We've just received a nice selection of children's books for review. Check them out and then stop by our site in a few weeks to read the reviews.
Deck The Walls!: A Wacky Christmas Carol Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la. How wonderful the old carol sounds. A vision of warm family gatherings peacefully celebrating the holiday season comes to mind. But wait, this doesn’t sound like a peaceful family get-together. What is happening here? Deck the walls with mashed potatoes! Fa la la la la la la la la. Make a snowman with tomatoes. Fa la la la la la la la la. Author Erin Dealey has taken the old holiday classic and turned it on its head. In her riotous, raucous rendition of a family meal gone hilariously awry, you’ll find food hockey, vegetable sculptures, crashing dishes, and grown-ups wondering what has gone wrong. From “Feed the dog our peas and carrots” to “Food tastes better when you wear it,” readers young and old will never forget this new take on an old holiday carol!
Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara Goldman Boris is a musician, playing the songs he learned growing up in Russia. Stella is a baker, baking cakes and pastries like her father used to back in Italy. Boris and Stella live in the city and are best friends. They like movies, hats, and each other. At holiday time, Stella wants to give Boris the perfect present for Hanukkah. She wants him to know how special he is. Boris wants to give Stella the perfect present for Christmas—she means so much to him. But perfect presents cost money and their savings banks contain very little. To make their dreams of perfect presents come true, Boris and Stella each sacrifice something very special. In a nod to O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi comes this tender story celebrating traditions, friendships, and gifts from the heart.
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin and Michael Sampson On the first day of school, Kitty Cat discovers that there are lots of things to enjoy. She plays, she enjoys a snack, she paints, she sings, she listens to a story, and she shares something special during Show-and-Tell. The day ends with a big hug from her mom. Children will love Laura J. Bryant’s appealing illustrations that bring Kitty Cat to life, along with the other adorable kittens at the school.
Old House, New House by Phillis Gershator It's summer, and a little girl is excited to move into an old country house with a cranberry bog, bullfrog creek, and farm animals that live down the road. But when fall comes, it's time to pack up and move again--all the way across the country to a new house in a new place with new friends and new adventures. Katherine Potter's heartfelt illustrations in chalk pastels complement this emotional narrative about moving.
Delores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers by Sarah Warren Dolores is a teacher, a mother, and a friend. She wants to know why her students are too hungry to listen, why they don't have shoes to wear to school. Dolores is a warrior, an organizer, and a peacemaker. When she finds out that the farm workers in her community are poorly paid and working under dangerous conditions, she stands up for their rights. This is the story of Dolores Huerta and the extraordinary battle she waged to ensure fair and safe work places for migrant workers. The powerful text, paired with Robert Casilla's vibrant watercolor-and-pastel illustrations, brings Dolores's amazing journey to life.
Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson In the dark, a funky beat. Something white with bony feet. Skeleton dancing up the street, Doing the Halloween Hustle. Skeleton is dancing his way to a Halloween party—but as he grooves across town, he keeps stumbling, tumbling, and falling apart! Can Skeleton stay in one piece long enough to make it to the party?
Principal Fred Won't Go to Bed by Carolyn Crimi After a long day at school, Principal Fred slips into his pajamas to get ready for bed. But something is missing – where is his bear? "I need Bear!" Fred yells as he races down the stairs. He zigs and he zags and he hops across chairs. Follow Principal Fred and his family as they dash and they crash and they search for the principal’s favorite stuffed animal. Mixed media illustrations by Donald Wu help bring this bedtime romp to a fitting conclusion.
Nabeel's New Pants: An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams Ramadan has come to an end. The fast is over, and tomorrow the celebration of Eid will begin. Nabeel decides to buy each of his family members something special to wear for the holiday. But while he’s choosing, the shopkeeper persuades him also to buy a gift for himself—a pair of new pants that are too long! Nabeel asks his wife, his mother, and his daughter to hem them, but no one has the time—everyone is busy preparing for the festivities. Will Nabeel be able to wear his new pants to celebrate Eid? Only a pair of scissors can tell.
Soccer Hour by Carol Nevius Soccer practice begins, and the players stretch, warm up, and work on their footwork, juggling, goal shooting, and keep-away skills before splitting into two teams for an exciting scrimmage. Bill Thomson’s dramatic perspectives and Carol Nevius’ accomplished text demonstrate the training and teamwork that build strong players.
