusion, over and over. "

And the list of things that Grandfather teaches Callie Vee goes on and on.

Calpurnia Virginia Tate is 11 years old and the only girl among seven siblings. She is right in the middle and there are many expectations of a young girl in Texas in 1899 that don't include scientific inquiry. Her mother has much higher hopes for her only daughter than to have her spending endless hours with her somewhat eccentric grandfather searching for specimens and testing hypotheses. She wants her to cook, and sew, and do all those things that genteel young women should be doing.

This is a wonderfully written book of historical fiction for all ages, but particularly for those in early adolescence. Callie is an incredibly capable and intelligent young girl who longs to do more with her life that is expected of her. She has a steadfast curiosity about the natural world and a grandfather who shares her enthusiasm and is willing to help her learn.

Every chapter starts with an epigraph from Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species, a forbidden book of the time and one which Grandfather has concealed but which he shares with his beloved granddaughter. They pore over it together and that study helps Calpurnia realize that life could be different for her...there is much that she can accomplish on her own. As we catch glimpses of life in late nineteenth century Texas and enjoy the relationships and antics of family members, we root for Callie and her future.

Knowing that this is a debut novel only makes it more impressive. The writing is taut and charming. The characters are convincing and memorable. Grandfather is aloof, yet so supportive of Callie and her abilities. He is a mentor we all would love to have in our lives. As I remind people often, this is a book written with a young audience in mind; but it is not only for children. Many adults will find the story appealing, the writing admirable and the characters unforgettable. You don't have to be a historical fiction buff to find this book worth a few hours of your time. You will not regret picking it up and you might have a really tough time putting it down until you have read every fine word.

"I continued to hover over the Plant with Granddaddy. To my great relief, it thrived under our tender care, first stretching for the light and then trailing along the windowsill. Granddaddy called it the Proband. He told me that's what you called the first of a kind. Every day I took it outside for a few minutes to expose it to the bees for pollination. I was vigilant in my duties and shooed away all grasshoppers and other plant eaters that dared to venture too close."

Trick of the Tale, written by John and Caitlin Matthews and illustrated by Tomislav Tomic. Candlewick, Random House, 2008. $22.50 ages 8 and up

"The appeal of the trickster is simple - whether hungry wolf or helpless frog, the trickster finds a way to win out when all seems hopeless. Whatever its size, each trickster animal draws upon its own intelligence, abilities, and cunning resilience to bluff, cheat, dodge, or decoy - and so to escape from present danger and gain its freedom. Whether you are a clever fox or an underdog, these tales show you how to value life's gifts to the fullest."

I love trickster tales! What fun it would be to talk about the tricksters who 'people' this beautiful book with children who might recognize some of the characters inherent in these pages. They come from the world community; many are familiar to us, and some are not. They practice their craft with skill and cunning and they leave us wishing there were more than twenty to read and share. They provide great fodder for the storytellers in your classroom. Let them read them enough that they can take the story and make it their own, for telling to friends and family. Each begins with a note about the country of origin and the trickster involved. The language is uncomplicated and allows the intended audience access to the tales, which beg to be read aloud.

The art demands attention and admiration for this incredibly talented young Croatian artist. I noticed his detailed pen and ink drawings first in Wizardology (Candlewick, 2005)and am even more impressed this time. They look like the finest engravings and feature so many details that children and adults will pore over them for hours, thus ensuring they miss nothing. It is not simply the animals that benefit from his masterful touch; his textures, backdrops, and facial expressions are evidence that he is someone we should be watching in the future.

"And so Nyankopon gave Ananse all his stories. Now it is Ananse, Snatcher of Legends, Lord of all Liars, Spinner of Stories, to whom all beings pay respect when stories are told. Everyone, that is, except Aso, who said to her husband when he came home, 'Only you could sell your own mother for a bunch of stories!'"

A Pot O' Gold, selected and adapted by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by David McPhail. Hyperion, HB Fenn, 2004. $11.99 ages 8 and up

"Ireland's past and present bubble over with myths, legends, poetry, ballads, and wordplay of all kinds. The challenge in bringing such a treasure trove to young readers was to not create a book too heavy to lift. Searching through lots of dusty volumes to find the very best - some things perhaps familiar, some things a bit of a stretch - that was the fun part."

Her heritage is Irish and Kathleen Krull worked with love and great patience to fill her book with wonderful examples of the love of the Irish for words. She begins with stories of the sea; no matter where you are in Ireland you are only an hour away from it. There are stories, poems and even a lullaby that find their inspiration from the sea. She moves on to the food, inspired by the fact that food was often scarce and was thus celebrated for its goodness. There is milk and cheese, onions and herring and of course, potatoes. And recipes for Irish stew, and Irish soda bread...it makes my mouth water. The other sections of the book are about music, pride, scholars, the land, enchantments and blarney. It is a great collection, full to overflowing with the familiar and the new, including St. Patrick and Finn McCool. If you need blessings or curses, cures or lullabies, you will find them here.

Readers will love the limericks and the riddles that make them think and celebrate language. David McPhail's signature style adds to the enjoyment as the audience will appreciate the images he creates to help them see green and beauteous Ireland as it is, and as it was. They are colorful, expressive and appealing. This book is an excellent introduction to Ireland and its culture, and might just inspire a young reader to further a search into Irish history. Her introduction sets our course for this visit to Ireland and Kathleen Krull regales us with oaths and curses, ancient folk cures, and a set of philosophies for her young audience. Add to that detailed source notes and you have a very fine 'pot o' gold'!

"There once were two cats of Kilkenny;
Each thought there was one cat too many.
So they fought and they fit,
And they scratched and they bit,
Till instead of two cats there weren't any."

Eggs, written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Emma Stevenson. Holiday House, Thomas Allen, 2008. $21.50 ages 8 and up

"IT'S A QUIET CRIB.
It's a bobbing boat.
It's a private pond.
It's a room with no view.
It's walls to break through.
It's breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It's an egg."

Lest you think that all posts today are about birds, here's one that MIGHT be about birds! Well, birds do play a role in a book about eggs; after all, they lay them. But, as you know, they are not the only creatures of the world that do. So, here we have a packed with information book about the 'special world' of the egg. Some eggs are hard, some soft. Some feel soapy, slick or powdery. They come in many sizes and shapes, from the egg of a wasp that is too small to see to the ostrich egg which could hold nineteen chicken eggs. Some are shaped like ping pong balls, others have a conical shape. They come in all colors, from distinct to nondescript. When species produce their eggs, the numbers vary greatly. The albatross lays one egg every other year, while a termite queen over a period of fifty to one hundred years might lay as many as a billion eggs!

Eggs are vulnerable to predators and are protected in numerous and very creative ways. It is mind-boggling to think about the adaptations species have made to ensure their future generations. Some of the details shared here will be familiar; but, there is so much more to be learned in savoring this well-researched book. The illustrations provide visual clues to add to the narrative written. Fascinating and surprising, such is the world in which we live. Those creatures who lay eggs make it more so!

The back matter includes suggestions for protecting eggs, a glossary to help readers understand some terminology that might be unfamiliar, source notes and a bibliography, as well as a list of organizations that help to protect wildlife and an index. Reading this book might just encourage further study, or inspire a renewed wish to help where we can.

Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest, written and illustrated by Irene Kelly. Holiday House, Thomas Allen, 2009. $

"Murres are seabirds that lay their eggs on the edges of cliffs...but they don't worry about them rolling off. The eggs are so pointy that they roll in a tight circle if they are nudged. Each egg has its own special pattern, so the parents can always find it."

And that is not the only thing to learn about birds and their nests, as Irene Kelly so deftly assures us in this lovely, detailed account. The birds range from gigantic to teeny, the nests are wonders of nature and the illustrations invite hours of browsing to process the abundance of information shared. There are forty different birds from all corners of the world. Their ability to construct nests that range from sloppy (bald eagle) to architecturally sound mating huts (bowerbird) will astonish readers.

Before beginning, the artist shares an array of materials that birds use: twigs, grass, spider silk, yarn, moss, newspaper, bark...that seems normal. What about paper clips, drinking straws, bottle caps, towels, clothespins, rubber bands? The list goes on. As each page unfolds we are introduced to the chosen bird and their nest building skills are described simply and with accompanying artwork to help us see the results. From building a two storey nest which sports an empty top floor to trick predators into thinking it is abandoned (the yellow-rumped thornbill)to using six thousand sticks to build a nest that can measure six feet square (the hammerkop) the author intrigues her readers and informs us. There is so much to know about the natural world...this adds one more piece to the puzzle and wonder that is nature. In a world map following the text, Irene Kelly places each one of the birds discussed, and then asks us to help birds with their nesting by gathering together materials they might use and leaving them where they can be found.

Aspiring young ornithologists will love it!

Honk, Honk, Goose! Written by April Pulley Sayre and illustrated by Huy Voun Lee. Henry Holt, HB Fenn, 2009. $18.95 ages 4 and up

"All the eggs were laid, so she sat on them to warm them. Now and then, she stood and turned the eggs. The male goose floated nearby."

April Pulley Sayre calls this book narrative nonfiction and tells us that it comes from direct experience dealing with Canada geese on her property over many years. She watched the geese carefully and then drafted a story that began at the beginning with the male goose and his protective ways. He starts by chasing anything in his path, but for one female goose. He had chosen her for his mate. They spend their time together doing what all spooning couples do...paddling, eating, dancing, mating and bathing. As the eggs begin to develop the pair make a nest. All the while the male continues chasing any creature that comes near.

The eggs are laid and the male remains protective. One egg is broken when a raccoon gets hold of it. Six eggs are safe. It takes twenty-eight days and suddenly there are sounds of hatching. All chicks are hearty and healthy. The parents set about teaching them what they need to know to survive and survive they do!

At the end of the book the author offers up an informative and accessible package of further information about Canada geese and encourages young scientists to use bird watching as a way to improve their observation skills and to conduct a scientific study of bird behaviors.

Peaceful Heroes, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Sean Addy. Scholastic, 2009. $22.99 ages 8 and up

"They would die for their cause, but they would not kill for their cause. They are the modern heroes. There are the peaceful heroes. This book contains just one list of such heroes. There are dozens of lists that could be written. And they are many peaceful heroes among us - parents, friends, and others who have risked their own lives to help other people. Perhaps you could come up with your own list of peaceful heroes..."

Now, there is another one of those invitations that are hard to refuse.

Jonah Winter begins with Jesus of Nazareth, the 'world's original peaceful hero'. His story is one of helping all people, and of living his life for love and peace. His story provides a model for the peaceful heroes to follow.

Each four page entry provides the time in which the hero lived, information about their life, a mixed media collage illustration of the person being portrayed and some of the events that describe their peaceful ways. They are men and women to be immortalized and honored for the differences that they made in the their time and for our time.

Some are known to many, while others are not. Mahatma Gandhi is here, as are Martin Luther King and Clara Barton. Oscar Romero is honored, along with Meena Keshwar Kamal and William Feehan. Each is a 'peaceful hero' and a citizen of the world worth honoring for their spirit, their bravery and their work to make life better for all.
Bravo to Jonah Winter for bringing them honor in this wonderful book!

Who is your peaceful hero?

One Peace, written and illustrated by Janet Wilson. Orca Books, 2008. $19.95 ages

"When David Shepherd and Travis Price heard that a new boy was bullied for wearing pink, they bought seventy-five pink tank tops for guys in the school to wear. As the word spread, more students wore pink. This pink protest soon drew international attention, inspiring other schools to stage pink days, with the majority of students showing up in something pink - from feather boas to pink bicycles. The Nova Scotia government has proclaimed the second Thursday in every new school year Stand Up Against Bullying Day."

In reading this elegantly designed and inspiring book, you cannot help but feel filled with hope, and with sadness...hope for the future of our world when such amazing children live here and lend their voices to important issues(they will be our leaders, our teachers, our ambassadors for peaceful solutions) and sadness that so many have to learn at a young age what it is to be involved in war, to struggle for basic daily necessities and to live in fear for their lives.

Janet Wilson has compiled an abundance of information about young activists who have made, and are making, a difference where they live and around the world. She includes photographs, quotes, poetry, stories and drawings made by children in hopes of making adults listen. In the past ten years, two million children have been killed in armed conflict, ten million are traumatized, and more than two million have been displaced within or outside their own countries. Children are the losers in all wars. Their lives are forever changed, their hearts and minds immeasurably scarred by what they see, hear and must accept. They do not have choices. But, they prove time and time again that they do have a voice. We can all make a difference...and they make us proud (and very humble) that they stand up and do just that.

This is a book that should be shared with our children and in classrooms. Rather than talking about war, let's talk about peace!

"September 21 is the International Day of Peace. To join the worldwide movement to create a culture of peace and to find out what you can do to support peace and nonviolence, go to www.internationaldayofpeace.org"

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

"My religion is simple. My religion is kindness." Dalai Lama

Wangari's Trees of Peace, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2008. $21.95 ages 6 and up

"The earth was naked. For me the mission was to try to cover it with green."
Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was just a young girl when she noticed the beautiful umbrella of trees that grew in her village in Kenya. Her life was one of helping...gathering firewood, harvesting food and assisting her mother with other chores. She was a brilliant student and because of that, was afforded the opportunity to go to America to study. When she returned to her home country, she saw that much had changed. There were no trees left in her village. They had been cut down to make way for buildings. She was saddened and discouraged at what seemed important to the local politicians.

Wangari was a young woman who believed that she could make a difference. So, she started at home, in her own backyard. She planted nine seedlings. When she saw them grow and flourish, she determined that she would plant more. Soon, she was able to convince other women to help her reforest their beautiful homeland. Between 1977 and 2004 more than thirty million trees were planted as part of the Green Belt Movement. Nurseries were established and family income went up when women were paid to plant the trees. Many disagreed with what they were doing. Wangari was beaten and thrown in jail, but she did not quit.

She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 in response to the part she played in planting those trees in Africa, where the tree is a symbol of peace. To celebrate the honor, Wangari planted a Nandi flame tree at the base of Mount Kenya to forever remember the prize bestowed. Her tireless work encourages others to step up and make a difference. She is an outstanding role model for the people of the world.

Jeanette Winter is an accomplished and adept chronicler of people who make a difference on Earth. We are blessed to have someone so focused on bringing these stories to young readers in the form of a picture book biography. Look for more of her work at your local library, or at your favorite bookstore.

A Birthday for Bear, written by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Candlewick, Random House, 2009. $19.00 ages 3 and up

"Bear didn't like birthdays. He didn't like birthday parties or balloons. He didn't like birthday cards or songs or candles. In fact, Bear was quite sure he didn't like anything to do with birthdays at all."

What a joy it is to visit with Bear and Mouse again! We met them first in A Visitor for Bear(Candlewick, 2008). Bear was a curmudgeon and Mouse was persistent. They remain the same. In four short chapters we are reminded of their personalities and can laugh at the antics as one tries to outdo the other.

Bear is obviously very busy with household chores, as he is on each of his birthdays. Opening the door to shake his broom, he is met by Mouse, who is holding a birthday card...well, an invitation actually. Who could have written it? Bear knows Mouse too well not to be suspicious. Admittedly, Mouse did it in hopes of celebrating with his friend. Bear will have none of it. As I said earlier (and we know from their first story), Mouse does not give up easily. Soon he is back as a delivery man with a bouquet of balloons. Bear is not fooled, and out he goes again. When he opens the window to a rapping noise, a little postman has an envelope. Appalling behaviour!

Santa Mouse arrives down the chimney with a present for Bear and pretends it's Christmas. Sure that Bear would like a present he has one in hand. NO! Bear hates all birthday accoutrements and he makes sure that Mouse understands him this time. As Bear begins to miss Mouse and his sparkling personality (and his present), a cake appears at the door. You know what's going to happen when he succumbs to the lure of chocolate cake! A party is had, the gift opened and Bear is delighted once more.

Kady's illustrations are just as lively and exceptional as they were in the first book! The personalities of the two characters are evident in their demeanor and the expressions on their faces at every turn of the page. She fills the backgrounds with wonderful details and shows in her whimsical watercolors the true joy of the friendship the two feel for each other.

Violet and Winston, written by Sonya Sones adn Bennett Tramer. Dial, Penguin Group (Canada), 2009. $18.50 ages 3 and up

"The mockingbirds were singing, the brook was babbling, and the leaves were rustling in the summer breeze. But Violet couldn't hear any of it, because Winston was crunching on carrots."

In three short easy-to-read stories we meet and get to know two best friends, one a swan and one a duck. In the first they are having a lovely afternoon picnic and the crunching starts. Violet is aghast and decides she will join the cacaphony by eating peanut brittle. Winston would love to share some. A friend to the end, Violet shares and must endure even louder food crunching noise. When she can't take it anymore, she sticks her fingers in her ears. Winston wonders why. She gently tells him and he says he will stop. Of course, the food is gone. All is well. Then, Winston falls asleep and his snoring fills the air. The second is about missing glasses. The Queen of Finding Things and the King of Losing Things are on the hunt for Winston's glasses. When they get back to their starting point, they have a surprise in store. Finally, Winston organizes a garage sale and Violet helps out. Well, help might not be the right word!

These stories are perfect for young readers wanting to try a book that is a bit longer and more sophisticated than the stories they have been reading. It is called a beginning chapter book because it is just that. It is with great pride that they move forward to something a bit different and more like the chapter books they see their older siblings, or reading partners, reading. It is a big step! These loving, funny stories are a great beginning.

It's A Secret! Written and illustrated by John Burningham. Candlewick, Random House, 2009. $19.00 ages 5 and up

"In Marie Elaine's house they had a car whose name was Malcolm. Every night Malcolm went out, and every morning he came back in. During the day Malcolm slept a lot of the time."

That fact got Marie Elaine to wondering what Malcolm did at night. Her mother was vague; she didn't seem to know what he did. As luck would have it, one night Marie Elaine was in the kitchen getting milk from the fridge when she noticed Malcolm by the cat door. Interestingly enough, he was dressed up! She asked why and was told that Malcolm was going to a party. He couldn't reveal his destination as it was a secret.

Marie Elaine begs to be allowed to attend the party. She promises she will keep the secret. It requires a change of clothes...and size. She is then able to go through the cat door with her escort. They are not the only two awake this late at night. Norman wants to join them. Malcolm agrees so Norman won't tell. Off they hurry, in hopes they won't be chased by the dogs. No such luck...but, Malcolm is wily and soon they are out of harm's way. The party is on. It isn't long until a special guest arrives...the Queen of the Cats. A feast is consumed, gifts are given and the party ends just as the sun peeks over the horizon. Home they quickly go!

The next thing Marie Elaine knows she is asleep on the sofa, and her mother is talking to her...saying she looks like she has been out all night with the cat. Quelle surprise!

John Burningham is another of my favorites...his stories are always welcome and original. This is no exception...the artwork is done in mixed media with attention to detail and some wonderful double page spreads. Read the book, but keep the secret!

There Are Cats in This Book, written and illustrated by Viviane Schwarz. Candlewick, Random House, 2008. $18.50 ages 3 and up

"The cats aren't on this page, either. They're on the next page. They'd love to play with you. They're very friendly."

Can you resist the invitation? If you are a cat person, you cannot. The three cats who 'people' this book can be seen hiding on the front cover and you know you are in for a treat. Their names are Moonpie, Tiny and Andre, as is evidenced by their food bowls on the first page. The purring is soft and cordial. As the quilt is flipped open, it appears that we have disturbed their slumber. Each has a hello and then a request for help in turning the following page. Once you are on the ride, you can't keep from taking the next spin. As the flaps are lifted and the pages turned, the cats have something to say and they also provide much encouragement for moving forward. They take great pride in allowing us access to the things they love.

As we turn the final page on the no longer frisky felines, they are polite about the assistance given and beg the reader to come back very SOON. You can bet we will.

What a wonderful book this is for our youngest readers; but it entertains everyone who shares it, too. You will barely get the book closed when you will hear the cry that authors, children and readers love....'please, read it again!' What could be more fun than finding a book that begs to be shared again and again?

Lost and Found, written and illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Chronicle, Raincoast Books, 2009. $22.95 ages 5 and up

"Anna and Molly marched through the tall grass, up a rocky hill, then into the woods. They crossed a creek, climbed over boulders, and hiked into the aspen grove. 'We'll build our own house right here, Molly.' Anna dragged big stones to make some walls. She spread out aspen leaves to make a bed."

If you love, or have ever loved a dog, you need this book. In three stories we meet three wonderful dogs who make life better by being there. In the first story, Anna is mad about a Time Out and determines that she and Molly should head for the hills. All is well until Anna awakens from her nap, is disoriented and needs help getting home again. Molly knows just what to do. In the second, Jules and his Dad take Ginger on a nature hike. Her natural exuberance has Ginger chasing a deer; and then, Jules and his father searching in vain to find her before dark. Jules is sure she will come back but they must go home before she does. He leaves a reminder in hopes that she will find it and stay put. With great delight they are reunited early the next morning. And in the final story Jack finds a starving Yuki and brings him home, begging his Mom for permission to keep him. The answer is No. Jack is distraught, but puts up a poster in hopes that no one will see it and claim Yuki. The days pass, his optimism grows and then one day an elderly woman comes to thank Jack for caring for her much-loved, lost dog. When she sees how connected the two are, she has a suggestion that provides hope for Jack and his mother.

How can you resist? Such heartwarming tales of the love that children have for their four-legged friends and how that love is returned tenfold. I so admire Jim LaMarche's artwork that I look forward to every book he illustrates. I have a collection and thankfully, it is growing. What could be more inviting than the unconditional look of love that graces the cover of this fine book?

Cool Cat, written and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian. Roaring Brook, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2009. $19.99 ages 3 and up

Without words and with lyrical paintings, Nonny Hogrogian shows us that every part of a picture book counts when you have a story to tell. It begins on the cover in darkness, with a black and white cat carrying a box. On the front endpapers we assume we see that same cat making its way through a barren landscape of rocks, broken trees and garbage. And he moves on. The title page has more light, and shows him opening the brown box and removing something, while a small mouse looks on. The tin cans and old bottles have a bit more color and the horizon is brighter with the sunlight but it remains a dreary spot.

As we move forward with the story we watch the cat remove paints and brushes from the box and use them to brighten his world, adding sky and plants. When the mouse picks up a brush to assist him we cannot help but notice that there is another observer. This time a young rabbit is their amused visitor. The landscape continues its transformation and soon other creatures of the environment are joining the procession, one in which we all want a part. Work done, paintbrushes gathered and stowed, the cat waves a thankful goodbye and is on his way. Meanwhile, the helpers join hands in celebration of their shared work. As we watch him leave this lovely new landscape we see the cat stop to smell a red rose, before he finally takes his rest. The back endpapers show a world of great change and enduring beauty.

It's been a long while since this thoughtful and skilled artist has shared her craft with picture book readers. I hope it is just the beginning of a resurgence!

A Chair for Always, written and illustrated by Vera B Williams. Greenwillow, HarperCollins, 2009. $22.50 ages 3 and up

"My mother worked so late at the Blue Tile Diner that Grandma and I fell asleep in our big chair waiting for her. Grandma woke a little around midnight. 'Pussycat,' she said, 'look at us asleep in this chair like two mice in a nest. Go get in bed. Kids like you need to dream.'"

I have coveted Vera B Williams books since I got my first copy of A Chair for My Mother. I loved it so much and shared it so often that I had to buy a second, and then a third copy. But, I love it today as I did that day long ago when I first read it. And I have loved each of her other books, as well. But that first chair book remains special.

Now along comes another book about the chair and the role it plays in Rosa's life. When their home was destroyed in a fire, Rosa, her mother and her grandmother went to live with Aunt Ida and Uncle Sandy. They started putting money in a jar that would be used to buy them a new chair...a big, warm, cozy chair that would provide for all the snuggling they needed. The chair with the velvet roses is the chair they bought and they have shared it every day since then. When Aunt Ida's new baby is born at home and the family helps with the care and nurturing of Benji, Grandma gets restless about the old, stained chair and suggests that they should buy a new one.

Rosa is aghast! She can never part with her special, much-loved chair. Even if she becomes President she will want that chair with her. It has too much history to think of parting with it. She is adamant. Mama is indulgent and recognizes that she will forever lose the argument. With a hug and a warm 'I love you' she agrees with Rosa and the chair is theirs forever.

This is one of those rare stories, with its familiar characters, that glows with love and family. The three women have such respect for each other, such love of family and real togetherness as they navigate a life that is not always easy. But, they relish their good fortune, their loved ones and that life as they live it each day.

Big, Bigger, Biggest! Written and illustrated by Nancy Coffelt. Henry Holt, HB Fenn, 2009. $18.95 ages 3 and up

"I'm big. I'm large. I'm huge. I'm jumbo. I'm bigger. I'm gigantic. I'm immense. I'm enormous."

And on to biggest! What fun you will have when sharing this book with young children. The bright, cheery animals here depicted are braggarts and proud of it.

I'm moved. I'm excited! I'm inspired.

I'm astonished. I'm astounded. I'm blown away.

I'm electrified. I'm stupefied. I'm flabbergasted.

I'm amazed at the ideas that creative and curious custodians of the English language can conjure when writing books to be enjoyed by children.

I'm dazed by the abundance of terms chosen for this awesome book that helps children understand comparison in animals of all shapes and sizes.

I'm stimulated by an idea that seems so simple, yet can be quite complicated.

I'm enthused to think that it might be used as a mentor text when asking children to brainstorm synonyms and antonyms for their own writing.

I'm thrilled to be sharing it with you tonight!

Crow Call, written by Lois Lowry and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Scholastic, 2009. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"I sit shyly in the front seat of the car next to the stranger who is my father, my legs pulled up under the too-large wool shirt I am wearing. I practice his name to myself, whispering it under my breath. Daddy. Daddy. Saying it feels new. The war has lasted so long. He has been gone so long."

In this quiet, contemplative book we meet Liz and her father. They are tentative in their relationship because Dad has been away at war; and they are struggling to find common ground in a new relationship. They are on a hunting trip and Liz is somewhat fearful. Daddy has put her in charge of the crow call.

She's wearing her plaid shirt, that is much too big but comforting and comfortable. She remembers the day her Dad bought that shirt...she had coveted it since the first day she spied it in a store window. Her sister was aghast but Dad was supportive, and suggested with a smile that she would never outgrow it. Now, she is wearing it on their first ever hunting trip. The place chosen to hunt crows is not far, and soon the two are trekking through the woods in search of their quarry. As they walk Liz asks him about the war, and the fear. During their conversation she remembers that she fears the word hunter. When they get where they are going, Liz uses the crow call and from out of nowhere, they are surrounded by many black birds making a raucous noise.

I don't want to spoil your pleasure in this wonderful story, so I will leave it at that. Now, I want to mention the stunning artwork. Using brown and tan watercolors, with hints of coral and blue, Bagram Ibatoulline fashions a 1940s world in the fall, to match the soft reflection of the renewed relationship between a little girl and her father. The double page painting at the centre of the book is awesome, and just happens to be the favorite of the author. It is a perfect match to the perfect words that Lois Lowry has written in her first picture book for children after a long and illustrious career as a novelist. Let us hope it will not be her last, if this is any indication of what we have in store for us. Bravo!

Just a note of explanation for the label 'mentor text'. I think this is a book that could and should be used with young writers to show them how skilled authors take one small event and create a memorable story from it. This early morning trip that Lois Lowry took with her father in 1945 has been with her throughout her long and storied life. Yet, it remained a seed to be tended with care which grew into a remarkable story for us today.

a child's garden, written and illustrated by Michael Foreman. Candlewick Press, Random House, 2009. $$20.00 ages 5 and up

"The boy's world was a place of ruin and rubble, ringed by a fence of barbed wire. In the hot, dry summer, the air was thick with dust. Faraway hills shimmered in the haze. The boy knew that cool streams flowed in those hills. He had once gone there with his father, but now the hills were on the wrong side of the wire."

The United States has a new national ambassador for children and their literature. Katherine Paterson is an amazing woman (I heard her speak twice at children's literature conferences) and an equally amazing writer. At age 77 she lives her life with verve and passion, and a great need to get books into the hands of children and their parents. We should all be ambassadors for such an idea!

One of the things she said when being interviewed about her appointment was this: “I want people to be reading about children of other places and other races and religions,” she said. “I think novels are a wonderful way to do that because you get in somebody else’s psyche and you see things quite differently than the way you see things simply through your own eyes.”

Picture books can do much the same thing and this heartwarming and heartbreaking book does just that! The small boy lives in the broken bricks and debris of war; but, one day he finds hope in the guise of a tiny plant. He knows just what to do to give it life and help it to grow. And grow it does, reaching its tendrils over the barbed wire fence and along it. Its life evokes promise to the children who come to play in its shade, and enjoy its beauty. When the soldiers on the other side of the wire notice it, they come and tear it down. The boy is heartbroken!

Plants and children have an uncanny ability to survive. In the spring he notices the plant has spread its roots to the other side of the wire, too far away for him to water. He also sees a small girl with a bucket tending to the new shoots. The boy worries that her plants will end up torn from the ground by the soldiers; but, they don't seem to mind the plant on their side of the wire. Now, he notices that the shoots are visible on his side, too. Soon, the wire is invisible. A seed of hope is planted for him, knowing that roots are deep and seeds spread, despite attempts to quash them. There is reason to dream of a better world!

Children are the victims of war. Ours hear about places in the world where wars are waged and hate rages. They rarely have occasion to think of the children who live in such war torn countries. Books give them the opportunity to see the way other children live. The young give us hope for the future, with their indomitable spirits and their love of life. This is a story that reminds us of the strength of the human spirit.

Jack the Bear, written and illustrated by Christina Leist. Simple Read Books, PGC, 2009. $18.95 ages 3 and up

"'That's Jack the Bear,' said Brainy Owl. 'Oh? And what's he doing?' Nosy Fox was, well, nosy. 'He's making the world a better place,' replied Brainy Owl. 'Really?' Nosy Fox smirked. 'He looks like he's just sitting in the shade with a jar of honey.'"

I love the simple message of this lovely, warm book. We CAN all make a difference in someone else's day...we just need to know that we can. My good friend Val and I were just talking about the same thing the other day. There are so many times in our day when a little smile (or sometimes a persistent one) can make another person's day better! It takes so little effort.

The animals in this book are somewhat grumpy and quite opinionated about Jack's place in the world. They wonder how sitting, smiling and handing out honey can really make the world a better place. After all, isn't that what kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers are meant to do? It seems that Jack can help them, and he can help scientists, peace prize winners and even philosophers when they haven't enough time or energy to meet all the needs of the world. How does Jack Bear do it??? He smiles! Have you got one of those hidden away. Try it on everyone you meet today, and see if you can make the world a better place. I am going to try to do just that.

The author adds a note about her artwork which states: 'The illustrations in this book were done on recycled paper shopping bags. I used watercolor, crayon, and almost every ballpoint pen, marker, and pencil I could find in my desk's untidy drawers.' They work brilliantly to give this book its glowing warm feeling.

Adventures in Cartooning, by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost. HB Fenn, 2009. $14.50 ages 6 and up

"Once upon a time...a princess tried to make a comic..."

She just couldn't do it; so, she enlisted the help of the Magic Cartooning Elf. He thinks he can help her make comics. He starts with the old adage...KISS. Start simple and build from there. It won't take long for kids to catch on to the fun, and to see themselves as cartoonist extraordinaire!

James Sturm is the director of the Center for Cartoon Studies and here he works with two former students to create a how-to book about creating stories in comic form. They don't really show kids how to draw. Rather, they demonstrate the more common and accepted qualities of the comic book. They show how to use panels, speech balloons, varied lettering and they do it in story form. A knight is on a journey to find a dragon who loves to chew bubble gum. Of course, we can't forget the magic elf...he is the instrument to success for the knight who turns to cartooning as a diversion. The art is simple enough for me to try, which is saying something quite dramatic. It's great fun, and the teaching moves right along with spirit and humor.

If you have someone interested in trying a hand at creating a graphic story, this would be a jumping off point for them. There is much to observe and try. Many of the conventions of the comic book are made obvious and will build on a reader's knowledge when trying a hand at their own story.

Purple Heart, written by Patricia McCormick. Balzer & Bray, Harper, 2009. $22.50 ages 14 and up

"'You still having language-retrieval problems?' Kwong said.
'Some.'
'Mood swings?' Kwong's voice came from over Matt's shoulder as he shined his light in Matt's ears.
Matt blinked. 'Sort of.'
'How about your cognitive functioning? Are you able to absorb new information?' Kwong had put on his stethoscope and was listening to Matt's heart. If Matt answered, what would it sound like through the stethoscope? Would his voice rumble in Kwong's ears? Or would it sound like a fly buzzing just out of range?
'How about focus?' Kwong asked, his stethoscope now on Matt's back. 'Are you having trouble concentrating?'
Matt tried to think. He couldn't even remember what Kwong's last question was."

When Matt Duffy awakens in a hospital ward, he is astonished to learn that he is being presented with the Purple Heart. Matt remembers little of the event that has won him the honor. We discover he is suffering from TBI...a traumatic brain injury from the bomb blast that nearly cost him his life. He is warned that he will feel a variety of symptoms related to his injury. He has difficulty with balance and stamina, his word retrieval is slow and often, he cannot 'get' the word he needs, he has little memory of the events that led to he and his buddy being trapped in an alley facing enemy gunfire. He has flashbacks that brings memories of a young Iraqi boy named Ali who followed his squad around while they were on patrol. He sees him smiling and then flying through the air, and is told that Ali is dead. Matt wonders if he is responsible for the death of a child. As his body heals, he is sent back to his company. He remembers more and more...will he remember what his brain is helping him forget?

It's really tough to say that a book about the war in Iraq is good, but that is the case with this one. It is so well written, and thought-provoking. Matt is such a strong character; and as a reader I found myself suffering with him. What hurts my heart most is the cost to the young men and women who will live their lives with the repercussions of injury and trauma. This is a heartbreaking book that gets right to the 'purple heart' of that matter.

Monarch and Milkweed by Helen Frost and Leonid Gore. Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, 2008. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Milkweed stretches taller. Two by two,
its leaves spread wide,
sheltering long-legged spiders,
black and orange beetles.
Monarch lights on Milkweed,
drums her feet on Milkweed's flower,
and tastes home."

The monarch makes, as you know, an arduous journey before arriving to light on the healthy and vibrant milkweed plant. The plant matures and blooms. Before the blooms drop to give their seeds space, the monarchs find mates and flit from one milkweed plant to the next, leaving an egg behind at each stop.

It is most interesting to have the life cycles of both plant and butterfly described in a lovely, lilting free verse tale. The illustrations are beautifully detailed in soft tones that show how the lives of the graceful plant and elegant butterfly are interdependent. The tone of the book is gentle, in keeping with the beauty of the two species.

Some simple and accessible facts are presented as the book ends. They are additional to what listeners learn when sharing this story. The research is strong in a book that readers will find informative and lively. The endpapers remind us of the incredible journey that these beautiful flyers take as they travel from their winter to their summer home, and back again. We discover much about the monarch and the milkweed plant in this fine book, but we also learn that there is so much more to discover. Scientists are forever seeking answers to the questions they continue to ask. And constantly adding to their store of knowledge.

Gone with the Wand, written by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Brian Ajhar. Orchard, Scholastic, 2009. $18.99 ages 6 and up

"Granted, I was only a plain old ordinary pillow tooth plucker, but I knew that I had to think of something to help my best friend. And fast. So, I thought and pondered. Pondered and thought. And then I just pondered, pondered, pondered. I pondered so much I was pooped."

Who knew that Bernice Sparklestein, who just happens to be the best fairy godmother anywhere, COULD have a bad wand day? It's almost unfathomable. She couldn't even conjure up some tea to share with her best friend. Could she be 'gone with the wand'? Her history of good deeds was long and legendary. There must be a solution. Try, try again?!? Nope, she didn't have enough 'bippidy left in her to salacadoo one more pumpkin.' What to do? What to do?

You get where I am going. Margie Palatini is a master at using the English language with such hilarity that she has kids rolling in the aisles. Of course, the tooth fairy is distraught and tries her best to encourage Bernice, seeking solutions in old trunks and closets. What about fairy dusting? Oops! The allergies kick in. A snow fairy?

There is so much fun in this tale of familiar and much loved magic. Kids who have experience with fairy tales will recognize the various costumes, the sly references and the just plain fun this author has had in penning the story. The artist is as magical as the story's two main characters, adding little touches that might go unseen but for keen eyes. The artwork varies, using the double page for some and spots for others, while always holding our interest with perspective and genuine feeling for the charmers.

If you are looking for friendship and enchantment to share with your children or students, you won't go wrong reading this book aloud. If you are really lucky, it will lead you to other works by Margie Palatini and even more fun!

Chicken Little, by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley. Roaring Brook Press, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2009. $18.95 ages 3 and up

"Chicken Little was not the brightest chicken in the coop. He was very excitable and prone to foolishness. One day he was doing nothing, his usual pastime when an acorn fell from the sky and hit him on the head. BONK! EEP!"

I am sure you have heard the Chicken Little story at some point in your reading life. Not this one, you haven't! Ed Emberley and his daughter Rebecca give new life to the naive and nerdy chicken who determines (when an acorn falls on his head) that the sky is falling! And he must run to save himself. Off he goes, with an umbrella overhead and no plan in mind. He 'bonks' into Henny Penny who is not much smarter and she is off with the news. And on it goes as they meet a host of friends, none of whom seems any better prepared or forward thinking than Chicken Little. All finally fatigued, it is their bad luck to run into Foxy Loxy...and you know what that sly old codger is thinking....mmmm! din-din!! As luck would have it Foxy Loxy might have an allergy to feathers, and the friends are soon safe and on their way home!

The story is not new, but the art is so irrepressible that you cannot help but fall in love with the foolish farmyard fowl and follow along on their inane trip to let someone know that there is disaster right around the corner. Their bodies askew, their eyes huge and full of fear and surprise and their inability to make a plan only makes them funnier to the rapt readers of their tale. Bright paper-cut collages burst across the pages and in one final fold-out we see the chaos of a sneeze when your tummy is full of fowl. Poor Fox...foiled again!

Marsupials, by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2009. $22.99 ages 5 and up

"Most people know about lions, zebras, monkeys and bears, but what about bettongs and bilbies? Or potoroos and pademelons? Dibblers and dunnarts? These animals live on the continent of Australia, along with kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and a whole crowd of amazing creatures."

And, they are all marsupials...which you likely know means that the mothers raise their babies inside a furry pouch on her belly. If you thought you knew a lot about the marsupials of the world, read on and discover just how much you did not know about them. I am astounded!

Each page of text faces an accompanying and astounding photograph of one such creature. The captions inform and describe some of the interesting characteristics of the animal in question. As well as that, each page has a sentence that is printed in bolded, colored font for attention, and further data follows to add to our store of new knowledge. Some may be familiar, but much is not (at least, for me!)

Toward the center of the book you will find a trademark Nic Bishop photograph, a double-page foldout of the most incredible kind. This one shows a possum gliding from tree to tree in a series of action shots, that must have taken hours of patience to finally capture. Nic Bishop says he spent six months in Australia, often in unbearable heat and always amazed at the marsupials' ability to survive and thrive. His notes at the end of the book are personal and filled with memories of his time spent in the wild. An index and a glossary help with our need to go back for more, and to understand unfamiliar terms.

If you have not had the great good luck to see other books by Nic Bishop, let this be your introduction to him. Stop at the library or your favorite book store and ask if you might see Spiders, Frogs or Moths and Butterflies. You will be amazed, and in awe of his talent.

Baby Polar Bear, written by Aubrey Lang with photos by Wayne Lynch. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008. $7,95 ages 4 and up

"The polar bear is a strong swimmer. Her front paws are the size of dinner plates, and they make perfect paddles. She has a long neck, so it is easy to keep her head above the water. The fat under her skin helps her stay warm. Her furry feet are like a pair of warm slippers. When she walks on the ice, her sharp claws keep her from slipping."

That's the information that this terrific team provides on just one of the pages of this stunning new addition to the Nature Babies series. There are also five detailed and clear photographs of the described polar bear. These books may be perfect fare for young researchers; but, there is so much here to be enjoyed by all ages. The photographs were taken by a skilled and seasoned scientist and assure laughter, awe and admiration for the power and beauty of these polar animals. The photos are very useful when you are working with children and their visual literacy. They provide an abundance of information and you will long remember some of the images shared.

Aubrey Lang, another skilled scientist and writer, has much to tell her readers about these giants of the northern landscape. She talks about their life cycle, their ability to adapt to the Arctic envrionment and their skills at caring for the young, while teaching what they need to know to grow and survive in such a harsh climate. The text reads like a storybook, and readers will become attached to the strong, elegant mother and her playful babies.

The book includes a table of contents and an index, both of which will become useful tools for young readers as they navigate what makes nonfiction special and different from their other reading. A 'did you know?' section adds facts that might surprise both child and adult. For instance, did you know that polar bears do not hibernate? So much to learn, and in such an accessible and enjoyable way.

You will have stories to tell when you have finished this information-packed book, and it begs to be read again. Enjoy! Don't miss out on the others in this exemplary series...there are thirteen others!

Crazy Like a Fox, written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy. Holiday House, Thomas Allen & Son, 2008. $9.50 ages 6 and up

"A simile is a figure of speech used to compare two different things. It usually includes the words like or as. To say 'Joe is as hungry as a bear' suggests that Joe's appetite is similar to a bear's (very big)."

Our story begins with Rufus, who is sleeping...the mice who surround him to watch suggest that he is 'as still as a stone', 'out like a light', 'snug as a bug in a rug'. All aptly describe the fox as he slumbers in the forest, on a soft bed of leaves. Upon awakening, he feels fresh...'as a daisy'. Each new situation flips over to complete the simile and to lead readers to another. Along the way, animals of the forest add their two-cents worth to the descriptive notes about a wily fox, who would like nothing better than to have Babette, the little lamb, for dinner? But Babette can hold her own, and her anger stands her in good stead against the intrepid and wily fox. She chases and follows him until they enter a dark and dangerous cave. Or is it? Ah, Babette, you were tricked!

At the book's end, the author makes some suggestions for readers to try in creating their own simile story. What fun they promise! And, she encourages adding illustrations, too. If you want more information on similes, check her website at www.loreenleedy.com

More Pocket Poems, selected by Bobbi Katz and illustrated by Deborah Zemke. Dutton, Penguin Group (Canada), 2009. $20.00 ages 5 and up

"Pockets are nifty
for holding a quarter,
for holding a key,
or for holding a shell.
But the world is full of many more things
that don't fit in pockets so very well:
You can't put spring in a pocket -
not summer,
not winter,
not fall.
How could you pocket a giggle>
An elephant won't fit at all!"

It's always so much fun for me to share poetry in classrooms. Kids love to listen to the language that poets use, and set their minds to imagining what the poet is describing, while they listen. The word choice, the rhythms of the language and the concise way of saying what needs to be said are all evident when you share poetry with your children, or in your classrooms.

Bobbi Katz has chosen wonderful poems to fit in a pocket. They help to make every day a 'poetry day'. Just think of the fun when everyone you ask has a poem in thier pocket to share...and they are willing to share it with you. 'Keep a poem in your pocket' is a perfect mantra for anyone interested in making poetry a daily delight. As we share the poems that Bobbi Katz has so carefully selected in her second book of pocket poems, we want our kids to realize that poetry is an accessible form for their writing. We want to share poems that make them say, 'Hey, I want to do that!' or 'I think I CAN do that!'

A poem in your pocket can keep you company any day of the year, and provide entertainment for everyone you meet.

Turtle's Penguin Day, written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. Alfred A Knopf, Random House, 2008. $20.99 ages 3 and up

"It's not a funny costume," said Little Turtle. "I'm a penguin!" And then he put the book about penguins into his backpack and waddled outside to the school bus."

It's quite amazing what a bedtime story and an imagination can initiate. Father Turtle has no idea what he is setting in motion the night he reads his son a book about penguins. While asleep that night Little Turtle dreams of being a penguin and when he wakes up in the morning, his day is set. He finds all the paraphernalia needed and sets off for school as a penguin. His teacher and classmates are intrigued and willing to join in the fun. Books about penguins, games penguins play and even a waddling dance become the order of the day. Turtle loves being a penguin; and then, his Dad reads him a book about monkeys!

A page filled with penguin facts follows this lively story and will be appreciated by those who love all things penguin. The watercolor illustrations are humorous and gentle, honoring the imaginations of those little ones who will want to hear it again and again. Maybe they'll even try life as a penguin themselves...or a monkey, a kangaroo, a bear!

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry! Written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Little, Brown & Co, Hachette, 2009. $17.99 ages 3 and up

"There are many things that Martha does, but apologizing isn't one of them."

If you want a hug, Martha will give you a hug. She skateboards, sings, does karate, even eats ice cream. She shares when she has a snack, creates gifts for friends and family, and she reads stories like Harry Otter. But, she does not say she is sorry. She doesn't say it for being mean, making a mess, or treating her family badly. She just doesn't say it!

When she begins to feel the consequences of her actions in the subsequent actions of others, she has a little think. She knows why it is happening, but she just cannot bring herself to apologize. And then, she thinks harder. Finally, she tries the words very softly, and no one hears her. Her voice gets louder and then louder...her family is astounded...they are not sure they are hearing what they think they are hearing.

Bruce Whatley's drawings are as big as Marhta's personality. We watch her smirk, pout, smile, and worry as the story unfolds. Then, with red cheeks and a sorrowful demeanor, she addresses the problem and solves it. Ah, life is good again, but not perfect.

Kids with problems and how they solve them have a very special appeal for the author's intended audience. They can often live vicariously through a character unlike themselves who does just those things they yearn to do. Martha has a lesson to learn and to teach.

The Cuckoo's Haiku, written by Michael J Rosen and illustrated by Stan Fellows. Candlewick, Random House, 2009. $20.00 ages 6 and up

"woodpecker knock-knocks...
riddled with the sam question
trees yawn, answering"

Michael Rosen feels that bird watching and haiku share a special bond; they both provide a 'fleeting impression'. In this lovely birdwatching field guide/journal he asks us to look more closely at what surrounds us. He wants us to see 'better' in an effort to appreciate the beauty of the commonplace. Birds are so natural to our surroundings that we forget to really notice them. He fills his haiku poems with strong images that help us look deeper. Each haiku shares the page with handwritten field notes, giving us more information than we might glean from the poem. With the information he provides, he also encourages us to add our own...what we know or can discover about the birds here described.

The graceful watercolors are finely detailed, and make the book feel like a journal kept by an avid birder who sketches while observing the birds in their environment. The added notes help the reader identify the bird being watched.

This is another of those mentor books that I have previously mentioned. It serves as an artful, informative example of observation in the field and the way in which it can be conveyed for an audience. Wouldn't it be fun for young scientists and researchers to try their hand at a field guide on a variety of topics, using poetry and garnered information to impart what they have learned?

The Lion & The Mouse, written and illustrated Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown & Company, Hachette, 2009. $19.99 ages 3 and up

"As a child I was inspired to see the majestic king of the jungle saved by the determination and hard work of a humble rodent; as an adult I've come to appreciate how both animals are equally large at heart: the courageous mouse and the lion who must rise above his beastly nature to set his small prey free." (from the Artist's Note)

It's about the art! It has to be...there are no words! The story begins on the cover. We see a seemingly curious, and perhaps fearful, lion looking at something...turn to the back and we see the mouse, diminutive and inquisitive, but unfazed. On to the front endpapers...the Serengeti teeming with family groups. The mouse is not evident. The endpapers that follow the story are also family oriented; the families of both lion and mouse. Witness the community created when one creature helps another, and how their story continues. (And don't miss the cub who tags along with help from his Dad.)

All this before you get to the 'meat' of the book...the real story of the mouse and the lion and the lesson learned and taught. Your eyes are in constant motion...there is so much to see. The mouse is firmly settled in a lion's paw print, while ants march across the bottom of the title page and an old bullfrog watches.

As we begin, the mouse barely escapes the talons of hungry owl...only to end up a few steps later in the lion's paw. Poor thing...is this the end? Nope, the lion takes pity and releases the tiny rodent to live another day. Imagine the story that Mouse tells upon arrival in the burrow. The lion is off on a trek through his kingdom when he becomes trapped in a hunter's net. His roar raises an alarm for the mouse, and then action. Without concern for her own safety, she begins gnawing the rope. Persistence pays off and soon Lion is free, once more. Off she goes with another exciting bedtime story for her brood. Amazing!

Don't forget to remove the paper cover to reveal even more stunning artwork.

Snow, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Lauren Stringer. Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2008. $21.95 ages 3 and up

"The best snow
is the snow that
comes softly in the night,
like a shy friend
afraid to knock,
so she thinks she'll
just wait in the yard
until you see her.
This is the snow
that brings you peace."

I have always been in awe of Cynthia Rylant's words. Each one seems so purposefully and carefully chosen to make us wonder at the beauty of our language. Lest you think I am wishing for snow tonight or in the coming days, I am not. But, I cannot help but be awed by the lovely word pictures this fine author paints of the different kinds of snow that fall while we are in the throes of winter. It must make others envious of the world of white that some of us experience. She mentions the snow that sends you home early and results in 'snow days!' There is the snow that barely makes an impression when it falls...it is so light and delicate that it is hardly noticeable. We have all known such snowfalls, but few can put into words the absolute beauty of this white world, with such skill and honor for its being.

Lauren Springer brings this snowy world to life with acrylic painted snowflakes that dance before our eyes. The delight in the children's faces, the joy and peace that a grandmother and her grandchild feel as they explore their snow-covered environs and their calm return to the warmth of hearth and home remind us of the joys of the season we call winter.

All the World, by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee. Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster, 2009. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Rock, stone, pebble, sand
Body, shoulder, arm, hand
A moat to dig,
a shell to keep
All the world is wide and deep"

I wanted so much to start the new year with a beautiful book! This celebration of the world and the people in it is just the thing. In rhyming couplets the author introduces a family and its glorious day together. They begin at the beach, collecting rocks, shells and other reminders of their visit. Then, it's on to a market garden where they explore the many foods and other fare that are for sale there. A park provides a welcome diversion, where grandparents watch their grandkids and their pets, families walk, bicycle and plan picnics. A storm brings a quick end to fun in the park and they scramble to a diner for a warm and welcome meal before finally ending their day with the extended family, who have gathered in joyful appreciation of life and love.

The words are perfect but would mean little without Marla Frazee's charming and quietly spacious panoramas. Together they make the whole...a timeless love song to the beauty in each day. We need only look around us to see the blessings of family, love and the goodness that is in our world. It seems an appropriate way to look at the start of a new year, and a new decade. This is one of my favorite books of 2009 and I will be sharing it as often as is possible in the coming months.