May 2007 Children's Books Reviews

The Story of Johnny Appleseed
by Ophia D. Smith

Swedenborg Foundation
Paperback
ISBN# 0877853231
Suggested Retail Price: $7.95 or as low as $5.32 from Amazon.com!

Few Americans know that the legendary Johnny Appleseed was a real person named John Chapman. This modest 38-page tome tells the story of how Chapman came to travel the American Frontier spreading apple seeds and the Gospel.

Seven Little Rabbits
by John E. Becker

Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover
ISBN# 0-8027-9634-6
Suggested Retail Price: $7.95 or as low as $4.55 from Amazon.com!

This reprint of the classic book by John Becker retains its charms. The poetry has an endearing cadence that small ones love to hear over and over again. The gorgeous illustrations by Barbara Clooney make this book a keepsake that will have your children telling their kids about the times when mom or dad would read this book to them.

Angels on Sunset Boulevard
by Melissa de la Cruz

Simon & Schuster Children's Publ
Hardcover
ISBN# 1416927670
Suggested Retail Price: $15.99 or as low as $5.85 from Amazon.com!

Yes, its the world of sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll. The budding-star Johnny Silver suddenly disappears from a stage in Los Angeles. His good friend Taj searches for him. The trail ultimately leads to a MySpace-type website called TAP where Johnny's profile contains clues to the mystery.

The story is awash in techno and pop culture references, but at the heart is a pretty good thriller for teens and tweens.

The Amazing Spider-Man Pop-Up
by

Candlewick
Hardcover
ISBN# 0763632635
Suggested Retail Price: $24.99 or as low as $15.88 from Amazon.com!

A book for true believers. Its a pop-up book highlighting the origins of Spiderman and some of his most powerful foes - from The Green Goblin to Sandman. A keepsake rather than a reference book, but the pop-ups are spectacular. Way to go, Spidey!

Why Do I Have to Eat Off the Floor?
by Chris Hornsey

Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover
ISBN# 0-8027-9617-6
Suggested Retail Price: $15.95 or as low as $6.70 from Amazon.com!

If your pre-schooler is at the 'why' stage, this book has your answers. Its a set of Why questions like 'Why cant I sleep in your bed?' with very practical answers ('Beacuase you have your own bed.'), but accompanied by charming illustrations - all designed to keep your child amused while they're learning 'why'.

Pass It Down: Five Picture Book Families Make Their Mark
by Leonard S. Marcus

Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover
ISBN# 0802796001
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $9.98 from Amazon.com!

This is the story of how five families took thier picture albums and made them into family histories that could be passed down to coming generations. From elaborate histories to simple scrapbooks, these are family heirlooms of the modern world. It only takes one person to start a family tradition. This book shows you how to be that one person.

Heat Wave
by Eileen Spinelli

Harcourt Children's Books
Hardcover
ISBN# 015216779X
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00 or as low as $12.48 from Amazon.com!

'Mom! Its too hot!' See how the folks in Lumberville cool themselves off in this enchantingly illustrated children's book. Just the thing for those sweltering days when the kids don't want to go outside.

Alligator Boy
by Cynthia Rylant

Harcourt Children's Books
Hardcover
ISBN# 0152060928
Suggested Retail Price: $16.00 or as low as $12.48 from Amazon.com!

'A boy is tired of being a boy. He wants to be somebody new.' And so begins this little tale of how a boy puts on an alligator costume and goes about his neighborhood being an alligator and has all sorts of fun. I was waiting for the fabled ending of his discovering that being a real boy was the best thing after all, but it never came. The book just isn't that serious. Its all for fun.

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion
by Loree Griffin Burns

Houghton Mifflin
Hardcover
ISBN# 0618581316
Suggested Retail Price: $18.00 or as low as $11.54 from Amazon.com!

This is the story of Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer and his research project studying how trash and other debris moves through the oceans and affects the ecosystems it passes through. Dr. Ebbesmeyer's crew are young amateurs who work for the love of the subject. They track unnatural objects that end up in the oceans to see how they travel, and what can be done to reduce the impact of these pollutants. Its a great introduction to ecology for young readers. Its filled with colorful pictures showing not just the beauty of the oceans, but the incredible objects that Dr. Ebbesmeyer's project has encountered, along with an engaging text, and an excellent glossary in the back so that the book can remain a useful reference even after its been read.

Once Upon a Full Moon
by Elizabeth Quan

Tundra Books
Hardcover
ISBN# 088776813X
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $12.58 from Amazon.com!

Young Elizabeth Quan's father came to Canada from China and he made a success of himself, but he misses his home and his mother. So he bundles up the family and they journey off to see the land of their heritage. Its a simple tale, told well, that shows how the Quan family had to take trains and boats and all sorts of unusual vehicles to reach Elizabeth's grandmother. The lavish illustrations bring the images of China to life for the young reader. Its a journey they will thoroughly enjoy.

In My Backyard
by Margriet Ruurs

Tundra Books
Hardcover
ISBN# 0887767753
Suggested Retail Price: $18.95 or as low as $11.91 from Amazon.com!

In the words of song-stylist Randy Newman, its a jungle out there. This book shows youngsters the birds and animals and other critters that they might encounter in their own back yards. The scrapbook-style illustrations make even the snakes and mice and other creepy-crawlies non-threatening. This is a book that your kids will want to have read to them many, many times.

Sweet!: The Delicious Story of Candy
by Ann Love, Jane Drake

Tundra Books
Hardcover
ISBN# 0887767524
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $10.90 from Amazon.com!

This is actually a serious book, despite the enticing cover art and light-hearted illustrations. Kids learn the history of candy, complete with time-lines and countries-of-origin for some classic treats. There's even a couple of recipes amid the stories, so that kids can begin to understand the chemistry of cooking.