Let's Do Nothing! Written and illustrated by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, Random House, 2009. $19.00 ages 6 and up

"I think we've done it all. We've played every sport ever invented, painted more pictures in a day than van Gogh did in a lifetime, baked enough cookies to feed a small country, played every board game we could find, read every comic book in th-
OK, Ok. Let's stop talking for ten seconds. All right. Ten seconds of nothing."

Frankie and Sal are sure they can do nothing...and they do their best to have it happen. But, in a young boy's world, it is an impossible task they set for themselves. They try and try and try! First they are statues, then giant trees, and then the Empire State Building. Frankie is a young man with a huge imagination and each time they set themselves to 'do nothing', he cannot help but imagine pigeons landing on his immobile statuesque frame, Sal's dog peeing on the base of the his tree, or King Kong threatening him from his aerie perch.

As Frankie imagines the happenings, vibrant colors fill the pages. When things are real, it is just the boys, and backgrounds of flat blue or white space. But the boys steal the show! You know they are full of mischief from the get-go and it is easy to imagine their adventures continuing ad infinitum. As they sit in their chairs, doing their best to do nothing, you can sense the raw energy, watch the expressions and be sure that a release of that contained power is in the offing.

I love this book! It is so much fun to read, and to watch and listen to the reactions as children listen in on two boys who cannot be contained. Finally, they are off to 'do something'! We have no doubt that it will satisfy them for a bit.

Come to the Castle, written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Roaring Brook, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2009. $19.95 ages 10 and up

"The Cook

I have no fresh capon. No porpoise or eel.
No sumptuous roast for a memorable meal.
Still I must follow the Lady's command,
A feast in two days? I'll use what's on hand:

Gizzards and livers and kidneys and feet—
Grind it up well into mystery meat.

Bind it with egg, mix it with spice,
Throw in some currants and mustard and rice.
Drop it in stews, bake it in pies,
Roll it in balls (or some other disguise).
Toss on some flowers, gild it with gold.
Present it with antlers or feathers. Be bold!

A fine work of art to fill them with awe—
So what if it's cold, or the meat is still raw?"

The irreverent voice of the cook is clear and cantankerous concerning the tasks set for her because the Earl of Daftwood is bored and must find something to fill his time. When he announces his plans for a tournament, it is left to his staff to deal with the fallout that such an event precipitates. Each has an opinion and few are flattering.

Linda Ashman obviously did her homework when creating this collection of poems that voice the concerns of those living and working in a thirteenth century English castle. While their humorous takes on the ado has the reader laughing out loud, we also catch accurate glimpses of their life and times. Their monologues dance with rhythm and rhyme and entertain readers page after page. Their tone leaves a clear message that while a party and jousting may be fun for the Earl and his family, it wreaks havoc with those who must make all the preparations at a time when nothing was simple. The differences between classes and the living conditions of each are evident and deplorable. But, the stories are told with great wit and humor and provide a most entertaining tale.

Steve Schindler uses the text to inform his illustrations which show the same irreverence and humor. The style chosen and the decorations added to each page's opening letter will have readers poring over the details and finding further fun. The revelry costs both servants and guests and in the end, most are dead tired and glad the tournament is finally over. The Earl, however, feels the only thing to assuage his somber mood and bleak outlook might be found in hosting another tournament.

The author adds a closing note to the text, further explaining the duties and positions she has chosen to portray.

Use this entertaining and informative book with Good Masters, Sweet Ladies (Candlewick, 2008)in an introduction to a medieval studies unit. They are both unbelievably good, while calling up totally different takes on similar characters. What a grand performance they would provide following your class study! What joy to read aloud with a middle years class!

Al Capone Shines My Shoes,written by Gennifer Choldenko. Dial, Penguin Group (Canada), 2009. $22.50 ages 10 and up

"Nothing is the way it's supposed to be when you live on an island with a billion birds, a ton of bird crap, a few dozen rifles, machine guns, and automatics, and 278 of America's worst criminals - 'the cream of the criminal crop' as one of our felons likes to say. The convicts on Alcatraz are rotten to the core, crazy in the head, and as slippery as eels in axle grease."

I loved Al Capone Does My Shirts (Penguin, 2004) and I think that if you are interested in reading this even better sequel, you should read the first one first. It will give you insight into the characters, the previous action and a productive couple of hours. You won't be sorry that you took the time to read it ahead of this second adventure.

It's still 1935 on Alcatraz where Moose's father is a prison guard and Al Capone is a prisoner. Moose's sister Natalie who has special learning needs (she would now be recognized as autistic) has found a place in a alternative school, the result of Capone's help. Finally, Moose can enjoy the life of a normal twelve-year-old without worry about his beloved sister. He'll have more time to spend with his friends and family...and then he receives a note from Mr. Capone. It seems he wants something in return. A small favor perhaps, but the euphoria doesn't last. Moose realizes that he is in over his head and he is not sure what he should do. It doesn't help that Piper, the warden's daughter continues to threaten him with his father's future position at the prison.

On one of Natalie's visits home from school, she carries a smuggling tool with instructions on where to leave it. Oh, Moose knows he's in big trouble! What happened to his attempts to be the good kid and do what was right?

Life on Alcatraz has its normal moments with arguments between friends, baseball, and just living the life of a middle grader. But, it is also fraught with danger when you consider that many of its inhabitants are hardened, menacing criminals who want an escape from the routines and rigors of prison life. As Moose's world seems to spin out of control in terms of returning a favor, he is dealing with issues of friendship, girls and family.

I love knowing more about the characters and being part of the terror and excitement that results from owing Capone a favor. It is also a book about friendship and trust. Moose learns some tough lessons about being honest with himself and others. His loyalty to his sister remains admirable and he will do anything to keep her content and flourishing. The story builds to a very exciting ending where the kids are safe, but Capone remains a threat.

What fun it was to read this book as a reward for finishing the 53 books that were on our list as one of the juries for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens 2010! I recommend it highly for your own interest or to share in a middle grade classroom. You will not be sorry.

One Beetle Too Many, written by Kathryn Lasky and illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick, Random House, 2009.$20.00 ages 8 and up

"Charles was the happiest when he was out alone collecting. He especially liked to collect beetles. He found them under the bark of trees, in rotten logs, between the cracks of old stone walls, and even in puddles and ponds. Looking through his looking glass, he would wonder why the diving beetle had a smooth back and the whirligig beetle that spun in circles on the pond's surface had no grooves at all."

Such questions make for scientists, I would think. Having just read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate(Henry Holt, 2009) in a world that recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of Darwin's On The Origins of the Species, I find myself recognizing that concept and while I am not of that ilk, thank goodness there are inquisitive, analytical, perceptive and puzzled people out there.

In an interview with Kathryn Lasky about the 'evolution' of her book, she said that it had taken many years to write. Lucky we are that all of her thoughts, questions and research resulted in a book that makes Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution available to young readers. It is written in chapters and they reflect the various times in Darwin's life.

As a young boy, he was always curious, hated school and wanted nothing to do with learning about Greek and Latin. His father was furious and felt he just needed more serious study...thus, sending him to he sent him to study medicine, which Charles found disgusting. His interest in science grew and his knowledge of medicine did not. Well, then there was the clergy. His real interests led him to become friends with a botany professor who saw him for what he was...'a much better scientist than clergyman'. John Henslow encouraged Darwin to take the position of naturalist on the Beagle and the rest is history. It was while on that voyage, he saw many sights, animals and events that led him to question the origin of the species.

In asking those questions and seeking plausible answers, he reflected on what he was seeing every day of the voyage. His powerful observations had him wondering about many assumed theories and he began to develop his own. While complicated, Lasky makes his story accessible for her audience and leaves us with a brief, but close, look at the man who continued to pose questions throughout his life and who once wrote, 'I am a complete millionaire in odd and curious facts.' That is a admirable legacy to leave for future generations.

How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? Written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen, 2008. $19.95 ages 6 and up

"Many animals reproduce by laying eggs. Some try to guarantee that they will have surviving offspring by laying thousands - even millions - of eggs. Most of the eggs won't make it, but chances are at least a few will hatch. Other animals produce only a few eggs but take better care of them, sometimes in surprising ways."

Here's Steve Jenkins again...and his wife, Robin Page. It won't take you long to figure out how much I love their work. It is their abiding interest in the world that brings us these wonderful books and they fill such a niche for young, inquisitive research type children. They provide wonderful, brilliant, expressive cut-paper collages and just enough information to answer questions without overwhelming their young readers.

As each new challenge is presented to the animals documented, there is a double page spread answer that tells how different animals solve the problems that face them. This is a book that can easily be read aloud to a group of children or pored over with one or two. Each animal depicted in Jenkins' detailed collages seem ready to tell their own story...they have such character and drama. The text is short, while still being very informative and readers will be left with much new learning when they are done.

A sample of the questions asked: how many ways can you snare a fish?, and how many ways can you eat a clam? A sample of the amazing facts: 'The Mexican burrowing toad digs into the mud with its large back feet, moving in a spiral as it burrows. The toad sucks in air as it digs, inflating its body like a balloon and pushing out the mud walls of its hole.' Who would not be interested in such a thing?

As is characteristic of the books that these brilliant collaborators produce, there is an added wealth in the notes at the back of the book. There, they add other important facts gleaned from their research which they know will be of further interest to those sharing this book. They are, of course, right!

If you want to know more about Steve Jenkins and his work, check out his website.

www.stevejenkinsbooks.com

Life in the Boreal Forest, written by Brenda Guiberson with paintings by Gennady Spirin. Groundwood, 2009. $18.95 ages 6 and up

"The bear needs a thirteen centimeter layer of body fat to survive a long winter sleep. In one frenzied day he gobbles seventy thousand berries. His droppings spread seeds that grow into new bushes."

Showing us the beauty of this unique habitat is a task that both author and illustrator accomplish in this wonderful book that pulsates with the life of the boreal forest. That forest reaches from Alaska and northern Canada to Scandanavia and Russia and boasts a short summer, a wicked winter and the unparalleled beauty of spring and autumn. Readers will lose themselves in the elegance of the finely detailed illustrations, as is evident right from the cover. Who can ignore the fight for survival portrayed there?

Each fascinating panorama(which encompass three-quarters of the double page)invite readers to reach out and touch the creatures who grace the pages. As we examine each of these creatures in their natural habitat, we also feel the power of the forest itself...abundant with nourishment and inviting in the summer and autumn, then stark and often unforgiving as snow falls and winter food becomes scarce, and then revitalized as the days lengthen and the billions of birds return, more than two hundred species.

It is a truly amazing ecosystem and Brenda Guiberson fills it with the many sounds that have a place there. She articulately provides explanations for each double page spread; thus providing the information needed for her readers to understand its complexity and importance. She includes life cycles, habits and how the food chain works to keep the forest viable. She also makes it known to her readers that the forest is becoming smaller, as human settlements push closer.

An author's note makes a plea for awareness of the dangers this natural habitat is facing and suggests what we can do to improve its chances for survival. Much of the area is in danger because of the extraction of oil, deforestation, mining, moss harvesting, and global warming. There are steps we can take to protect it, but we must act now. A list of organizations working to preserve the boreal forest is also included for further learning.

Down, Down, Down, written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin, Thomas Allen & Son, 2009. $21.50 ages 8 and up

"They may be pursuing prey, escaping danger, or sending a message to others of their kind. Whatever the reason, sea creatures sometimes leap from the water into the air. A huge shark, surging upward to grab its prey, lands with a splash that could empty a swimming pool. A small, sleek squid barely misses us as it shoots by, slipping back into the water with barely a ripple. Other creatures break the surface as well..."

I am always excited to see a new book by the talented and research-driven Steve Jenkins. I eagerly anticipate what I am going to learn whenever I choose to take a close look at his newest offerings; and I am not disappointed this time either. There is so much to learn, and I never feel overwhelmed by what he chooses to share. That is why I would love it if you and your children and students would check out his work, no matter the subject. He amazes me with his wide ranging interests and his neverending questions about animals, habitats, the world and our place in it.

In this wonderful book, he chose one subject...the ocean and he fills us with so much informaion that I was mesmerized for an hour, returning to check the depths, the colors, the text. Beginning at the surface, he shows us how the gathered information will be shared. The illustrations are up to his usual standard, using cut paper collage and brilliant color (and then diminishing color)to let intrigued readers see the life that exists at each depth. There is a text box, filled with all that 'stuff' I didn't know and didn't know I wanted to know. On the right side, he shows a measuring stick so that we can follow it from the top to the bottom of the ocean.

We move from the surface to the sunlight zone and then down, down, down to the twilight zone, the dark zone, the Abyssal plain, the hydrothermal vents and the Marianis trench. Who would have guessed...except those whose passion and perhaps vocation is the study of this wonder-filled place.

You will recognize many of the creatures depicted in the sunlight zone...near the surface the water is warm and the sun keeps it that way. This is the place where people can dive to see the life that exists for 10 metres below the surface. After that scuba equipment is needed to make a dive. He gives us access to the life that exists in the twilight zone, where only animals can live. Without light, plant life cannot survive. It is completely dark to the human eye.

And so we go down into the even murkier depths of this astonishing ecosystem. The creatures become stranger, and have adapted complicated ways of protecting themselves and of finding food. Throughout the descent the sidebar keeps us attuned to the depth we have reached, the temperature at that depth and the ocean life that can still be found there. AMAZING! Kids will constantly want to share what they are learning as they go, appreciating the artwork, the accessible information shared and the chance to explore something rarely documented.

Nothing prepared me for what I would learn in this remarkable book and while it does not encourage me to try deep sea diving, or even yearn to know more about the ocean, it has upped my knowledge about something that I thought I did know, when really I knew very little. What a spectacular place this home called Earth really is!

Troll's-Eye View, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. Penguin Group (Canada), 2009. $21.00 ages 9 and up

"His name was simply Troll and he had no other. His Mother had little imagination when it came to names, or anything else. Lack of imagination is why you so seldom see Trolls today. Except on the Internet."

An interesting take on the bad ones that people folklore: trolls, witches, ogres, wolves, giants, wizards and others. The authors are well-known and such clever storytellers that you cannot help but be caught up in their retellings of some very familiar fare. There are twelve short stories and three poems and each has its own originality, presenting the rapscallion as somehow misunderstood for their behavior. I particularly liked "The Unwelcome Guest' Rapunzel, who is presented as a spoiled and obnoxious young woman who has tricked the witch in order to find refuge in her castle; and it takes some sly thinking to get rid of her.

Some of the stories are dark and haunting but there are touches of humor that will have readers chuckling as well. If, like me, you enjoy alternate tellings of familiar fairy tales, I think you will something here to like and to share with your middle graders. They will love to sit and listen, and get a feel for the 'other side' of those villains that we so love to hate.

A few left me unsettled, and I know they will be mine for longer than I would like. The humor in 'Up the Down Beanstalk: A Wife Remembers' made me smile often (and laugh out loud) and left me with a genuine feeling of warmth for the woman who had to deal with a cheeky visitor who demanded that she give his cow back (which was stolen by the giant) or offer a trade...perhaps a hen that laid golden eggs or a harp? Here's a snippet:

"And people do keep climbing my old beanstalk, no matter how poor Jack runs all over, warning them not to, so there's any amount of company, and I hardly ever eat out. It's princes, mostly - they don't taste any better than anyone else, no matter what you hear - and once there was this whole bunch of dwarves, the dearest little fat fellows. Perfect timing, that was, because my bridge circle was meeting over here that day. So, I stay interested, that's what's important - being interested."

Great inventive writing, causing readers and listeners to stop and think about it, and a host of stories to be shared. The variety is amazing, the writing strong and the lingering memories will take you back to it again. It's always wonderful to hear 'the other side of the story' so well known to us. Enjoy!

The Moon Over Star, written by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Penguin Group (Canada), 2008. $20.00 ages 6 and up

"ONCE UPON A SUMMER'S MORNING
In 1969,
Grandpa led the singing in church,
The light of Sunday gleaming on his silvery head.
Through the open window our voices sailed
Over Star, our town.
Then we bowed our heads and prayed for
The astronauts,
Neil Armstrong,
Edwin Aldrin, Jr.,
And Michael Collins.
If all went well
A spaceship would land on the moon today,
And I dreamed thah maybe one day,
I could go to the moon too."

When Mae’s eyes turn skyward on July 20,1969, she is harboring a dream…the same dream that Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins had earlier shared. As she reveals her dream to her Grandpa, an old tired farmer, she begins to wonder about his childhood dreams. The moon has helped her grandfather do his life’s work and perhaps someday it will help her to realize her own personal aspiration. For now, she can use her imagination and all the building materials available to make the dream a reality. Lovely language and gentle watercolor illustrations provide a glimpse at history in the making.

Almost Astronauts, written by Tanya Lee Stone. Candlewick, Random House, 2009. $20.00 ages 10 and up

"It was 1961 when they took their shot at being astronauts. Back then, women weren't allowed to rent a car or take out a loan from the bank without a man's signature; they could not play on a professional sports team at all. They couldn't report the news on televsion or run in a city marathon or serve as police officers. They weren't allowed to fly jets, either. And these were just some of the bigger examples.

None of that kept these women from trying to be astronauts."

We've come a long way, baby!

Meet the 13 women who should have been real contenders for America's early space program. ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is a book that has made me aware of the fact that I had never heard of these women and their fight to find a place in what was then a man’s world. When NASA was created in 1958, there was an unspoken rule in place: astronauts must be male, and they must be white.

While these brilliant women were capable, performed unbelievably well on all tests that needed to be passed before acceptance into the program and had all the qualifications, their dreams were not fulfilled. Their passage to space was blocked by prejudice, jealousy, and a scrawled note by a powerful man.

The author brilliantly portrays the thirteen with genuine interest in their story and the events that blocked them from being in those first spaceships. They are true pioneers of the space age. It took until 1983 for Sally Ride to be the first American woman astronaut on a Challenger flight. It gets me wondering about all of the other important stories of history that I actually lived through but have, to this point, missed out on.

S is for Save the Planet, written by Brad Herzog and illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss. Sleeping Bear, HB Fenn, 2009. $19.95 ages 6 and up

"B is for bright idea
a bulb that lasts much longer."

Using a familiar format, the author shares with his readers a gentle reminder that we are visitors on this planet we call Earth and we must take steps to ensure its future, if we want to continue to enjoy life as we know it. It is up to all of us!

Much will change over the next ten years if politicians and the earth’s people work together to make things better for all. From A to Z, we are inundated with ideas that can begin to make the changes we must make to live better lives. Take care with lights, conserve fuel, recycle, reduce, reuse…. the messages are worth repeating until we all determine to take a bigger role in protecting our home. This is one of the books in the Planet Earth alphabet set and will be useful as additional information for those seeking to make that difference.

Nana's Getting Married, written by Heather Hartt-Sussman and illustrated by Georgia Graham. Tundra, 2010. $19.99 ages 5 and up

"But ever since she met Bob, everuything has changed. Now Nana does her hair differently. She gets pedicures on Friday afternoons. And instead of staying home with me on weekends, she goes out with her boyfriend, Bob."

As readers of literature for the young, we are often privy to the feelings of sibling rivalry that results when a new baby arrives, or an older brother can do something that the younger one cannot, or a younger sister gets away with something that is not acceptable for the older ones. It is not often that we share stories of a grandparent's new love and subsequent changes that result for the jealous grandchild. At least, not until now.

Nana's love for Bob is the cause of much consternation for her young grandson. Since meeting her new love, Nana has changed her hair, wears flashy clothes, takes long bubble baths and wears makeup, for goodness sake!! The young man thinks it is GROSS and he approves of none of it.

The family tries everything to make the matter more palatable, but he refuses to change his opinion. He fakes illness, is naughty, cries, whines, pouts, and makes disparaging remarks to Bob about Nana's memory, her gallstones and even her bad knee. Bob shows no concerns...he thinks she is perfect!

When Nana sits him down and asks him to be their ring bearer when she marries Bob, his first reaction is an adamant refusal. But, Nana has some news for him and much reassurance. The day of the wedding dawns clear and bright, and no one is prouder of the two newlyweds that their very elegant and assured ring bearer!

Humorous dialogue, detailed artwork and a story with a bit of a twist make this a great readaloud. I know I will be using it as I make my rounds for 'I Love to Read' visits to schools in February. There is lots of room for expression in the reading, and to encourage discussions about change, and the new order of things.

A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk, written by Deborah Ruddell and illustrated by Joan Rankin.Simon & Schuster, 2009. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"In a watery mirror
the rugged raccoon
admires his face
by the light of the moon:
the mysterious mask,
the whiskers beneath,
the sliver of cricket
still stuck in his teeth."

I so admired Deborah Ruddell's first book of poetry, Today at the Bluebird Cafe (Simon & Schuster, 2007) that I was really eager to read this second book. Would I be disappointed? Could she possibly do as well as that first time? I am not disappointed! She has created a new and wonderful cache of poems about the forest. There are twenty-two of them and they are timed to reflect the passing of a year in that ecosystem...they begin in spring and end when it seems that winter may be bidding its final farewell. The animals of the forest are the focus, even while she is describing the vegetation and environs.

She is a master at choosing just the right word to make her rhyming verses appealing and entertaining, while informative. Humor is at the heart of much of this astute collection. I particularly love, and have often shared, the turkey's lament about our use of his personage for Thanksgiving art.

"My head is quite distinguished
and it's nothing like your thumb."

That is just a taste. It really is a riot to share in classrooms and with students who regularly employ the hand method for creating this poor, beleaguered creature.
Her word choice is impeccable and rhythmic. So much to share and such a welcome talent to the poets who are writing remarkable work for our students and children to enjoy.

Joan Rankin's watercolors give life to the creatures described and turn the forest into an endlessly interesting place to be. The textures are intriguing, and the brighter colors a perfect match to the muted backgrounds. While we are conscious that the focus of this collection is the forest, we are also clearly aware of those animals who make it their home. Readers will feel an immediate empathy as they note the expressions and postures of each woodland creature, from the turtle in sunglasses to the closely observed green tiger beetle.

If a pattern is established, we might have to wait until 2011 for her next wonderful collection. I know, now, that it will be worth that wait!

Posy, written by Linda Newbery and illustrated by Catherine Rayner. Atheneum, Simon & Schuster, 2008. $19.99 ages 2 and up

"She's a whiskers wiper, crayon swiper. Playful wrangler, knitting tangler. Spider catcher, sofa scratcher."

Even if you don't love kittens, you will love Posy. I promise you that! She is a striped ball of fur, who happily goes about her day doing what kittens are meant to do. At least, I think that's right. I have never had a kitten, never wanted one and still think my position holds. But, too much time spent with Posy could turn the most adamant stance to melted butter.

Her day begins with getting cleaned up and ready, and she moves on to partake of any feline fun she can imagine. She tangles herself in a pink ball of wool, sharpens her claws on the sofa's surface and then heads outdoors to see what trouble awaits. A chance encounter with another kitten results in spitting, squabbling and eventual peace. Her adventures inside and out show her inquisitive nature, her playfulness and even her fear of something larger and more assertive. Her happy return to hearth and home bring cuddles, reconnections and finally, sleep. It's been that kind of day!

The rhyming text, the brilliant illstrations bring Posy to glorious life as we share her day, her dreams, and her dilemmas. It's short and captivating, and will bring great joy to those who love the playfulness of kittens. It is as if Posy lives on these pages, with lots of white space surrounding her and lots of opportunity to explore her world. Lest you think it is a story only for the very young, please know that it provides a great lesson in perfect word choice and lets its readers experience the rhythms and rhymes of our beautiful language.

Nasreen's Secret School, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster, 2009. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"Poor Nasreen sat at home all day,
because girls are forbidden to attend school.
The Taliban soldiers don't want girls to learn about the world,
the way Nasreen's mama and I learned
when we were girls."

Jeanette Winter begins with an 'author's note' that tells readers of her journey to its publication. The story of Nasreen was shared by one of the founders of the secret schools that were established in Afghanistan while the Taliban held power. At that time girls were not allowed to go to school and women weren't allowed to work outside the home, leave home without a male chaperone, and had to wear a burqa that covered their entire body, but for their eyes. So many things were lost in a child's life, including family.

Nasreen's story is told by her grandmother, a woman who defied the ruling Taliban and showed great courage to make her granddaughter's life better. She did so in the face of great danger to herself.

Nasreen's parents are both missing and she lives in sadness and silence, awaiting their return. Her grandmother is very worried about her and decides that Nasreen should attend a secret school for girls. Taking a great risk, she hurries her granddaughter through the lanes to a green gate where Nasreen is made welcome. Her silence remains, and while threats are made to the learning being done, the girls continue to learn about the world beyond the gate. Nasreen needs nothing. She is unresponsive and alone. When winter brings a long break from school, Grandmother and Nasreen continue the vigil for their family. Once school resumes another student, Mina, is brave enough to tell Nasreen that she has missed her. It is just what Nasreen needs to break her silence. In doing so, she shares her story and her deep sadness with her new friend. It is a marked change in the young girl. She begins to learn to read, write and do math this knowledge sustains her. Her abiding interest in this new world gives her grandmother strength to move forward, with a sense of certainty that soldiers will never be able to take away what Nasreen has gained while attending the 'secret school'.

Books like this one make us part of the world community, giving us an opportunity to know how other children live. It invites open discussion about war and how it affects children, how it changes their lives and how it causes people to be even more courageous in the face of such adversity. It shows us the resilience of the human spirit and informs our hearts and minds.

The Hog Prince, written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrated by Jason Wolff. Dutton, Penguin Group (Canada), 2009. $20.00 ages 5 and up

"'Why?' Petunia would snort. 'We already live high on the hog.' But Eldon didn't think so. He was fed up with mud-wallowing and slop-gobbling. Instead, he dreamed of the princely life. After all, he thought, princes live in luxury and they always get the girl. What's not to like about that?"

Eldon does, indeed, have high aspirations and as he daily watches the glittering carriages pass his mudhole, he dreams of being a prince. When an inept and somewhat confused fairy godmother announces that he has been under a spell, he discovers that his escape from this tiresome tedium is dependent on a kiss from his true love.
Delighted and optimistic, Eldon kisses every beautiful lady he lays his eyes on, while Petunia (his best friend) follows in his wake. Petunia is offended by his behavior and when she finally lands a kiss on Eldon's portly cheek, she has something to say that needs to be said: 'you just don't get it, do you?' The kiss changes nothing.

As in other alternate tellings of a fairy tale, there is something amiss. We are soon to discover that the fairy godmother's message was meant for a frog (we knew that, didn't we?) and Eldon remains a porker. But he is a porker loved by Petunia and finally aware that he might have a good thing going here. The two seem happy with their new reality.

Petunia is persistent, patient and personable as she outsmarts the object of her affection. Eldon is egocentric, eager and finally enchanted by the turn of events when he discovers that his best friend is his best 'girl'. Both are endearing and humorous. The cartoon-like artwork adds to the appeal, giving us strong textures and charming twists for out visual enjoyment. Familiar fairy tale characters, the 'eeeuww' of the porcine kisses and the subsequent happy ending will make this a memorable and enjoyable read in an early years classroom, or at home.

How to Scatch a Wombat, written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Clarion, Thomas Allen, 2009. $19.95 ages 8 and up

"I've studied wombats, tracking them through the bush, watching and keeping notes, slowly becoming a 'wombat expert', adding to the knowledge of these fascinating creatures. Over the years I've worked out ways that farmers and gardeners can grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers and coexist with Australian wildlife like wallabies and wombats without fencing them out or killing them."

The lesson I have learned in reading this superb nonfiction text is this: if you want to know about something you have no knowledge of, ask someone who has a great affection for it. In this case, ask Jackie French any question you can conjure about wombats, and she will regale you with anecdote after anecdote about her life with them on her farm and in the wilds of New South Wales. Her love for wombats began with a visitor named Smudge and has never ended. In her first book about them, Diary of a Wombat (Harper, 2002), the little beast showed us what power she could evoke when determination and stamina were hers...finally, making the humans adhere to her needs and temperament. What followed for author French was a plethora of inquiries from her readers wanting to know more about the species that few of us have ever seen. Years of observation and interest (thirty years and forty-eight wombats and counting) led her to put pen to paper again and to share with us 'all things wombat'. This book will answer most basic questions and add countless stories about little known creature. She includes a glossary of 'words to know' that is most helpful as we delve into her well-written chronicle.

Bruce Whatley adds to the allure with his illustrations that include realistic renderings alongside his cartoon-like drawings which show the rotund, furry and very likeable creatures as they go about living...their burrows, their ancestors, their babies and their food fetishes.

What a wonderful readaloud this would be to introduce your students to the scientific inquiry process that Jackie French used in order to learn all she wanted to know about these amazing creatures. She is a superb writer and we have the opportunity to share her enthusiasm, her observational skills and her patient determination to become an 'expert'. This is a winning work, fact-filled and never sluggish. Readers will move from one story to the next with interest and zest, always wanting to hear and to know more!

Diamond Willow, written by Helen Frost. Farrar, Douglas & McIntyre, 2008, $18.50 ages 12 and up

It's impossible to do justice to the beauty of design in this poetic story. So, I will not include a quote from it; but, I will strongly urge you to see if you can find a copy so that you, too, can enjoy the beauty of the land, the young woman, and especially the superbly chosen language used to tell it.

A young girl who loves her family, her dogs and her life in Alaska seeks solace in her Athabascan roots in a quest to find her place in the world. Willow loves to run the dogs with her father and at twelve, she thinks she is old enough to take to the trails and make the trip to her grandparents on her own. After much pleading she gets her wish. You know that all will not go well. Along the way as we hear the voices of her ancestors watching over her, we learn Willow’s story.

Told in free verse, with each entry shaped like a diamond and containing a bolded message for the reader, we are sled riders when Willow’s adventure turns tragic and frightening. Help comes from surprising places and while Willow thinks she is more interested in blending in than sticking out, she finds inspiration in the discoveries that she makes on her journey to being her best self.

Orangutan Tongs, written and illustrated by Jon Agee. Hyperion, HB Fenn, 2009. $20.99 ages 5 and up

"Should you shove a surly soldier
In the surly soldier’s shoulder,
The surly soldier surely will turn red."

It’s amazing how tough it can be to read aloud some of these tongue tanglers! They are so much fun and worth the work! You are sure to hear kids chanting their favorites when they finally acheive success and get them right. Then, have them read the poems as a team to see how well they do with that challenge. I find that whenever I try to share these poems, I experience trouble...even reading the words directly from text has my brain going the wrong way. That is a great part of the fun...and committing them to my memory bank is a seemingly impossible or improbable feat.

Jon Agee's watercolor artwork adds to the fun created in this wonderful book. He fills the pages with playful visual images that match the tone and text of the tongue twisters shared.

Now try this:

"A dodo'll dawdle, a dodo'll diddle,
A dodo'll doodle a doodle or two.
A dodo'll yodel, a dodo'll coo.
But that's about all that a dodo'll do."

Nic Bishop's Butterflies and Moths, written and with photographs by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2009. $19.99 ages 8 and up

"A creature so beautiful should belong in a fairy tale. But butterflies are real. They dance through the woods and glide over fields. You can see them in parks and backyards. And they always catch your attention."

Oh, that Nic Bishop! He never ceases to amaze with his outstanding attention to detail in nonfiction reading for the young. He is dedicated to his craft and has garnered amazing knowledge in his own searches for information to share with his audience. If you have been fortunate enough to see his other books, you will recognize the elements of this worthwhile work. The text is accessible and the presentation is familiar. He includes basic details such as habitat, migration, food, and life cycle. He adds those characteristics that make butterflies and moths unique, and gives space to metamorphosis and camouflage.

For me it is always the brilliant, and often breathtaking, photographs that give a close-up look at the real beauty of the species. He uses professional techniques to allow his readers perspective and authenticity. His afterwords give us a glimpse at the dedication that makes him a master of the genre. He waited long years and took a quickly arranged trip to Costa Rica to photograph a rare caterpillar with special abilities. There is rich information here and the images are glorious, with captions that offer explanation for the photos taken.

The afterword is always fascinating, an index and glossary are helpful and the sense of awe this book inspires is so worth your time and attention. Check out any book that has Nic Bishop's name on it. You will not be disappointed!