The Children's Hour - Children's Book Reviews - Kindergarten

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
KINDERGARTEN
NOTABLE BOOKS 2005

Kindergarten

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THE QUANGLE WANGLE'S HAT
written by Edward Lear, illus. by Louise Voce, (Candlewick, $15.99, ISBN 0-7636-1289-8), 40p, Ages 4-7.
The Quangle Wangle resides on the top of the Crumpetty Tree where his hundred and two foot wide hat is a perfect home for the Fimble Fowl, the Pobble with no toes and the Dong with its luminous nose. Lear was a master of nonsense.

HUNWICK'S EGG
written by Mem Fox, illus. by Pamela Lofts, (Harcourt Children's Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-15- 216318-2), 32p, Ages 3-7.
After a turbulent storm, a mysterious egg appears near Hunwick's burrow. The old bandicoot decides to befriend it and provide a home, even though the egg never hatches.

EAT YOUR PEAS, IVY LOUISE!
written/illus. by Leo Landry, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $12.00, ISBN 0-618-44886-1), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Ivy Louise's parents encourage her to eat her peas, unaware that the peas are performing circus acts on her tray. The ringmaster pea orders the acrobats, clowns and the rest of the circus onto Ivy's spoon, and she propels them out the window into the garden.

WHERE DID THAT BABY COME FROM?
written/illus. by Debi Gliori, (Harcourt Children's Books, $16.00, ISBN 0-15- 205373-5), 32p, Ages 3-7.
The new baby does nothing but leak, eat, cry, and sleep at odd hours. A young sibling ponders where the new baby came from. Perhaps the bargain store, the zoo, outer space, the ocean, on the other hand, maybe cooked in the oven like a gingerbread cookie.

NANCY, THE LITTLE GOSLING
written/illus. by Eve Tharlet, (minedition, $14.99, ISBN 0-698-40008-9), 32p, Ages 4+.
Nancy cannot seem to keep her mind on waddling, swimming, or flying lessons. Watching butterflies is more to her liking. An encouraging story for those who like doing things differently.

TOO MANY FROGS
written by Sandy Asher, illus. by Keith Graves, (Philomel Books, $15.99, ISBN 0-399-23978-2), 32p, Ages 3+.
Rabbit has a simple, comfortable life, with a nightly routine of reading a story. Night after night Froggie and family disturb his routine and settle in for a snack and a story without being invited. Rabbit tells them to leave, but realizes something is missing.

HUMPHREY'S BEAR
written by Jan Wahl, illus. by William Joyce, (Henry Holt Books., HC $16.95, ISBN 0-8050-7812-6, Paper $6.95, ISBN 0-8050-7887-8), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Updated from the 1977 classic, Humphrey has a wonderful adventure at sea with his toy bear after they retire for the night. He especially enjoys the hot chocolate that bear makes - just as his father did before him.

THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT WAS TIDY & NEAT
written by Teri Sloat, illus. by R. W. Alley, (Henry Holt Books, $16.95, ISBN 0-8050- 6921-6), 32p, Ages 4-8.
When Mom leaves for the day, the children and animals experience a series of wacky events involving crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills. The neat and tidy house that Mom left is now a mess. Dad comes home, and with the housekeeper's help, the house again is tidy and neat. Told in cumulative rhyme.

LITTLE WHISTLE'S MEDICINE
written by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Tim Bowers, (Voyager Books, Paper $6.00, ISBN 0-15- 205244-5, Harcourt Children's Books 2002, HC $15.00, ISBN 0-15-201086-6), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Little Whistle lives in a toy store, and each night when the toys wake up, he sets out on a new adventure. This night, the toy soldier cannot read the Toytown babies a bedtime story because of a hurt head. None of the toys can help Little Whistle solve the problem except the mother doll, because mothers always know what to do.

LITTLE PEA
written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Jen Corace, (Chronicle Books, $12.95, ISBN 0-8118-4658-X), 36p, Ages 3+.
In this comical twist on the universal food problem faced by parents, Little Pea loves vegetables but hates candy. Each night he struggles with the main course of candy, but his parents insist that he clean his plate in order to have the spinach dessert.

PIGGY AND DAD GO FISHING
written by David Martin, illus. by Frank Remkiewicz, (Candlewick Press, $14.99, ISBN 0-7636-2506-X), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Dad takes Piggy fishing for the first time, but the smiling worm and sad fish change Piggy's thinking about the sport. Dad saves the day by re-inventing the sport. Those fish sure like donuts.

THE BIRTHDAY FISH
written/illus by Dan Yaccarino, (Henry Holt, $16.95, ISBN 0-8050-7493-7), 40p, Ages 3-6.
Upset that her birthday present is a goldfish instead of a pony; Cynthia tries to pour it down the drain. Is she surprised when the fish pleads for its life and promises to grant her a wish for its freedom. On the way to the lake to set him free, there are many mishaps, and Cynthia realizes that Marigold indeed is a special pet.

RUSSELL THE SHEEP
written/illus. by Rob Scotton, (HarperCollins, $15.99, ISBN 0-06-59848-4), 40p, Ages 3-7.
Russell has a busy day in Frogsbottom Field, but when night falls, he cannot seem to fall asleep. So he tries counting things - his feet, the stars (six hundred million billion and ten), but nothing works until he discovers that counting sheep works. The illustrations are clever.

THE SUBWAY MOUSE
written/illus. by Barbara Reid, (Scholastic Press, $15.95, ISBN 0-439-72827-4), 40p, Ages 4-8.
Legend states that Tunnel's End is a beautiful land where the air smells sweet and the sky is blue. Nib, who lives in a dirty, crowded subway station, decides to find this mythical land. On his journey, Nib meets a girl mouse and they discover a world beyond their wildest imagination.

LIZETTE'S GREEN SOCK
written/illus. by Catharina Valckx, (Clarion Books, $15.00, ISBN 0-618-45298-2), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Delighted with a green sock she found on the ground, Lizette happily wears it all day, until two bullies make fun of her one sock. Fortunately, her friend Bert has an ingenious solution and Lizette realizes that like friends, socks are best in pairs.

STANLEY MOWS THE LAWN
written/illus. by Craig Fazier, (Chronicle Books, $15.95, ISBN 0-8118-4846-9), 40p, Ages 4-7.
Stanley believes that there is only way to mow the grass until he encounters Hank, the snake, who prefers the uncut grass. Stanley suddenly has a great idea that will satisfy them both - instead of cutting straight, why not zig zag.

KIDOGO
written/illus. by Anik McGrory, (Bloomsbury Children's Books, $15.95, ISBN 1-58234-974-6), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Positive that he is the smallest creature on earth, Kidogo leaves home to search for another animal as small as he. Through the woodlands, across the plains, and even in the river Kidogo searches until he finds someone else who is indeed smaller and in need of help.

THIS ROCKET
written/illus. by Paul Collicutt, (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, $16.00, ISBN 0-374-37484-8), 32p, Ages 3-6.
An impressive display of rockets and spacecraft are presented for young enthusiasts. From small rockets at a Fourth of July celebration to the space shuttle Columbia, information is given in simple text with endpapers that identify specific models and detail the Apollo space mission.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
written by Jonathan Emmett, illus. by Vanessa Cabban, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN 0-7636-2554-X), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Mole thinks his burrow is too small, dark, and dull. He sets out to find somewhere big, bright, and beautiful, and his friends Hedgehog, Squirrel, and Rabbit try to help, but finding a new home is not as easy as it seems.

MARY ENGELBREIT'S MOTHER GOOSE: ONE HUNDRED BEST-LOVED VERSES
illus. by Mary Engelbreit, (HarperCollins, $19.99, ISBN 0-06-008171-6), 128p, Ages 3+.
This famous artist has chosen one hundred of her favorite nursery rhymes to illustrate in her whimsical and beautiful technique. An introduction by children's literature specialist Leonard S. Marcus describes the important role of nursery rhymes. This is a must for every child's collection.

A WAS ONCE AN APPLE PIE
written by Edward Lear, adapted/illus. by Suse MacDonald, (Orchard Books, $12.99, ISBN 0-439-66056-4), 32p, Ages 3-6.
This delightful rhyming alphabet book, originally written in 1871, is perfect for reading aloud. Beginning with A on one page and B on the other, a large bear leans across the pages to smell A's Apple Pie. Children will enjoy "A was once an apple pie, /pidy, widy, tidy pidy /nice insidy, apple pie!"

IF YOU WERE MY BABY: A WILDLIFE LULLABY
written by Fran Hodgkins, illus. by Laura Bryant, (Dawn Publications, HC $16.95, ISBN 1-58469-074-7, Paper $8.95, ISBN 1-58469-075-5), 32p, Ages 2-7.
At bedtime, a parent explains how various animals love and care for their young. Baby squirrels have secret nests, baby otters are rocked in the waves, and baby ducks are taught the wonders of water. This is a good connection for children to the world of nature around them.

SLEEP TIGHT, LITTLE BEAR
written by Martin Waddell, illus. by Barbara Frith, (Candlewick Press, $15.9, ISBN 0-7636-2439-X), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Little Bear discovers a cave that is just his size. With Big Bear's permission he prepares to spend the night, but as the dark sets in, Little Bears realizes that Big Bear might be lonely, and he heads home. A Charming story of adventure and love.

EMMA KATE
written/illus. by Patricia Polacco, (Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-399-24452-2), 32p. Ages 3+.
Emma Kate and her imaginary friend share everything together, homework, soccer practice, sleepovers, and even have their tonsils out and eat pink ice cream together. However, this charming story takes a comic twist when readers and listeners discover that Emma Kate is the elephant.

A APPLE PIE
written/illus. by Gennady Spirin, (Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN 0-399-23981-2), 32p, All Ages.
Following the destiny of an apple pie through the alphabet, children will delight in the details of the whimsical Victorian illustrations. From one of the most beloved alphabet rhymes, children will enjoy finding the small details on every page - a small butterfly where B bit it, a purring cat looking at C cut it, and a tiny mouse creeping to where M mourned for it. A must for collectors.

I. Q., IT'S TIME
written/illus by Mary Ann Fraser, (Walker Books, $15.95, ISBN 0-8027-8978-5), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Children will learn about the ways to keep time (analog and digital), wall clocks, wristwatches, and stopwatches, as well as differences between the minute and hour hands, how to count by fives, and the number of hours in a day. All this information is contained within the story of a little classroom mouse who wishes to make a surprise for Parents" Night.

IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PARTY
written by Laura Numeroff, illus. by Felicia Bond, (HarperCollins, $15.99, ISBN 0-06-028326-2), 32p, Ages 3-7.
When you give a pig a party, one thing always leads to another. From balloons, street fairs, bumper cars, roller coasters, to hide and seek, sleepovers, and pillow fights, it requires a lot of work to give him a party.

Q IS FOR DUCK: AN ALPHABET GUESSING GAME
written by Mary Elting/Michael Folsom, illus. by Jack Kent, (Clarion Books, HC $16.00, ISBN 0-618-57389-5, Paper $6.95, ISBN 0-618-57412-3), 64p, Ages 4-7.
A clever alphabet and riddle book that will keep children challenged by guessing why A is for zoo, B is for dog, and C is for hen. Children must turn the pages for the answers.

I.Q. GOES TO THE LIBRARY
written/illus by Mary Ann Fraser, (Walker Books, Paper $6.95, ISBN 0-8027-7727-9, 2003 HC, $15.95, ISBN 0-8027-8877-7), 32p, Ages 4-7.
No one has a better time at the library during Library Week than I.Q., the class pet. He loves the puppets, the head phones for audio books, making bookmarks, and learning about books. What he would really like is his own library card to check out books.

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
written by Watty Piper, Illus. by Loren Long, (Philomel Books, 17.99, ISBN 0-399-24467-0), 48p, Ages 4+.
Newly re-illustrated, this wonderful classic tells the story of a happy Little Blue Engine who agrees to pull a stranded train full of toys over the mountain. Despite her size, she chugs up the mountain with, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."

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