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

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
KINDERGARTEN
NOTABLE BOOKS 2007

Kindergarten

Best of Year 2010
Best of Year 2009
Best of Year 2008
Notables from 2006
Notables from 2005
Notables from 2004
Notables from 2003

    Animals
    Anthologies
    Bears
    Bedtime
    Classics
    Concept Books
    Dinosaurs
    Families
    Fiction for the Young
    Folk Literature
    Friendship
    Holiday/Special Days
    Humor & Nonsense
    Insects
    Oceans, Lakes, Rivers,
      & Ponds
    Rhythm & Rhyme
    Wordless Books

Toddlers
Preschool
First Grade
Second Grade
Third-Fifth Grades
Middle Grades
Upper Grades

DUCK AT THE DOOR
written/illus. by Jackie Urbanovic, (HarperCollins, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-06-121438-7), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Born in the spring, Max decides to stay behind when his flock flies south for the winter, but he quickly regrets this decision when it begins to snow. Seeking the warmth of a nearby home, Max makes himself at home with Irene and her menagerie of pets. Learning to use the TV remote control, discovering a flair for cooking, and hogging Brody's blanket, Max makes himself right a home. When his flock returns in the spring, Max rejoins them–to the disappointment of the family. The next winter, Max returns to Irene's house, but this time the whole flock comes along.

A MAMA FOR OWEN
written by Marion Dane Bauer, illus. by John Butler, (Simon & Schuster, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-689-85787-4), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Based on a true story, a young hippo is washed down the Sabaki River by a flood, separated from his family, and pulled back to shore by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Young Owen finds and bonds with a 130-year-old male tortoise, Mzee, who becomes an accepting and loving adoptive parent. Written for younger children, this version is softer and less traumatic than other tellings, which include Owen's separation from his mother and his harrowing experiences at sea.

AND THE TRAIN GOES . . .
written/illus. by William Bee, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-7636-3248-9), 32p, Ages 3+.
Noises and sounds from a rumbling train and its passengers are highlighted along with the tickery-tock of the station clock, the ticket seller crying, "Hurry up! Hurry up! Any more tickets . . . ?", a fireman shoveling coal, and chickens clucking on the way to market while they drop eggs on a conveyor belt. Chittering and chattering ladies on their way to the races, children on a field trip asking "Please, sir, please ma'am . . . are we there yet?", and businessmen off to the city shouting that time is money, round out this busy and energetic book. Vivid colors and sounds of chuff-chuff, chufferty-chuff, puff-puff, pufferty-puff, clickerty-click, clickerty-clack, and woo-woooo, make this book marvelous for reading aloud.

SELECTED TALES FROM BEATRIX POTTER
written/illus. by Beatrix Potter, (Warne & Co., $7.99, ISBN 978-0-723-25859-9), 128p, Ages 4-8.
Written in the early 1900s, four of Beatrix Potter's famous tales are contained in this padded format. The Tale of Peter Rabbit tells of a young disobedient rabbit that ventures into Mr. McGregor's garden, avoids capture, but loses his clothes. In The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes, husband and wife squirrels hunt and collect nuts for winter, but Timmy unwisely hides his and is accused of stealing. From The Tale of The Pie and The Patty-Pan, a pussycat invites a dog to tea, but the dog switches meals due to his dislike of mouse pie. In the last story, The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse, a country mouse and a city mouse visit each other's homes. With unfamiliar noises and dangers in the new locations, they decide that they prefer their own homes. With stories of adventure, danger, courage, and consequences of disobedience, Beatrix Potter never shied from introducing difficult words to children's vocabularies and never wrote down to children. Children and adults have enjoyed these tales for generations because of the great stories and appealing illustrations.

TREASURED TALES FROM BEATRIX POTTER
written/illus. by Beatrix Potter, (Warne & Co., $7.99, ISBN 978-0-723-25860-5), 128p, Ages 4-8.
Beatrix Potter's stories, written in the early 1900s, are famous for giving animals human qualities and stretching children's vocabularies. The following four tales teach lessons of responsibility and consequences to disobedient behavior. In The Tale of Tom Kitten, Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit dresses her kittens in their best clothes, as guests are coming. The kittens succeed in getting dirty and losing their clothes to the puddle ducks. The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher tells of a frog who decides to fish for minnows, but he is caught by a huge trout and narrowly escapes with only his shirt. From The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Benjamin persuades his cousin Peter Rabbit to return to Mr. McGregor's garden to retrieve Peter's clothes, but they are trapped by the garden cat under a basket. In The Tale of Pigling Bland, a young pig goes out into the world to seek his fortune, meets a cunning old man, and rescues a new friend. In this last cautionary tale, children are expected to have good sense and resourcefulness in a sometimes dangerous world.

DEEP IN THE SWAMP
written by Donna M. Bateman, illus. by Brian Lies, (Charlesbridge Publishing, HC $15.95, ISBN 978-1-57091-596-3, PB $6.95, ISBN 978-1-57091-597-0), 32p, Ages 3-7.
Set in Florida's Okefenokee Swamp, this beautifully illustrated rhyming and counting book highlights ten animals in their natural habitat. "Deep in the swamp, where the neverwets grew,/Lived a mother snapping turtle and her little turtles Two./ 'Swim!' said the mother. 'We swim,' said the Two./So they swam through the prairies where the neverwets grew." Endpapers provide information on swamp flora and fauna and discuss each of the featured species-otters, turtles, flame birds, marsh rabbits, alligators, blue herons, damselflies, bullfrogs, rat snakes, and crayfish.

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER
written by Jonathan Emmett, illus. by Daniel Howarth, (Scholastic, Inc., $14.99, ISBN 978-0-439-91654-7), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Playing in the forest, scampering through the bushes, leaping through long grass, and playing hide-and-seek, daddy Longtail tells daughter Littletail that someday she'll be too fast to catch, too clever to find, and grow just as big as he. At the end of the day, Longtail reminds Littletail that one thing will never change, and that is his love for her. This book not only has wonderful illustrations, but it also is just the right story about companionship and unconditional love that children need, especially at bedtime.

TRUCKS ROLL!
written by George Ella Lyon, illus. by Craig Frazier, (Simon & Schuster, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-2435-7), 40p, Ages 3-7.
"Stop for traffic lights./Stop for tolls./Stop for pork chops/and cinnamon rolls." Huge trucks carry a multitude of items over the highways. Loads of apple juice, trees, ice cream, bulldozers, puzzles, spaceships, and gigantic chocolate chip cookies are hauled through mountains and towns, over rivers, and across deserts. In spite of the weather, the trucks keep right on rolling until they stop for gas, to weigh their freight, or make an overnight stop. Children will ask for this book that is filled with bright colors and a simple rhyming text, again and again.

MOUSE SHAPES
written/illus. by Ellen Stoll Walsh, (Harcourt Children's Books, $16.00, ISBN 978-0-15-206091-6), 40p, Ages 3-7.
While fleeing from a dangerous enemy, three clever mice find a way to trick the sneaky cat by using shapes and colors. They discover a variety of colorful circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares in which to hide and soon realize that the shapes can be assembled to make large, scary looking cat-size mice. Surprised by the huge mice cutouts, the cat runs away, and the mice decide to make Swiss cheese from the shapes. Children will love this introduction to shapes through a clever and humorous story.

THE SURPRISE
written/illus. by Sylvia van Ommen, (Front Street/Lemniscaat Books, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-932425-85-7), 32p, Age 4+.
In this fine addition to wordless children's books, a sheep prepares a special gift for her friend, giraffe. The story opens with Sheep weighing and measuring her wool. In humorous sequences, Sheep rides her cherry red motor scooter into town, purchases red dye, colors her wool, shaves it off, and returns to town with the wool and gives it to a pink poodle that spins her wool into yarn. With determination, Sheep knits her special gift, wraps it, and returns to town to present a beautiful red sweater to Giraffe. Sometimes gifts are extra special because of the love and care put into them.

STICK
written/illus. by Steve Breen, (Dial Books, $16.00, ISBN 978-0-8037-3124-0), 40p, Ages 4+.
When a hungry young frog with an extremely long tongue zaps a passing dragonfly, he gets more than lunch. With his tongue stuck to the insect, he is pulled over the Mississippi River into New Orleans, dropped on a horse's nose, flicked into the air, made contact with a passing balloon, and asked a passing heron for help in returning home. Back in the country and still hungry, he zaps a firefly instead of a mosquito and begins to glow. With few words, this fast-paced, comical story cautions children that innocent curiosity sometimes may lead to trouble.

A CHILD'S GUIDE TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD MONSTERS
written by James Otis Thach, illus. by David Udovic, (Front Street, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-932425-58-1), 32p, Ages 2-6.
A little girl decides to do something about the monsters in her house. It turns out that they are more afraid of her and one another than she is of them. One by one, she wins over the sock monster under her bed, the closet monster who loves freshly laundered clothes, and the timid attic monster with Christmas lights on his antlers. She discovers that they all fear the basement monster. "He hides among the spider webs/behind the washer-dryer/and warms his many hands/before the boiler's glowing fire." Now that they are friends, they all share milk and cookies until the next scary storm arrives when they all run to hide under the bedcovers. Told in humorous rhyme, children will love the friendly looking monsters that are far more cute than scary.

EMMA'S TURTLE
written by Eve Bunting, illus. by Marsha Winborn, (Boyds Mills Press, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-59078-350-4), 32p, Ages 4-7.
Listening to his mistress's tales of faraway lands (Africa, Australia, and China), turtle decides to explore those lands beyond his backyard pen. After digging under his pen, he discovers a giant elephant leg (a huge tree stump), a leaping Australian kangaroo (a hopping frog), an Indian tiger (an orange and white striped cat), and an Indian beetle, which suspiciously resembles a U.S. beetle. "It's exciting to have the whole world here in my backyard." Exciting as it might be, turtle begins to worry that he may be lost. When Emma locates him, turtle has only ventured a few yards, but it certainly was a great adventure.

FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS GO SHOPPING
written/illus. by Eileen Christelow, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $16.00, ISBN 978-0-618-82161-7), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Mama and her five little darlings shop the day before school begins. They are instructed not to wander off, but the curious little monkeys have other ideas. One has to use the bathroom, two look for a water fountain, and several check out the toy department. Each time Mama searches for her missing monkeys, she returns only to discover more monkeys than she left behind. A helpful saleslady makes a store announcement for all monkeys to return to the children's department, and the adults sort out their missing children. Parents will appreciate the simple math lessons of counting, addition, and subtraction that are woven into this energetic and humorous story.

PEANUT
written/illus. by Linas Alsenas, (Scholastic Press, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-439-77980-7), 32p, Ages 3-6.
A sad and lonely older lady finds a baby elephant in the park, takes him home, treats him like a puppy, and gives him the name of Peanut. She loves him unconditionally even though he never fetches, rolls over, or barks. Another walk in the park reveals a circus owner who is looking for Peanut. After the circus leaves town with Peanut, Mildred discovers a stray kitten (a camel) and takes him home. Young children will enjoy the silliness, and may be open to discussing the topic of loneliness.

DIGBY TAKES CHARGE
written/illus. by Caroline Jayne Church, (McElderry Books, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-3441-7), 32p, Ages 4-7.
As the new sheepdog on a small farm, Digby wants to make a good impression. Confident in his sheepherding abilities, Digby begins to herd six sheep into their pen. However, the beady-eyed, frowning sheep have other ideas, and they refuse to budge. Digby tries herding with a bulldozer, a truck, and a helicopter, but the sheep just smile and laugh. In this battle of wills, only a suggestion by two cows and four pigs makes a difference. The last page has Digby wondering if "please" will also work with the ducks. This simple lesson in manners will certainly please parents.

I WANT A HUG
written/illus. by John A. Rowe, (minedition, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-698-40064-1), 32p, Ages 4+.
Little Elvis asks everyone for a hug, but no one will get too close. "'Oh please, won't you give me an itsy bitsy little hug?' he asked. 'No no no! Your prickles are much too prickly!' the man answered. 'Please let go of my leg!'" He sees hugs in the park, in the city, and in the forest, but none for him. When he hears Colin the Crocodile crying out for a kiss, the two become instant friends with lots of hugs and kisses. This story is a great lesson about the value of compassion and reaching out to help others.

RUN, TURKEY, RUN!
written by Diane Mayr, illus. By Laura Rader, (Walker Books, $15.95, ISBN 978-0-8027-9630-1), 32p, Ages 4-7.
The day before Thanksgiving Turkey does not intend to become the holiday dinner. Pursued by a determined farmer, Turkey pretends to wallow in the mud with the pigs, submerge in the duck pond, and eat from the feed bucket with the horses, but the farmer isn't fooled. With the barnyard animals cheering him on, Turkey runs into the forest and masquerades as a tree. While the farmer and his family eat grilled cheese sandwiches, Turkey gives thanks. However, he remembers that Christmas is coming. They meet once more when the farmer searches for a tree, and the funs begins again. This story is a good choice for story time, and only the turkeys will be frightened.

OLIVIA HELPS WITH CHRISTMAS
written/illus. by Ian Falconer, (Atheneum Books, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-0786-2), 58p, Ages 3-7.
The day before Christmas, Olivia anxiously waits for Santa. While she is waiting, there is so much to do: sing carols and wait for Santa, trim the tree and wait for Santa, and set the Christmas table, always keeping an eye out for Santa. Olivia's mom has serious doubts about using the top of the tree for the table centerpiece, but, oh well it's Christmas. The "Santa Watch" is in full swing, but will Olivia see him in time?

RUSSELL'S CHRISTMAS MAGIC
written/illus. by Rob Scotton, (HarperCollins, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-06-059854-9), 32p, Ages 3-7.
With a little ingenuity and a lot of imagination, Russell saves Christmas for Santa Claus, when he crash lands in Frogsbottom Field. Santa's sleigh is beyond repair, but Russell remembers an old rusty car that is buried under the snow. Setting to work with his welding torch, Russell hammers, saws, applies a coat of red paint, and attaches skis to make "Santa 1" a new mode of transportation. Russell's reward is to ride along with Santa while he delivers presents.

MINERVA LOUISE ON CHRISTMAS EVE
written/illus. by Janet Morgan Stoeke, (Dutton Children's Books, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-525-47857-7), 24p, Ages 3-6.
On Christmas Eve, Minerva Louise, the daffy chicken from Minerva Louise and the Red Truck, encounters Santa Claus. She spies Reindeer on a roof and believes that they are goats with funny horns and Santa is a farmer with a red hat. Thinking that he fell down the chimney, Minerva Louise follows, in order to rescue him. Looking around, she thinks that the Christmas lights are fireflies, the tree-top angel is a white hen, and the ornaments are eggs. Santa takes pity on her by giving her a present, which was nice, but the wrapping paper and box make a lovely nest.

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