Children and Teens Department Favorites

24 Pages·2016·13.99 MB·English

2016

Children and Teens
Department
Favorites
1
PICTURE BOOKS
A bucolic farm transforms into a lively construction site
in Old MacDonald Had a Truck (Chronicle, $16.99),
author Steve Goetz’s playful take on the traditional
children’s song. The book jubilantly introduces young
building aficionados to excavators, bulldozers, and
graders, pairing machinery with lively language that
invites children to participate in the telling. As Old
MacDonald directs the construction, Mrs. MacDonald
labors on a separate project: transforming an old
farm pickup into a gleaming monster truck. Perfectly
accompanied by Eda Kaban’s exuberant illustrations,
this celebration of all things construction is sure to
inspire young engineers! Ages 2-5. Amy Dickinson
King Jack and the Dragon (2011) introduced us to the
charming young Jack and his comrades. Now they
are back for a second adventure, this time as Captain
Jack and the Pirates (Dial, $17.99). “Jack, Zack and
Caspar, brave mariners three, were building a galleon
down by the sea”: Thus starts the fanciful, rhyming
story that begs to be read out loud to young ones.
Join the three young buccaneers on their imaginative
voyage, which includes cannons, enemy pirates,
and—of course— treasure. Renowned children’s
illustrator Helen Oxenbury delights with her trademark
watercolors that harmonize beautifully with Peter
Bently’s lively text. Ages 3-6. Kerri Poore
As the night sky darkens, a cage door opens and a
curious monkey emerges to explore The Opposite Zoo
(Knopf, $16.99). The monkey sees a wide-awake owl
and a sleeping panda, black seals and white swans,
a slow sloth and a fast cheetah, and more. When the
sun brightens the sky, the monkey’s door closes just in
time for the zoo to open. Il Sung Na’s simple language
and energetic, textured illustrations provide charming
descriptions of an abundance of lovable animals as
they jaunt across each double-page spread of this
vivacious book. Ages 3-6. Maria Salvadore
2
A trip to the
Playground
P
(Lemniscaat USA,
I
$17.95) usually C
entails a quick
T
ride in the car or
U
walk through the
R
neighborhood. The
E
two children in

Dutch author/
Follow the mischievous Skunk on a String B
illustrator Mies Van Hout’s new
(Owl Kids, $16.95) through the pages of O
picture book, however, take a different
Thao Lam’s delightful wordless picture
route. In each two-page spread, the O
book. Somehow, though we’re never sure
friends travel through increasingly
why, skunk is stuck to a floating balloon in K
fantastical landscapes, accumulating
a small parade of children and elaborate S
new companions along the way. Van
balloons. See the shocked and worried
Hout contrasts bright, colorful splashes
faces of apartment dwellers as he floats
of watercolors with small, detailed
right by, perhaps odiferously. He passes
characters in her depictions of the
through the zoo, surprising all of the
buddies’ journey through imaginary
animals and latching on, briefly, to an
forests, over mountains, and into
elephant’s trunk. The bright and cheerful
a creepy cave. At their mundane
illustrations will keep you eagerly turning
destination, the sedate black-and-white
the pages until the surprising end. Ages
swing set, the gang has second thoughts:
3-6. Kerri Poore
maybe the journey is the destination after
all! Ages 3-6. Renée Bosco
Toddler Henry
runs, wriggles,
So you think you
swings, and jumps
know the story
through his day.
about the little
His grandma
girl in a red cape
plays him songs
who visits her
on the piano,
grandmother? Well,
his sister tickles
you haven’t met
his toes, his dad tosses him into the
this Little Red
air. But Henry Wants More! (Random
(Peachtree, $16.95)! Bethan Woollvin
House, $17.99) in Linda Ashman’s joyful
presents a plucky girl who is not afraid
portrait of a biracial, multigenerational
of the wolf she meets on her journey to
family struggling to keep pace with
Grandma’s house, not even when she
their toddler’s boundless energy. The
finds him badly disguised in Grandma’s
rhyming text makes for a rollicking
bed. Astute children will recognize the
read-aloud, and young readers will
sly humor in this cunning retelling. The
delight in contributing Henry’s refrain of
repeated reminder that this girl is different
“MORE!” Brooke Boynton Hughes’s soft,
is enhanced by illustrations with bold
pastel illustrations emphasize the loving
lines in black and gray on white pages
undertone of the book, and the family
punctuated, of course, by equally bold
members’ expressions, particularly as they
and brash red. Ages 3-6. Maria Salvadore
tuck Henry in for the night, make evident
their adoration in this charming tale. Ages
3-6. Amy Dickinson
3
Have a Look, Says Grimloch Lane is a
Book (Atheneum, dull sort of place,
S $17.99) to a one where people
K young girl and don’t look up to
O her father. Thus greet each other
begins their as they pass. Then,
O
journey inside one day, a young
B the pages of a orphan named
book filled with William wakes up
E everyday and to see that a tree
R not-so-everyday wonders. The book’s outside has been
U images— a fleecy flock, a crumbly trimmed into a stunning owl topiary.
T cake—invite the girl to experience them For many mornings thereafter, the
C with “a look, a listen, and a touch as inhabitants of Grimloch Lane discover
such.” Kevin Hawkes’s vivid illustrations a new transformation in their greenery.
I
P highlight the tactile qualities of the As neighbors gather around these living
two-dimensional images, even stylizing sculptures and become a bonded
particular adjectives to mirror their community, William makes a lucky
meanings. Readers can almost feel the discovery and helps The Night Gardener
smoothness of “silky” and the itchiness (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) create his
of “scratchy.” Richard Jackson’s simple biggest surprise yet. Terry and Eric Fan
yet inventive text is laden with creative have created a subtle masterpiece;
descriptors that children will take joy in their graphite, pen, ink, and watercolor
saying aloud. From its opening to its quiet illustrations, which slowly transition from
close, Have a Look, Says Book honors the sepia tone to full color as Grimloch Lane
pleasure and magic of reading. Ages comes alive, are a testament to the
3-6. Amy Dickinson power of art to create joy and change
lives. Ages 4-6. Janet Minichiello
Penguin isn’t
feeling particularly Hervé Tullet has
happy. He’s in a done it again.
bit of a foul mood Famous for Press
on his walk home, Here (2011), the
and “he [doesn’t] French illustrator
know why and he brings child
[doesn’t] care.” and adult into
Upon his arrival, he removes his rain his books and
boots, his socks, and even his Grumpy makes them
Pants (Albert Whitman, $16.99), hoping active participants. This time, he says
to cast off his surliness as well. But alas, Let’s Play! (Chronicle, $15.99) in his latest
it is to no avail, and he is still cranky. book-as-game adventure. This witty title
However, Penguin knows that sometimes includes Tullet’s simple yet evocative
you just have to hope that tomorrow will blue, yellow, and red dots, along with
be a better day and find comfort in the dark lines and corners as well as brighter
little things around you. Debut author/ obstacles. And now the yellow dot,
illustrator Claire Messer finds the perfect the protagonist, has a personality! Try
artistic combination of somber blues and this book, be entertained, and draw
grays with bright additions to perfectly your young ones away from their
complement Penguin’s mood. Ages 3-6. screens. Ages 4-7. Kerri Poore
Kasie Griffitts
4
See Spot
look. See
Spot climb. P
See Spot run. I
C
While this
may sound T
familiar, U
Henry Cole R
tells the story E
of a cat
A white, abandoned egg lies in the exploring the city around him with nary B
path of Babak the Beetle (NorthSouth, a word. Upon seeing a bird outside, Spot O
$17.95) as he rolls his dung ball acts upon a whim and climbs out the O
home. Worried that the egg requires window to give chase. Finding himself
care, he alters his journey in order to separated from his young human, Spot K
find the egg’s parents. As he travels begins a journey of discovery while S
over varied terrains, he receives lots of the boy who loves him tries to bring
advice. Finally, he comes to a grassy him home. Exquisite black-and-white
area, where there are similar eggs whose illustrations accented with a light blue
parents are hitting them with long sticks, sky combine this wordless narrative with
sending them far away and into little a seek-and-find element as readers are
holes! Originally published in France, invited to “spot” the elusive Spot, the Cat
Fred Paronuzzi’s story (translated by (Little Simon, $17.99) on every page. Ages
Elie Brangbour) begs to be read aloud, 4-7. Janet Minichiello
while Andrée Prigent’s droll, graphic
art complements this story of good
intentions. Ages 4-7. Mary Alice Garber
If you’re looking
for a bit of
inspiration, follow
Tina, a curious
cow with a thirst
for discovery,
as she ventures The only thing possibly more entertaining
beyond the farm than a classic book of fairy tales is an
and into the irreverent book of fairy tales told with a
woods. If you think, like Tina’s three sisters, certain amount of sass and flippancy. A
that her ideas are impossible, ridiculous Handful of Beans (Atheneum, $17.99) is a
nonsense, you won’t for long. Gemma reprint of an edition by Jeanne Steig and
Merino’s whimsical illustrations couple William Steig, originally published nearly
with her imaginative story to capture twenty years ago and definitely worth the
Tina’s individuality and self-assurance second look. Rumpelstiltskin was never so
from the very first page, where we meet cleverly cantankerous, nor the Big Bad
Tina gazing through her telescope at the Wolf quite so suave and slick! Each of
moon and the Milky Way, to the very the six tales is accompanied by several
last, where she’s piloting a rocket ship of William Steig’s recognizable quirky
into space. The Cow Who Climbed a Tree illustrations. This witty collection is sure to
(Albert Whitman, $16.99): is that possible? crack up even the most stoic of readers.
Absolutely! Ages 4-7. Donna Wells Ages 4-8. Renée Bosco
5
Gordon
and Tapir
S (NorthSouth,
K $18.95) are the
O most recent
odd couple to
O
star in a picture
B book. Gordon,
a fastidious
E penguin, loves
R order and calm, while Tapir (a tapir) is As the daughter of Harry Hopkins,
U perfectly content with the hodgepodge President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s chief
T of his existence. Through spare text and advisor, ten-year-old Diana finds herself
C a series of wordless, pencil illustrations, living in the White House in the thick of
Sebastian Meschenmoser conveys the World War II. A creative and spunky child,
I
P many emotions of this unlikely pair as Diana is determined to contribute to the
they settle their differences. Short-listed war effort. She finally gets her opportunity
for the German Children’s Book of the when FDR calls on Americans to grow
Year Award and translated into English their own food. Based on a true story,
by David Henry Wilson, this comical, Diana’s White House Garden (Viking,
heartfelt story requires a careful eye $17.99) celebrates the spirit of American
to predict the final outcome and will ingenuity, resiliency, and patriotism.
prompt lots of discussion. Ages 4-8. Mary Elisa Carbone’s lively and humorous text
Alice Garber pairs with Jen Hill’s delightful illustrations
to create an accessible and inspiring
portrait of the times. Ages 5-8. Amy Sands
It’s1961 in
Clarkesville,
Tennessee, and
hometown hero
Wilma Rudolph
is coming to
town for a
Puns and wordplay are combined big parade.
with amazingly textured mixed Wilma may
media illustrations to inform us— quite be the fastest
imaginatively—that There Is a Tribe of woman in the
Kids (Roaring Brook, $18.99). Of course, world, but Alta is The Quickest Kid in
this particular tribe is comprised of baby Clarkesville (Chronicle, $16.99) despite
mountain goats… and one human child. her tattered, holey shoes. There is a new
Other books have been published about girl in town, however, and Charmaine’s
groupings of animals and the collective shoes are new and perfect. The girls race
nouns used to describe them, but this each other, but there is no clear winner.
one has Lane Smith’s gift for blending wit, Despite the tension between them, they
whimsy, and wonder. He uses all of those come together when it counts to honor
traits to craft a tale about childhood their hero in Pat Zietlow Miller’s girl-
adventure, the beauty of language, and power celebration of competition and
the gift of belonging that is both clever friendship. Whimsical illustrations by Frank
and heartfelt. Ages 5-8. Marc Villa Morrison complete the atmosphere.
Ages 5-8. Courtney Burtraw
6
Thunder Boy Jr. What do The White
(Little, Brown, Cat and the Monk
$17.99), or (Groundwood, $18.95) P
Little Thunder, have in common? I
C
is his father’s Each seeks something:
namesake. Big the cat pursues a T
Thunder is the mouse; the monk, U
best dad a boy meaning. Today’s R
could ask for… readers can still relate E
but why can’t to this ninth-century
Little Thunder have a name of his own? poem by an Irish Benedictine monk who B
The younger Thunder oh-so-subtly throws paused in his studies to compare himself O
out suggestions of names that better to his beloved pet. Author Jo Ellen Bogart
O
reflect his personality: Drums, Drums, was inspired by a number of translations
and More Drums, perhaps? It turns out, to create this version, illustrated by K
however, that Dad has a suggestion of Sydney Smith in muted watercolor and S
his own—one that perfectly captures ink drawings. The book begins wordlessly:
their relationship as well as Little Thunder’s Pangur, the white cat, approaches an
own identity. National Book Award winner abbey, jumps through a window, and
Sherman Alexie’s first picture book is pads quietly up and down its stairs until
full of warmth and humor, which Yuyi he comes to a door spilling light into the
Morales translates into visual form with her hallway. The simplicity of the poem belies
joyful mixed-media illustrations. Ages 5-9. its deeper meaning as cat and monk
Janet Minichiello experience the joy of discovery. Ages 5-9.
Heidi Powell with Xander Marriott
B is for more than just bear in this season’s
wealth of refreshingly unique alphabet
books. Kay Vincent’s Animal Alphabet
(Button, $14.99) matches clever adjectives
with different animals for an alliterative
alphabet accompanied by charming retro
illustrations. In Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run!
(Balzer + Bray, $17.99), Mike Twohy manages
to create an abecedarian narrative in just
over 26 words, roughly one to a page. It’s
a concise, energetic, zany dog-and-mouse
caper! Though Maria Carluccio takes the more
traditional route of 26 letter-noun pairs, her
thematic book D Is for Dress-Up (Chronicle,
$15.99) treads stylishly fresh ground, perfect for
aspiring designers. Jeanne and William Steig, meanwhile, show that
alphabet books aren’t just for younger children: their delightful Alpha Beta Chowder
(Atheneum, $17.99) will have elementary readers howling. The verses feature colorful
characters and phrases that are too much fun not to recite aloud. Lastly, who can put
down Daytime Visions (Enchanted Lion, $17.95)? The gloriously ambiguous alphabet
book from Isol combines clever phrases with intriguing imagery, allowing readers to
interpret and reinterpret thousands of scenarios. Alphabet books have never been so
magical. Ages 2-10 (ages vary by book). Amy Dickinson
7
EARLY READERS
Kevin McCloskey’s latest graphic
novel for early readers begins with two
strangers sitting on a bench. When a pair
of pigeons gets a little too close,
the man exclaims that he hates these
“rats with wings.” Suddenly, a group of
people dressed in mascot-like pigeon
How do penguins know when it’s suits descends upon him to give him The
springtime? “When everything melts,” of Real Poop on Pigeons! (Toon, $12.95).
course! And do penguins prefer baths to These oft-maligned birds are actually
showers? With A Goofy Guide to Penguins rather fascinating and helpful creatures:
(Toon, $12.95), readers will giggle over silly they delivered airmail before planes
“truths” and discover fascinating details existed; they belong to the same
in each image. With two-panel pages, family as the dodo bird; and they even
author Jean-Luc Coudray and illustrator make milk in their crops in order to
Phillippe Coudray create the perfect feed their young. This lighthearted ode
balance of absurdity and delight. This will have you thinking about our avian
charming book is perfect for any jokester neighbors in a whole new way. Ages 5-7.
in your life. Ages 4-7. Kasie Griffitts Janet Minichiello
8
Inspired by the Japanese art of
kamishibai, or “paper theater,” James
E
Sturm’s wordless story is meant to be the A
inspiration for a performance. A boy and
R
girl are cruelly teasing animals in a forest
L
when a frightened bird takes flight. The Y
children give chase up a mountainside
R
and find themselves confronted with a
E
mystical man who has feathers emerging
A
from his clothing. With a flash like
D
lightning, the children are transformed—
E
into monkeys. Eventually captured by
R
humans and put into a carnival show,
S
they receive some of the cruel treatment
they had earlier perpetrated themselves.
What happens
In keeping with kamishibai tradition,
when a tapir
Birdsong (Toon, $12.95) contains a lesson
from the
for young readers to discover as they turn
Malaysian jungle
the pages. Ages 5-8. Janet Minichiello
accidentally
lands in the
big city? The
unexpected!
A cry for help
Mango Allsorts,
interrupts what begins
a multi-talented
as a peaceful summer
young girl,
day and sends the
rescues the
Lighthouse Family into
frightened creature from the black-
action to rescue The
and-white striped crosswalk where he’s
Otter (Beach Lane,
camouflaged himself. Although the
$15.99) they find
terrified crowd thinks he’s a mutant sewer
trapped in a sailor’s
pig, Mango takes him home for banana
net. Quick thinking
pancakes with syrup and whipped
and teamwork are the keys to success,
cream. And so begin the adventures
but not before an anxious moment as
of Mango & Bambang, the Not-a-Pig
daylight fades and the sea darkens.
(Candlewick, $14.99). Polly Faber’s
Cynthia Rylant highlights everyone’s
delightful story of an unusual friendship
individual talents without losing the
is humorous and touching, while Clara
focus on teamwork, including messages
Vulliamy’s expressive black-and-white-
of friendship and gratitude. Preston
and-purple illustrations perfectly capture
McDaniels’s illustrations set the stage at
each funny and surprising moment. This is
the beginning of each chapter in this
not your typical tapir-in-the-big-city trope.
delightful adventure story for younger
Ages 6-9. Heidi Powell
readers, the sixth book in the Lighthouse
Family series. Ages 5-9. Donna Wells
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9
ELEMENTARY FICTION
A testament to a child’s ability to find When brothers Tucker and Hudson are
joy and enchantment even in the given scarves and umbrellas from a
midst of grief, When Mischief Came to neighbor’s yard sale, their sleepy final
Town (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99) day of summer morphs into a thrilling
is a modern-day classic. Ten-year-old adventure as they discover that the
Inge, recently orphaned, goes to live secondhand items possess superpowers.
with her grandmother in a tiny island Tuck convinces Hudson to seize the
village far from her Copenhagen home. day and, with the help of a surfer-lingo-
Grandmother Dizzy, alas, is a strict and speaking squirrel and a time-traveling
stoic rule-enforcer; Inge has a dear heart, trunk, they battle cat burglars, aid
but her hands and emotions continue to medieval villagers, train with a dragon,
cause her mischief. Maybe, though—just and confront a nemesis corrupted by
maybe—mischief is exactly what this the temptation of power. Brothers Unite
village needs. Katrina Nannestad has (Dial, $10.99), the first in the Secondhand
woven a touching tale of what happens Heroes graphic novel trilogy by Justin
when we open our hearts to those LaRocca Hansen, will appeal to anyone
around us. Ages 8-11. Heather Wilson who daydreams about doing heroic
deeds. Ages 8-12. Amy Dickinson