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

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
SECOND GRADE
NOTABLE BOOKS 2005

Second Grade

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THE UGLY DUCKLING
written by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Anthea Bell, illus. by Robert Ingpen, (minedition, $15.99, ISBN 0-698-40010-0), 32p, Ages 4-8.
A beautiful translation from the Danish about a homely duckling who begins a long, friendless journey to find his place in life. In spite of hecklers, hunters, and harsh weather, he finally blooms into a graceful swan.

DR. WELCH AND THE GREAT GRAPE STORY
written by Mary Lou Carney, illus. by Sherry Meidell, (Boyds Mills Press, $16.95, ISBN 0-59078-039-6), 32p, Ages 4-8.
With his son's help, Dr. Welch believes he can create a sweeter drink than wine. After squeezing the grapes, heating the juice, and filling the bottles, he succeeds, but no one cares for it. The true story of a journey from imagination to invention to success.

THE LOATHSOME DRAGON
retold by David Wiesner/KimKahng, illus. by David Wiesner, (Clarion Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-618-54359-7), 32p, Ages 5-8.
An evil spell is cast upon a beautiful princess, turning her into a detestable dragon. The spell can only be broken by her wandering brother, who returns just in time to save her and restore the kingdom.

HOTEL DEEP: LIGHT VERSE FROM DARK WATER
written/illus by Kurt Cyrus, (Harcourt Children's Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-15-216771-4), 40p, Ages 5-10.
Twenty-one poems follow a sardine in search of its lost school in the great coral reef. Twenty-eight types of marine life are featured within the illustrations.

BRAVE DOGS, GENTLE DOGS: HOW THEY GUARD SHEEP
written/photographed by Cat Urbigkit, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 0-59078-317-4), 32p, Ages 6+.
An informative book about a special breed of dogs, the Great Pyrenees, who are raised to guard sheep from predators. As puppies, they are placed in fleece to identify with the smell of the sheep. Gradually they meet their first sheep and the bonding begins.

ZEN SHORTS
written/illus. by Jon J. Muth, (Scholastic Press, $16.95, ISBN 0-439-33911-1), 40p, Ages 5+.
Stillwater, a giant panda, introduces three young children to Zen stories, each one designed to teach a lesson. Addy hears the tale of a poor man who gives his only coat to a robber. To Michael, Stillwater tells of a farmer who learns not to make judgments too quickly. And to Karl he tells the tale of a monk who is unwilling to release a burden that he has carried for too long.

THE THREE SILLY BILLIES
written by Margie Palatini, illus. by Barry Moser, (Simon & Schuster, $15.95, ISBN 0-689-85862-0), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Three billy goats, Billy Bob, Billy Bo, and Just Plain Billy, cannot pay the one dollar to cross the troll's bridge. They decide to form a carpool with the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack from the beanstalk, with disastrous results for the grumpy troll.

THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN
written by The Brothers Grimm, retold/illus. by Niroot Puttapipat, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN 0-7636-2758-5), 32p, Ages 5-8.
In this beautiful retelling of a classic fairy tale, four aging animals, no longer of use to their masters, travel to Bremen to become troubadours. Along the way, they meet a band of robbers, who they manage to outwit, and ultimately find a new home. A great retelling that closely resembles the original Bremen Town Musicians published in 1819.

SEBASTIAN'S ROLLER SKATES
written by Joan De Deu Prats, illus. by Francesc Rovira, (Kane/Miller Books, $15.95, ISBN 1-929132- 81-6), 40p, Ages 5-9.
Sebastian was very shy - too shy to speak up to the barber, and too shy to talk to his neighbors. When Sebastian finds an old pair of roller skates in the park, they change his life forever. As he begins to practice, he gains more confidence and soon he has a lot to say.

ANIMAL STACKERS
written by Jennifer Belle, illus. by David McPhail, (Hyperion Books, $15.99, ISBN 0-7878-1834-4), 36p, Ages 5-9.
Alphabet, acrostic, and poetry combine to make this delightful children's book. From Ant to Zebra, the letters are arranged vertically on the pages or "stacked", and each letter of the animal's name begins a line of poetry. Children will enjoy the whimsical illustrations, as well as the clever poetry.

DEPUTY HARVEY AND THE ANT COW CAPER
written/illus. by Brad Sneed, (Dial Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-8037-3023-3), 32p, Ages 4-8.
"Way out west at the foot of an old cottonwood, there is a sleepy little town by the name of Ant Hill." Rumor has it that someone (probably the gang of ladybugs) has been rustling the ant cows. The sheriff doesn't seem too worried, but Deputy Harvey is determined to apprehend the culprit and stop the thieving. Kids as well as adults will enjoy the bugs dressed in western gear.

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT: A SONG FOR THE WORLD
written by Werner Thuswaldner, illus. by Robert Ingpen, (miniedition, $16.99, ISBN 0-698- 40032-1), 40p, All Ages.
One of the world's most beloved Christmas carols began in the early 19th century when the Austrian people were in poverty and deprivation. Two friends, Joseph Mohr a priest, and Franz Xaver Gruber, an organist, decided to give the villagers of Oberndorf a Christmas present. Performed at midnight mass, this Christmas carol spread around the world through missionaries and remains a favorite today.

STAR MOTHER'S YOUNGEST CHILD
written by Louise Moeri, illus. by Trina Schart Hyman, (Houghton Mifflin, HC $14.00, ISBN 0-618-61683-7, Paper $5.95, ISBN 0-618-61509-1), 48p, Ages 4-8.
Once upon a Christmas, an old woman, with only her dog for company, wishes for a real Christmas. In the heavens, a young child wishes to celebrate "like they do down there!" First published in 1975, this fable tells of an unusual friendship and how it made two wishes come true.

THREE FRENCH HENS
written by Margie Palatini, illus. by Richard Egielski, (Hyperion Books, $15.99, ISBN 0-7868-5167-8), 36p, Ages 6-9.
Mailed to M. Philippe Renard, three hens end up in the unclaimed mail depot in New York City. Checking the phone directory, they are sure that Phil Fox of the Bronx is the intended recipient. Unlucky Mr. Fox thinks they are "better than takeout." Colette, Poulette, and Fifi quickly take charge and turn his life around, and in the process work a little Christmas magic.

CRICKET AT THE MANGER
written by Edith Hope Fine, illus. by Winslow Pels, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 1-56397-993-4), 32p, Ages 6+.
Strange noises wake a grumpy cricket trying to sleep in some straw. He realizes that many people and animals have come to see a small newborn Child. He click-hops to the manger and tries to remember how to make music. Children will enjoy the short fun cricket words like "GAR-RUMPH! GAR-RICKET GAR-REECH!"

GOOD KING WENCESLAS
written by John M. Neale, illus. by Tim Ladwig, (Eerdmans Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-8028-5209-2), 32p, Ages 6-11.
Based on actual events that occurred around the 10th century and told through the words of a famous Christmas carol, this lovely story surrounds kind-hearted King Wenceslas and his page as they set out on foot during winter to bring food to a poor man and his family. The endpapers contain a historical note on the Bohemian King Wenceslas.

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