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CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
KINDERGARTEN
NOTABLE BOOKS 2003
 

 

 

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Alphabet Mystery Alphabet Mystery
written by Audrey Wood, illus. by Bruce Wood, (Blue Sky Press, $15.95), 40p, Ages 3+.
An adventure and mystery surround the disappearance of little x. The lower case letters of Charlie's Alphabet search for the missing letter aboard a flying pencil to a castle of the gigantic capital M.
The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose
illus. by Arnold Lobel, (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., $19.95), 176p, Ages 0-6.
306 classic nursery rhymes make up this reissued anthology of Mother Goose. Featured are many well known rhymes such as "Georgie Porgie" as well as some lesser known rhymes like "A was an apple pie." 		The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose
A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog
written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Mercer Mayer is considered a master of the wordless picture book genre. In this reissue of a 1967 classic, a young boy and his dog romp through the woods trying to catch a frog, but find a friend instead.
A Boy, a Dog, a Frog, and a Friend
written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Written in 1971, the tale continues from A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog and tells of a small boy, his dog, and pet frog who have difficulty getting rid of a pesky turtle. 		A Boy, a Dog, a Frog, and a Friend

 
Cat Count Cat Count
written & illus. by Betsy Lewin, (Henry Holt & Co., 2003, $14.95), 32p, Ages 3-7.
What begins as a simple counting book becomes more involved as cats are counted in words and numerals. The end page indicates how the totals are obtained.
Centipede's 100 Shoes
written & illus. by Tony Ross, (Henry Holt & Co., $15.95), 32p, Ages 4-7.
A little centipede decides that his new shoes are a lot of trouble to put on and take off, so he decides to share them with all of his friends. 		Centipede's 100 Shoes
A Chick Called Saturday A Chick Called Saturday
written by Joyce Dunbar, illus. by Brita Granstrom, (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2003, $16.00), 32p, Ages 4-7.
All of Mother Hen's chicks are obedient except the youngest. Saturday wants to be like the other animals, but meets with failure, until he sees Rooster.
The Day the Babies Crawled Away
written & illus. by Peggy Rathmann, (G.P. Putnam's Sons, $16.99), 32p, Ages 3-6.
The babies in this story are determined to seek adventure and one small boy is equally determined to keep them safe. The babies crawl in caves, chase frogs, and get stuck in trees, only to be rescued, fed, and led home safely by their hero. 		The Day the Babies Crawled Away
Diary of a Wombat Diary of a Wombat
written by Jackie French, illus. by Bruce Whatley, (Clarion Books, $14.00), 32p, Ages 4-7.
One cute and enterprising wombat describes his week of scratching, sleeping, and eating carrots while proving how easy it is to train humans in whose yard he resides.

 
Don't Take Your Snake for a Stroll
written by Karin Ireland, illus. by David Catrow, (Harcourt, Inc., $16.00), 32p, Ages 3-7.
In this cautionary story a little boy takes an unusual group of pets to places usually reserved for people and chaos reigns. 		Don't Take Your Snake for a Stroll
Fall Is for Friends Fall Is for Friends
written and illus. by Suzy Stafford, (Scholastic, Inc., $12.95), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Sometimes waiting is hard, especially for Suzy and Emily who wish that the leaves would hurry up and fall. A charming story about best friends and finding fun in the simplest of pleasures.
Frog Goes to Dinner
written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
In this reissue of his 1974 wordless picture book, Frog hides in his young master's pocket and causes havoc at a fancy restaurant where his family is dining. 		Frog Goes to Dinner
Frog on His Own Frog on His Own
written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
In another of Mayer's wordless picture books Frog decides to experience life on his own. But his adventures turn to misadventures before his friends can rescue him.
Frog, Where Are You?
written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
This wordless tale continues the story began in A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog. Tired of living in a jar, Frog decides to return to the woods, and his friends decide to bring him back. 		Frog, Where Are You?

 
Ginger Finds a Home Ginger Finds a Home
written & illus. by Charlotte Voake, (Candlewick Press, $15.99), 40p, Ages 3-7.
Ginger is a cold and hungry orange cat who lives in a patch of weeds, until a little girl feeds him, earns his trust, and takes him home. Thus begins a great friendship.
Good Night Sam
written & illus. by Marie-Louise Gay, (Groundwood Books, $14.95), 24p, Ages 2-6.
Sam can't sleep because his faithful dog, Fred, is missing and Fred is afraid of many things that go bump in the night. Fortunately, his older sister, Stella, patiently helps him search the house until Fred is found. 		Good Night Sam
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
written by Ian Whybrow, illus. by Adrian Reynolds, (Random House, $14.95), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Harry finds toy dinosaurs in Gran's attic, repairs them and names each one. They whisper, "Thank you Harry." When the dinosaurs are accidentally left on a train, Harry must prove that he is their owner.
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
written by Jane Yolen, illus. by Mark Teague, (The Blue Sky Press, $15.95), 32p, Ages 4+.
Every child who has ever been ill can relate to some of the silliness in this tale of sick dinosaurs and the dos and don'ts of getting well. 		How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
I'll Never Share You, Blackboard Bear I'll Never Share You, Blackboard Bear
written & illus. by Martha Alexander, (Candlewick Press, $13.99), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Sharing is the theme in another fine book in the Blackboard Bear series. Anthony refuses to share his friend with Gloria and Stewart, but Blackboard Bear has another point of view to consider.

 
Little Bear's Little Boat
written by Eve Bunting, illus. by Nancy Carpenter, (Clarion Books, $12.00), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Little Bear and his boat were inseparable, but when he experiences growing pains, Mother Bear explains that his destiny is to grow big, but the boat must stay the same. He finds another small bear to enjoy his boat, and shares the story about growing up and passing on treasures. 		Little Bear's Little Boat
Little One Step Little One Step
written and illus. by Simon James, (Candlewick Press, $15.99), 28p, Ages 4-8.
As three ducklings return home to Mama, the older ones encourage the littlest by teaching him that every journey begins with one little step.
One Frog Too Many
Written by Mercer Mayer, illus. by Marianna Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $5.99), 32p, Ages 2-6.
In a reissue of Mayer's 1975 wordless book, the story continues of a young boy, his dog, turtle, and frog. On one of their adventures, they meet a baby frog resulting in a bit of jealousy. How the problem is resolved proves why this lovely story remains a classic. 		One Frog Too Many
One Monday Morning One Monday Morning,
written and illus. by Uri Shulevitz, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $6.95), 48p, Ages 3-6.
Originally written in 1967, this tale is based on an old French song. Beginning on Monday a king, queen, and prince come to visit a young boy who is not at home. The entourage grows each day until they find him at home on Sunday. The final page shows a boy playing with a deck of cards.
Pocketful of Nonsense,
written & illus. by James Marshall, (Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, $15.00), 24p, Ages 4-8.
A collection of twenty original and traditional rhymes, nonsensical verse, and poems as only Marshall can present them. 		Pocketful of Nonsense

 
Straight to the Pole Straight to the Pole
written & illus. by Kevin O'Malley, (Walker & Co., $15.95), 32p, Ages 4-7.
In lovely melodramatic humor a small child bravely trudges through a snowstorm on his way to the bus stop sign, only to discover that school is closed for the day. It's much nicer to play in the snow anyway.
Three Pebbles and a Song
written by Eileen Spinelli, illus. by S. D. Schindler, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Preparing for a long cold winter, Moses' mouse family realizes that his contribution of a song and three pebbles is just as important as food and a warm nest. 		Three Pebbles and a Song
Travels with Toot & Puddle: Three Books About Friendship Travels with Toot & Puddle: Three Books About Friendship
written & illus. by Holly Hobbie, (Little Brown & Co., $11.99), 32p. ea. Ages 3-7.
Three of the Toot & Puddle stories are contained in a traveling case just right for little hands. You Are My Sunshine, A Present for Toot, and the original Toot & Puddle, about two friends and their adventures, will surely charm everyone.
Yikes!!!
written & illus. by Robert Florczak, (The Blue Sky Press, $15.95), 32p, Ages 4+.
An adventurous young boy meets some very dangerous but fascinating animals, insects, and spiders in a wide range of habitats. The back of the book contains interesting facts about these creatures. 		Yikes!!!

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