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

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
SECOND GRADE
NOTABLE BOOKS 2006

Second Grade

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HOW MUCH?: VISITING MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD
written/illus. by Ted Lewin, (HarperCollins, 15.99, ISBN 0-688-17552-X), 36p, Ages 5-9.
Most people all around the world have at least one thing in common. They shop at markets, whether for food, animals, flowers, or just plain junk. Featured is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market near Bangkok, Thailand, the Bazaar Flower Market of Madras, India, the Agua Calientes Market in Peru where a train runs through, the Aloup Camel Market near Cairo, Egypt, the Golden Nugget Antique and Collectible Flea Market in New Jersey, the Ethiopian market in New York, and even a pet market under a highway in Cairo, Egypt. Ted Lewin's illustrations richly capture the heart of the bustling marketplaces that most children will never have a chance to visit.

THAT'S WHAT LEPRECHAUNS DO
written by Eve Bunting, illus. by Emily Arnold McCully, (Clarion Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-618-35410-7), 32p, Ages 5-8.
Every time it rains, leprechauns Ari, Boo, and Col race to dig up their pot of gold and re-bury it at the end of the rainbow. However, along the way, they paint the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunton's cow bright red, tie Old Jamie Bradley's long johns together, and place a yellow ball in the nest of Maud Murphy's hen. As usual, no one finds the pot of gold and it's returned to Paddywhackers Bog, with Ari saying, "That gold's waiting for just the right person." The endpapers give information on the legend of leprechauns.

ZANY ZOO
written by William Wise, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $16.00, ISBN 0-618-18891-6), 32p, Ages 4-8.
From Daisy, the watermelon eating "melon collie" to four garlic eating rabbits making their hares' breath escape from a fox, the pun-filled, rhyming poems feature an exotic menagerie of creatures with distinct personalities and habits. There are also moral lessons. Tess, the tern, gave her brother a prized flea, and Tom gave her three clams. "For one good tern/Deserves another." Adults will like this one also.

JOSIAS, HOLD THE BOOK
written by Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren, illus. by Nicole Tadgell, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 1-59078-318-2), 32p, Ages 6+.
A young boy in rural Haiti must tend his bean garden to help provide food for his family, but this year nothing grows. There is no time for an education, but everyday his friend urges Josias to join them at school or "hold the book." Josias realizes how valuable an education is when his friend's teacher provides an answer to his garden problem.

THE TERRIBLE HODAG AND THE ANIMAL CATCHERS
written by Caroline Arnold, illus. by John Sandford, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 0-59078-166-X), 32p, Ages 5+.
Based on stories told in logging camps over 100 years ago, the Hodag had the head of an ox, feet of a bear, back of a dinosaur, and tail of an alligator. Though he looks scary, he possesses a gentle and kind heart and befriends the local lumberjacks. When the animal catchers try to capture the blueberry-eating Hodag for a zoo, it is up to Olee Swenson and his lumberjack friends to save him. The illustrations are magnificent.

A YOUNG SHEPHERD
written/photographed by Cat Urbigkit, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 1-59078-364-6), 32p, Ages 6+.
On a sheep farm in Wyoming, a twelve-year-old cares for newborn lambs that have lost their mothers. Photographs tell the story of raising orphaned lambs, providing not only food, water, and shelter, but protecting them from diseases and predators. It is a busy life but a very rewarding one.

LEARNING TO FLY
written/illus. by Sebastian Meschenmoser (Kane/Miller Books, $8.95, ISBN 978-1-929132-93-5), 56p, All Ages.
This delightful and charming story from Germany features a lost little penguin that convinces his rescuer he crashed while flying. Everyone knows that penguins cannot fly, but together they try all sorts of ways to return the aerodynamically challenged penguin to the skies. Nothing works until they spot a penguin colony flying by. Children will enjoy the expressive drawings.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
written/illus by Jim Burke, lyrics by Jack Norworth, introduction by Pete Hamill, (Little, Brown & Co., $16.99, ISBN 0-316-75819-1), 32p, Ages 4-7.
The year is 1908. Baseball's most famous song is popular, and the New York Giants battle the Chicago Cubs for the National League pennant. On September 23, a young girl and her beau attend one of the most controversial games ever played. As the lyrics unfold across the pages, children will learn about Christy "Matty" Mathewson, the famous Giants pitcher, the ballpark, the pennant race, pitching terms, and how crackerjacks came into being. Endpapers contain the music score and the fascinating events that occurred after the game.

THE SONG OF MU LAN
retold/illus. by Jeanne M. Lee, (Front Street Books, $17.95, ISBN 1-886910-00-6), 40p, Ages 5-8.
Originally an ancient Chinese poem, this tale surrounds a young girl who joins the Chinese army during war as a substitute for her aging father. Mu Lan serves her country with courage and honor, and returns home, replaces her armor with an old dress, and reveals herself to her astonished comrades. Authentic calligraphy of the ancient Chinese poem accompanies the text.

NOW & BEN: THE MODERN INVENTIONS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
written/illus. by Gene Barretta, (Henry Holt & Co., $16.95, ISBN 0-8050-7917-3), 40p, Ages 5-9.
A clever introduction to Benjamin Franklin's numerous contributions to every day life. Many modern conveniences (daylight savings time, bifocals, and electricity) and inventions (fins, odometer, specialty chairs) as well as community contributions (library, post office, and fire department) are attributed to this 18th century genius. Each contribution is pictured as it was in Benjamin Franklin's day versus modern day applications.

PLANTZILLA GOES TO CAMP
written by Jerdine Nolen, illus. by David Catrow, (Simon & Schuster, $16.95, ISBN 0-689-86803-0), 32p, Ages 5-8.
Mortimer is ecstatic upon hearing about his acceptance to Camp Wannaleavee, his father's childhood camp. However, this camp does not allow pets, so Plantzilla stays home. When Mortimer discovers that his roommate is the mean bully Bulford, Plantzilla comes to the rescue. Eluding his sitter and dressing in disguise, Plantzilla boards a bus for the camp to protect his buddy. Told through letters, mainly from Mortimer to his parents, this zany tale will delight children.

INVENTOR MCGREGOR
written by Kathleen T. Pelley, Illus. by Michael Chesworth, (Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00, ISBN 0-374-33606-7), 32p, Ages 4-8.
"Hector McGregor lived in a higgledy-piggledy house with a cheery wife, five children, and a hen called Hattie." Hector also has a knack for inventing-peppermint pencils, glow-in-the-dark books, and a barking bag for the postman. Thinking that Hector needs peace and quiet, the Royal Society of Inventors persuades him to move to a quiet laboratory in town, but Hector finds the solitude too distracting. He soon realizes that his inspirations come from his family and returns home where he is happiest.

THE SCARAB'S SECRET
written by Nick Would, illus. by Christina Balit, (Walker Books, $16.95, ISBN 0-8027-9561-7), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Narrated by a scarab named Khepri, this clever tale tells of a life-altering experience between the scarab beetle and a prince of Egypt. After discovering a murderous plot by the prince's adversaries, Khepri alerts the prince to the danger and guides him to safety. Vivid illustrations of Egyptian animals, clothing, murals, architecture, boats, and tools accompany this tale of friendship between man and insect. Endpapers give information on an ancient Egypt civilization and its pharaohs.

OWEN & MZEE: THE TRUE STORY OF A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP
written by Craig Hatkoff, photographs by Peter Greste, (Scholastic Press, $16.99, ISBN 0-439-82973-9), 40p, Ages 4-8.
A 600-pound baby hippo, stranded on a reef in Kenya during the 2004 tsunami in South Asia and rescued by villagers, is resettled at an animal shelter at Hallard Park. There Owen develops an unconventional friendship with Mzee, a 130-year-old giant Aldabra tortoise. Unfriendly at first, Mzee becomes a protective presence in Owen's life, and eventually they become inseparable. Endpapers overflow with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locales.

DEAR FISH
written/illus. by Chris Gall, (Little, Brown & Co., $16.99, ISBN 0-316-05847-5), 40p, Ages 4-8.
After a wonderful day at the beach, Peter Alan leaves a note in a bottle, addressed to the fish, and throws it out to sea. "Where you live is pretty cool. You should come visit us some day. Plus, my Mom makes good pies." Little did Peter dream that groupers, puffer fish, whales, jellyfish, sawfish, soapfish, eels, and many others would visit. Chaos ensues until Peter writes another note asking them to return home. After weeks of cleaning up fish goo, and shark eggs, "except for the stains left behind by the sea slugs-you can never get those out," things return to normal. When Peter and his family return to the beach, Peter notices a note in a seashell, "Dear Human . . ." Endpapers identify more than thirty species of fish in the story.

ROTTEN RICHIE AND THE ULTIMATE DARE written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-399-24531-6), 48p, Ages 6+.
With honesty, humor, and bravado, Polacco relates a part of her childhood with her older, pesky brother Richie. Trisha loves ballet, Richie loves ice hockey, and they battle over whose hobby is the best, until a "triple dog dare with skin-do's and two-up" changes their relationship forever. Tricia plays with Richie's hockey team and miraculously scores the winning goal, while Richie saves the ballet recital from disaster, proving that when all is said and done, families still help each other. The illustrations are vintage Polacco.

MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE
written by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Chris Van Dusen, (Candlewick Press, $12.99, ISBN 0-7636-2332-6), 80p, Ages 6-8.
Every Saturday Mr. Watson backs his pink convertible out of his driveway and takes Mercy for a ride. Every Saturday Mercy yearns to drive. This Saturday they find a stowaway in the backseat. It seems that their elderly neighbor, Baby Lincoln, desires a little excitement also. Circumstances take a strange turn when Mercy jumps in Mr. Watson's lap and commandeers his 1959 Cadillac. Speeding along with a pig at the wheel and pursued by a police car, Mr. Watson is unable to reach the brakes, but Baby comes to the rescue. Back home safe, everyone enjoys Mercy's favorite, hot buttered toast. Not only a great beginning chapter book, but also a fun read-aloud for adults.

LITTLE LOST BAT
written by Sandra Markle, illus. by Alan Marks, (Charlesbridge, $15.95, ISBN 1-57091-656-X), 32p, Ages 6-9.
Near Austin, Texas, a newborn Mexican free-tailed bat stays close to his mother in a nursery cave, except on her nocturnal hunt for insects. One night an owl kills her and the baby's cries go unanswered. In what scientists believe is an example of adoption in the animal kingdom, another mother bat (who has lost her baby) takes on the role of keeping the orphaned baby safe and fed. The author's note contains information on scientific studies, resources for further reading, and fascinating facts about the Mexican free-tailed bat.

LUCILLE LOST: A TRUE ADVENTURE
written by Margaret George/Christopher J. Murphy, illus. by Debra Bandelin/Bob Dacey, (Viking Children's Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-670-06093-3), 32p, Ages 6-9.
Lucille, a thirty-year-old Burmese tortoise, and Tanky, an eighty-five-year-old California desert tortoise are temporarily sent to stay with family friends. However, the adventure that Lucille longs for turns dangerous when she escapes her pen, ends up lost in the woods, and encounters a few scary creatures that night. The following day, The Great Tortoise Search begins with lost posters tacked up all over town. Interesting tortoise facts as well as dramatic images will attract children's interest.

THE MONSTER TRAP
written by Dean Morrissey/Stephen Krensky, illus. by Dean Morrissey, (HarperCollins, $6.99 PB, ISBN 0-06-052500-2), 40p, Ages 6+.
While visiting his grandfather, Paddy listens to "Monster Radio Theater" and is positive that monsters are in the house. Pop decides that they need a monster trap and proceeds to build a contraption that resembles a train engine with gadgets and gizmos. The harmless monsters have such a great time jumping, sliding, and climbing on the train that they decide to stay. This is a great holiday book with charming monsters and one brave little boy.

BAD BEARS IN THE BIG CITY: AN IRVING & MUKTUK STORY
written by Daniel Pinkwater, illus. by Jill Pinkwater, (Houghton Mifflin & Co., $6.95 PB, ISBN 0-618-68952-4), 32p, Ages 4-8.
A zany story about food cravings, consequences of pilfering, and two lovable, but incorrigible muffin-loving polar bears. Sent to the Bayonne Zoo in New Jersey as punishment for unnamed crimes in Alaska, Irving and Muktuk soon discover a muffin factory next to the zoo. One day when the zoo is closed, they sneak out and join a school tour through the factory, gulping down as many muffins as possible. When discovered, they seek shelter in a supermarket freezer. Roy, a better-behaved polar bear, finds them and returns them to the zoo. They settle back into zoo life, emphatically state that they never ate people, and secretly dream of muffins.

BAD BEAR DETECTIVES: AN IRVING AND MUKTUK STORY
written by Daniel Pinkwater, illus. by Jill Pinkwater, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $16.00, ISBN 0-618-43125-X), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Residents of the New Jersey Bayonne Zoo, Irving and Muktuk, two muffin-loving polar bears, are the only suspects in the theft of a shipment of Italian blueberry muffins. Determined to clear their names, they put on disguises, interview the night watchman, and sniff out the trail of the thief. When the trail surprisingly leads back to their quarters in the zoo, their short memories suddenly return. As they wolf down the remaining muffins, the lovable duo decide that the delightful meal is worth the consequences–locked in their room at night and picking up trash at the zoo for a year.

SOMETHING ABOUT HENSLEY'S
written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-399-24538-3), 48p, Ages 6+.
Based on a true story, Polacco tells of an optimistic and resourceful general store proprietor, Old John, who provides for families, whether they have common needs or emergencies. When a single mom moves into town and is desperately in need of help, Old John comes to the rescue, providing material comfort as well as emotional. Patricia Polacco salutes John Soncrant, a true American whose influence changed the lives of many.

BROTHERS
written by Yin, illus. by Chris Soentpiet, (Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-399-23406-3), 32p, Ages 6-9.
Newly arrived from China, Ming is instructed by his brothers not to leave the boundaries of San Francisco's Chinatown. Although Ming helps in the family's store, he longs for adventure. A friendship begins when he meets Patrick, an immigrant from Ireland. As Ming learns English, he helps promote the family business to customers outside Chinatown. Further information about Chinese and Irish immigration during the mid-1800s is clarified in the endpapers.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
written by E. Nesbit, illus. by Matt Tavares, (Candlewick Press, $16.99, ISBN 0-7636-2124-2), 48p, Ages 4-8.
Just about everything E. Nesbit wrote for children became a classic in the world of children's literature. In her retelling of this famous folktale, Jack is a lazy dreamer, and whatever he manages to do for his mother turns out wrong. One day he trades the family cow for a few beans, and they magically grow into a towering stalk. Curiosity gets the better of Jack, and he climbs up the vine, discovering a land ruled by a greedy, selfish giant. With quick wit, Jack outsmarts the giant, returns stolen treasures to their rightful owner, becomes a hero, and gains a fortune for his mother. Originally published in 1908, this retelling with new illustrations is one of the most memorable; and it should be in every child's library.

FLOTSAM
written/illus. by David Wiesner, (Clarion Books, $17.00, ISBN 0-618-19457-6), 40p, Ages 5-8.
This is a unique and fascinating wordless picture book, that tells the story of a young boy who finds an old barnacle-crusted "Melville Underwater Camera" on the beach. Little does he realize what marvelous wonders it contains, until the developed pictures reveal portraits of its previous owners down through the years with astonishing sea creatures (mechanical wind-up fish, gigantic walking starfish with islands on their backs, a hot-air balloon puffer fish, etc.) This is a visual delight for all the family.

THREE LITTLE CAJUN PIGS
written by Mike Artell, illus. by Jim Harris, (Dial Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-8037-2815-8), 32p, Ages 4-8.
In Bayou country, when their Louisiana mama tells her lazy pigs Trosclair, Thibodeaux, and Ulysse (aka Boo) that it's time to move on, they decide to build their own homes. They begin to question their building materials when Ol' Claude, a tail-flipping gator, demolishes two of their flimsily built houses. He meets his match at Boo's brick house with a big pot of roux. "And speakin' of gators, way down de bayou/A gator we know sure was hurtin' fo' true./He got him an ice pack on his derriere/And where dem pigs live, he ain't goin' back dere." Written in wonderful rhyme, try reading it aloud with a southern accent. A glossary is provided for the pronunciation of French words.

SKIPPYJON JONES IN MUMMY TROUBLE
written/illus. by Judy Schachner, (Dutton Children's Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-525-47754-3), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Skippyjon is a Siamese kitten with an alter ego of a Chihuahua. To avoid another lecture from Mama Junebug, Skippyjon hides in a closet, only to find himself in Egypt. His doggy friends, Los Chimichangos, want to visit the pyramids "where mummitos rest in peas." When Skippyjon solves an ancient Finx riddle, he discovers the tomb of King Rootin-Tootin-Kitten-Kabootin. Find out how this pint-size kitty avoids capture, gets the peas, and scurries home. A CD is included.

KATJE, THE WINDMILL CAT
written by Gretchen Woelfle, illus. by Nicola Bayley, (Candlewick Press, $6.99, ISBN 0-7636-2089-0), 32p, Ages 6+.
Gretchen Woelfle's heroic tale of courage is based on the true story of a cat, a baby, and the famous St. Elizabeth's Day Flood on November 5, 1421 in the Netherlands. Katje and her master live in a small Dutch village. As the family grows larger, Katje's master brings home a wife and eventually a new baby. It seems to Katje that she is always in the way, so she moves into the windmill and refuses to come home. When a storm blows in from the North Sea, breaks through the dikes, and floods the village, it's Katje who saves the baby from drowning. Her devotion and bravery earn her a place of honor in the family.

WINNIE-THE-POOH: 80th Anniversary Edition
written by A. A. Milne, illus. by Ernest H. Shepard, (Dutton Children's Books, $20.00, ISBN 0-525-47768-3), 160p, Ages 7+.
Published in 1926, Edward Bear, better known as Winnie-the-Pooh, has been loved by generations of children and parents. Based on the toys of A. A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin, Pooh is a bear of very little brain and lives in the Hundred Acre Woods. Along with his friends, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Baby Roo, and Owl, they have charming and humorous adventures involving bees, honey, a Woozle, Eeyore's lost tail, a Heffalump, and an Expotition to the North Pole. The colorful illustrations help make this early chapter book also great for reading aloud.

THE BIG BOOK OF LITTLE: A CLASSIC ILLUSTRATED EDITION
compiled by Cooper Edens, (Chronicle Books, $19.95, ISBN 0-8118-5085-4), 124p, Ages 5+.
This is a nice collection of fifty-nine classic poems, nursery rhymes, and excerpts from famous stories featuring antique illustrations from turn-of-the-century artists. Excerpts are from The Little Engine That Could, Teenie Weenie Town, Gulliver's Travels, Little Toot, The Brownie ABC, Peter Pan, Snow White, Little Lord Fauntleroy, The Little Prince, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Little House on the Prairie, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, With a Little Help from My Friends, Cinderella, and Thumbelina.

ARE YOU QUITE POLITE?
written by Alan Katz, illus. by David Catrow, (Margaret K. McElderry Books, $15.95, ISBN 0-689-86970-3), 32p, Ages 4-8.
This new collection of humorous poems introduces a generation of children to manners and etiquette. Alan Katz has rewritten lyrics to 14 familiar songs on various subjects such as lateness, table manners, sneezing, and nose picking. Being silent in the library is sung to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", lyrics about not chewing gum at school is sung to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", "Writing Thank-Yous" is expressed through the tune "Alouette", and "Try Being Neat" is sung to the tune of "America the Beautiful". Kids will love this latest book of Alan Katz and David Catrow, while parents, hopefully, will remember all the tunes.

HOUNDSLEY AND CATINA
written by James Howe, illus. by Marie-Louise Gay, (Candlewick Press, $14.99, ISBN 0-7636-2405-5), 48p, Ages 5-8.
In three short chapters two friends realize that they cannot remember their own birthdays. Houndsley decides to bake a cake for Catina and give her a surprise party. Little does he realize that Catina is planning a surprise party for him. "And the two friends decided right then and there that every year after that, they would celebrate their birthdays together on the very same day." This first chapter book is also great for young readers.

GONE WILD: AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL ALPHABET
written/illus. by David McLimans, (Walker Books for Young Readers, $16.95, ISBN 0-8027-9563-3), 40p, All Ages.
Twenty-six endangered animals are represented in this impressive alphabet book. Each page features a black and white letter incorporating characteristics of each animal, the animal's English and Latin name, an upper case letter and lower case letter, and a red-lined box featuring a small image of the animal, information on its class, habitat, range, threats, and status (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable). Endpapers include a paragraph on each animal as well as a list of websites for additional information and references for further readings. Not only is this unusual book a tool for raising awareness of the problem, but it is a very effective art book for students above the elementary grades.

THE STORY OF HOLLY & IVY
written by Rumer Godden, illus. by Barbara Cooney, (Viking Children's Books, $17.99, ISBN 0-670-06219-7), 32p, Ages 6+.
Six-year-old Ivy, a resident of St. Agnes's orphanage, wishes for a mom and dad for Christmas. A doll in a toyshop window wishes for a child. A lonely, childless couple long for a child to fill their home for Christmas. Discover how they find each other with the help of a lost key, a kind police officer, a baker's oven, and a green coat. Newly illustrated, this holiday classic, originally published in 1958, is ready again to be read aloud for a new generation.

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