Mighty Casey
by James Preller
Published 2009 by Feiwel & Friends

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780312367640

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

After one too many losses, Casey Jenkins decides his Little League team has had enough. Can the worst player on the team lead the Delmar Dogs to their first win of the season? With Casey Jenkins at the bat, it's anyone's game. Full color. The epic poem "Casey at the Bat" is recast for the T-ball set with much hilarity; this time, Casey comes out a winner!

Publishers Weekly 03/02/2009

Reworking Ernest Thayers poem Casey at the Bat for Little Leaguers, Preller ("Along Came Spider") and Cordell ("Righty & Lefty") knock out a spirited celebration of a team with the right attitude, if not skills. The Delmar Dogs have not had a good season: Yes, its true, the Dogs had guts, / and the Dogs had heart;/ but catching the baseball, well/ that was the hardest part. Even on a team of misfits one player stood out: Casey Jenkins (the worst by far, no doubt). But its Casey who proclaims, during a game that seems as doomed as the rest, The game is not yet done! spurring his team on to their first victory. Prellers couplets are full of clever wordplay and humor (When Jinn Lee clubbed a homer, / the fans stood and cheered./ The Dogs scored at last./ Said Lee, 'Thats, like, sooo weird). Set against ample white space, Cordells endearingly geeky kids take center stage (mid-game distractions include tree-climbing, a bee sting and a bathroom break on the left field fence). Its hard to envision a reader who wont take to these underdogs. Ages 48. "(Mar.)" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

K-Gr 3Casey Jenkins plays for the Delmar Dogs. They are the worst team in the league, and Casey is their worst player. Nonetheless, these kids try hard, and are supported by their parents. "For the loyal moms and dads, /the games were not easily enjoyed;/it was tough to watch their eager pups/so mercilessly destroyed." One game starts off so badly that the Dogs are down 5-0 in the first inning. There's a scraped knee, spilled juice, and the guy in left field has to pee. One player falls asleep in the dugout, one climbs a tree, another is stung by a bee. Things are looking bad. Then the action picks up and actual plays start to happen. When the score is tied, and bases are loaded, Casey comes up to bat. Does this sound familiar? The ink and watercolor drawings vary in size and are full of energy and movement as the players engage in different activities. The faces are expressive and fun to look at. This is a great baseball book for all those T-ball and Little League players out there. (Spoiler alert: it does have a happy, self-esteem-building ending.)Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Henry the Dog with No Tail
by Kate Feiffer
Published 2007 by Simon & Schuster

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416916147

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Beloved illustrator Jules Feiffer collaborates with his daughter, Kate, for this charming picture book that tells the story of Henry, a dog who only wants one thing in life--a tail. Full color. Henrywanted one thing in life.He wanteda tail.All the other dogshe knew had tails.Grady, a black Labrador, had a great big black tail.Pip, a pug, could do tricks with her tail.Larry had a big puffy ball tail.... WHAT WAS HENRY TO DO?

Publishers Weekly 10/08/2007

Both fanciful and contrived, Kate Feiffer's ("Double Pink") story about being careful what you wish for also feels labored. It begins ingenuously if wordily: Henry wanted one thing in life. He wanted a tail. Henry was a dog with no tail. And this made him sad. Livening things up, Jules Feiffer departs from the simple lines of his "Bark, George" for insouciant, loose-lined charcoal and watercolor illustrations that sprawl across the page, suggesting action even when their subject is at rest. After an introduction to the supporting casta Labrador, pug and poodle, all indebted to the art for their individuated personalitiesthe text turns to extended puns to propel an essentially quixotic plot. To buy a tail, Henry goes to a tailor, who for some reason sews up an absurdly long, button-on tail. Because his tail doesn't wag, Henry goes to a wagon maker. Although the wagon maker can't help him, Henry buys a wagon (why?), and it takes him to New York City's Battery Park, which is (of course) strewn with batteries. Now battery-powered, the tail wags Henry right up a tree, where he makes a decision: I think my days of having a tail are behind me. All in all, a shaggy dog story. Ages 3-6. "(Oct.)" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

10/01/2007 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3Feiffer's story features droll humor, wonderfully outlandish plot twists, and a satisfying journey of self-discovery. Henry, an Australian shepherd, longs for a tail. All of his canine friends have them and can do amazing things with them. With his human family's blessings, he leaves home to seek his heart's desire, "And naturally, when a dog goes in search of a tail, he goes to the tailor's." While this gentleman doesn't have the requested item on hand, he offers to make one, and Henry soon returns to the park with a long, straplike appendage buttoned to his derriere. When his pals point out that it's not a real tail unless it can be wagged, Henry asks a wagon maker for help, to no avail. The downhearted canine wanders for days, ending up in New York City's Battery Park (depicted as a battery-strewn field). Henry puts one on his tail, which begins to wag, moving faster and faster until he is lifted into the air, "flying like a helicopter." After landing tangled in a tree, he carefully climbs down, leaving his appendage behind him and declaring himself content to be "a dog with no tail and a tale to tell." Bristling with wordplay, the understated text becomes funnier with each reading. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations use loose lines and color splashes deftly to convey the action and capture the characters' personalities. Pair this gem with Bob Graham's "Benny" (Candlewick, 1999), about another lovable pup who finds his place in the world."Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Surprise Soup
by Mary Ann Rodman
Published 2009 by Viking Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780670062744

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

"Mama had a baby last night. aIs it a boy or a girl?a I ask Daddy. aItas a surprise, Kevie, a he says. aYouall fi nd out when they come home.a aWhen is that?a I ask. aTonight, a says Daddy." Kevie is excited that heall no longer be the littlest. Little brothers get teased. Little brothers make messes. Big brothers help out. Big brothers know how to do things. Daddy, big brother Josh, and Kevie are making Mamaas special soup to welcome her and the new baby home. But only Kevie knows the secret ingredient. Absolutely irresistible illustrations and a funny, read-aloud text make this book just right for little brothers, big brothersaand their parents.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-KMama Bear's on the way home with a new baby, and middle brother Kevie does his best to help big Josh and Daddy make homecoming Saturday Soup. Teasing ensues when Kevie opens too many cans of beans, uses soap to wash the vegetables, and sneezes into the pot. His insistence on using sugar is deflected until near the end when his culinary talents create the title "Surprise Soup." As his family praises the new taste, Kevie cuddles his new baby brother. Karas's collages of stocky bears keeping house are right on target for enhancing Rodman's cozy story. The variety of compositions and remarkably expressive faces makes this a joyful read-again. The dialogue stays true to family banter and the author peppers the text with the "splip plop splip plop" of turnips and celery falling into the pot and a "blumpetty blurp" of singing soup, making it fun for storytellers, too. This one's a recipe for grins.Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Baby Baby Blah Blah Blah!
by Jonathan Shipton
Published 2009 by Holiday House

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780823422135

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

When Emily's parents tell her that they are going to have a baby, she makes a list of the pros and cons of what is to come. Fortunately the pros prevail, in this ultimately reassuring book. Full color. When her parents tell Emily that they are going to have a baby, she makes a list of the pros and cons of what is to come, which includes everyone saying baby this and baby that and baby blah blah blah when it arrives. But the pros prevail in this ultimately reassuring book.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2No matter how many new baby books you have on your shelves, you'll want to make room for this bright and bubbling treasure. Emily likes lists, so when her parents inform her that they are expecting a new baby, she makes a list of the pros and cons. The good things include "Its head is soft and snuffly," and "You can tickle it to bits!" The bad things are that a baby "doesn't do anything except]suck, dribble, spit up, and]cry." But the worst thing, according to Emily, is that it will turn everything "upside down and inside out." The child's parents allay her fears by telling her a story about another baby who turned their lives upside down and only made them better. And they assure her that they will always love her, "no matter what the babies do," because, guess what? Mom is having twins. A spread of happy baby pictures at the end of the book attests to Emily's love for her siblings. Chessa's colorfully messy, childlike illustrations perfectly match the breezy tone of the story, and Emily, with her lovable quirks, serious air, and vertical red braids, is the type of character who could carry a whole series. This is a relentlessly positive new-sibling book that will go right to the heart of children's fears.Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

One Fine Trade
by Bobbi Miller
Published 2009 by Holiday House

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9780823418367

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

George Piney Woods, the best peddler who ever lived, wants to make a trade for a silver dollar so his daughter can buy a wedding dress. After several transactions, he finally succeeds with one fine trade. Illustrations.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3With origins in a Southern folk song, this entertaining romp follows the journey of a jaunty peddler named Georgy Piney Woods. Daughter Georgianne has her eye on a wedding dress, so she asks "Dadaw" to trade her "rail-skinny horse for a shiny silver dollar." Woods sets off down the road, making a series of exchanges in which he seems to be getting the short end of the stick (literally, as it turns out). After accepting and relinquishing a fat brown cow and an old hound dog, he winds up with a cypress stick that swells to an enormous height after an encounter with a rattlesnake. The happy-go-lucky trader's final deal involves a railroad man who chops that cypress into 303 railroad ties, a rainstorm that reduces their size drastically, and the man's spousewho is in the market for a large quantity of toothpicks. The dress is purchased and all is welluntil the daughter requests a veil. The ink and pencil scenes were scanned and digitally manipulated, with colored pencil and gouache additions to the final work. This creates a convincing depth. The backgrounds are soft and muted, with increasing saturation and detail as one moves forward through the layers. The outlandish events and droll caricatures are supported by lively language that is full of rhythm and fun to read aloud. A traditional tale, freshly fashioned.Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

The Little Lost Robin
by Elizabeth Baguley
Published 2007 by Good Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781561485901

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

On the edge of the deep wood lives an old hare. Every day Hare walks in the wood and visits his friend, Robin. Then one night, when a terrible storm rips through the trees, Robin disappears. Is Robin lost forever? From the author of "Meggie Moon" comes a wonderful story about friendship. Full color.

Publishers Weekly 11/05/2007

Hare is old; as Baguley ("Meggie Moon") puts it, Once, he had leaped and pranced under the magical moon, but time had made him gray and stiff and he no longer danced. But while he may not be as nimble as he once was, Hare remains ever-alert to the wonders of his lushly depicted woodland home, especially the bird song. One feathered musician in particular touches his heart: a small robin with a berry-bright breast (which Macnaughton makes almost tangibly downy). Robin never speaks, but she clearly has affection for her aged friend, for when all the other birds migrate for the winter, she stays behind to serenade him. The story rather dutifully offers readers a dramatic turning point in the form of a howling winter snowstorm, after which Hare cant find the bird (hence the title). But the incident ends up feeling like something of a red herring. What drives this book is sweetness; author and artist offer a child-friendly, understated meditation on the pleasures of unlikely bonds, and the joy that music brings to both performer and audience. Ages 3-7. "(Oct.)" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Righty and Lefty: A Tale of Two Feet
by Rachel Vail
Published 2007 by Scholastic Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780439636292

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

A humorous story about the value of friendship and compromise, this book is sure to remind readers that even the smelliest of lifes situations can be remedied by a little love, understanding, and some seriously good hygiene. Full color.

Publishers Weekly 11/05/2007

In this funny, ingenious take on the meaning of friendship, Vail ("Sometimes Im Bombaloo") and Cordell ("Toby and the Snowflakes") muse upon the way that two very different feet manage to get alonga good thing, since they belong to the same person (seen only from the waist down). Lefty likes lingering under the blankets and wearing only galoshes, while Righty, an early bird, revels in all the possible shoe choices and secretly wonders what it be like to take a beach vacation without Lefty. Vails deadpan prose evinces a sly comic mind and a wonderfully ticklish system of logic: Outside, Righty and Lefty race. Sometimes, Righty wins. Sometimes, Lefty wins. It is always close. Cordells watercolor and ink cartoons prove hes up to the challenge of focusing on two characters who can express their emotions only through their toesand the occasional thought balloon. For making kids laugh, this ones a shoe-in. Ages 3-5. "(Nov.)" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

11/01/2007 School Library Journal

PreS-KA slight story about two busy appendages. Though they have different likes and dislikes, Righty and Lefty (the latter has an ever-present, identifying bandage) recognize the need to cooperate. The feet belong to the same person (who is never shown in full), but are complete opposites. Righty likes to wear different types of shoes, but Lefty's first choice is always the green galoshes. At times, the odd couple cause one another griefas when one or the other crosses the finish line firstand Righty dreams of being on vacation alone. Just like siblings, though, they rely on each other for fun, and for keeping warm at night. Large expanses of white space showcase the humorous pen-and-ink and pastel watercolors. While one foot is active and adventurous, and the other is satisfied with the status quo, the two really are best friends and incomplete without their mirror image. The third-person narrative lacks tension and a substantial plot, thereby limiting its child appeal."Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

A Mighty Fine Time Machine
by Suzanne Bloom
Published 2009 by Boyds Mills Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781590785270

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Sometimes a box is not an ordinary box. In this instance, an aardvark named Grant, an armadillo named Antoine, and an anteater named Samantha see its potential for something magnificent: a time machine. Full color.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1Samantha, an anteater, is biking by with a wagon-load of books when she sees her friends Grant, an aardvark, and Antoine, an armadillo, standing by a huge packing crate. They are convinced that it can be turned into a time machine. They add various "hoozie-doozies," Grant sets the dials to another time and place, and Antoine makes blast-off sounds, but the machine stays put. After they make some adjustments, the rickety rocket rolls down a hill and topples over. Tired and bored, the boys settle down to read Sam's books and give up the project. Sam takes over and makes some of her own improvements, and-voilà!-she turns the box into the best do-it-yourself bookmobile imaginable. And, as proven by the other friends who come by to check out books, it's a success. Any child who has ever built a blanket fort or played inside a box should be able to relate to these anthropomorphic animals. The gouache and colored-pencil illustrations of the gadgets and gizmos attached to the crate add humot, and there is a lot of white space for the large, clear text. Though not essential, this is a fun selection."Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Donkey-Donkey
by Roger Duvoisin
Published 2007 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780375840654

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Donkey-Donkey thinks that he looks ridiculous with long ears that stick straight up, so he consults his friends on the farm. Each animal has its own idea of beautiful ears--all remarkably like their own. Poor Donkey-donkey becomes sadder and sadder as he tries to follow their advice, with hilarious results. Finally, a little girl visiting the farm admires his long ears and, with new self-esteem, Donkey-donkey keeps his beautiful long ears upright from then on. This charming picture book was first published in 1933 with black-and-white illustrations and then in 1940 with beautiful fullcolor pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Knopf is proud to reissue a fascimile of the 1940 edition that sold more than one million copies before it became unavailable about 25 years ago.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Donkey-Donkey thinks that he looks ridiculous with long ears that stick straight up, so he consults his friends on the farm. Each animal has its own idea of beautiful ears--all remarkably like their own. Poor Donkey-donkey becomes sadder and sadder as he tries to follow their advice, with hilarious results. Finally, a little girl visiting the farm admires his long ears and, with new self-esteem, Donkey-donkey keeps his beautiful long ears upright from then on. This charming picture book was first published in 1933 with black-and-white illustrations and then in 1940 with beautiful fullcolor pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Knopf is proud to reissue a fascimile of the 1940 edition that sold more than one million copies before it became unavailable about 25 years ago.

Roawr!
by Barbara Joosse
Published 2009 by Philomel Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780399247774

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

The author of "Please Is a Good Word to Say" teams up with one of the Netherlands' preeminent picture-book artists to create this highly original picture book that shows that what it really takes to defeat ferocious bears is a big imagination. Full color. Little Liam is snuggled in his toasty bed when his slumber is broken by a "crack! snap! ROAWR!" outside in the woods. Papa is away, and Mama is sleeping soundly. And as everyone knows, Mama is delicious to forest things. Itas up to Liam to protect her, but what can he possibly do against the forestas wild and dangerous creatures? Heas just a little boy, after all. Barbara Joosse, author of "Please Is a Good Word to Say," teams up with Jan Jutte, one of the Netherlandsa preeminent picture-book artists, to create this highly original picture book that shows that what it really takes to defeat ferocious bears isaa big imagination!

Publishers Weekly 03/23/2009

Its bedtime, Papas away, and noises threaten from the forest that opens, "Wild Things"style, from the walls of Liams bedroom. What could Liam do? He was just a boy ("thump thump"), too small to fight off forest things. Nonetheless, Liam resolves to defend Mama, who is snore asleep. Alert readers will notice that the enormous bearthe source of the recurrent roawr!looks suspiciously like Liams teddy bear, right down to the pirate eye-patch. Many imagining stories end when the childs play is revealed as make-believe and the child is jolted back to reality. Joosse ("In the Night Garden") lets Liam vanquish the bear and return to bed in his own good time. Dutch artist Juttes ink, watercolor and acrylic spreads, which recall the work of Crockett Johnson, energize this swashbuckling adventure, from the leafy jungle wallpaper made real to the lumbering, snaggle-toothed bear. Joosses consistently inventive prose (One dark and snarly night) builds suspense (as does the repeating thump thump of Liams heartbeat) and is a worthy counterpart for Juttes artistrythe two share a solid understanding of small boys. Ages 35. "(Apr.)" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1Liam is described as "just a boy (thump, thump), too small to fight off forest things." His papa is away and the youngster's imagination is in overdrive. His mama, who is "delicious to forest things," won't let him build a fort, baited with cake, in his bedroom. Worse, she opens the windows wide and falls "snore asleep." A forest grows all around him. Liam hears the snip-snap of twigs and then, "ROAWR!" Though his pulse is thump-thumping, he gathers his suppliesincluding the cakeand creeps into the wild. He builds a trap and catches a large, angry bear. Since Bear is too big and hungry to stay in a hole, Liam must feed him more before he decides to eat Mama. It's a mammoth undertaking but eventually the sated bear curls into a snoozy ball. And Liam, "a boy so brave and true," returns to his bed and falls fast asleep. This adrenaline-charged romp is, first and foremost, exciting. Jutte's lively cartoon artwork contrasts muted night colors to form powerful images: big sky, big forest, big shadows, big night, big bear, big roar, small boy. One might question whether this is bedtime reading material. And yet, from Liam's rapid-fire ideas and his determined expression and posture, children will have the sense that he is capable of handling the night's dangers. Pair this with Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are and Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Dial, 1968) for a rousing evening adventure that hopefully leads to peaceful dreams.Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Mole's in Love
by David Bedford
Published 2009 by Tiger Tales

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781589250840

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

It's spring and Morris the Mole is looking for love! Morris visits a farm looking for someone to love but moles don't see that well. Upon arriving he finds someone to love who has luscious, shiny, black fur just like his; only it's not a mole, it's a horse! Then Morris finds somene to love who has a pretty, pink nose just like his; only it's not a mole, it's a pig! Morris continues looking but keeps finding the wrong someone to love. Will Morris find true love or will true love find him?

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2It is springtime, and Morris sets out to find love. Even though he does not see very well, he knows exactly what to look forblack shiny fur, a pink nose, and big wide feet. Following the folklore motif of "threes," he finds a different animal for each quality, only to discover that each one is not right. Luscious Shiny Black Fur (a horse) throws him, Pretty Pink Nose (a pig) is too wet, and Gorgeous Big Wide Feet (a duck) makes him sneeze. Sad, he returns to his molehill, and love discovers him. In carefully chosen words, the text creates visual images that allow readers to place themselves in the setting and to feel the mood. The bright, colorful, realistic illustrations reflect the action and depict a traditional farm setting. While the ending seems obvious, children will relate to Morris as he searches for someone to love and will cheer for him as he keeps trying in spite of each mishap."Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.PreS-Gr 2It is springtime, and Morris sets out to find love. Even though he does not see very well, he knows exactly what to look forblack shiny fur, a pink nose, and big wide feet. Following the folklore motif of "threes," he finds a different animal for each quality, only to discover that each one is not right. Luscious Shiny Black Fur (a horse) throws him, Pretty Pink Nose (a pig) is too wet, and Gorgeous Big Wide Feet (a duck) makes him sneeze. Sad, he returns to his molehill, and love discovers him. In carefully chosen words, the text creates visual images that allow readers to place themselves in the setting and to feel the mood. The bright, colorful, realistic illustrations reflect the action and depict a traditional farm setting. While the ending seems obvious, children will relate to Morris as he searches for someone to love and will cheer for him as he keeps trying in spite of each mishap."Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Stanley's Beauty Contest
by Linda Bailey
Published 2009 by Kids Can Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781554533183

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Stanley's people are so preoccupied with primping him for the dog show in the park that they forgot his breakfast. This makes Stanley very grumpy. At the park, Stanley meets up with his old friends Nutsy, Alice and Gassy Jack. Together the friends look longingly at the grand prize: the biggest, most scrumptious-smelling dog cookie ever. Once Stanley gets a whiff of its bubbling cheese, sizzling bacon and apple pie aromas, he's determined to win. So what if he's not the fastest, most talented or most beautiful dog in the show? We know that Stanley's rumbling tummy always leads him into adventure -- or a big pile of trouble -- and this time is no exception. Join Stanley and his friends in the best dogpile ever as they show us humans that dogs know best, and that what really counts is having fun!

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

K-Gr 2In this fourth book about Stanley, the dog's family takes him to the park for a competition. All of the dogs are wary of these proceedings, but when a woman walks by with the prizesthree large, still-warm-from-the-oven dog biscuitsthe pups all decide to participate. Stanley is sure he'll finish first in the Fastest Dog event, but a whippet is the winner. Stanley's only chance is the Most Beautiful category. When the judges walk right by him, his owners take him out of the running. He sees the last prize sitting on a table and figures he deserves at least a lick of that biscuit. The table falls, and 37 dogs descend on the treat. As they roll and rumble, they have a great time, but the pageant is in shambles. At home, Stanley's people realize that they forgot to give him his breakfast and fuss over him. The illustrations, done in acrylic on gessoed paper, are large, colorful, and lively. Stanley's many fans will love poring over this adventure."Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Stanley's people are so preoccupied with primping him for the dog show in the park that they forgot his breakfast. This makes Stanley very grumpy. At the park, Stanley meets up with his old friends Nutsy, Alice and Gassy Jack. Together the friends look longingly at the grand prize: the biggest, most scrumptious-smelling dog cookie ever. Once Stanley gets a whiff of its bubbling cheese, sizzling bacon and apple pie aromas, he's determined to win. So what if he's not the fastest, most talented or most beautiful dog in the show? We know that Stanley's rumbling tummy always leads him into adventure -- or a big pile of trouble -- and this time is no exception. Join Stanley and his friends in the best dogpile ever as they show us humans that dogs know best, and that what really counts is having fun!

Big Black Horse: A Storybook Version of the Black Stallion!
by Walter Farley
Published 2007 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780375840357

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Available again after almost 50 years is the picture book version of "The Black Stallion," With stunning retro illustrations and Farley's fast-paced text, this gorgeous book will appeal to the nostalgic and adventurous alike. As the sole human survivor of a devastating shipwreck, Alec finds himself alone on a small island with a magnificent stallion, black as night and dangerous as fire. Together they each realize that the other is the key to survival. Thus begins the most famous relationship in horse fiction.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Available again after almost 50 years is the picture book version of "The Black Stallion," With stunning retro illustrations and Farley's fast-paced text, this gorgeous book will appeal to the nostalgic and adventurous alike. As the sole human survivor of a devastating shipwreck, Alec finds himself alone on a small island with a magnificent stallion, black as night and dangerous as fire. Together they each realize that the other is the key to survival. Thus begins the most famous relationship in horse fiction.

Too Many Cooks
by Margaret McNamara
Published 2007 by Disney Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781423105398

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

The stars of the latest animated film from Disney

Pixar, set for theatrical release on June 29, are featured in this delightful picture book. As the adorable rats join the cooking party one by one, the kitchen grows more and more chaotic. Full color. Beat the egg whites into froth. Will too many cooks spoil the broth? Find out in this delightful picture book starring Remy, Emile, and the rest of the stars of Disney/Pixar's next blockbuster, Ratatouille. As the adorable rats join the cooking party one by one, the kitchen grown more and more chaotic. Will Remy and his friends be able to please Ego, the toughtest food critic in the world? With lilting rhyme and whimsical illustrations, this picture book is brimming with five-star fun!

Publishers Weekly 06/25/2007

Rats in the kitchen are not normally a welcome sight, but kids will be delighted to spy the amusing and assuredly appetizing antics of the rodents that star in this comical culinary caper, a tie-in to the new Disney/Pixar film "Ratatouille". First seen scampering into a fancy Parisian restaurant, the cheerful rats are introduced in a counting rhyme (One rat, two rats, three rats, four) as they assemble (and sample) ingredients in the kitchen. After some prep work, the cooking beginswith decidedly delectable results. Reflecting the gourmet fare being prepared, the verses vocabulary (defined at the back of the book) is quite sophisticated: Blanch the chestnuts for ragout./ Poach a scallop! Make a roux!/ Whip the cream in copper bowls./ Pile puff pastry for profiteroles. McNamara (the Robin Hill School books) adds dollops of wry humor: as the frantic chefs retrieve a sumptuous concoction from the oven (All at oncefinished, done) one of them frets, Will the critics just make fun?The bubbly rhymes trip off the tongue, but the real piè ce de resistance here is the energetic art by Pixar artist Wragg, a first-time picture book illustrator. At his clever hand, the comically expressive, toque-wearing rats execute gastronomic moves that kids will relishand return to devour again. Ages 3-7. "(June)" Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

It's Me, Parsnip
by Sue Porter
Published 2008 by Mathew Price Ltd.

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781935021100

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

In this follow-up to "Parsnip," the little lamb returns to find out who has walked through a muddy puddle. Readers follow the trail of muddy footprints through this gentle lift-the-flap read-aloud. Full color. "Toddlers will enjoy identifying the various animals under the flaps and chiming in with each subsequent 'Not me!' And the cause-and-effect complexity of the tale is developmentally just right."--Kirkus Reviews Someone has walked through a muddy puddle. "Not me," said the cat. "Not me," said the rabbit. Follow the trail of muddy footprints through the book to find out who it is. This is a gentle read-aloud lift-the-flaps story for the youngest children. Sue Porter was born in London and now lives in France. She is married with two children. Her hobbies are painting, the French language, and playing the violin. She has been a full-time illustrator for many years and has illustrated more than fifty children's books.

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

PreSThis virtually plotless lift-the-flap story breaks no new ground but is likely to appeal to fans of Eric Hill's "Where's Spot?" (Putnam, 1980), Rod Campbell's "Dear Zoo" (Puffin, 1987), Lucy Cousins's "Maisy" (Candlewick), and other interactive books. Someone has walked through a puddle and tracked mud throughout the house and into the bathroom. On each spread, one large-type sentence explains the situation, e.g., "Someone has made muddy footprints in the kitchen," and a flap is lifted to reveal a different animal that says, "Not me!" In the bathroom, the shower-door flap conceals a lamb who says, "It's meParsnip! ...now I'm lovely and clean." The cartoon animals are appealing, if a bit overly sweet, and reminiscent of Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen's art. Observant readers will notice that Parsnip is splashing in the mud on the cover of the book and beginning to make a muddy trail on the title page, a nice touch that makes effective use of the entire book and invites repeated readings. The bright colors, repetition, and simple text are likely to hold most wiggly toddlers' attention, although the fact that the dog sleeps in a doghouse and the rabbit in a baby's crib is a bit jarring. The quality of the flap attachment is reasonably sturdy, although still unlikely to stand up to extensive library use."Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

The Plot Chickens
by Mary Jane Auch
Published 2009 by Holiday House

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9780823420872

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Henrietta is a chicken that loves to read, so naturally she now wants to write a book. With the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishes her story, the critics say she's laid an egg. Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author? Full color. Henrietta loves to read. When she clicks buk, buk, buk at the library, the librarian knows exactly what to recommend. Then Henrietta decided to wirte a book. Whith the help of her three aunties, she hatches a plot. But when Henrietta publishers her story, the critics say she's laid an egg! Is this the end of Henrietta's career as an author?

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Henrietta the chicken, star of Souperchicken (Holiday House, 2003), is an avid library user and decides that because reading is so much fun, "writing books must be eggshilarating." She finds a manual of writing rules and creates her own story-with the unsolicited help of the other fowl. When it is rejected by a publisher, Henrietta decides to self-publish. She takes a copy to her librarian, who tells her to send it to The Corn Book Magazine for review. Henrietta gets another rejection: "odoriferous." Then she wanders into the library at storytime and sees that her book was chosen best of the year by the children. Henrietta is asked to read it aloud. "She read with dramatic expression. Of course, all the children heard was BUK, BUK, BUK]." The illustrations, a combination of oil paints and digital technology, are bold and colorful. The pictures are busy, with Henrietta at her typewriter while her friends cavort around her. There are imagined scenes in cloud shapes, word balloons, and jokes aplenty. A droll chicken with a repeating line adds to the humor. This offering works on two levels. It's a funny picture book that could be used as a manual on writing.Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Silly Tilly
by Eileen Spinelli
Published 2009 by Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780761455257

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

A playful goose entertains her barnyard friends

03/01/2009 School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Tilly, a goose, bathes in apple juice, wears a pancake as a hat, and likes to tickle frogs. But her ways raise the ire of the other farm animals, who demand that she cease all silliness: "No more naps in Scarecrow pants!," etc. Once she stops, however, they realize that the farm is not as much fun as it used to be. They apologize to Tilly and begin to view her antics with appreciation, sometimes even joining in. The acrylic, pencil, and ballpoint pen illustrations complement the rhyming text and do a nice job of conveying the animals' varying levels of frustration. Some pictures are laugh-out-loud funny, and readers will take delight in viewing Tilly's wacky behavior, such as when she tries to ride the farmer's cat or soaks her feet in mayonnaise. This story will appeal to children who follow the beat of their own drummers, and would work well as a read-aloud.Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Cottonball Colin
by Jeanne Willis
Published 2008 by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780802853318

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Colin is the smallest of his ten brothers and sisters and oh, how his mother worries about him! She won?t let him run and play. She insists that Colin sit quietly indoors ? until Grandma suggests wrapping him up tight in cotton. But not even cotton can protect Colin when he is finally allowed out into the world... This clever tale about growing up and letting go will delight and entertain readers of all ages.

Publishers Weekly 01/21/2008

In another winner from a standout British team (Willis and Ross were previously paired for "Tadpole's Promise"), Colin's worrywart mother, seeing danger at every turn, insists he stay indoors. He can't run, lest he fall; he can't go out in spring, lest he get wet, nor in autumn, lest a chestnut fall on his head. Finally his grandmother wryly suggests that his mother wrap Colin up in cotton, an idea his mother accepts with alacrity. Virtually mummified in downy cotton, Colin finally goes outsideinadvertently setting in motion a series of heart-stopping adventures that ultimately convince his mother that he really can survive in the great, wide world. Ross's elegant watercolor and ink drawings take Colin from domestic comedy to thrilling action-adventure without a hitch, and make his transformation from nebbish to cool dude totally believable. Ages 4-8". (Feb.)" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

04/01/2008 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2Colin is the smallest mouse in his family. While his siblings cavort outside"They were big enough to look after themselves"he is told to sit quietly in bed. His overprotective mother reluctantly allows her baby to go out into the big wide world, but only if he is securely wrapped in a cotton covering. The safety plan backfires when Cottonball Colin is mistaken for a snowball and tossed into the river. After being pecked at by a duck and chased by a fox, he returns home emboldened and eager for more adventures. Ross's charming watercolors show the coddled and swaddled mouse surrounded by jars of ointment, blankets, and hot-water bottles. Children will relate to Colin's steps toward independence."Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Imagine a Place
by Sarah L Thomson
Published 2008 by Atheneum Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416968023

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

"If you can imagine a place, you can go there."Imagine a place that makes you feel as free as a bird. Imagine a place where getting there is worth whatever it takes. Imagine a place that makes you feel like it's always been your destination. Imagine a place made out of pure imagination."Imagine a Place" is a gorgeous companion to the critically acclaimed "Imagine a Night" and "Imagine a Day, " and reminds us that imagination is powerful enough to take us anywhere we want to go. And Rob Gonsalves's exquisitely conceived paintings leave you in awe...of "his" imagination.

12/01/2008 School Library Journal

Gr 26The creators of "Imagine a Night" (2003) and "Imagine a Day" (2005, both S & S) offer another book to ponder and pore over. Readers are again encouraged to stretch their imaginations and question perspective and perception. Painterly acrylic panoramas, supported by lyrical text, are packed with skewed realities. On the title page, an image of a cathedral's interior transmutes into a city skyline as the pointed arches become silhouetted skyscrapers and the mottled stonework of ancient walls, buttressed ceilings, and floor become the rippled surface of the surrounding harbor and stratocumulus clouds. On another spread, the text reads, "Imagine a place]/where water is solid, /light is liquid, /sky a frozen river/flowing under your feet," and the illustration shows skaters gliding across a nighttime river, their lanterns reflecting the moonlight, and snow banks that mirror the clouds above. The sometimes esoteric text and sophisticated art play with literality: houseboats are depicted as brick-and-stone manors in giant skiffs, their verdant lawns enclosed by bow-and-stern-curved fences. This is not magical realism, but shifting realismmagical, to be sure, but not in the high-falutin', metaphysical sense. This is the magic of positive and negative space, of expectation and experimentation, of creativity and conversion. Readers will want to look, look again, discuss, and imagine."Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Where's My Hug?
by James Mayhew
Published 2008 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781599902258

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:

Jake doesn't want to give his mother a hug when he gets to school. All the other kids will think he's a baby. But when Jake gets home, he finds that his mom has given his hug to his dad, who's given it to the cat, who's given it to a witch, and so on . . . Will Jake ever get his hug back? James Mayhew's gentle story and Sue Hellard's charming illustrations make this a perfect bedtime story for parents and children to share.

Publishers Weekly 01/14/2008

When Jake refuses his mothers hug at the school doorEveryone will think Im a babyhe just assumes it will be there to console him at the end of the day when, as Mayhew ("Katie Meets the Impressionists") diplomatically puts it, Things hadnt gone [his] way. But Jake discovers that hugs dont go into a personalized cold storage, but are rather part of a kind of cuddly continuum, traveling from one needy recipient to another, ad infinitum. Nonetheless, Jake is determined to reclaim his hug (hence the title) and so launches a quest that starts at his dad (who needed a hug because his motorcycle malfunctioned) and ends in a fairytale land with a very big red dragon. Hellards ("Yake a Kiss to School") ink-and-watercolor drawings have the fluid line, elegant air and well-heeled settings reminiscent of William Hamiltons "New Yorker" cartooning; the urbane aesthetic keeps the books conceit from getting soggy and makes it a nice choice for bedtime. Ages 4-8. "(Feb.)" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Publisher's Marketing Text:

Jake doesn't want to give his mother a hug when he gets to school. All the other kids will think he's a baby. But when Jake gets home, he finds that his mom has given his hug to his dad, who's given it to the cat, who's given it to a witch, and so on . . . Will Jake ever get his hug back? James Mayhew's gentle story and Sue Hellard's charming illustrations make this a perfect bedtime story for parents and children to share.