The Children's Hour - Children's Book Reviews - Third-Fifth Grades

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
THIRD - FIFTH GRADES
NOTABLE BOOKS 2004

Third-Fifth Grades

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Notables from 2003
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Unwitting Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop's Fables
retold/illus. by Helen Ward, (Chronicle Books, $18.95), 64p, Ages 5-9.
In oversized format, beautiful watercolors accompany twelve of Aesop's famous fables that have endured for over 2,500 years. The illustrations are particularly fetching.

Peter Pan and Wendy
written by J. M. Barrie, illus. by Robert Ingpen, (Orchard Books, $17.95), 224p, All Ages.
A beautiful classic story about a boy who refuses to grow up, a mischievous fairy, and three curious children. The story is presented in the original, unabridged text to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Winnie-the-Pooh
written by A. A. Milne, illus. by Ernest H. Shepard, (Dutton Children's Books, $23.99), 176p, Ages 6+.
Larger in format and in now in color, the adventures of Christopher Robin and the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood are as charming now as when they were originally written in 1926. Children will enjoy each character including Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore as they try to catch Heffalumps. Also in this new format are "The House At Pooh Corner", "When We Were Very Young", and "Now We Are Six."

The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle
written/illus. by Lynne Cherry, (Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00), 40p, Ages 6+.
Mangroves begin in lagoons where a seed takes root and begins to grow, sending out roots to help it stand against storms. Over the years it becomes home to crabs, oysters, sea anemone, pelicans, and manatees. A unique look into an ecosystem that is endangered in many places around the world.

Once Upon a Poem
forward by Kevin Crossly-Holland, illus. by Peter Bailey, Siam Bailey, Carol Lawson, Christ McEwan, (The Chicken House, $18.95), 128p, Ages 8-12.
Fifteen selections are gathered in this anthology and a well-known author introduces each. Poems range from "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "Paul Revere's Ride" to lesser selections of "The Late Passenger" and "O What is That Sound."

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
written by Roald Dahl, illus. by Quentin Blake, (Alfred A. Knopf, $22.95), 160p, Ages 8+.
A young boy finds the last Golden ticket and wins a trip of a lifetime to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. With four other winners, they experience the magical wonders of rainbow drops and lickable wallpaper, but discover the consequences of disobedience. This classic has been reissued to commemorate its 40th anniversary.

Princess Stories: A Classic Illustrated Edition
compiled by Cooper Edens, (Chronicle Books, $19.95), 136p, Ages 7-11.
This anthology of classic princess stories portrays American and European illustrators from the 1880s to the 1920s. The stories presented are "Cinderella," (faithful to Perrault's telling of two balls) "The Frog Prince," "The Little Mermaid," "The Princess and the Pea," "Rapunzel," "Sleeping Beauty," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and "Beauty and the Beast."

A Collection of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories
written by Rudyard Kipling, (Candlewick Press, $22.99), 127p, Ages 6+.
Eight of Kipling's marvelous tales are brought together in this anthology, each story illustrated by renowned artists. Featured is "How the Whale Got His Throat," "How the Camel Got His Hump," "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin," "How the Leopard Got His Spots," "The Elephant's Child," "The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo," "The Beginning of the Armadillos," and "The Cat That Walked by Himself."

Roald Dahl Gift Set
written by Roald Dahl, illus. by Quentin Blake, (Puffin Books, $24.96), Ages 8+.
Four of Dahl's famous stories are gathered in this boxed set, - "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and "James and the Giant Peach." As in most of Dahl's stories, the nasty are punished and the good are rewarded.

Sleeping Beauty
written by Charles Perrault, retold by Adele Geras, illus. by Christian Birmingham, (Orchard Books, $18.95), 64p, Ages 7-11.
A beautiful princess, a magic spell, and a quest are all the ingredients of a classic tale. Angered at not being invited to the princess' christening, the oldest fairy in the kingdom issues a curse. On her 16t.h birthday, Princess Aurora and the entire castle fall under a spell and sleep for 100 years. After hearing the tale, a king's son sets out to find the Princess Aurora and break the spell.

The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)
written by Avi, illus. by Tricia Tusa, (Harcourt Children's Books, $14.95), 140p, Ages 8-11.
Avon, the snail, believes that adventure brings happiness. Thus, he journeys with his friend, Edward, the ant, at a snail's pace down a branch and meet many interesting characters, one whom they believe may be a dragon disguised as a mouse.

Merlin and the Making of the King
retold by Margaret Hodges, illus. by Trina Schart Hyman, (Holiday House, $16.95), 40p, Ages 8-12.
This brief retelling of three Arthurian tales, "The Sword in the Stone," "Excalibur," and "The Lady of the Lake" is based on Sir Thomas Malory's work. Illustrations by the late Trina Schart Hyman are captivating.

The Cats in Krasinski Square
written by Karen Hesse, illus. by Wendy Watson, (Scholastic Press, $16.95), 32p, Ages 7-10.
During World War II, Warsaw fell into the hands of the Germans, and Jewish people were forced to live on certain walled-in streets. A young girl and sister develop a plan to feed those trapped behind the Ghetto walls, using cats to trick the Gestapo.

Half Magic
written by Edward Eager, illus. by N. M. Bodecker, (Harcourt Children's Books, $18.95), 240p, Ages 8+.
One summer four children's lives are suddenly changed when the oldest finds what she thinks is a nickel on the sidewalk. They discover that the mysterious coin grants wishes only by halves, so they learn to double their wishes. There are complications - what is half of twice a talking cat? This 50th anniversary edition is magical, humorous, and heart-warming.

The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories
written by Jane Yolen/Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illus. by Rebecca Guay, (Barefoot Books, $19.99), 96p, Ages 8+.
The retelling of seven of history's greatest ballet stories are presented with a brief history of classical ballet. Featured are Coppelia, Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Shim Chung, The Sleeping Beauty, Daphnis and Chloe.

The Peterkins' Christmas
adapted by Elizabeth Spurr, illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin, (Antheneum Books, 2004), 32p, Ages 7-10.
This adaptation, from the 1880 Christmas classic "The Peterkin Papers," is a warm and charming holiday tale, guaranteed to entertain everyone. Mr. & Mrs. Peterkins decide to surprise their three youngest children with the tallest Christmas tree ever, however, it is too tall for the house. The solution is obvious - raise the ceiling.

An Orange for Frankie
written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, $16.99), 48p, Ages 5+.
Based on her family's Christmas long ago in rural Michigan, Polacco retells a story surrounding her great uncle, his eight brothers and sisters, and the lessons they learned about family, traditions, giving, and miracles.

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