Move! by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Each doublespread in this book features an action word, presented in a large font along with one or two animals created with collages of cut and torn paper and a sentence with the animal and the action word. The page turns are action packed themselves. For example an armadillo swims and then quickly leaps on the next page to avoid a crocodile. I plan to use this for a lesson on action words in the context of a first grade unit on motion. Notes about the animals and how they move follow the body of the text.

Grades 1-4

The Princess and the Pea, by Lauren Child

A king and queen "did all the traditional fairy-tale things in order that their son might be bowled over by the right girl," but nothing quite works. One night a girl slides on her favorite "pea green" dress and goes out into the moonlight where she is lost in a storm and wanders to a palace door. The queen tests her with a pea and stack of mattresses to determine if she is a real princess, the prince falls in love with her, they marry and peas are not served at the reception. This retelling is quirky and fun but the most fascinating aspect of this book are the illustrations. The characters are cut-outs of paper drawings and are placed in settings built with dollhouse in a miniature three dimensional world. The back endpapers detail the creation and photography of the sets.

Grades 1-4

Hush, Little Baby, by Brian Pinkney

The illustrator places the familiar Southern Appalachian lullaby in the context of an African American family in the early 1900s with Papa left to watch the children. The verses have been changed slightly and they swirl across the bright pages along with the loving illustrations of father and children. I've shared this with kindergarteners who begged to sing it again and to check it out.

PreK-1

George Crum and the Saratoga Chip, by Gaylia Taylor.

Illus. by Frank Morrison.

Part Native American and part African American, George Crum lived at a time when it was difficult for people of color to be taken seriously in school or the workplace. His skills at preparing the fresh fish and game he catches lands him a job in a fancy restaurant where his sister is a waitress. Easily frustrated by the wealthy, fussy customers, one day George responds to a complaint that his french fries are too thick by slicing them very thinly. Soon everyone wants his "Saratoga chips." An author's note situates the story within the known and debated facts. The illustrations are lively and expressive. This would be a fun addition to units on inventors or food.

Grades 1-5

So Sleepy Story, by Uri Shulevitz

Everything has a face, and everything is sleepy: trees, house, chairs, dishes, and the moon. Then music drifts in and everything begins to shake, then wake, and then dance until drifting back to sleep again. The text begins and ends with one long sleepy sleepy sentence while the wide awake middle is more choppy and noisy. Young children will respond to the personification of everything through the expressive illustrations: even the curtains have faces.

A Dog for Life

John Hawkins and his older brother Tom come up with a scheme to save their dog, Mouse from being sent to a shelter after Tom was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Their mother was afraid that Mouse would bring in germs. However, Tom felt that he couldn’t survive without this special dog who shared the brothers’ gift of communicating with each other by reading each other’s thoughts. That’s how John and Mouse’s adventure begins. In spite of a naively created plan and a few unexpected, strange, and sometimes disturbing challenges, John and Mouse remain determined to reach their destination. Recommend this one to students who request adventure or family stories. Booklist starred review.

Grade 4-8

Wildfire, by Taylor Morrison

This is not a read aloud. It provides a great deal of details about the business of fighting wildfires. The page layout is sometimes confusing, but there is a wealth of information on each page. The paintings are perfect for conveying the heat of the fires. A central theme in the book is how our forests actually need fires and how fires are a part of nature's plan for healthy growth. Overdevelopment and people's general aversion to fire are putting our western forests in an ever more volatile and dangerous situation. This will be very popular with students interested in fires, disasters, and how things work.

Grades 4 - 8

Duck and Goose, by Tad Hills

A delightful primary book about a duck and a goose squabbling over a large spotted egg - in reality a rubber ball. Both birds claim the egg and become friends while waiting for it to hatch. A cute book about friendship and sharing, not to mention showing the difference between geese and ducks. I am already looking forward to Duck, Duck, Goose by the same author.

PreSchool - Grade 2

Solomon and the Ant, retold by Sheldon Oberman

Here are forty-three clever, witty, and illustrative stories sure to delight students of all ages. This collection is a goldmine for storytellers. Oberman has gathered stories from many Jewish traditions - trickster tales, riddles, King Solomon, and the prophet Elijah. Each is short and told so clearly that the jewel at the heart of the story shines through every time. It is recommended for grades 5 and up....but many of the stories have delighted younger audiences at my school. The seven page introduction was a little long. Surely the material before and after each story would have sufficed. A simple "Sheldon Oberman did not live to actually hold this book in his hands; nevertheless, he held the stories in his heart" would have been more in keeping with the spirit of these fabulous folktales.

Grades 5 - 8

Counting on Grace, by Elizabeth Winthrop

A story just like this one could have taken place in any mill town in North Carolina. It is a gripping narrative of a spunky heroine named Grace Forcier. She lives in a textile mill town in Vermont and works with her mom as a doffer in the spinning room. The author describes the many hardships of the textile workers while weaving Grace's story of self-discovery and growth all the while. She and her friend Arthur are the best readers in school and Miss Lesley their teacher wants to keep them out of the dangerous mill. She is fired for her meddling and Grace is given the substitute teaching position. The Lewis Hine photo on the dusk jacket is of a real mill rat from 1910 - an "anemic little spinner in North Pownal Cotton Mill." In this book Grace writes a letter to Mr. Hine about working conditions for children in the mill and he arrives and takes pictures to document the terrible conditions . You will remember Grace long after you put this book down - she is the star among many wonderfully drawn characters. This book will be an excellent companion to Bread and Roses by Katherine Paterson and of course, Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor. SLJ starred review.

Grades 5 - 8

Weedflower, by Cynthia Kadohata

A powerful story of a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Before Pearl Harbor Sumiko works with her uncle's family on a flower farm in southern California and dreams of owning her own flower shop. When the war starts Sumiko's family is split apart and she is moved to a camp in Arizona - a camp located on a Mojave reservation. There she works with a neighbor, Mr. Moto, to grow an award-winning garden and she befriends Frank, a young Mojave. Through her friendship with Frank, she sees the injustices perpetrated on the Native Americans and tries to reason out the very difficult decisions her family has to make. Students will relate to and understand Sumiko's feelings at each step of her amazing story. The author's father was interred at the Poston camp and she writes a moving and well written testimony to the courage and perseverance of Japanese Americans during this dark period in American history. SLJ starred review.

Grades 5 - 8

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Here is a great new book for fans of Junie B., Amber Brown and Judy Moody. Large font and lots of humorous black and white illustrations will appeal to students wanting to move from easy readers to chapter books. Ivy and Bean are seven year old neighbors who dislike each other even though they have never spoken. When they finally do meet, they team up to cast a "witches spell" which sends Bean's bossy older sister into a wormy mud hole and makes them friends forever. This is a fun book to read which also reinforces the lesson that you shouldn't prejudge others.

Use with grades 1-3.

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

Great jazz poetry along with a history of jazz. The beat of the poems mimic jazz music and different instruments are highlighted by having their own poems. The introduction gives a history of jazz and a timeline of jazz does the same but in a more kid friendly format. There is also a glossary of jazz terms. The vivid illustrations are perfectly matched to the poetry.

I just finished Bud, Not Buddy with my fourth grade reading group and I can't wait to share these poems with them. One of the reading skills we are to focus on this month is inference and poetry is a great way to teach that skill in an interesting way.

I can see using this with grades 3-8.

Dizzy, by Jonah Winters

Credited with inventing "bebop," Dizzy Gillespie started out poor, with an abusive father, and in trouble for fighting. In a jazzy, poetic text, the author shows how his trumpet became an outlet for anger and trouble, and how Dizzy took fun and laughs and turned them into something new and creative. An author's note fills out the biography of this musical great.

Grades 2-5

Adventures of Marco Polo by Russell Freedman

This is a superior piece of bookmaking and a story well worth reading. Freedman's account of Marco Polo's daring adventures should hold the attention of even the most reluctant readers of non fiction. He writes simply but never condescendingly. The book's pages look like parchment paper and every double page spread contains at least one illustration. There are lush paintings by the illustrator and many colorful images from historical illuminated manuscripts. Perhaps the most valuable chapter is the last, titled "Did Maro Polo Go to China?" In it the author discusses current scholarly theories about the Polos and whether they ever actually made it all the way to China. This could engender a lively discussion about how we decide what to believe about the past. The topic fits well into both 6th and 7th grade social studies curricula. Starred reviews in Booklist and SLJ.

Bringing Asha Home by Uma Krishnaswami

Eight-year-old Arun is delighted when his parents tell him they are adopting a baby girl, Asha, from Dad's native India; but the paperwork and procedures require a long wait, during which Arun pretends his paper airplanes are bringing Asha from India. Krishnaswami (say Krish-na-swa-mee) uses the North Indian Hindu Rakhi Day (Rakshabandhan), which celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers, to frame the story. Arun explains the custom to his best friend, and Asha arrives clutching a rakhi (bracelet) for her brother. Jamel Akib's warm, realistic illustrations in soft colors enhance the text: Mom is white, family and friends are diverse, home life and activities are inviting.
Loving preparations for adoption, a less well-known but very special Hindu tradition, and subtle diversity make this book an excellent choice for all elementary collections. An author's note provides more information on Rakhi Day and adoption. Hindi words (such as "rakhi") are explained above the CIP information.
Grades K-3.

Wolves, by Emily Gravett

Rabbit checks out a book about wolves from the library and reads, about a second too late, that they sometimes eat -- rabbits! Oops! Well the author assures us this is a work of fiction and "no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book," but nevertheless she provides an alternative (vegetarian) ending. Tongue in cheek humor abounds in the small details and clever design of this book about a book. This could be a fun introduction to fiction & non-fiction and maybe book care (the wolf book gets a bit chewed up!).

Grades K-2

Keep Climbing, Girls, by Beah E. Richards

A young girl climbs a tree in defiance of Miss Nettie, who hands on hips, tries demands, shame, and fear to bring her down. The message rings loud and clear for all girls, particularly girls of color, to climb higher, forge a path upward, and defy expectations. Besides it's such a great view from the tree top! R. Gregory Christie's angular and expressive swatches of color capture the spirit of this inspirational poem. Grab a girl or two and read this one aloud! An introduction provides background on the author, an actress featured in the documentary: Beah: A Black Woman Speaks.

All ages.

Freedom Riders : John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement

By focusing on two participants in the historic Freedom Rides, one black and one white, this account of a landmark civil rights movement is at once personal and universal. Lewis, now a Congressman from Georgia, and Zwerg, a retired preacher and businessman, came from different worlds. Their paths crossed in Nashville, Tennessee, when, as young college students, they were part of the sit-in movement there. They became dedicated to demonstrating to the nation the injustice and brutality of segregation. Both risked their lives and became victims of violence. Readers will be able to relate to the experiences of each, making the history more lively and understandable. The story is clearly told in a chronological account that uses many photographs to illustrate the text. Back matter includes a time line, a roster of many of the riders, an index, and a resource guide. The guide lists some excellent books for young readers, music and videos, and places to visit both in person and online. This is an excellent nonfiction book for middle school where it can be used for black history units and for eighth grade social studies .

Escape! : The Story of the Great Houdini

This is a great account of the life of Erich Weiss, alias Harry Houdini. In clear, often cleverly worded prose Fleischman conveys a sense of what made this average magician so famous. Told with a heaping dose of skepticism, the story of Houdini's life emerges as the tale of a self-made man with a tremendous ego and a penchant for stretching the truth. Several long-standing myths are dispelled here. Fleischman himself had a brief career in his younger years as a magician, so he has considerable knowledge of the world of magic. As a biography for reluctant (but not slow) readers, this title fills a great need at the middle school level. The design of the book is very reader friendly, with double spaced text and a lot of spectacular pictures. The front and back covers feature actual advertising posters for Houdini's performances. A bibliography and an index are included.

Alexander the Great Rocks the World by Vicky Alvear Shecter

This biography details the life and times (or escapades) of Alexander the Great.

Peppered with casual comments directed toward the reader, it offers both an intimate and a broad view of Alexander's upbringing, education, military campaigns and leadership as ruler of Macedonia, Greece, Persia, Egypt, etc, etc, etc. The author is able to imbue a sense of Alexander's power, charisma, and progressive thinking.
Humorous text and the common threads of adolescence (pre-and early adolescents being the target audience) are employed to draw in the reader. Of course, the subject matter is pretty interesting, too.

Shecter includes a timeline, a bibliography, chapter end notes, and a decent index. Illustrations, photographs of artifacts, maps and other visual aids, and quotes from famous dead guys help make the book a breezy read.

My favorite quote, from pages 51-52, "After uniting Greece, he had a new obsession-Perisa. He wasn't alone. The Greeks, in general, shivered in ther tunics whenever the subject of Persian aggression came up. They especially feared the powerful Persian ruler, King Darius III. Why? Because King Darius served the Dark Lord Sauron and sought the One Ring that would give him power over the hobbits and Middle Earth. Oh, wait. Wrong story."

4th grade - 8th grade

The Moon, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson.

Stevenson's classic poem "The moon has a face like the clock in the hall," is here given a beautiful and very child-friendly treatment. Wide double-spreads depict a father and child on a late night adventure that includes a moonlight cruise. It's the small details: binoculars and stuffed animal, family dog and cat, mom at home with a baby, and the child asleep in the car seat on the drive home that invite, comfort, and welcome young listeners into this poem. Grandmothers pay attention! This is a book for the youngest on your list. At the same time, I think the poem is so accessible that it might make a nice accompaniment to the third grade earth-moon-sun unit.

Preschool-grade 3

The Story of Salt, by Mark Kurlansky

A really interesting journey into the history and importance of a rock we all take for granted. The book begins with an explanation of what it is, followed by its impotance to our bodies and how it is used. The book continues with how to make salt the four most common ways. While 'Make" is not an exact term as minerals cannot be made--it does explain how salt is released from water. Political and economic uses are discussed including salt's role in the great Wall of China and it's use in preservation from mummies in Egypt to food products. Words in our language that have developed based on salt are included. Lots of information in child-sized bites with text boxes on every other page.
The format causes some difficulty in reading--black text on dark washes, but the information is top notch and it ties salt in across a variety of subject areas. Great ties to the 4th Grade curriculum. Notables.

Grades 4-6

An Island Grows, Lola M. Schaefer

A simple , clear treatment of a complicated subject. Cut paper illustrations follow the developement of an island from magma flow, through the coming of plants, insects, animals and people. Clear text and pictures make it easy to trace the development of the island from magma flow to populated island. A great candidate for sequencing lessons. A few more details are available in the back as well as a suggested bibliography.

Grades K-3

Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine conquers all sorts of disasters with spunky persistence and unflagging optimism. She tries her best to help--but things do not always go as planned. For example, Clementine's best friend Margaret's extreme haircut. She tried to help her friend by evening it up--by cutting the other side. The result wasn't good so they agreed to cut it all off. Then they drew it back in permanent flame colored marker. The Principal and Margaret's mother were less than pleased with the results. Clementine is forever getting in trouble for not paying attention--but she is paying attention and seeing lots of things no one else would ever see.
A wonderfully humorous look into a child's world of life, school, and friends with superb dialog and fabulous pen and ink drawings that capture the spirit of the characters. A laugh out loud uplifting read and a wonderful addition to early chapter books. Notables SLJ Best Books and PW .

Grades 2-4

Did You Say Pears? by Arlene Alda

Colorful photographs pair homonyms or homophones (and a page at the back explains the difference) while the text plays off the sound and meanings. Sometimes the text surprises like "blew" for candles and "blue" for a swath of sky and other times it's the striking photographs: a spiral staircase for "stair" and a carved wooden face for "blank stares." A delightful choice for language arts and perhaps a model for creative writing.

Grades 2-4

Turtle Crossing, by Rick Chrustowski

Follow a female painted turtle from hatching throughout seasons and years until she mates and lays eggs. The bright-colored illustrations feature pond life while the factual text shows the life cycle of this common reptile. As the title implies, there is also a message here about turtles crossing roads often to lay eggs or return to water. This is an attractive introduction to one of the animals frequently seen in our state.

Grades 1-3

John, Paul, George & Ben, by Lane Smith

John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Tom Jefferson are introduced as school lads: John writes his name too big, Paul is very loud, George is honest, Ben is very clever, and Tom is independent. Most behaviors are not appreciated by their teachers or class mates. "Say you want a revolution," well these are the lads to do it! The American Revolution, of course. From the endpapers, title page, and throughout till the CIP there are small humorous details referencing American history. The illustrations are done on textured paper and handmade parchment; the font is Early American, and photographs include classic portraits of the "lads". Throughout this very tongue-in-cheek and humorous portrayal is great attention to detail and facts with a page following the text, "Wherein we set the record straight with ye olde True or False section."

Grades 4-8

Strange Happenings: Five Tales of Transformation by Avi

A bored boy trades bodies with a cat who once was also a boy, a princess is born invisible because of her mother's wish for a flawless daughter, a curious boy realizes too late that the identity of the team mascot is better left unknown, a shoemaker reneges on a bargain with his cat and discovers that the devil will have his due, and a selfish hunter finds forgiveness and a new life from the golden bird he killed. The five short stories in this slim volume show versatility in style and tone, with some reading like timeless folktales ("Babette the Beautiful", "The Shoemaker and Old Scratch", "Simon") and others like present-day fantasy ("Bored Tom" and "Curious"). Although the amount and density of symbolism varies from story to story, each tale has at least one moral to teach. It would be exciting to read and discuss this title with fifth-graders or middle-schoolers.

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson

Sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks sees an unexpected inheritance of her uncle's homestead claim in Montana as a chance to stake out a life for herself after being sent from distant relative to distant relative following the death of her parents. The requirements to own the claim seem overwhelming: build and fence and cultivate 40 acres within the ten months remaining plus pay the final fees. With the help of neighbors and against the background of World War One, Hattie sets out with determination and a feisty spirit to do what needs to be done to own her own piece of land and sky. The strength of this story is the clear-headed and sometimes poetic narrative as well as the intricate weaving of plot themes: letters to an uncle and a "friend" fighting abroad, the wartime mistrust and fear of sedition and Hattie's courage to stand up against it, and the strength of Hattie's character.

Grades 5-9

Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter, by Susan Goldman Rubin

In a format befitting his pop-art style, the early life and work of Andy Warhol is presented against large blocks of bright color. Photographs and reproductions of his work fill the pages along with numerous quotes many from this nephew, James Warhol who authored Uncle Andy's (2003) a great companion to this work. The timeline is a particularly creative example of the form employing bold patterns and colors and filling in the later years of his life and work. The "back" material in this book: glossary, source notes, bibliography, illustration credits, and a list of museums where one can view his work including the Ackland in Chapel Hill are particularly strong. While this book is suitable for elementary school readers, it's hard to put an upper limit on its appeal.

Grades 4 - up.

The King of Attolia.

TURNER, Megan Whalen. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-083577-X; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-083578-8.

Gr 7 Up –In a slick political and personal maneuver, the former Thief of Eddis has married the Queen of Attolia and must convince her court and her countrymen that he is a competent and caring ruler. This rich and multilayered novel, the third about Eugenides, is told with verve, and will create legions of fans for the newly minted and largely misunderstood monarch. (Feb.) SLJ Best List

Great romance and adventure in one title. Sequel (THE THIEF, THE QUEEN of ATTOLIA) we have been waiting for. The series has grown with our readers.
KP

Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry by Joyce Sidman

A little tan dog zooms out of the front door of his home; a white kitten is pushed from a car by the side of the road. Through the magic of concrete poetry, their stories meet and merge in the park during a thunderstorm. The poet and the illustrator/designer combine talents to create a book full of verbal and pictorial imagery that is charming and inventive. Spiky-topped green letters form the grass in the park and read "PATCHWORK, RABBIT-NIBBLED, MOWER-CROPPED, WIND-WHISPERED GRASS". On the "nosetrail" of the cat, the dog's singlemindedness is momentarily waylaid: "catcatcatcatcat...catcatcatcatCHIPMUNK! The clouds grow from "WISP" to closely layered "SNOW-WHITE ROLLS AND DOLLOPS STUPENDOUSLY SWELLING". The multiple fonts and perfect color palette make this digitally-created book a treat. The poet has had experience teaching children how to write concrete poetry; this amazing little book will inspire others to creativity.

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson, ill. by James Ransome

This picture book tells two stories: one of a young boy and his father living in NYC during the depression; and one of the men that built the Empire State Building. Hopkinson's narrative from the boy's point of view as an on-looker is balanced with Ransome's paintings of the progress. Included in the story are facts about the construction. Hopkinson includes a note at the end and information on her sources. The end papers offer photographs of the construction.

My students enjoyed the book, especially the pictures of the workers eating their lunch on the contruction site, high above the city.

edit Recommended for 2nd-5th grades.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward is the much-adored and pampered china bunny of 10-year-old Abilene. However, the life that he seemed to take for granted takes some interesting turns when he is lost at sea, recovered, and lost again several times. He experiences life with an array of people from various walks of life, but of all the lessons he learns the greatest of these is love. Ibatouilline‘s acrylic gouache illustrations are stunning and at times haunting. DiCamillo’s multi-layered story is skillfully written.


School Library Journal Best Books, Booklist Editor's Choice

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh

Who knew that the space suits worn by Apollo 11 astronauts included 22 layers of fabric? Probably the 500 designers and seamstresses who constructed them! They are just part of the group of behind-the-scenes workers who helped make this historic space mission possible. Thimmesh takes a new approach to a story that is familiar to many by including information from personal interviews and oral histories as well as other authoritative sources. Text and vivid photos invite the reader to study the book (not necessarily in order) from cover to cover. White text on some photos might be a bit hard to read, but the student who is fascinated by space will be motivated to continue. Also included is an extensive source list, chapter notes, additional suggested sources to consult, a descriptive list of the other Apollo missions, an index and a glossary.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

In free verse form Roy tells the story of her aunt's life and her family's survival in the Lodz ghetto in Poland during World War II. Her Aunt Syvia entered the ghetto at the age of four and was liberated the day before her 10th birthday. She was one of twelve children to survive the ghetto. Through a child's voice we learn the horrors of living in the ghetto and picture of survival for those 800 of 270,000 who lived to tell this story.
It is amazing the compassion and passion Roy evokes in such spare text.
Recommeded for 4-7 grades.

Sister Trickster: rollicking tales of clever females by Robert San Souci

Eight amusing and lively trickster tales with females as the central figure are retold from Anne Virginia Culbertson's out-of-print book At the Big House. Featured characters are Molly Cottontail, Mistah Slickery Sly-Fox, Mistah Rooster and Mistah Bear, Mis Grasshopper, Mis Duck and Mis Goose. Using dialet these tales show that females are more adept at thinking than the male counterparts. Reminiscent of Joel Harris' Uncle Remus tales.
The San Soucis have recaptured these tales for our modern day students.

illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Recommended grade levels:3-6.

London Calling by Edward Bloor

The odd but compelling novel teeters somewhere between fantasy and historical fiction, SLJ calls it "magical realism". Martin time travels through his dreams to the blitz era of London to assist another boy in finding the truth to a personal mystery. The mystery reveals delicate secrets in England's war efforts and makes Martin question how history is written.

In the present, Martin is a student at fancy private school but after a bullying incident, he has been granted a semester off to do an extensive research project. His research is intertwined with the events in his dreams but is all pulled together in a fascinating conclusion for the present time conflicts as well as the events he is involved with in the war dreams.

Could be used as classroom discussion for WWII as well as more general discussion about how historical events are recorded and remembered.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen

Holly is a 12-year old homeless child (she prefers the term "gypsy") of a dead drug addicted mother. After a caring teacher gives Holly a journal, we join her for five months in her unsuccessful efforts to find a stable environment in which to live. Through her angry but often very amusing journal entries, the reader experiences a gritty, physically, and emotionally painful way of life living on the streets of "beautiful Los Angeles, CA".

Holly is a tempermental but sensible, real and believable twelve year old girl. The ending is plausible but possibly a bit too tidy.

Van Draanen shows a new but powerful rough edge to her writing.

Look! Look! Look! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

A playful look into the intricacies of art. Three fashion-conscious mice (I guess this from their dapper wardrobes) pilfer a postcard from their human homeowners. Its a portrait of a lady in fancy Elizabethan finery, but the mice don't know this. They just have all sorts of fun looking at the pretty lady's clothes and jewelry. They carefully but simply examine pattern, line, color and shapes - all part of the K-1 art and math curriculums. As most of Wallace's books, this one also includes activities and some follow up inf. in the back. This is a clever alternative to the art books that try so hard to hook small children into more formal art. By focusing all the attention on a single painting, this one just might work!

This would also be a great pairing with Mouse Paint from years ago.

Grades K-3