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Winter
2002 Children's Book Sense 76
Unique and provocative
selections from a great diversity of voices...all personally recommended by
the independent booksellers of America.
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| New
Gems for Ages 4 - 8 |
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 Alphaboat
by Michael
Chesworth
"Punctuation and poetry pack this tale of Captain C, the Alpha-crew, and
Admiral T in their search for the treasure of Mister E! A combination of sly visual
and verbal puns makes this rollicking read-aloud as much fun for the grown-ups
as for the small fry. One of the cleverest picture books we've seen in quite a
while." -- Diane Danielson & Vincent Desjardins, Snow Goose Bookstore,
Stanwood, WA
 Another
Perfect Day
by Ross
MacDonald
"Things are going well for your average superhero during his daily routine,
until things suddenly go awry. This charming story is about a little boy's dream
as he struggles to wake up on a bright, sunny morning. With totally cool retro
illustrations, this will have young and old laughing" -- Liz Morgan &
Kimberly Hughes, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI
 Baghead
by Jarrett
J. Krosoczka
"Okay, so there has been a haircutting incident in my family, so maybe that's
why I got such a good laugh from this fabulous read-aloud. But I think all parents
and children alike will enjoy this fresh new voice in children's picture books."
-- Sarah Parker, Scott's Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA
 The
Bookstore Mouse
by Peggy
Christian
"This 1996 gem is finally out in paperback. Perhaps one of my family's favorite
books of all time: It's the story of a bookstore mouse, an illiterate cat, and
an adventure in words. There's a giant named Jargon, a dragon named Censor, and
a scribe named Cervantes. A great read-aloud for all ages." -- Nancy
Tebeau, Not Just for Kids Bookstore, Wake Forest, NC
 The
Collie of Castle Hill
by Christine
Reilly Carter
"Based on a true story, this book is about the wonderful relationship between
a child and a dog. The pencil illustrations beautifully bring the seasons and
holidays on their farm to life." -- Lorilee Buzby, Califon Bookshop,
Califon, NJ
 Courage
by Bernard
Waber
"Add my vote to the many that this special book will receive. Waber has given
us a humorous but poignant look at some very real aspects of courage in an accessible
presentation. This is a book that educators, parents, and friends will be sharing
for years to come. One of the best books on the subject in a long time."
-- Sheilah Egan, A Likely Story Children's Bookstore, Alexandria, VA
 Dear
Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School
by Mark
Teague
"What a witty book! Little dog Ike has been sent to obedience school by his
owner, and his letters home make it sound like a prison. But the funny illustrations
show us otherwise." -- Kara Luger, Chinook Bookshop, Colorado Springs,
CO
 Epossumondas
by Colleen
Salley; illustrated by Janet
Stevens
"The single best read-aloud this year. Master storyteller Salley's tale begs
to be read with an accent, but suffers nothing without one. Janet Stevens, one
of our favorite illustrators, provides utterly fun and fabulous pictorial life
to young Epossumondas, who follows directions all too well. Three thumbs up!"
-- Melissa Mytinger, Cody's, Berkeley, CA
 Ignacio's
Chair
by Gloria
Evangelista; illustrated by Cathy
Morrison
"The life and times of an antique chair from the 16th Century to the present
age are chronicled in this impressive picture book. Kings, pirates, and immigrants
all play a part in this remarkable chair's story." -- Dana Harper, Brystone
Children's Books, Ft. Worth, TX
 Mole
& the Baby Bird
by Marjorie
Newman; illustrated by Patrick
Benson
"Simple and beautiful language reveals a universal truth: If you love something,
set it free." -- Adrianne Harper, Brystone Children's Books, Ft. Worth,
TX
 Mrs.
Biddlebox
by Linda
Smith
"Did you ever wake up in a dreary little funk? Mrs. Biddlebox is having a
perfectly awful day, but, instead of grumbling, she comes up with a truly extraordinary
idea: Why not take all the ingredients of this dismal day and bake them into a
cake? What a fun book to share with anyone having 'one of those days.'"
-- Marilyn Smith, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY
 The
Nightingale
by Hans
Christian Andersen; illustrated by Jerry
Pinkney
"Pinkney chose to move this familiar tale to exotic Morocco, filling his
pages with lavish palace gardens, richly patterned clothing, and lush landscapes.
The cultural richness of his artwork brings a new warmth to this story, and every
page is a gift." -- Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI
 Plantzilla
by Jerdine
Nolan; illustrated by David
Catrow
"When Mortimer adopts the class plant for the summer, he gets a little more
than he bargained for in this wacky tale. It quickly grows to 'Little Shop
of Horrors' proportions and begins to dominate the household. The story is
told entirely through letters -- an always delightful format -- and the detailed
illustrations are hilarious." -- Kate McNally, Bookshop Benicia, Benicia,
CA
 The
Pot That Juan Built
by Nancy
Andrews-Goebel; illustrated by David
Diaz
"Readers will enjoy this book on several levels: the familiar, bouncy rhyme
on the left-hand pages that tells the true story of Juan Quezada's renaissance
of Mexican pottery; on the right hand pages, Diaz's glowing illustrations."
-- Rory Walsh, Kids Ink Children's Bookstores, Indianapolis, IN
 Raccoon
Moon
by Nancy
Carol Willis
"A heartfelt story of a raccoon family's first year together. This charming
book has facts incorporated in the story, so you are learning while enjoying."
-- Joy Winslow, Danner's Books, Muncie, IN
 The
Range Eternal
by Louise
Erdrich; illustrated by Steve
Johnson
and Lou
Fancher
"This is Erdrich's lyrical, touching tribute to the heart of her childhood
home: an old-fashioned, wood-burning cookstove which the family took for granted
until it was gone. A great book to share on the cold winter nights to come."
-- Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN
 Ruby's
Wish
by Shirin
Yim Bridges; illustrated by Sophie
Blackall
"This beautiful book is set in China at a time when education was considered
only the birthright of boys. Happily, for one young girl, the patriarch in the
story recognizes Ruby's talents and her eagerness to become educated."
-- Judy Hamel, Childrens' Corner Bookshop, Spokane, WA
 When
Marian Sang
by Pam
Munoz Ryan; illustrated by Brian
Selznick
"Ryan's words and Selznick's art powerfully combine to bring to life the
story of Marian Anderson's incredible triumph in the late 1930s: Finally being
allowed to sing before an integrated audience on the Lincoln Memorial steps."
-- Candace Moreno, San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe, San Marino, CA
 Ug:
Boy Genius of the Stone Age
by Raymond
Briggs
"Briggs's new book is fun, wonderfully illustrated, and full of his warm
and quirky charm. Ug's story is the story of each of us, at one time or another,
as we've tried to discover our way and fit in a world that doesn't always make
sense." -- Herman Fong, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
 Zathura
by Chris
Van Allsburg
"Open this book and you'll immediately realize you're in for a strange
and imaginative adventure. Van Allsburg strikes the perfect balance between
the everyday world of sibling rivalry and a world where anything can happen.
I loved this as much as his Jumanji!" -- Harvada Elisberg, Children's
Bookshop, Appleton, WI
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