We're Going on a Lion Hunt
by Margery Cuyler
Published 2008 by Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780761454540

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Jacket Notes:

Its fun to leave the classroom and enter the imagination

10/01/2008 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3A lively teacher and her energetic students step out of the classroom and into the jungle for an adventure. A twist on the traditional "Going on a Bear Hunt" and similar to David Axtell's "We're Going on a Lion Hunt" (Holt, 2000), Cuyler's rollicking adaptation stands on it own. On their quest for a lion, the kids slog through mud, climb up trees, splish-splash through a river, and so on. Different species of animals watch as the children make their way to a cave inhabited by a furry, cold-nosed lion with sharp teeth. Printed in color, the action words are set apart from the black text, which is placed within the double-page illustrations. Mathieu's colored-pencil and watercolor artwork bounces off the spreads. He gives the characters individual facial expressions, which convey their changing moods. The illustrations in Axtell's "Lion Hunt" are more realistic and star two African girls. Both versions could be used in combination for compare and contrast lessons."Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Chicken, Pig, Cow
by Ruth Ohi
Published 2008 by Annick Press

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 9781554511570

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Featuring both economy of words and expressive color illustrations this toddler-friendly story tells the story of 3 toy barnyard animals who learn to become friends with the family dog. "Chicken, Pig and Cow love everything about their home... everything except Dog." Pig, Chicken and Cow love the warm and cozy barn that Girl made for them out of Popsicle(TM) sticks. Even though Girl forgot to make a door, the three toy animals think their home is perfect. The only thing that isn't perfect is Dog. He lives outside, but his drool makes it feel as if it's raining in the barn. One day, Pig and Chicken decide to go exploring, leaving Cow behind. Before long, Cow hears a drooly, snorty sort of sound, followed by a crash as the barn tips over. Dog is very big, and Cow is terrified -- but she really has nothing to fear. All Dog wants to do is play, as Pig and Chicken discover during a daring rescue. Dog becomes a friend. Best of all, now that two sticks have been knocked free, their barn is indeed perfect -- front door and all. With her trademark economy of words and expressive characters, Ruth Ohi has created a refreshing toddler-friendly story about making friends.

12/01/2008 School Library Journal

PreSChicken, Pig, and Cow live in a barn constructed of Popsicle sticks. The toy barn would be just right if the child who built it had not neglected to include a door and roof. Most days, this does not matter because the toys are taken outside. However, one day the animals wait and wait but Girl doesn't come. Working together, two of the clay animals successfully escape while Cow stays behind. She is not alone for long, because huge Dog, who often rains drool down into the roofless barn, has other plans. In the end the three toy animals make a friend and their barn gets a door. The simple text and expressive watercolors, set on a white background, are perfect for sharing with a group. This charming look at what toys and pets are up to when children aren't around is a solid choice for young animal lovers."Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.PreSChicken, Pig, and Cow live in a barn constructed of Popsicle sticks. The toy barn would be just right if the child who built it had not neglected to include a door and roof. Most days, this does not matter because the toys are taken outside. However, one day the animals wait and wait but Girl doesn't come. Working together, two of the clay animals successfully escape while Cow stays behind. She is not alone for long, because huge Dog, who often rains drool down into the roofless barn, has other plans. In the end the three toy animals make a friend and their barn gets a door. The simple text and expressive watercolors, set on a white background, are perfect for sharing with a group. This charming look at what toys and pets are up to when children aren't around is a solid choice for young animal lovers."Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

The Firefighters
by Sue Whiting
Published 2008 by Candlewick Press (MA)

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780763640194

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Jacket Notes:

From sounding the siren to speeding off in their fire engine (empty boxes will do), children love playing firefighters with Mrs. Iverson. This winsome firefighting tale is full of sound words and bright, full-color illustrations. Children will want to grab their coats and boots and rush straight to this winsome firefighting tale full of sound words and bright illustrations.

"Weee-ooo! Weee-ooo! Weee-ooo!

Our fi re engines are fast and noisy -- just like the real ones."

From sounding the siren to speeding off in their fire engines (empty boxes will do), from finding the fire to expertly putting it out, the children love playing firefighters with Mrs. Iverson. They are brave and strong, just like real firefighters. And after a hard day of fighting fires, nothing is better than having two real live firefighters come to visit and getting to climb aboard their big, red, shiny fire engine!

12/01/2008 School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2In Mrs. Iverson's classroom, cardboard boxes are transformed into fire engines that are "fast and noisyjust like the REAL ones." At the sound of the recess bell, three friends lead the way onto the playground with fire hoses crafted out of paper tubes, oxygen masks fashioned out of scarfs, and siren wails of "WEEEE-OOO! WEEE-OOO!" Their teacher joins in the make-believe fun and then invites the fire department for a school visit. The male and female firefighters engage the class with stories about "rescuing people from burning buildings" and then stage a practice drill, emphasizing the Australian fire slogan of "get down low and GO, GO, GO!" Rawlins's acrylic illustrations feature bright, primary colors that stand out against the clean, white backgrounds. The young children are shown exploring the inside of the fire truck alongside their mentors. A great choice for introducing not only fire safety, but also creative play."Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Babar's USA
by Laurent de Brunhoff
Published 2008 by Abrams Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780810970960

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In a brand-new adventure, Barbar and his family return to the United States and visit such landmarks as New York City, Key West, Hollywood, and the Grand Canyon. Featuring photos of the USA combined with original Babar illustrations, this work is sure to take little ones on an exciting tour of modern America. Full color. Celebrate Babar as he celebrates America! "An all-new Babar book featuring photos of the USA collaged with original Babar illustrations for an exciting tour of modern America " In a new picture book featuring the internationally beloved and bestselling Babar, the lovable elephant and his family travel across the United States. Using collage--watercolor illustrations were pasted onto digital photographs--to put the characters directly into real-life scenes, Laurent de Brunhoff takes Babar and his family around the country to see the sights, from New York, where they see such icons as the Brooklyn Bridge and FAO Schwarz; to Memphis, Tennessee, where they see Graceland; to Key West, Florida, where they enjoy the beach; to Wyoming, where they see Yellowstone National Park; and to California, where they see the La Brea Tar Pits, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more; and to everywhere in between. The innovative format and clever design are perfect complements to the reissue of "Babar Comes to America." Readers new and familiar will revisit this volume to see the sights and will be inspired to pack their trunks and head out across the country.

10/01/2008 School Library Journal

K-Gr 2 De Brunhoff's cast of characters tours the USA, photographically documented by Zephir, the monkey. Babar's family spends a lot of time with their friends in New York City, visiting familiar places like Times Square, FAO Schwarz, and Central Park. Cornelius is impressed by the city's diversity, which, young Pom explains, means that here, "We don't look weird." Heading west, they are amazed by the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, and enjoy other stops including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hawaii, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Along the way, they make wry observations about how Americans talk ("No problem," "Have a good day") and behave (optimistically, high-spirited), concluding that "Anything you say about the USA may be true, and the opposite may be true, too, because it is such a big country]." The illustrations were done using watercolor cutouts placed on digital photographs, creating an unusual but appealing effect. While the prose is clear and simple, the itinerary is at times confusing, as the entourage jumps from coast to coast. An appendix identifies the sites by page number, although the pages of the book itself are not numbered. No matter, Babar fans will welcome the family's latest outing."Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.