Welcome to our March 2007 children's books reviews archive. Every month we select some special children's books. We are always looking for new books to stimulate young readers. Whether its a simple children's story book to read a child to sleep, or a book that shows them the enchanting worlds they can find through reading, we continue to search for new treasures in children's books.
This latest in the 'Addy Mysteries' series has our young Black heroine
moving into the house of her father's new boss in Philadelphia's high
society. But the prejudices of the era soon gather like storm clouds
over Addy's hope of leaving the problems of North Carolina behind her.
Its an intriguing little mystery from the American Girl publishers that
builds self-esteem in young girls while entertaining them
Real Families: Figuring Out Your Family and Where You Fit in by Amy Lynch
Growing up, I tended to take my family for granted. It wasn't that I
didn't love my family. I had wonderful parents, an older sister who
was almost always a joy to me, and a grandmother who practically lived
with us. But I didn't take the time to really learn our family's
history. This book helps focus on the values of the relationships
between a young girl and the members of her family. There are quizzes
or questionaires, and forms and all sorts of little projects that
would provide the impetus for children to ask the questions that will
help them understand who they are and how they came to be the person
that they are, and the inestimable value of their family. Nobody has
to tell me how many different shapes and sizes that families come in
these days. Since emerging from the Ozzie and Harriet life of the
fifties, my sister and I have certainly blazed some trails in this
regard. But it has long been a regret of mine that I didn't learn
more about my parents life in more detail. I sure wish I had a book
like this one when I was growing up.
Its a book about our canine companions, but the cliche's stop there.
The fun and facts of dogs and the responsibilities of ownership are
gently taught with big bold pictures and lots of laughs. The back
of the book includes a set of flash cards to teach about the many
different breeds, and a host of websites to check out.
Petal Perfect: Flower Crafts to Color Your World by Patricia Doherty
Here we have a project kit that lets young girls create all sorts of
crafts with a floral theme. The kit includes a small supply of
ribbons, paper, and other decorating materials and a booklet filled
with ideas. Looks like a lot of fun!
This is the story of Tobias the mole. Tobias collects small pebbles
and keeps them in his burrow. But when another mole warns him that
there are burglars in the area, he starts to panic and he moves
his precious stones. Its only later that he learns that he has been
tricked and that his fears have blinded him to the real dangers.
Its a familiar sort of fable, but wonderfully told in gorgeous illustrations.
Children get so bombarded by warnings of boogiemen these days that this
bit of common sense seems ever so timely.
No, you won't find the epic tale we've seen in the movies. No Mel Gibson
or Clark Gable. This is the true tale of the HMS Bounty and how Captain
Bligh led his ship into the history books. Largely through big illustrations,
Patrick O'Brien tells children how the Brittish Navy truly ruled the waves
and were the foundation of the Empire. Its a pretty bare-bones telling of
the story, but it does impart a sense of why the mutiny happened and the
final outcome for Fletcher Christian and the men of the Bounty.
Amusing animals teach children about shapes and colors while thoroughly
entertaining them. Its just for fun, really. Each page opens to a new
collection of comical drivers and their exotic vehicles - from race cars
to fire engines. Perfect for preschoolers.
The Opposite of Music tells the story of how a teenage boy and his
family copes when the father is striken with severe depression. Its
an uplifting tale that teaches us all how love endures through the
most trying circumstances.
Be sure to visit us again next month when we'll
review more great children's books! Our children's
books reviews are written by our Editor, Richard L. Trethewey.
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