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Reviews of children's books by Wendy E. Betts

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Dec 1, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/1/96

What Use is a Moose? by Martin Waddell. Illustrated by Arthur
Robins
Mommy Doesn't Know My Name by Suzanne Williams. Illustrated by
Andrew Shachat
* By the Light of the Halloween Moon by Caroline Stutson.
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697
An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts.
Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this
copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited
without permission. Mail w...@armory.com with comments or questions.

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11e Picture Books, ages 3-8 11/21/96

__ What Use is a Moose?_ by Martin Waddell. Illustrated by Arthur
Robins. Candlewick, 1996 (1-56402-933-6) $14.99

When Jack makes friends with a moose, he asks his mom if the
moose can stay with them. "I'm sure mooses have uses," he says.
But when the moose tries to drive a car, or cook a meal or help
around the house, all he does is make a mess! Furious, Jack's
mom orders the moose to leave, but then discovers he did have a
good use after all: being loved by Jack. A frenetic comedy of
errors, this story also makes a delicate statement about the
value of unconditional love. Animated pen & ink and watercolor
illustrations use thin, elongated shapes and wiry, erratic lines
to stress the humor in the story, especially the lanky,
goofy-looking moose. Observant readers will find an extra,
wordless little story in the endpapers, in which the moose has a
comic adventure with a fish--and demonstrates his tender heart by
letting it go. (3-8)

_ Mommy Doesn't Know My Name_ by Suzanne Williams. Illustrated by
Andrew Shachat. Houghton Mifflin, 1990; 1996 (0-395-77979-0)
$5.95 pb

In this offbeat look through the eyes of a child, a little girl
named Hannah feels confused by the pet names her mother calls
her, visualizing herself as a pumpkin, an alligator, even a
little devil. One day she's had enough and defiantly asserts her
identity: "I'm not a mouse... I'm Hannah!" And her mother
replies, "Yes I know... You're Hannah. My own happy little, funny
little girl." Surreal, almost Picasso-esque pastel illustrations
work well with this story, seeming to capture the mixed-up
landscape of the imagination and adding some texture to the
simple text. I was a bit surprised and put off by the ending
though, which in this context seemed just another form of
labeling Hannah. (3-6)

__ By the Light of the Halloween Moon_ by Caroline Stutson.
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Puffin, 1994 (0-14-774215-3))
$4.99 pb; Puffin, 1996 (0-14-055859-4) $18.99 oversized pb

(reprinted from the hardcover review. volume 1, number 34)

This charming rhyme-story, similar in pattern to "The House that
Jack Built" and "The Green Grass Grew All Around" is delightful
to read aloud, with an irresistibly sing-songy rhythm. A toe
"that taps a tune in the dead of night" becomes the target of
increasingly sinister characters who inevitably foil each other's
plans to grab and eat it, until the owner of the toe (a little
girl) firmly smacks the last culprit, saying "That toe is mine!"
The lively pictures (reminiscent of Rankin and Bass claymation)
suit the story well and the triumphant ending will probably
overcome any fear aroused by the ghoulish characters. This new
"big book" edition arrived a bit late for Halloween, but it's
fun, scary reading any time of year; the illustrations are
especially striking in this large size. * (3-8)

* indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre

From w...@armory.com Fri Nov 22 18:32:11 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 1996 17:31:28 -0800
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The Window by Jeanette Ingold
Dreadful Sorry by Kathryn Reiss
* A Wizard's Dozen: Stories of the Fantastic edited by Michael
Stearn

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11f Yong Adult Fantasy 11/22/96

__ The Window_ by Jeanette Ingold. Harcourt Brace, 1996
(0-15-201265-6) $12.00; (0-15-201264-8) $5.00 pb

This first novel is an interesting, albeit not completely
successful blend of "problem novel" and fantasy. After an
accident which leaves her both orphaned and blinded, fifteen year
old Mandy goes to live with relatives she's never met. Stiff
with anger, she tries not to open up to the new people in her
life, or to accept help from anyone. Then she begins to hear
voices outside her window, and finds herself seeing, then living,
events from the past every time she "looks" through it. As Mandy
slowly adjusts to her new life and starts to make friends, she
also witnesses the truth about her family's mournful history, and
begins to understand the danger of stubborn pride.

Narrated in a low-key voice that doesn't really do justice to the
unusual events of the story, this book is stronger as fiction
than as fantasy. It's not a particularly fresh look at the
familiar theme, nor is it a thoroughly plausible portrait of what
it's like to be blind, but it's an engaging and absorbing story
that makes good escapist reading.

__ Dreadful Sorry_ by Kathryn Reiss. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1993
(0-15-224213-9) $16.95; Scholastic Point, 1996 (0-5904-8406-0)
$4.99 pb

(reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 1, number 30)

A recurring nightmare and a deathly fear of water have been part
of Molly Teague's life for as long as she can remember, but she's
always managed to ignore them. When she meets her friend's
cousin, Jared, things get harder to ignore: like the feeling she
keeps having that she knows him; like the way she keeps calling
him by the wrong name; like the song, "My Darling Clementine,"
that seems to be haunting them both. Hardest of all to ignore is
what happens when Jared almost drowns her by throwing her into a
swimming pool: a vision they both have of seaweed, floating
boxes... and blood.

Terrified, Molly flees to her father's new home in a small town
in Maine, only to find it frighteningly familiar--the very house
of her nightmares, with everything around her evoking memories.
And then the memories become waking visions, as Molly finds
herself drawn back into the past, into the life and mind of a
girl called Clementine, who mysteriously disappeared many years
before. Somehow, for some purpose, Clementine has taken
possession of Molly--but why?

An evocative cover and intriguing title set the mood for this
tightly plotted and suspenseful ghost story about guilt and
reparation, an exciting and satisfying excursion into
supernatural fantasy.

__ A Wizard's Dozen: Stories of the Fantastic_ edited by Michael
Stearns. Harcourt Brace, 1993 (0-15-200965-5) $16.95; Scholastic
Point, 1996 (0-590-86542-0) $3.99 pb

(reprinted with permission from The WEB: Celebrating ChildrenUs
Literature)

It wouldn't do to call these young adult stories fairy tales, but
that's really what they are--and this anthology nicely covers the
spectrum of the genre, from the classic macabre tales of
unearthly fairies and heartlessly seductive water spirits to the
humorous, tradition-skewing tales of feisty princesses and
foolish princes. There's even a version of Snow White, albeit a
chilling and darkly twisted one. But though they have their
roots in the classics, all of these stories are original and many
are exceptional: the aforementioned story, "The Queen's MIrror,"
by Debra Doyle and James Macdonald; Charles de Lint's poignant
"Fairy Dust," in which a girl learns never to close her eyes to
evil; Alan P. Smale's unique look at the dragon/maiden
relationship in "The Breath of Princes"; and Bruce Coville's
anti-war fable "With His Head Tucked Underneath His Arm," are all
beautifully written examples of fantasy at its strongest and most
powerful. *

* indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre

From w...@armory.com Mon Nov 25 01:57:20 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 00:57:02 -0800
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Subject: NOTES: Christmas Books, ages 2 & up
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The First Night by B. G. Hennessy. Illustrated by Steve Johnson
and Lou Fancher
Waiting for Christmas by Monica Greenfield. Illustrated by Jan
Spivey Gilchrist
Peter Spier's Christmas! illustrated by Peter Spier
The Magic Maguey by Tony Johnston. illustrated by Elisa Kleven
Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Kerry Argent
T'was the Night B'fore Christmas retold and illustrated by
Melodye Rosales
Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade: The Johnkankus by
Irene Smalls. Illustrated by Melodye Rosales
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar. Illustrated by Gary Blythe
Ben's Christmas Carol by Toby Forward. Illustrated by Ruth Brown
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Carter
Goodrich
175 Easy-to-Do Christmas Crafts edited by Sharon Dunn Umnik

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11g Christmas Books, ages 2 & up 11/25/96

(for reviews from previous years, see volume 1, number 53; volume
2, number 140; volume 3 number 11l; volume 3, number 12b)

__ The First Night_ by B. G. Hennessy. Illustrated by Steve Johnson
and Lou Fancher. Viking, 1993 (0-670-83026-7); Puffin, 1996
(0-14-054178-0) $4.99 pb

An elegantly simple introduction to the Nativity, this lovely
book sets aside most of the details of the story to paint an
evocative portrait of a newborn baby, "seeing this world for the
first time." Told in short, concrete sentences, the text
nonetheless conveys the beauty, warmth and wonder of the story of
Jesus's birth. The luminous illustrations, acrylics painted on
wood, are filled with tenderness; weathered edges emphasize an
atmosphere of long ago and far away. (2-6)

__ Waiting for Christmas_ by Monica Greenfield. Illustrated by Jan
Spivey Gilchrist. Scholastic, 1996 (0-590-52700-2) $15.95

A simple poem about the anticipation of waiting for Christmas
provides inspiration for warm, gently glowing paintings of a
loving family celebration. Each line of the poem is accompanied
by a a large, two-page illustration that depicts an ideal
(secular) Christmas, with shimmering snow falling past every
window. This lovely book is practically a blueprint for creating
happy images of Christmas for a young child. (3-6)

__ Peter Spier's Christmas!_ illustrated by Peter Spier. Doubleday,
1983; Dell Picture Yearling, 1996 (0-440-41285-4) $5.99 pb

This lively wordless book takes a less dreamy, more realistic
view of Christmas than most holiday picture books. Crowded,
bustling scenes show a family shopping at a mall, making
decorations and addressing cards, picking a tree, going to church
and so on. After Christmas dinner, we see that the children's
bedroom is overflowing with toys, and the kitchen is overflowing
with dirty dishes--but the mother and father wash up, and enjoy a
cozy evening by the fire. Finally the decorations have to come
down and the pine needles get vacuumed up, Christmas lights go on
sale, people flock to the "returns" counter, and a mound of trash
is left to be collected. But amid the rather sad debris of the
holiday, there are reminders that Christmas will come again--new
trees are sprouting among the stumps, and the Christmas Club
payments begin anew. This cheerful book is a nice conversation
starter; it could even spark discussions about good reasons to
make holiday celebration more environmentally friendly. (3-8)

__ The Magic Maguey_ by Tony Johnston. illustrated by Elisa Kleven.
Harcourt Brace, 1996 (0-15-250988-7) $15.00

Set in a pueblo in Mexico, this is a happy look at the magic in
everyday things. Miguel loves the big, beautiful maguey plant
that grows in the pueblo. People like to meet there to gossip
and chat, children like to play there. Best of all, the old
leaves from the maguey can be made into all sorts of things, just
like magic. When Miguel hears that the maguey is going to be
chopped down, it seems like his Christmas is ruined--until he
gets a wonderful idea.

As in her book _Hooray, a Pinata!_ (reviewed volume 4, number 9f),
Kleven's jewel-toned collages seem perfect for expressing the
bold gaiety of Mexican art; the patterned clothes and Christmas
decorations glow with bright colors. She also does a wonderful
job on the faces of the characters: women cozily chatting, the
children solemnly decorating the maguey plant with Christmas
ornaments, and the entire town serenely enjoying their unusual
Christmas tree. (4-8)

__ Wombat Divine_ by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Kerry Argent. Harcourt
Brace, 1996 (0-15-201416-0) $15.00

An appealing mixture of sweetness and humor, this is the story of
a wombat--shown here as a round, lumbering, bear-like
creature--who longs to act in a Nativity play. Unfortunately,
Wombat seems to be too big or heavy or clumsy for every role he
tries. Just when it seems that his dream is crushed, his friend
Bilby thinks of the perfect role for him: the most important
role of all. Drawn with minimal "humanizing" elements, Argent's
friendly-looking animals have expressive faces and soft, cuddly
bodies, a likeable introduction to many Australian animals that
are probably unfamiliar to American children. The Nativity
scenes of the animals gazing soulfully at Wombat, who is
peacefully sleeping in the hay, "just as a real baby would," are
especially charming. (4-8)

__ This is the Star_ by Joyce Dunbar. Illustrated by Gary Blythe.
Harcourt Brace, 1996 (0-15-200851-9) $16.00

"The House that Jack Built" seems like an odd choice as the basis
for a Nativity retelling, but this lyrical text manages to make
the familiar format sound wondrous and magical. As the text
tells the story of "the manger warm with hay/wherein a newborn
baby lay," photo-realistic paintings show the the baby and wise
men, the shepards and a magnificent vision of the angel, "shining
bright." A miniature inset at the end of each page of text
recalls the previous illustration. (4 & up)

__ T'was the Night B'fore Christmas_ retold and illustrated by
Melodye Rosales. Scholastic, 1996 (0-590-73944-1) $12.95

For this "African-American version" of Clement Clarke Moore's "A
Visit from Saint Nicholas," Rosales has rewritten the poem in
traditional Black English, using images from plantation culture:
the children all snug in their bed are now "Dreamin' of candy/an'
sweet short'nin' bread." Much of the poem keeps essentially the
same format as the original, but it takes off in wild new
directions for the description of St. Nick, who looks "like a
conjure man/openin' his sack."

I have to admit, I'm a bit stymied about how to evaluate this
book. The line between truth and stereotype can be blurry and
what seems like a cultural tribute to some can seem deeply
offensive to others--my moderately positive review of a similar
book, _An Irish Night Before Christmas_, met with some disapproval
last year. But I don't think that's really a judgement I can
make, so I'll just say that the book does seem successful in what
it's trying to do: the poem is fun to read, and the paintings
are bold and expressive, although too exaggeratedly realistic for
my tastes. If the concept of this book appeals to you, chances
are good you'll like this rendition. For a less controversial
Christmas book featuring an African-American family, see _Waiting
for Christmas_, reviewed above. (4 & up)

__ Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade: The Johnkankus_ by
Irene Smalls. Illustrated by Melodye Rosales. Little, Brown,
1996 (0-316-79878-9) $15.95

Another Christmas tale based on African-American plantation
culture, this is the story of a slave girl whose Christmas just
won't be complete without her absent mama and daddy, even with the
magnificent Johnkankus parade to watch. Thankfully, there's a
special surprise waiting for her at the end of the parade. This
sympathetic story is visually stunning, with exuberant paintings
that give the Johnkankus dancers a dazzling, Mardi Gras
look--feathers flying, ribbons waving. The historically
faithful, matter-of-fact acceptance of slavery depicted in this
book will leave children with lots of questions, but it will also
give them an intriguing look at how African-American slaves made
the most of whatever was available to them, in order to enjoy
themselves and celebrate Christmas.

__ Ben's Christmas Carol_ by Toby Forward. Illustrated by Ruth
Brown. Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45593-0) $15.99

The classic Dickens story is retold here from a mouse point of
view, a tale about a miserly mouse named Ben, his poor friend
Tim, and a mysterious white mouse named Jake who shows Ben the
error of his ways. Rather than sticking strictly to the original
story, this retelling keeps it on a fairly simple, mouse-like
level. Perhaps the best thing about the book is a wonderful
surprise in the illustrations: as the mice story is told, the
dark, haunting pictures also show the story of the original
_Christmas Carol_ happening above-stairs. In one of the best
illustrated touches, shortly after we see Scrooge accompanied by
a ghost, the white mouse Jake is revealed as not just white, but
actually transparent. (5 & up)

__ A Christmas Carol_ by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Carter
Goodrich. Books of Wonder/Morrow, 1996 (0-688-13606-0) $18.00

Abridged by the author himself, this is a shortened version of
the classic Christmas story for easier read-alouds or
performances, taking around ninety minutes to read. Unlike many
other abridgements, this retains the story's original language
and exciting imagery. The muted, gloomy illustrations are in the
traditional mode and don't add anything new to the book. (5 &
up)

__ 175 Easy-to-Do Christmas Crafts_ edited by Sharon Dunn Umnik.
Illustrated by various artists. Boyds Mill, 1996 (1-56397-373-1)
$ 6.95 pb

This no-nonsense crafts book is tightly packed with ideas for
Christmas crafts, such as a paper-plate Christmas tree, a diorama
of Santa's house and a shoe box creche. Each item includes a
list of materials, numbered instructions and a photograph of the
completed project. There's a materials index, but unfortunately
no table of contents. Motivated children could certainly use
this book, but aside from safety instructions it isn't designed
to be especially child-friendly and will probably be most useful
as a sourcebook for people working with children aged 5 & up. (8
& up)

From w...@armory.com Mon Nov 25 02:08:46 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 01:08:07 -0800
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Subject: NOTES: Easy Readers, ages 6-10 (holidays)
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Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman
Sharmat and Craig Sharmat. Illustrated by Marc Simont
Aunt Eater's Mystery Christmas written and illustrated by Doug
Cushman
It's a Gingerbread House written and illustrated by Vera B.
Williams

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11h Easy Readers: Holidays, ages 6-10 11/25/96

__ Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas_ by Marjorie Weinman
Sharmat and Craig Sharmat. Illustrated by Marc Simont.
Delacorte, 1996 (0-385-32117-1) $13.95

In one of his more implausible--but funny--adventures, detective
Nate the Great solves the case of the missing Christmas Card,
with help from two of his weirdest, animal-loving friends:
Annie, who dresses her dog Fang up like an elf, and Rosamond,
whose tree is decorated with tuna fish cans and live cats. The
authors get in some amusing digs at out-of-control Christmas
hooplah, with Nate commenting on bizarre Christmas catalogs with
his usual deadpan bemusement. Interestingly enough, although the
focus of this story is primarily on Christmas, Nate himself
apparently celebrates Chanukah--in one of the book's cleverest
touches, Nate changes his usual pancake snack to potato pancakes,
with applesauce and sour cream of course. (6-8)

__ Aunt Eater's Mystery Christmas_ written and illustrated by Doug
Cushman. HarperCollins, 1995 (0-06-023579-9); HarperTrophy, 1996
(0-06-444221-7) $3.75 pb

In four comic vignettes, Aunt Eater tackles several mysteries
that turn out to have very mundane explanations. But when a
special package is left under her Christmas tree, it's a
wonderful mystery indeed. Cushman's long-nosed character, the
Miss Marple of easy readers, establishes the mood of the book
with her expressive face and body, as she ponders clues and
sneaks cautiously around investigating. (6-8)

__ It's a Gingerbread House_ written and illustrated by Vera B.
Williams. Greenwillow, 1978; Mulberry, 1996 (0-688-14980-4)
$5.95 pb

Part story but mostly craft project, this easy-reader has very
thorough instructions for making a gingerbread house, just like
the one Carrie, Benny and Sam happily consume in the story.
Excellent for kids who want to make their own gifts. (6-10)

From w...@armory.com Mon Nov 25 02:19:54 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 01:19:35 -0800
X-Mailer: Mail User's Shell (7.2.5 10/14/92)
To: book-r...@lace.colorado.edu
Subject: NOTES: Christmas Poems/Songs, ages 4 & up
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* Christmas in the Stable selected and illustrated by Beverly K.
Duncan
The Little Book of Christmas selected by Caroline Walsh.
Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp
Sing Noel selected by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Nancy Sippel
Carpenter

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11i Poems/Songs: Christmas, ages 4 & up 11/25/96

__ Christmas in the Stable_ selected and illustrated by Beverly K.
Duncan. Harcourt Brace, 1990 (0-15-217758-2); Voyager, 1996
(0-15-201385-7) $5.00 pb

This unique, lovely collection of poems looks at the night of the
Nativity from the point of view of stable creatures. In "What
the Donkey Saw" by U. A. Fanthorpe, a donkey relates how, "in
spite of the overcrowding/I did my best to make them feel
wanted/I could see the baby and I/Would be going places
together." Jane Yolen's "Dog at the Stable" is amazed to see
that "a Master" could be so "meek and mild." And in Linda
Peavey's "Lives" an arrogant cat marvels that "I, too, feel bound
to worship this wee thing/Even a cat can look at a king."
Charming, sweet, sometimes even funny, these poems all convey a
genuine atmosphere of reverence. Gentle watercolors frame the
poems against backgrounds of holiday-associated nature motifs and
expressively illustrate the animal narrators. (4-12)

__ The Little Book of Christmas_ selected by Caroline Walsh.
Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp. Kingfisher, 1996 (0-7534-5017-8)
$7.95

Poems, carols and excerpts from favorite stories make up this
nicely designed Christmas reader. The poems range from Christina
Rosetti to Ogden Nash, the excerpts from Dickens's Christmas
Carol to Dylan Thomas's "A Conversation About Christmas," but
they all work together to create a warm, surprisingly fresh
atmosphere. The watercolor illustrations keep themselves
appropriately in the background, never overpowering the poems,
but contributing to the mood by incorporating traditional,
old-fashioned images with an interesting mix of different
styles--depicting silhouettes, a cloth painting, a shadowbox and
a stained glass window, among others. (5 & up)

__ Sing Noel_ selected by Jane Yolen. Arranged by Adam Stemple.
Illustrated by Nancy Sippel Carpenter. Boyds Mill, 1996
(1-56397-420-7) $17.95

This collection of 34 favorite Christmas songs--some traditional
carols, some secular--features historical notes by Yolen on each
song and its composer and lyricist. Old-fashioned watercolor
scenes illustrate the corners of the music, which is printed on
attractive, softly colored backgrounds. Scored for piano, with
guitar chords.

* indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre

From w...@armory.com Mon Nov 25 02:29:55 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 01:29:46 -0800
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To: book-r...@lace.colorado.edu
Subject: NOTES: Novelty Christmas Books, ages 2 & up
Message-ID: <961125012...@deepthought.armory.com>
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The Great Santa Surprise written and illustrated by Suzy-Jane
Tanner
Benjy Bear's Christmas by Harriet Ziefert. Illustrated by Emilie
Boon
Mouse Christmas written and illustrated by Michelle Cartlidge

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11j Picture Books: Novelty/Christmas, 2 & up 11/25/96

__ The Great Santa Surprise_ written and illustrated by Suzy-Jane
Tanner. HarperFestival, 1996 (0-694-00706-4) $5.95 pb

About as mild as a picture book can get, this "lift-the-flap"
book tells a simple story about a brown bear Santa delivering
presents for various animal-children. When he hears the children
coming, he hides behind the tree--but emerges to open a present
for _him_: "A cuddly teddy bear! How thoughtful." Innocuous and
unsophisticated, this is pretty dull reading for adults but will
appeal to children who like a slow-paced text and straightforward
illustrations. The flaps which hide the presents (and Santa) are
large and easy to handle. (2-5)

__ Benjy Bear's Christmas_ by Harriet Ziefert. Illustrated by Emilie
Boon. Candlewick, 1996 (1-56402-886-0) $7.99

Like _Benjy Bear's Halloween_ (reviewed volume 4, number 10b), this
bland activity/board book has very little plot, just some simple
instructions on how to help smiling Benjy hang his stocking and
decorate his tree, using reusable vinyl stickers. Again, it's
nice that the book offers several sticker choices, allowing
children a little variety and decision-making. (2-5)

__ Mouse Christmas_ written and illustrated by Michelle Cartlidge.
Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45684-8) $4.99

This companion to _Mouse Birthday_ (reviewed volume 2, number 34)
is another little book about a mouse family, illustrated with
delicate but cozy watercolors. As with most of Cartlidge's
books, the charm is in the tiny details, like the miniature angel
mice which decorate each page. Each page also features something
to do or open, like an envelope which holds a tiny Christmas
card, or a stocking stuffed with a removable paper teddy bear.
The commonplace text hardly makes this a rival for the "Jolly
Postman" books, but readers with a love for miniatures (and a
fair amount of dexterity) will find it captivating. (3 & up)

From w...@armory.com Wed Nov 27 00:42:37 1996
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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 23:42:23 -0800
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Subject: NOTES: Gift Books/Misc. ages 1-adult
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__ Golden Slumbers_ performed by Pete Seeger, Oscar Brand, Jean
Ritchie, etc.
The Teddy Bears' Picnic illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Song
arranged and performed by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman
Paul Strickland's Christmas Bear
"Stellaluna" Memory Game
"Thomas the Tank Engine" Math Game
The World of Little House by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina
Wyss Eriksson. Illustrated by Deborah Maze and Garth Williams
52 Cool Tricks for Kids & 52 Alternatives to TV by Lynn Gordon.
Illustrated by Susan Synarski
Ancient Egypt Stamps; Sun, Moon, and Stars Stamps
Fabulous Doll Fashions
Winnie-the Pooh's Cookie Book illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
Wallace & Gromit Postcard Book by Nick Park
The Flower Fairies Calender 1997 illustrated by Cicely Mary
Barker
The Meaning of Flowers written and illustrated by Cicely Mary
Barker
Tools of the Trade by Jeff Taylor. Photographs by Rick Iwasaki

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11l Gift Books/Tapes/Misc., ages 1-adult 11/26/96

__ Golden Slumbers_ performed by Pete Seeger, Oscar Brand, Jean
Ritchie, etc. HarperChildren'sAudio, 1996 (0-89845-104-3) $11.95
cassette

Children can learn to love folk music at a very young age, but
many albums designed for children offer only slick, cutesy
renditions. This tape provides a rare introduction to
traditional folk music performed by folk musicians, with nothing
deliberately "childish" about it other than the lullaby theme.
It's a lovely collection, with warm, loving voices singing the
classic soothing songs, "All the Pretty Little Horses," "Dance to
Your Daddy" and others; there are a few songs in other languages
and even some multiple versions of the same songs. Best of all,
this is music that adults can enjoy along with their children. (1 & up)

__ The Teddy Bears' Picnic_ illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Song
arranged and performed by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
HarperCollins, 1996 (0-06-027302-X) $14.95 book and tape

The perfect gift for a Mom or Pop Deadhead, this illustration of
"The Teddy Bears' Picnic" comes with a tape of Jerry Garcia and
David Grisman's delightful, folksy, acoustic version of the
popular children's song. The book and tape are thematically
linked: along with more conventional teddy bears, the bright
watercolors depict a few bears in vests, beads and tie-dye--and a
strangely familiar, chubby bear with a white muzzle, wearing
glasses and playing a guitar. While adults get teary-eyed over
this loving tribute, children will enjoy the humor and offbeat
charm of the pictures and music. A must-see. (3 & up)

__ Paul Strickland's Christmas Bear_. Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45686-4)
$19.99 book and toy

This book and toy package features a soft, cuddly replica of
"Cub" from Henrietta and Paul Strickland's book _The Christmas
Bear_. Around 8" high, the toy is a fairly good likeness, with an
amiable expression; it seems reasonably well made, although I
suspect the glued-on felt "paws" won't last long in a toddler's
hands. The white fur is surface washable, according to the tag.
The toy comes with a miniature edition of the book, in which Cub
falls through a big hole and lands at the North Pole, just in
time to help Santa get ready for Christmas. Unfortunately, the
exquisite detail of Strickland's brilliantly colored
illustrations is almost lost in this tiny size; I also suspect
this "revised" edition has been cut, although I don't have a copy
of the original for comparison. Possibly the best use for this
small book is as an accessory for the toy--it's the right size to
pretend the bear is reading it--but it can also be purchased
separately: _The Christmas Bear_ by Henrietta Strickland.
Illustrated by Paul Strickland. Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45687-2)
$3.99. (3-8)

"Stellaluna" Memory Game. Briarpatch. Srp $18.95
"Thomas the Tank Engine" Math Game. Briarpatch. Srp $18.95
(For information about stores which carry Briarpatch games, call
800-232-7427)

>From the producers of the award-winning "Maisy" game, these new
games are also based on favorite children's book characters. In
the "Stellaluna" game, a slightly more complex variation of
"Concentration," players turn over chips to find items that
either help or hinder Stellaluna the bat on her way back to her
nest. Players try to remember where the unhelpful chips were, so
they can avoid them. The game can be played cooperatively or
competitively; for one to two players or teams. "Thomas the Tank
Engine" is a self-correcting math game, with varying levels of
difficulty. It helps players practice number recognition and
(for more advanced players) addition, as well as basic game
playing skills like taking turns. For two to four players. Both
games have sturdy construction and replaceable parts; neither
requires reading to play. (3-7)

__ The Book Cupboard_. Dial, 1996 (0-8037-2074-2) $13.99

This delightful collection features miniature pamphlet-bound
copies of six classic children's books: Kate Greenaway's _Mother
Goose_, Randolph Caldecott's _Sing a Song of Sixpence_, _The Baby's
Own Aesop_, Lear's _Book of Nonsense_, _The History of an Apple Pie_
(an alphabet book) and _The House that Jack Built_. Each little
book fits into a slot on a fold-out "bookshelf" depicting classic
children's titles; it's perhaps a little over-produced, but
certainly appealing. The complete package folds up into the size
of a trade paperback. The books themselves are full of
old-fashioned charm, a wonderful introduction to the history of
children's literature that children will enjoy as much as
collectors--while they last. (3 & up)

__ The World of Little House_ by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina
Wyss Eriksson. Illustrated by Deborah Maze and Garth Williams.
HarperCollins, 1996 (0-06-024422-4) $24.95

For readers who love the "Little House" books, this book offers
an opportunity for thorough immersion in Laura's world. Each
chapter looks at a particular book in the series, with maps and
furnished floor plans of the Ingalls's homes, background
information about details of daily life, and craft projects that
recreate items from the stories: readers can make their own
molasses-on-snow candy and name cards. There is also a family
tree, which includes many photographs, and a timeline showing the
historical events that happened at the same time as events in the
life of Laura's family. The final chapter lists resources for
readers who want to visit the "little house" sites. (6 & up)

Also available: _The Little Women Treasury_ by Carolyn Strom
Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson. Viking, 1996
(0-670-86337-8) $24.95

__ 52 Cool Tricks for Kids_ and _52 Alternatives to TV_ by Lynn Gordon.
Illustrated by Susan Synarski. Chronicle, 1996 (0-8118-1300-2)
$6.95

These unusual packs of cards don't have numbers or
suits--instead, they're covered with ideas. Each card,
illustrated with colorful, childlike designs, features a
different game or activity. The "cool tricks" cards list easy to
follow instructions for simple illusions; the "alternatives to
tv" cards suggest fun projects for children or families, such as
making a time capsule or creating a treasure map of your house.
This information could just as easily be in book form, but the
cards are a fun, non-intimidating format which almost beg to be
"dealt out"--and of course, picking a card to try at random is
part of the fun. (6 & up)

__ Ancient Egypt Stamps_; _Sun, Moon, and Stars Stamps_. Viking, 1996
(0-670-87224-5; 0-670-87223-7) $12.95 each

Images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art grace these rubber
stamp sets, which come with a washable ink pad. The Sun, Moon
and Stars set features 16 large stamps with impressions from the
Middle Ages--mystical, cabalistic suns with serene faces. The 27
Egyptian stamps are somewhat smaller and feature hieroglyphics
such as eyes, salamanders and ankhs. (6 & up)

__ Fabulous Doll Fashions_. Ladybird, 1996 (0-7214-5664-2) $ 8.99

This nifty craft kit contains patterns and materials to make five
fashion doll outfits out of "paper fabric," a cloth-like paper
that can be glued as well as sewn. Perhaps the most enjoyable
part of the kit is that you get to decorate the "cloth" yourself;
the instruction booklet includes tips for using paints and making
potato prints. A terrific gift for a creative Barbie
fan--especially since it seems hard to find Barbie clothes in any
color but glittering pink these days. Also available: _Fantastic
Jewelry_. Ladybird, 1996 (0-7214-5663-4) $8.99. (7 & up)

__ Winnie-the Pooh's Cookie Book_ illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.
Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45688-0) $8.99

This book of cookie recipes doesn't really have much to do with
Winnie-the-Pooh, but illustrations and quotes from the stories do
make the small book nicely decorative. It's not designed as a
child's cookbook though--the print is small, the recipes are
terse and baking terms aren't explained--so young cooks may find
it frustrating without adult help. (8 & up)

__ Wallace & Gromit Postcard Book_ by Nick Park. Doubleday. 1996
(0-385-32322-0) $6.99

Along with two picture book novelizations of the Academy-award
winning claymation films "Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave" and
"Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers," Doubleday is publishing
this book of 16 postcards which show action-oriented scenes from
the films. Eye-catching and weird.

__ The Flower Fairies Calender 1997_ illustrated by Cicely Mary
Barker. Warner, 1996 (0-7232-4333-6) $8.95

This year's "Flower Fairies" calender is the long, thin,
spiral-bound variety, around half the size of a standard
calendar, with grids instead of boxes for each date.
Unfortunately, the smaller size means the pictures are also
rather small, but they reproduce so beautifully, it doesn't
really matter. For anyone with a taste for the Romantic style,
these enchanting, exquisitely detailed drawings of children as
the spirits of different flowers are irresistible.

__ The Meaning of Flowers_ written and illustrated by Cicely Mary
Barker. Frederick Warne, 1996 (0-7232-4291-7) $9.99

The "flower fairies" pictures seem more charming than ever when
viewed in the context of this collection of folklore and
superstitions about flowers. Not only is the text interesting,
but it reveals some of the inspiration behind the pictures: the
little girl and baby apple blossom fairies represent the bud and
the fruit; the Gorse fairies are shown kissing because the Gorse
is the symbol of endurance, such a reliable bloomer that people
once said, "When Gorse is out of blossom, then kissing's out of
fashion." An ideal introduction to the flower fairies and a
charming gift for gardeners. (8 & up)

Wendy E. Betts

__ Tools of the Trade_ by Jeff Taylor. Photographs by Rick Iwasaki.
Chronicle, 1996 (0-8118-1273-1) $25.00

In this beautifully written book, Jeff Taylor sings love songs to
his woodworking tools, the lifetime in which he's acquired them,
the skills they taught him, and the people he's met along the
way.

He passes on an occasional bit of practical knowledge while he's
at it, but his affectionate memories are the point. Each chapter
tells the story of a tool, and how he got his first or his
favorite, and whose life touched his while he was learning its
ways. Taylor finds amazing depths of feeling as he reminisces
about everything from a transit level to a carpenter's pencil.

The book (illustrated with far too few photographs by Rich
Iwasaki--only one per tool) made me want to take up carpentry so
I could learn more of what Taylor knows.

Evan Hunt

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From: "Wendy E. Betts" <w...@armory.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 23:42:41 -0800
X-Mailer: Mail User's Shell (7.2.5 10/14/92)
To: book-r...@lace.colorado.edu
Subject: NOTES: Kwanzaa Books
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The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington. Illustrated by
Stephen Taylor
Kwanzaa Fun: Great Things to Make and Do by Linda Robertson.
Illustrated by Julia Pearson

For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html

Vol. 4, No. 11k Kwanzaa Books, ages 6-12 11/26/96

(for reviews from previous years, see volume 2, number 139;
volume 3, number 11k)

__ The Story of Kwanzaa_ by Donna L. Washington. Illustrated by
Stephen Taylor. HarperCollins, 1996 (0-06-024818-1) $14.95

To give background on Kwanzaa, this book offers a very simplified
introduction to the history of African Americans, from the
beginning of slavery to the civil rights movement. "In 1966 a
man named Dr. Maulana Karenga was one of the people involved in
the civil rights movement. As part of his fight for African
America he created a festival. He called this festival Kwanzaa."
The book then explains the basics of the Kwanzaa celebration.
Each page features a colorful segment of an African design and
faces an illustration; although most of the pictures are
straightforward depictions of the text, some make interesting
uses of symbolism. But overall, this isn't a very engaging
book and its description of of Kwanzaa are pretty limited: for
example, all it says about the fourth day, _ujamaa_ is "this means
that we support African-American businesses." One craft project
and recipe at the end of the book seem like afterthoughts. (6-10)

__ Kwanzaa Fun: Great Things to Make and Do_ by Linda Robertson.
Illustrated by Julia Pearson. Kingfisher, 1996 (0-7534-5016-X)
$5.95 pb

This attractively designed book combines basic information about
Kwanzaa with instructions for crafts and projects. There are
ideas for each day of Kwanzaa, though the connection between the
symbolism of the day and the craft is sometimes perhaps a bit
strained. Except for some recipes, most of these projects can be
done without adult supervision, and with easily obtainable tools.
I can't comment on how well these projects express the symbols
and meaning of Kwanzaa, but they are fun ideas that children will
enjoy trying. (6-12)

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