Meet Jay Jay and His Friends
by Kelli Chipponeri
Published 2002 by Price Stern Sloan

Board Books, English. ISBN: 0843149043

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Oh, Say Can You Say Di-No-Saur?
by Bonnie Worth
Published 1999 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0679891145

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The Cat in the Hat makes another surprise appearance at Dick and Sally's house--only this time he makes his entrance riding atop a brachiosaurus! Soon, he's off, along with Dick and Sally, millions of years back in time to see how fossils were created. Then it's on to a tour through the Cat's own Super Dino Museum--a fabulous place where the correct pronunciation of a dinosaur's name wins you a peek at the real living thing! Beginning readers will love exploring the prehistoric world of dinosaurs with the Cat in the Hat as their guide!

09/01/1999 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 Two titles that feature that favorite old cat, along with Thing One, Thing Two, and Sally and Dick. Both are told in rhythmic couplets. Di-no-saur introduces fossils using a museum as the setting. "With a club for a tail/and a back full of spikes,/this dino was strong /like an army tank. Yikes!" The dinosaurs' names are given, as well as their physical traits. Fish uses a deep-sea sub to take readers through five undersea zones, illustrating the types of fish that would be found at each depth. Even after close examination, the pictures cannot be easily distinguished from those drawn by Dr. Seuss. A good choice for kids who still like their nonfiction told in story form and laced with humor. Sharon R. Pearce, Geronimo Public School, OK

I Can Name 50 Trees Today!: All about Trees
by Bonnie Worth
Published 2006 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0375822771

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While stopping to admire some of the world's most amazing trees, the Cat and Co. teach beginning readers how to identify different species, many found in North America, from the shape of their crowns, leaves, lobes, seeds, bark, and fruit. Full color.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
by Isabella Hatkoff
Published 2006 by Scholastic Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0439829739

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The inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-yr-old giant tortoise named Mzee (Mm-ZAY). When Owen was stranded after the Dec 2004 tsunami, villagers in Kenya worked tirelessly to rescue him. Then, to everyone's amazement, the orphan hippo and the elderly tortoise adopted each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photos e-mailed from friend to friend quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often pull us apart.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 02/13/2006

Remarkable" seems too tame a word for this memorable book about a friendship between two wild creatures. Its genesis lay in Greste's photo of a baby hippo snuggling with a giant tortoise, which appeared in newspapers the month after the cataclysmic 2004 tsunami. Craig Hatkoff and his then six-year-old daughter, moved by that image and by the accompanying article, decided to learn more about these animal companions-and to write their story. They do so succinctly and smoothly, ably aided by Kahumbu, manager of the Kenyan animal sanctuary, Haller Park, where the two creatures now live. Greste's crisp, closely focused photos will instantly endear the title characters to readers. When the tsunami struck Kenya, Owen was separated from his mother and the rest of their pod and became stranded on a coral reef. Several spreads chronicle the hippo's difficult rescue and transport to the sanctuary. Once set loose, he immediately scrambled toward Mzee (the Swahili term for "wise old man"), a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise: "Owen crouched behind Mzee, the way baby hippos often hide behind their mothers for protection." The unadorned text allows the facts themselves to move readers, making clear how the improbable bond between the now inseparable mammal and reptile has helped resilient Owen recover from his traumatic ordeal. ("Most [wildlife experts] have never heard of a mammal... and a reptile... forming such a strong bond.") Priceless images document the pair swimming together or nuzzling, their rough skins complementing each other. In several of Greste's photos, the two creatures appear to have genuine smiles on their faces. Readers will have the same. Ages 4-8.(Feb.)

05/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 5 -When the six-year-old contributor to this book saw the photograph documenting the extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise (Mzee), she persuaded her father to help tell their story. Originally an e-book, the hardcover version begins with images of the duo, whetting readers- appetite and providing reassurance as the potentially disturbing plot unfolds. After a scene depicting a pod of hippos near the Sabuki River in Kenya, the text describes the 600-pound baby-s displacement and separation from the group during the 2004 tsunami. Children witness the challenging rescue and meet the knowledgeable staff at an animal sanctuary. From Owen-s first approach for protection to Mzee-s unexpected tolerance, the photographs, mostly by BBC photojournalist Greste, capture the pair eating, swimming, snuggling, and playing together. Their contentment and peace are palpable. Because it is sensitively structured, with careful choices about what is emphasized and illustrated, the situation does not overwhelm readers. The text and the back matter are brimming with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locale. This touching story of the power of a surprising friendship to mitigate the experience of loss is full of heart and hope. A worthy complement is Ann Morris and Heidi Larson-s glimpse at a human family-s loss and recovery inTsunami: Helping Each Other (Millbrook, 2005).-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Rooster Can't Cock-A-Doodle-Doo
by Karen Rostoker-Gruber
Published 2004 by Dial Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0803728778

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Rooster has a sore throat and can't cock-a-doodle-doo. Farmer Ted is sleeping, and there's no one to gather the eggs, milk the cows, shear the sheep, and feed the pigs. Rooster needs help--and fast. Full color.

07/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2 -Silenced by a sore throat, Rooster is unable to wake up Farmer Ted. The bird rouses the hens with a "Cough!" and they join him to awaken the cows, summon the sheep, and then wake up the pigs. Together, the animals implement a plan to get Farmer Ted out of bed. Once this is accomplished, he needs help to finish the chores before day's end. After the farmer brews warm tea and honey to soothe Rooster's sore throat, the rest of the gang assists him with the milking, feeding, egg gathering, and shearing. By sunset, the work is finished and Rooster has regained his crow. The story moves quickly and the text is packed with amusing puns. Cleanly executed in pencil, ink, marker, and colored pencil, the brightly colored, realistic cartoons add humor to the story. The pigs especially are real hams as they go about their share of the labor. The large size and simplicity of the drawings will work well for groups.-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Flotsam
by David Wiesner
Published 2006 by Clarion Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0618194576

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In this wordless masterpiece from a two-time Caldecott medalist, a bright, science-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine flotsam--anything floating that has been washed ashore. Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 07/24/2006

Two-time Caldecott winner Wiesner (Tuesday ;The Three Pigs) crafts another wordless mystery, this one set on an ordinary beach and under an enchanted sea. A saucerlike fish's eye stares from the exact center of the dust jacket, and the fish's scarlet skin provides a knockout background color. First-timers might not notice what's reflected in its eye, but return visitors will: it's a boxy camera, drifting underwater with a school of slim green fish. In the opening panels, Wiesner pictures another close-up eye, this one belonging to a blond boy viewing a crab through a magnifying glass. Visual devices-binoculars and a microscope in a plastic bag-rest on a nearby beach towel, suggesting the boy's optical curiosity. After being tossed by a wave, the studious boy finds a barnacle-covered apparatus on the sand (evocatively labeled the "Melville Underwater Camera"). He removes its roll of film and, when he gets the results, readers see another close-up of his wide-open, astonished eye: the photos depict bizarre undersea scenes (nautilus shells with cutout windows, walking starfish-islands, octopi in their living roomà laTuesday 's frogs). A lesser fantasist would end the story here, but Wiesner provides a further surprise that connects the curious boy with others like him. Masterfully altering the pace with panel sequences and full-bleed spreads, he fills every inch of the pages with intricate, imaginative watercolor details. New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion. Ages 5-8.(Sept.)

09/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 4 -A wave deposits an old-fashioned contraption at the feet of an inquisitive young beachcomber. It-s a -Melville underwater camera,- and the excited boy quickly develops the film he finds inside. The photos are amazing: a windup fish, with intricate gears and screwed-on panels, appears in a school with its living counterparts; a fully inflated puffer, outfitted as a hot-air balloon, sails above the water; miniature green aliens kowtow to dour-faced sea horses; and more. The last print depicts a girl, holding a photo of a boy, and so on. As the images become smaller, the protagonist views them through his magnifying glass and then his microscope. The chain of children continues back through time, ending with a sepia image of a turn-of-the-20th-century boy waving from a beach. After photographing himself holding the print, the youngster tosses the camera back into the ocean, where it makes its way to its next recipient. This wordless book-s vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy. Shifting perspectives, from close-ups to landscape views, and a layout incorporating broad spreads and boxed sequences, add drama and motion to the storytelling and echo the photographic theme. Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told. Pair this visual adventure with Wiesner-s other works, Chris Van Allsburg-s titles, or Barbara Lehman-sThe Red Book (Houghton, 2004) for a mind-bending journey of imagination.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Shoo, Fly Guy!
by Tedd Arnold
Published 2006 by Cartwheel Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0439639050

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Fly Guy returns home to discover that Buzz has gone on a picnic without him. Sad and hungry, Fly Guy takes off in search of his favorite food. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun.

09/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 2 -Fly Guy is back for his third adventure in this rollicking series. This time, the unusual pet is exploring on his own while his owner, Buzz, has gone on a picnic. Fly Guy is searching for something good to eat. Readers are told that his favorite food is -brown, oozy, lumpy, and smelly.- His first find isn-t -oozy, lumpy, or smelly. But it was brown. Close enough!- Then the boy who is about to eat the hamburger shoos him off, and Fly Guy must look again. The scene repeats as the exuberant bug finds other -close enough- foods and gets shooed away. At last, he finds the perfect brown, oozy, lumpy, smelly food and is reunited with Buzz. This book has tons of kid appeal, as beginning readers follow the small hero through the zippy, funny story. Clear, bright pictures are surrounded by lots of white space, and the large block letters in a casual font are easy to read. Simple sentences with repetition reinforce reading skills in a humorous way. This delightful book is guaranteed to fly off library shelves.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Uno's Garden
by Graeme Base
Published 2006 by HNA Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0810954737

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Base's newest picture book will cleverly entice kids to love math and counting games--replete with a conservationist twist. The text is a moving and timely tale about how people unknowingly affect the environment and how one can always learn from mistakes and do things better.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 07/17/2006

Base (The Water Hole) here accessibly dives into such ecological themes as extinction, overpopulation and the balance of nature. Uno, with elongated face and bulbous nose, builds his home in an exotic forest. His one house quickly gives way to a village and finally, a polluted city devoid of animals and plants-except for those preserved in the hero's small garden. Rebus-like equations in the upper right corner of each page or spread catalogue the decreasing flora and fauna, and the increase in the number of buildings. Children will appreciate the composite animals with names such as Lumpybums (one-eyed, duck-billed monkeys with purple bumps on their backsides). Though the animals begin to disappear with the encroachment of the city, they make a comeback by book's end-with the exception of the mysterious Snortlepig (a hybrid of armadillo, dog and pig). The book's large square trim size and polished spreads, aided by the tally of creatures on the top borders, invite readers to participate in a seek-and-find. Reflecting the theme of balance, Base's diverse stylistic elements satisfyingly coexist (e.g., realistic renderings of fantasy animals; organically shaped foliage juxtaposed with angular skyscrapers). Just when youngsters might conclude that the human footprint is nothing but bad, Uno's garden provides the genesis for rebirth. A dramatic gatefold reveals a new, harmonious human coexistence with nature. While ending on a hopeful note about the power of one person (Uno) to make a difference, the missing Snortlepig drives home a somber point. Ages 4-8.(Sept.)

09/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 2-5 -This timely book focuses on the importance of striking a balance between development and conservation of nature. When Uno moves to the forest, he is surrounded by 100 plants and a variety of imaginary animals, including the common Snortlepig. He plants a garden. As more and more people arrive and build houses, stores, and businesses, the plants and animals begin to disappear. Eventually, all that remain are buildings surrounded by gray skies, and the people abandon the city, leaving Uno, his little garden, and the Snortlepig. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren take care of the plot after Uno is gone and keep track of the creatures they see. Slowly the environment recovers. The Snortlepig, however, has disappeared. At first, the illustrations are colorful with fanciful animals and plants, but they become dark and grim as nature is crowded out. The earth rebounds, and so does the color. Students will enjoy searching the pictures, counting the plants and animals, and finding the elusive Snortlepig. This is an effective starting point for discussions about conservation, with some math lessons along the way.-Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

Curious George Learns to Count from 1 to 100
by H. A. Rey
Published 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0618476024

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Curious George is a good little monkey, and always very curious. Now George is curious about numbers. Countingfrom 1 to 10 is easy, but can he count all the way to 100? George has picked the perfect day to try. It' s his town' s 100th birthday today and everyone is coming out to celebrate!

With the help of his friend, the man with the yellow hat, George learns to countfrom 1 to 100, making his usual monkey mischief along the way. Young minds (and little fingers) will find all kinds of wonderful things to count as they turn each colorful page.

In this large format, paper-over-board book each page features familiar objects for children to count. From home (toys, shoes, plates) to the park (bugs, sticks, clouds) to school (paste, crayons, books) George finds many different things to count. A perfect book for celebrating counting, numbers and the 100th day of school.

10/01/2005 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1 -Curious George is back in this counting adventure that is chock-full of activities such as grouping, mapping, and sorting questions, prompted by a little blue bird that travels with him throughout the book. Readers will enjoy exploring with the monkey as he and the man with the yellow hat go from home to school to the town's Centennial Celebration. Hines's color illustrations in the style of H. A. Rey contain many things for young learners to count, including a parade of ants, leaves blowing in the air, and rungs on a ladder, so this title may be best for sharing one-on-one. Ideas for using the story to enhance learning as well as ways to explore numbers are included at the end of the book.-Tracy Bell, Eastway Elementary School, Durham, NC

Do Princesses Scrape Their Knees?
by Carmela LaVigna Coyle
Published 2006 by Rising Moon Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780873589093

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This active princess plays soccer, does yoga, falls on the ice, and scrapes her knobby knees. This charming story helps children see that doing their best is all that really matters, and that it's okay to fall down and scrape their knees when trying something new.

When Sheep Sleep
by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Published 2006 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0810954699

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By "New York Times" #1 best-selling author, Laura Numeroff and award-winning illustrator, David McPhail!

When you can't fall asleep

Then try counting sheep!

But what do you do if the sheep are already asleep? "New York Times" best-selling author Laura Numeroff, has crafted the perfect lullaby in which a small child imagines she encounters many cuddly animal families, only to find that they, too, are snuggled fast asleep! Lovely, soothing watercolors by award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator David McPhail capture the dreaminess of bedtime.

Laura Numeroff and David McPhail, two icons in the world of children's books, make an invincible team with their first collaboration, "When Sheep Sleep." Children will reach for this new classic again and again as the warm, gentle illustrations and calming rhyme lull them to sleep.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 09/11/2006

For the child who isn't easily fooled into sleep-and the parent who must outsmart him-comes a soothing story that gently coerces little ones into bed. "When you can't fall asleep,/ Then try counting sheep!/ But what do you do if the sheep are asleep," beings Numeroff's (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) reprise of the "what if" game. Rhyming verse smoothly moves the story along, as a girl and her teddy bear consider other animal alternatives. From pigs that "snore in a heap" to "cats on the sofa/ .../ snuggled asleep," the two soon learn that no creature is immune to the lure of eventual slumber. The rhythm of the verse produces an almost hypnotic effect, the better to act as a sleep-inducing agent for young listeners. Muted watercolor images of dozing creatures tenderly capture the peacefulness that accompanies sleep. McPhail (Mole Music) keeps readers' interest by mixing up the many perspectives from a child's eye-view, be it up close and personal while peering inside a rabbit hutch or observing a nest of birds from a safe distance. The final image of the entire ensemble at the foot of the bed of the now-sleeping girl leaves a satisfying last impression. Ages 4-8.(Oct.)

10/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2 -A wide-awake child discovers that the sheep that she was literally counting on to help her doze off are fast asleep in a huge woolly pile at the foot of her bed. Exploring other options, she decides to -Count cows in the meadow/Instead of the sheep.- But they are also snoozing in the moonlight. With her teddy bear by her side, she peeks in on pigs snoring in the mud, robins dreaming in their nest, and cats snuggled up on the sofa. McPhail-s charming watercolor-and-ink illustrations are infused with warmth and are a lovely complement to the gentle, rhyming lullaby. The final scene shows all of the animals tenderly watching over the child tucked into bed, tired out from counting and drifting off to sleep. This cozy tale is sure to become a bedtime favorite.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Grumpy Gloria
by Anna Dewdney
Published 2006 by Viking Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0670061239

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From "Llama Red Pajama" to lovable Gloria the Bulldog, Dewdney creates characters to which children can relate. In "Grumpy Gloria," the glum pooch feels left out when the girl who owns her receives a doll for her birthday. Full color. 9 1/2x 11.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 10/09/2006

With a delightfully fresh take on the time-proven theme about a family member who feels displaced by a new arrival, Dewdney (Llama, Llama Red Pajama) features a jowly bulldog named Gloria. When the youngest child receives a new doll for her birthday, Gloria is definitely "glum and grumpy./ Out of sorts./ Sad and lumpy." The two older siblings do everything they can to cajole her (while the youngest plays with her doll). They give her a chew, new toys and a brushing, take her for a walk and dress her up in play clothes, but "sullen, scowly, sulky, slumpy.../ Gloria was staying grumpy." Dewdney portrays Gloria's hilariously tragic emotions withélan. The dog's brows are furrowed, her nose is wrinkled, and her jaw is rigid, but her indignation and crabbiness never make her less lovable. Readers will figure out the cause before the pair of siblings does; and when Gloria gets bumped from a bicycle basket into the doll's baby buggy, her mood substantially improves. The humor of the book comes through not only in Gloria's facial expressions but also in the lilting descriptions of her feelings. Cleverly, the front endpapers feature the two friends playing together, while the back endpapers add the new doll joining in the same games. The lively descriptions and amusing rhymes will make this a favorite for toddlers who feel left out. Ages 2-up.(Sept.)

09/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-K -In this sweet story, a bulldog feels replaced when her young owner gets a doll for her birthday, and cannot be comforted by the other two children in the family. Unfortunately, the text is composed of singsong rhymes, mostly lists of single words rather than full sentences, which often seem awkward and do not scan well. Charming little vignettes on the endpapers show the canine and the little girl in happier times: Gloria pulls her in a wagon, watches intently as she blows bubbles, and looks content when she is being petted. Throughout the story, the pup-s expressions exude attitude, but the siblings- faces seem a little static even as their body movements capture the action. In several places, the very tops of the children-s heads are cut off, creating visuals that look as if the artist ran out of space. Large illustrations done in rich, bright colors are great for viewing at a distance, and the text, if read aloud, could be given expression. Preschoolers will laugh at Gloria-s antics and undoubtedly sympathize with her feelings. However, while the author-sLlama, Llama Red Pajama (Viking, 2005) is a surefire winner, this effort is an additional purchase.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Go Away, Big Green Monster!
by Edward R. Emberley
Published 1993 by LB Kids

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0316236535

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Caldecott medalist Ed Emberley has designed an ingenious book to help children overcome their fear of monsters. With each turn of the page, a new part is revealed, until all of a big, green monster has taken shape. Then, with the words, "You don't scare me!, " page by page, the monster slowly disappears. Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 03/29/1993

The Caldecott Medalist makes wonderful use of innovative production techniques in this ingenious offering. Differently diecut and boldly colored pages reveal increasingly scary features of a big green monster--on the first spread, we see two big yellow eyes; on the second, the eyes plus a long blue nose; and so on, until the monster is fully unmasked. But that's only half the story. "You don't scare me!'' reads the caption after the monster is shown in all its horror. Turn more pages and, one by one, the scary features disappear, as does, of course, the monster. "And don't come back! Until I say so,'' the text concludes. A joy to read aloud, the simple story entertains even as it helps its audience master common fears. Emberley's striking approach should win him new fans aplenty. Ages 3-8. (Apr.)

07/01/1993 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-- A graphic delight. In the tradition of Lois Ehlert's Color Zoo (1989) and Color Farm (1990, both HarperCollins), this is a clever series of die-cut pages that lets children construct and then deconstruct a big green monster. The book starts with a black page, and two round eyes gleaming through the text. "Big Green Monster has two big yellow eyes.'' Each page adds a new adjective-laden element, including a "long bluish-greenish nose'' and "scraggy purple hair'' until the culmination of effects prompts a response of, "YOU DON'T SCARE ME! SO GO AWAY....'' Each subsequent page subtracts one of the scary pieces until the last page is entirely black, featuring the words, "and DON'T COME BACK! Until I say so.'' This imaginative original work is a most friendly way in which children can take control over their own "monsters'' or nightmares. It also has great visual appeal because of the bold interplay between shape and color. --Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Public Library

The English Roses, Too Good to Be True
by Madonna
Published 2006 by Callaway Editions

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0670061476

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With a whirling dervish of a teacher and a sprinkle of magic fairy dust, the English Roses learn valuable lessons about friendship and surviving their first crush. Readers of all ages will delight in this much-awaited sequel to Madonna's first children's book, "The English Roses."

The Featherless Chicken
by Chih-Yuan Chen
Published 2006 by Heryin Books, Inc.

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0976205696

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Filled with bold illustrations and wry humor, this twist on the ugly ducklingtale places a chicken in the lead role.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 09/18/2006

Chen (Guji Guji) brings out an equally pleasingly ridiculous fable about differences. This time, the misfit character is a chicken with no feathers and a terrible allergy to pollen. Four fancy chickens, "the most beautiful" he's ever seen, scorn the bald fellow, then mistake him for an entirely new chicken after a strong wind leaves the hero plastered with leaves and trash. "I've never seen such a gorgeous chicken," says one of the in crowd, and they ask the trash-plastered chicken to go boating with them. When his allergies produce a powerful sneeze, the boat tips over, and the costumes of the other four fall off, revealing a secret they've been keeping, and their arrogance disappears with their finery into the depths of the lake. While the googly eyes and droopy wings of the chickens are classic cartoon fare, Chen creates outfits made of wildly imaginative flowers whose petals are butterfly wings, architectural flourishes and ordinary roman letters. The trash costume will produce the biggest guffaws: the featherless chicken finds himself adorned with a fork, a scrap of printed paper, a lovely ink curlicue, all topped off with a soup can hat. Chen never lets his moral lessons get in the way of a good time. Ages 4-up.(Sept.)

10/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 -With the same gentle humor and sensitivity to children that she showed inGuji Guji (Kane/Miller, 2004), Chen introduces a young featherless chicken. Not only does this poor creature get cold when the wind blows, but he-s also afflicted with miserable allergies. One day, he sees four beautifully feathered chickens on their way to go boating. He asks if he can join them, but they shun his unadorned looks. Then, thanks to a muddy puddle, bits of this and that, and a jaunty tin-can hat, he is transformed into a beautifully adorned fowl, and the others invite him to come along. During a flap about which chicken is the most handsome, the newly fancy fellow lets out a terrible sneeze, and the boat capsizes. The dunking leaves all five chickens featherless and frolicking together. The chickens- comic expressions and their colorful feathers are perfectly rendered in Chen-s soft palate of earth tones and subtle splashes of color on thick, creamy paper. The text is set in a typewriterlike font that adds to the style and overall charm of this memorable outing.-Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Stardragon
by Andrew Breakspeare
Published 2006 by Dutton Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0525477551

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Jacket Notes:

Magnificent dragons and starry magic await in this sparkly embossed volume--a gift book to enchant readers of all ages. Full color.

Dimity Duck
by Jane Yolen
Published 2006 by Philomel Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0399246320

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Full of childlike curiosity and adorable whimsy, this book introduces Dimity Duck, who goes about her day playing, splashing, and giggling until she toddles off to bed. Full color.

06/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-K -An irresistible yellow duckling wakes up, brushes her fuzzy feathers, dives into the pond for breakfast, and spends a pleasant day frolicking with her friend Frumity Frog. As evening approaches, Dimity-s tail begins to droop and she heads for home, where she dons her nightgown, plumps her pillows, and settles comfortably into her cozy nest. Yolen-s simple rhythmic language will have young listeners bouncing in their seats: -Dimity Duck waddles,/she toddles off to eat./Wiggle-waggle goes her tail/and pump! go her feet.- The text curves gracefully across the pages, and the words are cleverly arranged to reflect the actions they describe: -whoosh!- arches up as if propelled by a strong breeze and -dips- angles down to mimic Dimity-s body position (tail to the sky and head beneath the water). The charming illustrations smoothly blend textures and muted pastel hues to create a soft-as-down quality that brings the duckling-and her world-vividly to life. Single- and double-page paintings alternate with smaller vignettes and sequenced images of Dimity in action. White backdrops keep the layout crisp and inviting and make the warm yellows and deep greens seem all the more luminous. A delightful storytime choice.-Joy Fleishhacker , School Library Journal

Animal Strike at the Zoo. It's True!
by Karma Wilson
Published 2006 by HarperCollins Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0060575026

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Jacket Notes:

Bestselling author Wilson has created a zoo where it's anything "but" business as usual, while Spengler's lively pastels depict an unforgettable cast of characters. Full color.

06/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3 -A rhyming, rhythmic, and lyrical charmer about zoo animals going on strike. It all starts when the elephants complain, -We-re paid only peanuts!- All of the animals follow suit, reminiscent of Doreen Cronin-sClick, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (S & S, 2000). The monkeys demand, -We want a nice pool in our pen!,- the zebras demand root-beer floats, and the giraffes are wearing turtleneck sweaters -from their heads to the floor...- as camouflage. All is chaos as the zookeeper must pacify the animals, and there appears to be no end in sight until a first-time visitor burst into tears. It is only then, in a loud hush, that it becomes apparent to the residents just how important their job really is. The pages are bursting with color, whimsical expressions abound, and loads of laughter will be shared by all.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL

If I Were a Lion
by Sarah Weeks
Published 2004 by Atheneum Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0689848366

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Jacket Notes:

When a high-spirited little girl is caught being naughty and is sent to the time-out chair, she's outraged. What if she had been "really" wild, like a lion? Ideal for any child who's spent time in the time-out chair. Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 02/09/2004

"I'm sitting in my time-out chair/ because my mother/ put me there," pouts a girl with a mop of red hair and garden-gnome features. Her mother sweeps cold cereal from the floor: "You try my/ patience, child!/ I do not like it/ when you're/ wild." In Weeks's (Angel Face) impish verse, the girl goes on to imagine the misdeeds of animals who really are wild: "If I were a lion,/ I'd growl and roar/ and knock the dishes/ on the floor." Solomon's (Clever Beatrice) bold gouaches incorporate computer-altered snips of animal fur and scales; sharp textures, layers of purple, jade and putty-colored wash jostle one another and the animal subjects for visual attention. In a succession of high-voltage spreads and vignettes, frogs zap flies from the dollhouse boudoir, raccoons get treed in the hat rack by alligators, and mountain goats come to eat the curtains. The redheaded narrator isn't in the least intimidated by the menagerie that appears before her; she claps her hands and howls along with the wolves, then shoves all the creatures into the toy box and greets her mother with a sweet smile. "Mother doesn't realize/ that lions don't apologize./ But when she does,/ then she will see,/ the opposite of wild is... me," she ends, with a treacly smile. While the girl's rebellion serves chiefly as a vehicle for Solomon's trippy, beguiling paintings, the punchy verse and wealth of visual detail will stand up to repeated readings. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)

04/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-When a young girl is sent to a time-out chair, she defends herself by asking, "Wild?/Who me?" With wide-eyed innocence, she proclaims: "Wild has feathers./Wild has scales./Wild has whiskers, tusks, and tails./Wild is furry./Wild is strong./Wild does not know/right from wrong." As she describes each characteristic, unruly animals take over the kitchen and living room-snorting, charging, and growling as they break dishes, overturn furniture, and create messes. The narrator seems to be surprised by their antics, but the gleam in her eye makes it obvious that she's not as innocent as she appears. So who created the havoc-the animals or this "meek and mild" child? Sharp-eyed readers will enjoy spotting the toys being blamed for the disasters; the endpapers, with numerous stuffed animals strewn haphazardly across them, provide another clue. Solomon adds to the humor by giving the youngster oversized features that make her appear cartoonlike, but with a painterly touch just shy of realistic. Splashes of salt resist on each page form a soft patterned background for the carpeting. An interesting combination of gouache brush strokes scattered over watercolor washes captures the texture of fur and feathers. Pair this book with Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (HarperCollins, 1988) for another protagonist whose imagination runs rampant when he's confined, and to create a storytime that will grab the attention of children who have been placed in a time-out.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA

Princess Penelope's Parrot
by Helen Lester
Published 1996 by Walter Lorraine Books

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 0395783208

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Jacket Notes:

Spoiled Princess Penelope can't get her new parrot to talk until Percival comes courting. She hides the useless parrot behind a curtain, to have the prince be greeted by "Talk, Big Beak!" and "Look, Birdbrain!" The personality of the art and comical dialogue of the text are sure to have every reader laughing out loud. Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 10/07/1996

It's Penelope's birthday, and decked out in a dress that has "ruffles on its ruffles on its ruffles," the ultra-spoiled princess is naturally getting everything she wants, including mouthfuls of cake, a 16-wheeler bike and jewel-studded roller blades. One gift, however, refuses to fit into Penelope's game plan: a bright green parrot, who is so appalled by its new owner's greediness that it refuses to speak. Penelope fumes at the bird, but the joke is on her: everything she says to it comes back to haunt her at a most inauspicious moment. There may be no one more adroit at wryly depicting childish petulance than Munsinger, while Lester's storytelling calls to mind the dry wit of a Thurber. Shrewdly, author and artist punish Penelope but they do not reform her; they will tickle their readers with their antiheroine's irremediably bad behavior. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

10/01/1996 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--When an arrogant princess celebrates her birthday, her favorite gift is a parrot in a gilded cage atop her seven-layer llama's butter birthday cake. The spiteful bird, however, refuses her commands to speak. The princess, who is not used to having her wishes ignored, becomes irate and unleashes a tirade of angry words, but gets her comeuppance when the wealthiest young prince in the land comes to woo her. The parrot, who has been observing in stoney silence, lets loose with all the rude remarks she has directed at him, until the abashed suitor bolts in alarm. The delightfully droll humor is carried out in whimsical watercolor illustrations that capture the snooty personalities and moods of the two young royals.--Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY