The Children's Hour - Children's Book Reviews - Second Grade

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
SECOND GRADE
NOTABLE BOOKS 2004

Second Grade

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ARROWHAWK
written by Lola M. Schaefer, illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska, (Henry Holt & Co., $16.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Based on a true story, a young red-tailed hawk struggles to survive after being shot by a poacher's arrow. Captured and cared for by humans, Hawk recuperates and is released to the wild again. The afterword includes the real story plus information on red-tailed hawks.

Frank & Izzy Set Sail
written & illus. by Laura McGee Kvasnosky, (Candlewick Press, $15.99), 32p, Ages 5-9.
They say that opposites attract. When quiet Frank accepts adventurous Issy's invitation to an overnight camping trip, they get more than they bargained for. They must work together to overcome scary noises, near misses, and a hurt paw.

Gator Gumbo: A Spicy-Hot Tale
written by Candace Fleming, illus. by Sally Anne Lambert, (Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Too old to catch a spicy dinner, this crafty alligator uses his wits to outsmart the animals that tease him. Gator decides to cook up some gumbo. Possum, skunk, and otter are more than ready to enjoy Gator's cuisine, but realize too late that they are the dinner.

Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express
written/illus. by Bernie Fuchs, (Blue Sky Press, $16.95), 32p, Ages 5-8.
The riders of the Pony Express were known for their courage, speed, and adaptability. One such rider, Johnny Free, and his beloved pony, JennySoo find friendship and unexpected danger on their route to deliver the mail back in 1860 Nevada.

Ruby and the Sniffs
written & illus. by Michael Emberley, Little, Brown & Co., $15.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
When mysterious noises filter down from a vacant apartment, Ruby decides to investigate. She finds very overwhelming neighbors, Poppa pig, Momma Pig and Baby Pig who wonder what Ruby is doing in their apartment.

Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit & His Walkin' Talkin' Friends
written by Alice McGill, illus. by Don Tate, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $17.00), 48p, Ages 5-8.
Five trickster stories, "Please Don't Fling Me in the Briar Patch", "Bruh Possum & the Snake", "How the Critters Got Groceries", "Bruh Rabbit's Mystery Bag", and "Looking to Get Married" are based on tales the author heard from her African American family in rural North Carolina.

Thumbelina
written/illus. by Brad Sneed, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99), 40p, Ages 4-8.
Once there was a tiny girl, no bigger than a thumb, who was kidnapped by an ugly old toad. Thumbelina experiences many adventures, some dangerous, before discovering a fairy prince just her size. As in most fairy tales, there is a happy ending with good triumphing over evil.

The Toughest Cowboy:
or How the Wild West Was Tamed
written by John Frank, illus. by Zachary Pullen, (Simon & Schuster, $16.95), 48p, Ages 5-8.
Who can tame a wild cowboy like Grizz Brickbottom who flosses his teeth with barbed wire and keeps a rattlesnake in his bedroll to warm his feet? Well, a miniature poodle named Foofy, who fears everything out on the range but loves to catch flying dinner plates.

Rickie & Henri: A True Story
written by Jane Goodall, illus. by Alan Marks, (minedition, $15.99), 32p, Ages 5+.
Taken from her mother in the rain forest of Central Africa and put up for sale at a Congolese market, an infant chimpanzee is rescued by a kind man and nursed back to health.. Lonely, Rickie makes friends with the family dog, and a new friendship begins. Jane Goodall, well known for her efforts in chimpanzee research and rescue for over forty years, writes the afterword.

The Well at the End of the World
written by Robert D. San Souci, illus. by Rebecca Walsh, (Chronicle Books, $16.95), 48p, Ages 5-8.
Princess Rosamond is practical. She prefers books to beauty and has no interest in a suitor. After her father becomes ill, Rosamond's stepmother and stepsister plot to spend the royal treasury. Now it is up to one determined princess to obtain water from the well at the end of the world to heal him and put the kingdom to right.

The Firekeeper's Son
written by Linda Sue Park, illus. by Julie Downing, (Clarion Books, $16.00), 40p, Ages 5-8.
Set in the early 1800s of Korea, bonfires were lit every evening on mountain tops signaling safety to the palace. When a young boy's father is injured, San-hee must assume the job of carrying coals up the mountain and lighting the evening fire. Sang-hee realizes that he, too, is "part of the king's guard." Historical notes are included.

America the Beautiful
written by Katharine Lee Bates, illus. by Chris Gall, (Little, Brown & Co., $16.95), 32p, All Ages.
Illustrating the lyrics of his famous ancestor's 1893's poem and song, Chris Gall celebrates America in beautiful woodcuts. There are wonderful images of the Statue of Liberty, the Apollo II, the Tuskegee Airmen, heroes of September 11, 2001, and many more. A simplified version of the music is included.

Trout, Trout, Trout!: A Fish Chant
written by April Pulley Sayre, illus. by Trip Park, (NorthWord Books for Young Readers, $15.95), 32p, Ages 5 +.
Delightful and hilarious freshwater fish are presented in cartoon caricatures and rhyming text. "River Redhorse gotta search! Pygmy Sunfish, Perch, Perch, Perch! The glossary contains a short paragraph on each of the forty-six fish. Kids will enjoy the Bigmouth Buffalo wearing a cowboy hat.

The Reluctant Dragon
written by Kenneth Grahame, illus. by Inga Moore, (Candlewick Press, $17.99) 40p, Ages 5-8.
A delightful classic, reissued to commemorate its 100th anniversary, tells the tale of a young boy's friendship with a gentle, poetry loving dragon. The townspeople decide to send for St. George, the dragon slayer. However, the three become friends and find themselves in a quandary. In the end, they create a plan where everyone lives happily ever after. This abridged edition is a treasure for any home library.

Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale
adapted/illus. by Gerald McDermott, (Viking Children's Books, $16.99), 48p, Ages 4-8.
Back in print after 30 years, this Pueblo Indian legend explains how the source of life, the Solar Fire, came into the world of men. A Caldecott Medal was awarded in 1975.

Your Favorite Seuss
written/Illus by Dr. Seuss, (Random House, $34.95), 368p, Ages 4-8.
Thirteen of Dr. Seuss' stories are found in this fine anthology. Each story is prefaced by introductory essays from various authors and celebrities who admired him. There are also photographs, memorabilia, and sketches from his books.

The Mystery of Eatum Hall
written/illus by John Kelly/Cathy Tincknell, (Candlewick Press, $15.99), 32p, Ages 5-8.
A tongue-in-cheek tale of a gluttonous pig and goose, invited for the weekend by a host who is intent on fattening them up for his feast.

Pinduli
written/illus. by Janell Cannon, (Harcourt, Inc., $16.00), 40p, Ages 5-8.
According to Pinduli's mother, she is a beautiful hyena, however, Dog, Lion, and Zebra tease her until she believes their lies about her big ears, a fuzzy mane and wiggly stripes. The animals from the African savanna realize how hurtful their words were and begin to make amends. The end papers contain information on hyenas.

Cinderella
written by Charles Peril, retold by Amy Ehrlich, illus. by Susan Jeffers, (Dutton Children's Books, $16.99), 32p, Ages 4-8.
This rags to riches story of a girl, a pumpkin, a glass slipper, a wicked stepmother, a magic fairy godmother, and handsome prince are the makings of a classic story that every little girl should have in a home library. This one should be treasured for the illustrations.

Sweet Tooth
written by Margie Palantini, illus. by Jack E. Davis, (Simon & Schuster, $15.95), 40p, Ages 4-8.
Stewart has his hands full trying to control his sweet tooth. It demands anything full of sugar, until one day Stewart decides not to give in, changes his nutritional habits, and switches to a healthy diet. This obnoxious and belligerent tooth never gives up, until a carrot decides the outcome.

Snow White
written by Jakob & Wilhelm Grimm, illus. by Charles Santore, (Random House, $19.95), 48p, Ages 5-8.
A young princess flees from an evil queen, befriends seven dwarfs, whose cottage she takes sanctuary in, and is rescued from death by a handsome prince. This version is more true to the original Grimm Brothers tale than the animated film version, especially the demise of the evil queen.

Monster Trap
written by Dean Morrissey & Stephen Krensky, illus by Dean Morrissey, (HarperCollins, $16.99), 40p, Ages 5+.
While visiting his grandfather, Paddy listens to "Monster Radio Theater" and is sure that monsters are in the house. Pop assures him that they need a monster trap. Each night the monsters elude them, so they build a bigger and better trap, until it is huge. The monsters have a great time on the contraption that they decide to stay.

Cactus Soup
written by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Phil Huling, (Marshall Cavendish, $16.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
During the Mexican Revolution, a group of hungry soldiers trick the townspeople, who refuse to feed them, into making soup. The Captain asks for a cactus thorn to make soup, and before long, the townspeople contribute vegetables, chilies and chicken.

Basho and the River Stones
written by Tim Myers, illus. by Oki S. Han, (Marshall Cavendish, $16.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Basho, a great Japanese poet, lives in the forest and shares cherries with the local foxes. One greedy fox desires all the cherries and tricks Basho into giving them up. Basho may be poor but he is wise enough to outfox the trickster. The young fox realizes his deception and decides that sharing is much more rewarding.

Nonsense
written by Edward Lear, illus. by Valorie Fisher, (Antheneum Books, $16.95), 40p, Ages 4-9.
A man who teaches owls to drink tea and a woman who waltzes with a bluebottle fly are only a few of the 15 limericks presented in this book of Lear's poems. The afterword and map give information about Lear who lived in the 19th century.

Pippin the Christmas Pig
written by Jean Little, illus by Werner Zimmermann, (Scholastic Press, $16.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Pippin is discouraged by stories the other animals tell about the gifts that their ancestors brought to the stable where Jesus was born. However, he proves that the best gift is kindness and love when he leads a poor young mother and baby to shelter.

A Confused Hanukkah
written by Jon Koons, illus. by S. D. Schindler, (Dutton Children's Books, $16.99), 40p, Age 5+.
Based on the legendary town of fools, the people of Chelm suddenly forget how to celebrate Hanukkah. Their rabbi is not around to help, so they send Yossel to the next town for more information. Unfortunately, Yossel confuses Hanukkah with Christmas, until the rabbi returns and puts everything to right.

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