In a Blue Room
by Jim Averbeck
Published 2008 by Harcourt Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780152059927

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Jacket Notes:

Young Alice can only sleep in a blue room. She soon discovers bedtime can be full of magic--especially if there is a blue moon nearby. Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 03/31/2008

If bedtime books were dances, this one would be a pas de deux: prose and pictures partner each other effortlessly all the way to the last page. At first, Alice doesn't look like a candidate for bed; she's in her nightgown, but she has leapt into midair, her blue blanket a billowing parachute, her room a pleasant mayhem of dolls and crayons. "-'Blue is my favorite,'-" Alice announces as Mama, robed and slippered, carries in a vase of flowers. "-'And those-aren't-blue,'" Alice adds, punctuating each word, the reader senses, with a bounce (by now, only the bottom of Alice's nightgown and her stockinged feet are visible as the rest of her jumps out of view). "-'Ah... but smell,'-" Mama counters. Mama offers Alice more ritual things: tea to taste ("-'Blue tea?' says Alice, 'There's no such thing'-"), a quilt to feel, bells to listen to. They're not blue, either, Alice protests, but she's fading; in each successive painting she looks sleepier, her toys floppier, her bed snugglier. The rhythm of the words soothes: "In a blue room, orange tea cools in a brown cup"; "In a blue room, a quilt of red and green feels warm and cozy." These references to a blue room are a little odd: Alice's walls are yellow. "-'The moon... Mama,'-" Alice murmurs, and Mama whispers, "-'Here it comes.'-" Click! The lamp goes off, and Alice's room is transformed, bathed in the blue light of a full moon. Tusa's (Mrs. Spitzer's Garden) pictures, on single pages before, now expand to fill both. Alice's room is blue, and so are the flowers, the tea, the quilt, the bells, all just as Alice said. The stars and planets on Alice's blue blanket travel out the window and up into the sky; everything merges. Tusa appears to have breathed in first-time author Averbeck's text and then breathed it out as pictures. The final appearance of the blue room, which sounded so impossible at first, will feel to children like a promise kept. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)

Hush, Little Dragon
by Boni Ashburn
Published 2008 by HNA Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780810994911

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Jacket Notes:

Adorable dragons search for a bedtime snack, in this heartfelt and funny debut picture book set to the tune of the beloved lullaby Hush, Little Baby. Full color.

The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley
by Colin Thompson
Published 2007 by Kane/Miller Book Publishers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781933605500

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Jacket Notes:

Human beings live for quite a long time and for a lot of that time are not happy. Rats live for quite a short time and for most of that time they are very, very happy. This picture book--an Australian Picture Book of the Year--presents life lessons with gentle humor and satire. Full color.

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story
by Sam Lloyd
Published 2008 by Atheneum Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416957966

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Mr. Pusskins is back--and this time he's got company. After Emily brings home a cherubic kitten named Little Whiskers, Mr. Pusskins is not happy. He doesn't want to play games, but little does he know neither does Little Whiskers. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Mr. Pusskins (S & S, 2006) and Emily are back, and life couldn't be better. Once a dour sourpuss, Mr. Pusskins is now a lovable, smiley cat, happy and secure in his affection for Emily-until the child comes home with a "fabulous surprise." Inside the cardboard box is a mischievous kitten who is intent on wreaking havoc and annoying Mr. Pusskins. In true "it's-so-unfair!" fashion, Emily cannot see that Little Whiskers is a little troublemaker. When she wrongfully accuses the older cat of playing the piano at an ungodly hour and banishes him to the cold backyard, it seems as if life couldn't get any worse. But a contrite Little Whiskers sets everything straight, and the three come together as a happy family. This second installment maintains all of the charm and humor of the first book. Readers unfamiliar with the prodigal Pusskins will lack the background knowledge to appreciate just how patient he is with the kitten but will find plenty to love about him all the same. The combination of bold colors, highly expressive characters, and slightly off-kilter illustrations will pull children in and keep them wanting more. Mr. Pusskins can take his place alongside Slinky Malinki, Jenny Linsky, and Samson the Church Cat as a fictional feline worthy of adoration.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Say Daddy!
by Michael Shoulders
Published 2008 by Sleeping Bear Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781585363544

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Jacket Notes:

Mother shares a book about love while Brother shares a book about friendship. Next Aunt Grace shares a book about adventure. Everyone in this family is eager to share books and have the newest member's affection and attention. But all kidding aside, this family knows the bond that is created when readingaloud with someone you love. When Daddy closed the last page, he smiled at me for hours and said, 'Say Daddy! Say Daddy!' He hoped Daddy would be my first word! But wait. Did we hear correctly? 'Book' I said. 'Book!' Educator Michael Shoulders, who has devoted his career and life to spreading the word that "reading is magic," offers a gentle tale reinforcing the bonding power of a good book and the importance of developing lifelong reading skills.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-This story is narrated from the perspective of a newborn: "On the day I was born Mother welcomed me into the world with tears of joy and read me my first book." Daddy reads to his baby bear as soon as they come home from the hospital. One after another and over time, various family members share books with the baby, pointing out what wonderful adventures can be found within the pages. The stories convey important messages about kindness and caring, dreaming and making wishes come true, friendship, the value of laughter, and more. After reading aloud, each relative urges the child to say his or her name, but it's no surprise that the child's first word is "book" (though the father still hopes that the second one will be "Daddy"). Pastel watercolor illustrations heighten the dreamy, sweet, and cheerful atmosphere of this heavily messaged tale. Parents and caregivers make the best audience for this story, which would be useful in literacy and wellness programs for young families and will find a place in parenting collections along with Rosemary Wells's Read to Your Bunny (Scholastic, 1998).-Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Friday My Radio Flyer Flew
by Zachary Pullen
Published 2008 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416939832

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Jacket Notes:

The illustrator of the Texas Bluebonnet Award finalist "The Toughest Cowboy" becomes a first-time author with this heartwarming tale of one little boy with high-flying ambitions for his trusty old Radio Flyer wagon. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-On Saturday a boy discovers his father's old Radio Flyer in the attic. As the week progresses, he thinks of flying and builds wings for the wagon, which break off when he tries to take off on a wooden ramp. His father is a continual presence-pulling him in the wagon, working beside him in the garage, running to see about him when he crashes, and, finally, sharing his flight of imagination. Subtle alliteration moves the story through the week, as in "Wednesday was wet./We had to wait." Full-color spreads are oversize and beautifully done in oil paints. Still, they scarcely contain Pullen's powerful images of a young boy working out his dream of flying. The boy's head is large, his face is expressive, and he bears an unmistakable resemblance to his dad. The final spread-father and son together in the Radio Flyer, their eyes closed, their arms outstretched, their bodies tilted as if in flight-is take-your-breath-away wonderful. This is a strong first purchase, affirming the bond between boys and their fathers as well as the power of imagination.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Dirty Joe, the Pirate: A True Story
by Bill Harley
Published 2008 by HarperCollins

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780066237800

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Jacket Notes:

Grammy Award-winning storyteller Harley delivers this zany read-aloud about the dreaded pirate Dirty Joe and his crew, who sail the seas in search of the smelliest treasure ever: dirty socks! Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-This book has everything to attract kids and tickle their funny bones-pirates, smelly socks, and, best of all, undies! In rollicking rhyme, Harley tells of a "cruel and evil man" who sails the seven seas with his crew, stealing dirty socks to hang proudly on the ship's rigging. But Dirty Joe meets his match when he comes upon Stinky Annie and her all-female crew, buccaneers who specialize in pilfering and displaying undergarments: "Boxers big and boxers small, with stripes and polka dots,/And tighty-whities hung there too, like the ones your grandpa's got." After a battle fought with swords, toasters, tennis rackets, and whatever else comes to hand, the barefoot women prevail and, in a heartfelt and humorous moment, Joe and Annie discover that they are siblings. That doesn't stop Annie from taking Joe's drawers, leading to a last-page bemoaning of the fact that older sisters hold a lifelong upper hand. Davis's balloon-headed, goofy characters are just right for the tale. The chaotic full-color pictures are jam-packed with pirates and dirty laundry. The crews, dressed in a hilarious mishmash of styles, will have readers poring over the pages to spot amusing details. Even kids who aren't pirate fans will be wooed and wowed by this rib-tickling tale.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Steel Town
by Jonah Winter
Published 2008 by Atheneum Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781416940814

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Jacket Notes:

The gritty yet poetic world of American steel-mill towns of the 1930s is brought to life through Winter's lyrical, rhythmic text and Widener's luscious, nocturnal illustrations. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-From the time children open the cover, everything about this oversize book speaks to the grand scale of steel and iron production circa 1935. Readers are drawn immediately into the heat and the grime of a steel town, from the tall trim size to the steely endpapers. The acrylic artwork creates an atmosphere of gloom with fiery furnaces and gray skies. Against this backdrop is the rhythmic, repetitious language detailing a day in the life of Steel Town. Starting with coal and ending with a "flaming river" of molten iron, the production of iron is lyrically described. The uses and purposes of iron round out the picture of steel while the workers go home and get ready for another day in the mills. Both informative and visually stunning, this beautifully written and powerfully illustrated picture book will make a perfect addition to any collection.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gorgonzola: A Very Stinkysaurus
by Margie Palatini
Published 2008 by Katherine Tegen Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780060738976

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Gorgonzola is a dinosaur known near and far for his D.O.--dinosaur odor. Gorgonzola is one serious stinker until a brave little bird shows him how to clean up his act. This tale offers a valuable first lesson about personal hygiene. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Palatini and Bowers have a winner in this hilarious story about an awkward subject. Gorgonzola the dinosaur isn't mean, he isn't scary, and he isn't fierce. But boy does he stink! He smells so "doggone awful" that no one can stand to be around him. The poor guy doesn't even realize his offense until a plucky bird finally tells him, "You could petrify a rock with that prehistoric aroma of yours." He was an orphaned egg and had to hatch himself; he never had a mother to tell him about soap, toothbrushes, or blowing his nose. Birdie decides to help and soon has her new friend spiffed up and ready to join the rest of civilization, "proud to be the first dinosaur declared 'ex-stink.'" The over-the-top illustrations of the grossed-out dinosaurs running in alarm from the steaming Gorgonzola will bring belly laughs to children and inspiration to the grown-ups who have to wrestle them into the bathtub or dentist's chair. Witty dialogue and an effective layout get the personal hygiene message across without being preachy or didactic. Gorgonzola has loads of child appeal and will be enjoyed for its humor and charm.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Just What Mama Needs
by Sharlee Mullins Glenn
Published 2008 by Harcourt Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780152057596

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Jacket Notes:

Household chores are wondrously transformed into magical activities in this imaginative Mother's Day book that showcases the days of the week and celebrates self-esteem. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-K-Each day of the week, Abby dresses up to assume an exciting identity. The pup's equally imaginative mother welcomes these fancy flights, each time exclaiming, "Just what I need," and then makes use of the experiment of the day. When Abby is a pirate, she and mom "swab the decks." When she announces that she is a witch, they concoct a delicious brew called soup. On Sunday, when Abby is herself, her mother's response remains the same, with a cuddle for good measure. Glenn's descriptive text and use of onomatopoeia provide an ideal read-aloud. A "Yee-haw!" on the cowgirl page and three wishes when Abby's a genie will keep youngsters guessing what this engaging dog will try next. Hirao's collage and colored-pencil art, expressed on a variety of paper surfaces, alternates stark views as Abby introduces a costume, followed by busy scenes of her imagination and the real-life labors. A view of "rounding up livestock" (two escaped hamsters) is especially comic. Young listeners will take pleasure in finding Abby's lithe black cat, which appears in the larger scenes. There's something to please nearly everyone in this tale.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Such a Silly Baby!
by Steffanie Lorig
Published 2008 by Chronicle Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780811851343

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Jacket Notes:

Bursting with bright illustrations and a rollicking text, this boisterous book invites readers to hoot, neigh, snort, and giggle along with a very silly baby.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 05/12/2008

As preschoolers will undoubtedly note with glee, the title of this book should be "Such a Silly Mommy!" After all, it's Mommy who can't manage to go on an outing without bringing home an animal instead of her offspring. Whatever the destination, the refrain is always the same: "But there was a hitch.../ my baby got switched," and clueless Mommy ends up with, say, a chimpanzee, while Baby takes up residence in the monkey house. Baby is always retrieved with the turn of a page, but the spreads give readers plenty of opportunity to savor his briefly unsupervised cavorting in a comic, exotic setting. Exuberant, hand-lettered text practically demands audience participation on the animal noises ("oo... oo... ee... ee..." for the chimps). Paired with this husband-and-wife team, Shepherd (Fiona Loves the Night) illustrates in the Nadine Bernard Westcott vein; she revels in buoyantly hued silliness and goofy visual asides. A firm hand, however, guides these compositions, most evidently in Shepherd's use of thick, textured fields of color, and readers won't get overwhelmed. Ages up to 4. (May)

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-The hapless mother in this bouncy rhyming tale just can't keep track of her silly baby: he gets switched with the chimpanzee at the zoo, with the dancing bear at the circus, with a lazy sow at the farm, and with a buffalo at the Wild West show. Then, when she finally gets the child home for a nap, all the animals follow. The flexible tot makes himself right at home in every new environment, swinging from the ropes with the monkeys, walking the tightrope, rolling in the mud, and twirling a lasso. Each time he greets Mom again, he adds a new phrase learned from his animal friends, for a cumulative festival of animal sounds that storytime listeners will love. Shepherd's bright, wildly cartoonlike oil paintings perfectly reflect the wackiness of the text. Pair this with Audrey Wood's Silly Sally (Harcourt, 1992) for a simply silly storytime.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Stormy's Hat: Just Right for a Railroad Man
by Eric A. Kimmel
Published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780374372620

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Stormy Kromer is an engineer who loves driving trains. But he has one problem: he can't find the right hat for a railroad man. He tries a derby, a cowboy hat, and a fireman's hat. Nothing works. Stormy tells his wife, Ida, not to worry, he'll figure out something. But Ida isn't worrying--she's thinking. If only Stormy would listen . . .Brought to life by Andrea U'Ren's colorful paintings, this spirited story is loosely based on the actual creation in 1903 of the hat still used by railroad workers today.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Set in the early 1900s, this engaging picture book introduces George "Stormy" Kromer, who loves everything about being a railroad engineer-except that he just can't find the right hat for the job. He tries several different toppers to no avail: a derby blows away; a cowboy hat is too large; a pressman's folded-newspaper hat catches on fire; and a fireman's helmet is just too heavy. With each failure, his wife tries to offer a suggestion, but he brushes her off, until Ida finally puts her foot down: "Either listen to what I have to say, or stop complaining." Stormy describes all the features of his ideal headgear, and Ida, an accomplished seamstress, designs and sews it for him. Soon orders are coming in from all over the world and Stormy and Ida open a factory. An author's note tells more about the real couple and how they developed the cap that railroad workers still wear today. U'Ren's vibrant paintings capture the palette and motion of Midwestern landscapes and city scenes. The illustrations have an unforced multiculturalism (Stormy's cowboy friend is African American; a Chinese-American storekeeper stacks hats; and a painting of a modern-day railroad yard shows individuals of different ethnicities). With a snappy, high-interest story and connections to hats, history, trains, gender equality, and industrialism, this book is a gem for libraries and classrooms.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Tiny on the Farm
by Cari Meister
Published 2008 by Viking Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780670062461

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Jacket Notes:

Tiny, the lovable giant dog from "Tiny Goes Camping," stars in his very first picture book. Tiny and Eliot visit Uncle John's farm and are soon caught up in a hunt for some missing kittens. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 1-In their latest adventure, Tiny, a barn-size dog, and his boy help Uncle John find his lost kittens. With a nose as big as a small boy's head, the pup is well suited for the job, and he does not disappoint. This easy reader uses simple text to tell a predictable, uncomplicated story that will appeal to children. Illustrations are cartoonlike and cheery, providing visual clues for the more difficult vocabulary ("hayloft," "horseshoe," "grasshopper"). Tiny dominates the spreads with his exaggerated proportions and is sure to appeal to kids' fascination with friendly giants. A perky bluebird provides a clever counterpoint to the colossal canine. Children will enjoy identifying the farm animals and searching the pictures for the missing felines.-Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
by Melanie Watt
Published 2008 by Kids Can Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781554532254

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05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Scaredy Squirrel is frightened by everything associated with the beach-seagulls, sea monsters, jellyfish, etc. He decides to vacation alone, at home, and creates a beach environment with a bag of kitty litter, a plastic flamingo, a flashlight for sunlight, etc. Something is missing, though-the sound of the ocean. The squirrel then devises an elaborate plan to retrieve a seashell (unoccupied) from the real beach by mailing himself to the shore. He has such a good day there-amid the crowd of people-that he forgets his fears and decides to populate his personal beach with a crowd of garden gnomes. Children with fears of the unknown will relate to this tale. The simple story line explains Scaredy Squirrel's worries, plans, and activities in a humorous way. Digitally rendered illustrations in pastel, Floridian colors add amusing details. This is an excellent book to share one-on-one.-Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Ducks Don't Wear Socks
by John Nedwidek
Published 2008 by Viking Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780670061365

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Through a series of humorous run-ins, Duck teaches Emily the importance of laughing--especially at oneself. A witty and comical debut picture book, this hilariously illustrated story is sure to have readers laughing. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A serious girl learns to loosen up after meeting a dapper duck with a wacky wardrobe and a penchant for delivering deadpan retorts. She first sees him wearing socks, and then a tie, a cowboy hat, and the always-giggle-generating underwear. The seemingly coincidental meetings follow a pattern that children will appreciate. When straitlaced Emily questions Duck's attire, he is always ready with a succinct (and silly) reply that requires him to continue on his merry way. As the story progresses, his outfits and reasons become more outlandish, causing Emily to lighten up and ultimately find a way to make Duck himself laugh in return. Duck's retorts appear in bold font and encourage readers to build on their expression. White's colorful illustrations bring the story's humor to life. The cartoon style allows the creature's wackiness to shine while providing visual clues for those just beginning to read independently. A lighthearted lesson on the benefits of laughter, this is just plain fun. Duck will fly off the shelves with the same speed as Mo Willems's Pigeon.-Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

The Life of a Car
by Susan Steggall
Published 2008 by Henry Holt & Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780805087475

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Jacket Notes:

Many things happen in the life of a car: it's built, sold, driven, washed . . . sometimes it even crashes! In this book, preschoolers see all of these events, and in the end learn that an old car can even be recycled to start anew. Each two-page spread focuses on a certain stage in a car's existence. Susan Steggall's brightly colored collage art will attract all automobile lovers and invite them in for a fun look at the life of a car.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-With torn-paper collages in saturated color and just three words for every spread except the last, Steggall presents the life cycle of a car from its manufacture to its destruction and recycling, when the process begins anew. Large spreads show the car's assembly, delivery, purchase by a woman with two children, and how they use and maintain it until an accident requires that they call a tow truck and dispose of it. Cars crowd the endpapers, and a designer is busily at work on the title page. Sharp readers will notice that, like the vehicles in Steggall's On the Road (Kane/Miller, 2005), these autos have steering wheels on the right, license plates that look different, and travel on the left side of the road. As an added bonus, the youngsters who journey with this car through its brief life will also bump into delicious verbs such as "deliver," "tow," "strip," "crush," and "recycle."-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

The Sandman
by Ralph J. Fletcher
Published 2008 by Henry Holt & Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780805077261

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Jacket Notes:

This imaginative telling of the legend of the Sandman combines with fantastical, illuminating pictures for a beautiful rendering. Full color.

05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-This fabulous story explains the origins of the Sandman. Tor is a tiny fellow who finds a dragon's scale. Taking it home to his workshop, he studies it and then starts to sharpen it. The dust that gathers makes him fall asleep. Once awake, it's a small leap for him to imagine how helpful this dust will be to all who suffer from sleeplessness, especially children. Fletcher's smoothly written story flows in a thoroughly plausible way and is beautifully served by Cowdrey's vibrant acrylic paintings. Especially intriguing are the wonderful little details, like Tor's mouse-drawn carriage made out of buttons. The old-fashioned look is refreshingly straightforward, free of irony and adult-oriented nostalgia. All in all, this is a compelling story with pictures that add drama, charm, and atmosphere.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog
by John Hassett
Published 2008 by Houghton Mifflin Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780618811533

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Sister wished for a cat for her birthday, but she got Dudley instead. Dudley is all dog, and he likes to chase cats. Dudley chases one, two, three cats and more across a busy street, down the railroad tracks, past a skunk, through a construction site, past a bumblebee nest, into a burning building, around a swimming pool, through a thunderstorm, and all the way to the circus, where the cats are called tigers. Bad dog! Does he think he has nine lives like a cat? Maybe so, in this delightfully zany tale of poetic justice and birthday wishes come true.

The Fish Who Cried Wolf
by Julia Donaldson
Published 2008 by Arthur A. Levine Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780439928250

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Jacket Notes:

Tiddler is late to school every day, but always has an elaborate excuse for his teacher. One day, as he's thinking up his next story, a net sweeps him up and hauls him far away. How will Tiddler find his way home? Full color.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 05/19/2008

Although their title implies an aquatic variation of the Aesop fable, Donaldson and Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo) turn out a different animal altogether. True, diminutive Tiddler is given to tall tales ("Sorry I'm late... on the way to school I was captured by a squid"). But while no one believes them, his stories save his life when he gets lost: a frightened Tiddler discovers that creatures have been passing on his improbable stories to one another in a kind of chain-and if he follows that chain in reverse, he'll end up right back home. Donaldson's rhyming text is crisp and clean, leaving plenty of metaphorical room for Scheffler's expansively imagined art. Always gifted at conjuring up entire worlds (even his spot illustrations feel animated and lovingly detailed), he creates an ocean effervescent with texture, color and vividly expressive personalities. And Tiddler is an excellent reader surrogate: spunky, wide-eyed and ultimately triumphant. Ages 3-5. (May)

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference
by Katie Smith Milway
Published 2008 by Kids Can Press

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781554530281

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05/01/2008 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-After his father dies, Kojo quits school to help his mother collect firewood to sell, but there is little money or food. However, his small Ashanti village has elected to try microlending, a system where the village loans money to one family to buy something that will hopefully improve their lives; once it is paid back, another family borrows it, etc. When it is the boy's mother's turn, Kojo uses a few of the coins to buy a hen. The story then follows him as he grows and slowly but steadily builds the proceeds from that one hen into the largest poultry farm in West Africa. Throughout, the author shows how his success impacts the lives of everyone it touches, from the people whom Kojo is able to employ to the taxes he pays that will build roads and medical facilities. The story is based on the experiences of an actual Ashanti poultry farmer and could open diverse avenues of discussion, including how a community's mutual support and teamwork operate for the good of all. Fernandes's large acrylic paintings capture the warmth of the climate and include numerous details, such as splashes of kente cloth, that authenticate the setting. There are also many illustrations that spark the imagination, such as the one of a tree with Kojo's first hen at its roots, growing more hens as the tree grows, with eggs blossoming from the branches. This distinguished book will enhance many curriculum areas. Tololwa M. Mollel's My Rows and Piles of Coins (Clarion, 1999) is a good companion piece.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ