November 2003 Children's Books Reviews

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-up Adaptation
by Robert Sabuda, Lewis Carroll

Little Simon

ISBN# 0-689-84743-2
Suggested Retail Price: $25.95 or as low as $13.50 from Amazon.com!

Mr. Sabuda is faithful to the original tale about Alice and all her adventures. The spectacular part of this book for smaller children is that it is filled with most lush pop-up pictures I have seen. Beautiful is the word for it. They are amazing and fascinating to pour over. The special effects show a Victorian peep show using multi-faceted foil to great effect. There is a tactile element to the experience that makes this pop-up a joy at the turn of every page. Children will love to look at the beautiful pop-up pages again and again. There are little pop-pages and big pop-pages. The last big page is amazing to gather in as it opens up the full deck of angry cards chasing Alice.

Everything Cat: What Kids Really Want to Know About Cats
by Marty Crisp

Northword Press

ISBN# 1-55971-865-X
Suggested Retail Price: $6.95 or as low as $3.50 from Amazon.com!

This cat lover thoroughly enjoyed this slim book, and I am long past being a kid. The book is full of kitty trivia for young readers. You can find out why cats play with their food. There is also a mysterious cat-who-sleeps-on-top-of-your-refrigerator and the author tells us why. Cats are picky, and the author explains why this is true. They are fascinating critters, these cats. Their behavior and habits are fun to know about. Also included in this happy children's book are some great color shots of different kitties doing things Andrew Lloyd Weber never dreamt of.

Imagine You're a Mermaid
by Meg Clibbon, Lucy Clibbon

Annick Press

ISBN# 1-55037-790-6
Suggested Retail Price: $7.95 or as low as $5.16 from Amazon.com!

These two handsome children's books are part of new "Imagine This" series from Canadian publisher Annick Press. The covers are glittery and shiny. First off, you can find out what a mermaid really is. You will learn the same about the Wizard. Illustrated pictures of both subjects are the first things you encounter. Mermaids wear lot of pearls and shells and even a "Fin" ring. Their hair extensions are made of seaweed. Everything is labeled clearly. You will find out what a mermaid is really like, how they communicate and how they surf. There is a section that talks about the mysteries of the sea and a list of famous mermaids. As for the wizards, you can learn the same things about them and also you learn to use the wizard's codes. They have a badge and a password you can learn.

Ten Dragon Tails
by Candy Taylor Tutt

Libris Draconis Press

ISBN# 0-97281240-7
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $6.95 from Amazon.com!

Author Candy Taylor Tutt is a jewelry designer who just loves dragons. She has brought us these ten dragon tales as they stretch their wings and get the wind on their tails. These stories come from all over the world just like dragons do. Tutt has given us a book for all ages to enjoy. There are new looks at old tales. The story called "The Wall," for example, tells of how the Emperor's dragon frolics amid court intrigue. In another story the village cobbler has lots of woes. There are tales about "Nessie." Owning an odd pet and the origins of Dragons and where they came from. Ten really good children's fairy tales to enjoy.

The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame, Inga Moore

Candlewick

ISBN# 0-7636-2242-7
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 or as low as $6.99 from Amazon.com!

This is a lovely edition of Kenneth Grahame's great tales of the beloved characters from Toad Hall. Ever since it was first published in 1908 it has been considered a classic children's book that generations read again and again. Of course, you don't have to be a youngster to enjoy these tales. Any age and any time is right to read and re-read about the adventures of Mole, Water Rat, Badger and the central character who knows no restraint, Mr. Toad. Remember how Mr.Toad of gets all excited about things like cars?

This children's treasure is filled with colorful drawings that are the perfect addition. This is a book to love and read again and again.

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women
by Lynne Cheney, Robin Preiss Glasser

Simon & Schuster Children's Publ

ISBN# 0-689-85819-1
Suggested Retail Price: $16.95 or as low as $5.90 from Amazon.com!

Artist Robin Preiss Glasser filled every corner of this book with lovely pictures of her subjects and drew profusely using the illustrates to broaden the words of Lynne Cheney. If I tell you that the letter "I" stands for Laura Ingalls, you will naturally recognize a famous American author's name. The illustrations on this one page show where Laura grew up and some of the girls she wrote about. There is a double page that is a theater curtain to be opened and inside the two double pages are the drawings that show famous actresses as they perform. Each letter of the alphabet introduces the reader to another outstanding women who made history with talent and bravery.

Any little girl would enjoy this and learn about famous women and their deeds. The possibilities for any little girl to grown up to her dreams are endless and this educational children's book might lead the way.