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Early
School-Age Children
 The
Magic Kerchief
(by Kirby Larson/illus. by Rosanne Litzinger, Holiday House $15.95)
Nasty old Griselda is transformed into a kinder and gentler neighbor
when she receives a magic kerchief from a mysterious traveler. A
good "do unto others" story. 5 & up.
 The
Butterfly
(by Patricia Polacco, Philomel $16.99) In the dark of night a "ghost"
of a girl appears in Monique's bedroom. But she is no ghost! Set
in Nazi occupied France, this suspenseful story tells of the terror,
courage, and friendship of a French family that helped a Jewish
family hide and escape. Based on true events, Polacco's artful blend
of image and story are bittersweet reminders of a cruel time when
even butterflies were not free. 7 & up.
Max
(by Bob Graham, Candlewick $15.99) Despite the fact that his superhero
parents and grandparents can fly, young Max can't get off the ground!
A reassuring tale for kids who often worry about living up to expectations-their
own as well as others. 5 & up.
Martha
and Skits
(by Susan Meddaugh, Houghton Mifflin $15) Martha, our favorite talking
dog, is back and she's not the one and only any more. Skits, a rambunctious
pup, has arrived and is upsetting everything-including Martha's
alphabet soup! But living up to Martha's special way with words
makes her a hard act to follow! Like a true big sister, Martha finds
a way to let Skits be a star. 4-8.
 The
Brand New Kid
(by Katie Couric/illus. by Marjorie Priceman, Doubleday $15.95)
Kids who are starting in a new school as well as kids who are returning
will relate to this all too familiar story of being an outsider.
In lilting verse, Couric spins a little lesson that speaks to being
kind and accepting and the courage it sometimes takes to stand up
for someone who is being excluded. We want our kids to be kind and
often we expect them to be that way naturally. But sometimes we
need to be direct about this and The Brand New Kid can help you
do that. 5 & up.
 You
Can't Take a Balloon Into the National Gallery
(by Jacqueline P. Weitzman & Robin P. Glasser, Dial $16.99) Grandma
is taking her grandkids to the National Gallery. A photographer
volunteers to hold onto their balloon, but when it flies away, she
takes off on a fast-paced chase through the capital with historic
figures to spot throughout. 6 & up
Yoshi's
Feast
(by Kimiko Kajikawa /illus. by Yumi Heo, DK Ink $15.95) Yoshi, a
Japanese fan maker, loves the smell of his neighbor Sabu's broiled
eels. But Yoshi is too tight-fisted to buy dinner, so Sabu decides
to charge for the pleasure of smelling his eels. A witty, cleverly
crafted tale with stylish art. 5 & up.
 Horsefly
(by Alice Hoffman/illus. by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher, Hyperion
$15.99) Jewel, who is afraid of horses, intends to never ride one,
ever! So when a tiny foal arrives, Jewel is upset that her grandfather
expects her to care for the runty thing. As time passes, Jewel begins
to feel differently about "Bug," even before she discovers his magical
wings! A delightful flight of fancy! 5 & up.
The
Girl Who Spun Gold
(by Virginia Hamilton/illus. by Leo & Diane Dillon, Scholastic $16.95)
A master storyteller has re-spun this old tale with the lilting
voice of the West Indies where Rumplestiltskin is known as Lit'mahn.
The Dillons add their golden touch to one of the best read-alouds
of the season! 6 & up.
 America's
Champion Swimmer, Gertrude Ederle
(by David A. Adler/illus. by Terry Widener, Harcourt $16) Olympic
champion, Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel.
She inspired many women with a sense of pride, in an age when women
were considered the weaker sex. 7 & up.
 Liberty
(by Lynn Curlee, Atheneum $18) It is hard to imagine a time when
Lady Liberty was not standing in New York's harbor. As in his award
winning book, Rushmore, Curlee documents the long years of effort
it took to raise the funds and build the colossal statue-a gem of
a book about a national treasure. 8 & up.
Amazing
Pop-Up House of Inventions
(by Robert Crowther, Candlewick $14.99) Kids often don't even think
about the fact that there have not always been zippers, email, mirrors
or soap. In a clever pop-up format, Crowther creates six typical
rooms of a house and labels the many typical items in each room
with thumbnail bits of information about inventions. 6 & up.
A
Book of Artrageous Projects
(editors of Klutz & Metropolitan Museum of Art $19.95) From the
copper cover to hammer, to the stickers, solar prints, weavings,
drawings, and paintings this is a rich invitation to experience
the many art forms found in the Met. An awesome art chest-it's bound
like a book but filled with boundless ideas to spark kids' creativity.
9 & up.
Willy's
Pictures
(by Anthony Browne, Candlewick $16.99) Willy the chimp loves to
paint and knows that each painting tells a story. Browne takes us
on a wonderful tour of some of the world's most famous works of
art as interpreted by Willy. A glossary at the end allows kids to
compare Willy's work with the originals. A thoroughly engaging introduction
to art appreciation. 6 & up.
Seven
Spools of Thread
(by Angela S. Medearis/illus. by Daniel Minter, Whitman $15.95)
In a village in Ghana, seven brothers quarrel from day to night.
When their father dies he leaves his possessions to them only if
by sundown they can turn seven spools of colored thread into gold.
Although this is called a Kwanzaa story, it is a timeless and memorable
tale about working together for a common good. In this case, they
create the very special woven Kente cloth that they sell for gold
in the market. A memorable pour quoi-style tale with striking woodcuts
filled with the symbols of Kwanzaa. 5 & up.
 Dream
Snow
(by Eric Carle, Philomel $21.99) An utterly simple story about a
farmer, his five animals, blankets of snow, and remembering the
season. Vinyl overlay sheets of snow on each animal and the musical
button at the end of the story are just extra topping on top of
Carle's stunning illustrations. 2 & up.
If
You Take a Mouse to the Movies
(by Laura Numeroff/illus. by Felicia Bond, HarperCollins $15.95)
A Christmas treat from the team that created If You Give a Mouse
a Cookie. The movie popcorn is needed for the Christmas tree of
course and that's where the fun begins! A "read it again" romp.
3 & up.
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