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DIMITY DUMPTY: THE STORY OF HUMPTY'S
LITTLE SISTER
written/illus. by Bob Graham, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN
978-0-7636-3078-2), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Born into a family of circus performers, The Tumbling Dumpties,
little Dimity prefers her flute to performing under the spotlight
with her acrobatic family. When her mischievous brother, Humpty,
accidentally falls from a wall while spray-painting his name
across the bricks, Dimity finds the strength and courage to
bandage his cracked shell and get help. Fun abounds from the
delightful expressions of the characters to the egg carton circus
wagon pulled by a hen. There are messages for everyone concerning
the possession of special gifts and talents as well as consequences
to face for bad behavior. |
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GINGER AND PETUNIA
written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, $16.99,
ISBN 978-0-399-24539-8), 40p, Ages 5-8.
Accomplished pianist and socialite Virginia Vincent Folsum,
better known as Ginger, lavishes affection on her pet pig, Petunia.
When called out of town, Ginger is unaware that her house sitter
has canceled and that Petunia is happily masquerading as Ginger.
Petunia dresses in beautiful gowns, drives the red sports car,
gives piano lessons to Ginger's students, and dances with the
mayor. However, it's a busy schedule and Petunia misses her
mud baths. When Ginger returns, she soon discovers the impersonation
and vows never to leave Petunia alone again. They both live
happily ever after, wallowing in mud baths together.
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THE LUCK OF THE LOCH NESS MONSTER:
A TALE OF PICKY EATING
written by A. W. Flaherty, illus. by Scott Magoon, (Houghton
Mifflin, $16.00, ISBN 978-0-618-55644-1), 40p,
Ages 4-8.
A little girl travels on an ocean liner to meet her grandmother
in Scotland, and every morning she tosses her disgusting oatmeal
out the porthole. A tiny sea worm is delighted to consume the
oatmeal and immediately quadruples in size. Katerina-Elizabeth
and the worm become good friends as the ship travels across
the Atlantic and up the River Ness to the lake Lock Ness. What
happened to Nessie? "Being an American worm, however, it knew
the usefulness of advertising, and occasionally it allowed itself
to be seen at dawn." The tourists gladly accommodate the Loch
Ness Monster by throwing their oatmeal into the water. This
is a wonderful story filled with an abundance of humor and imagination.
Children who dislike oatmeal will love it. |
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GREAT JOY
written by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline, (Candlewick
Press, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-7636-2920-5), 32p, Ages
4-8.
"The week before Christmas, a monkey appeared on the corner
of Fifth and Vine. He was wearing a green vest and a red hat,
and with him was a man, an organ grinder, who played music for
the people on the street." Frances watches from her apartment
window, listens to the sad music, and wonders about the man
and his monkey. When she realizes that they sleep on the street,
Frances invites the old man to her Christmas play, much against
her mother's wishes. On the night of the play, Frances almost
forgets her lines in the play, but when she spies the man and
monkey at the back of the church, she suddenly remembers. "'Behold!'
she shouted. 'I bring you tidings of Great Joy!" With illustrations
reminiscent of World War II, this story represents the essence
of Christmas–love, compassion, kindness, and joy. |
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