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Media Review Archives
Books Here Comes the Bus This simple flap book captures a brother and sisters anticipation for the bus that will take them to the park. The children wait at the bus stop and each time you open the flap you find a new animal bus driver that’s on their way to somewhere other than the park. When oh when will their bus come? Ages 2 and up. Written by Harriet Ziefert, G.P Putnam’s Sons, $6.99. I’ve Got the Back-to-School Blues Annie is starting the second grade, but this year her two best friends will not be in her class. Annie is dreading making new friends and is frightened that her new teacher will not be nice. The ending of the book offers Annie a pleasant surprise. This easy to read book is sure to help ease any trepidations a young girl may feel about starting in a new class with a new teacher and new students. Ages 5-8. Written by Gail Herman, Grosset & Dunlap, $3.99. Get ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown Amber is worried but looking forward to second grade. She gathers her supplies, puts on her new school clothes and book bag, eats breakfast, and rides to school with her neighbor. Amber learns to ignore children who are not nice and enjoys being a keen observer of her peers’ amusing antics. Amber soon finds out its better to form your opinions about a teacher after you meet rather than listening to hearsay. All in all Amber has a great first day at school. Ages 5-8. By Paula Danziger, G.P Putnam’s Sons, $12.99. Seven Blind Mice This Caldecott Honor award book is both beautifully written and illustrated. Seven mice each of a different color explore their unique vision of what they see before them. Only the last mouse realizes that they were only looking at parts of a greater whole. This whole of the parts actually represents an elephant. Each mouse had a uniquely creative way of seeing each part of the creature but in the end they realize that wisdom comes from understanding something in its entirety rather than scrutinizing only certain aspects of a thing. Ages 3 and up. Written by Ed Young, Puffin Books, $6.99 Flip Quiz 4th-5th Grade This book provides kids with a fun way to learn and/or prepare for school. Kids can sit at the table with a friend, sibling, or parent and get asked fun and interesting trivia questions that will test their knowledge base. The person sitting on one side sees all the answers, while the other person only sees the questions. With over 1,500 questions kids are sure to have hours of fun that will increase their skill confidence. Made by Silver Dolphin Books, www.advantagebooksonline.com, $12.95. That Summer This beautifully written book, with moving, lifelike illustrations tells the story of an older brother’s last summer with his little brother who is dying. He describes the inner emotions and behavior experienced by him and his brouther in their last summer together. The dying Joey makes a quilt with his grandma sewing together patches depicting all of the things he enjoyed in his life, but dies before he is able to create the last piece. The whole family takes part in finishing the quilt with the last piece of his older brother’s design. Ages 6-9. Written by Tony Johnston, Harcourt Children’s Books, $16.00. The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their
World and Ours Ages 8 and up Ages 2 and up A Smart Girl’s Guide to Boys Ages 10 and up Ages 7 and up Ages 12 and up Picture Book Activities A wonderful book that promotes reading, creativity, and fun! This book for your preschooler has activities to do after reading some of your child’s favorite books. Arts and crafts, cooking and baking, pretending, music and movement, playing and learning, and enrichment ideas help your children really delve into a book! From Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to Where the Wild Things Are this book has ideas for 50 all-time favorites! Paperback. $12.00. Who Is Caillou He does not save the world and he does not perform supernatural human feats, but he is the best kind of child there is—just like yours! From learning to share, to going to the doctor, to taking a bath, to going on a picnic, your little one can relate to just about everything he does! Not only can your child watch Caillou Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Sunday at 9:00 a.m., on our local PBS station, but he/she can enjoy playing with their own Caillou ragdoll and bath book set any time of day. There are over 50 bath books, activity books with stickers, and interactive books with lift-the-flaps and pull-tabs are available for children ages 9 months and up. Watch Caillou as he grows from a 9-month old baby discovering his mommy and daddy to a 4-year-old little boy discovering the world outside his home. This is the one series I always look forward to watching with my little one! $3.95-$14.95. Chouette Publishing. 800/343-4499. Caillou Newborn and Up Your preschoolers love Caillou, and now even the littlest ones can enjoy him with this bath book and 8" Caillou ragdoll gift set. In the book, Baby Caillou receives a gift and opens it up to find two toys all babies enjoy: a rubber ducky (that squeaks) and a rattle! The bright colors and simple pictures will bring hours of enjoyment to your little one. When it is time to go to sleep, let them cuddle up with the sweet little ragdoll! Would make a nice shower gift or birthday present for a one or two-year-old. Comes in a clear plastic carrying case. $14.95. Flowers—The Angel Alphabet If there is a valentine on your list who loves flowers, this book may be just the gift you were looking for. Susan Loy has created a reference guide unlike any other. This beautifully illustrated book brings nature’s gift of flowers to life in picture, language, and poetry. The comprehensive American Floral Dictionary includes over 1,400 flowers and their sentiments. Find the sentiment of your favorite flower or learn which flower will tell your loved one how you feel about them. This would make a lovely gift, one sure not to fade. Hardcover. $31.95. Together for Kwanzaa Kayla’s favorite time of year, Kwanzaa, has finally arrived and her big brother, Khari, who is away at school may be unable to be with the family. Over the seven days of Kwanzaa, Kayla and her parents celebrate the traditions of this African-American holiday while Kayla hopes that Khari will be able to make it home. This book not only tells the story of a family’s celebration, it shows how they practice the Kwanzaa principles throughout the year. On the last night of celebrating, during the karamu (feast), Kayla gets a wonderful surprise! Paperback. 24 pages. $3.25. Cobweb Christmas This retelling of an Old World folktale has been revised and newly illustrated, and is even more charming today than when first published almost twenty years ago. Tante was a little old woman who lived in a tiny cottage at the edge of a pine forest. She loved to share Christmas with all of the village children and animals. Every Christmas she would clean her house, ridding it of all dust, spiders and their webs; decorate her specially chosen tree, bake cookies for the children and spread foodstuff around the base of the tree for the animals. Tante longed for a little of the Christmas magic she shared with everyone else. Thanks to the help of Kriss Kringle, Tante receives a gift more magical than she ever dreamed possible. Begin a new tradition: let the first ornament you place on your tree this year be a spider! (Read the story to understand why!) Hardcover. 32 pages. $15.95. Melly’s Menorah The Gopher family is preparing to celebrate their first Hanukkah in their new home. Little Melly Gopher tries to help her family prepare for the holiday, but no one wants her help: not her brother sweeping, her sister making decorations, her mother wrapping presents, her father vacuuming, or her grandmother cooking. Melly’s grandma does give her some leftover cookie dough to play with. When Melly’s grandfather is unable to find the menorah, Melly saves the day with her cookie dough creation! This book shows how even the littlest of family members can make a big difference. Also includes over 50 Hanukkah stickers for children to enjoy. Paperback. 21 pages. $3.99. Free Stuff for Kids The 2001 edition of this popular kids’ activity book has added 90% new stuff with an expanded internet section. Your children will develop correspondence skills while learning how to request lots of free kid friendly items like stickers, jewelry, magnets, soft ware, bookmarks, magazines, and more. Literally hundreds of free and up-to-a-dollar things kids can send for by mail. Ages 6-12. Meadowbrook Press. www.meadowbrookpress.com. $5.00. God’s Little Seeds The Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Mustard Seed are shared in simple language for even the youngest of listeners to enjoy hearing over and over again. Bijou Le Tord brings fresh life to Jesus’ stories with colorful illustrations and easy to understand words. Let your little ones see how "God’s little seeds" can take root and grow in our hearts and lives. Ages 2-6. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 800/253-7521. $15.00. Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big So begins this cautionary tale of a liar so amazing, so outrageous, so talented, that no one is spared. Berkeley Breathed, famous for his "Bloom County" comic strip, has written this contemporary fable that uses "Dr. Seuss-like" rhyming to humorously weave in a lesson about the importance of honesty. An entertaining, fun-to-read-aloud story. A Storyopolis Book. Available now at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. $15.95. Fishing With Foster: The Legend Begins… A unique, one of a kind, fishing book, Fishing with Foster is a book of fishing trips and tips narrated by a young boy. His experiences with a rod and reel have led to family togetherness, joy, friendship, laughter, understanding safety, patience, honesty, good sportsmanship, and most of all the fun of being a kid. There are also pages for your child to record their own fishing adventures. Be sure and visit his web site—he has a free club your child can join! Ages 4 and up. Always Kids Publishing, 800/603-6041. www.fishingwithfoster.com. $21.95. Sarah’s Sleepover This is a heart-warming story about Sarah, a little girl who won’t let her blindness keep her from enjoying life. Blind since birth, Sarah’s sleepover is lots of fun until a storm plunges the house into darkness. By following Sarah’s lead, the girls discover how much fun they can have with the lights out. Author Bobbie Rodriguez says she wrote this book to tell her readers that "everyone has felt left out, but sometimes the very thing that makes someone different can also be what makes her special." Ages 5 and up. Viking Press, www.penguinputnam.com/yreaders. $15.99. Pokemon Gold/Silver If you have a Pokemon fan at your house (and who doesn’t?) this may be a great way to him reading! Comprised of nine colorful, graphic packed chapters, the text follows the story line as in the Game Boy Pokemon Gold and Silver games. Not only will your child develop his reading skills while enjoying the story, he will learn valuable strategies, clues, tips, and tricks that will aid him in playing the Game Boy game. Pokemon Gold/Silver: The Adventure Continues is also available. Ideal for reluctant readers. Ages 8-12. Pathways to Adventure, www.sybexgames.com. $9.99. What do you Know About Manners? In its introduction, author Cynthia MacGregor advises you that this book is guaranteed to make you smile, and maybe even giggle! Every chapter is made up of different situations that ask you what you would do in all sorts of situations. In the "Table Talk" chapter, here is how MacGregor addresses eating habits: Chewing with your mouth open… A nice collection of "kid" humor with life lessons snuck in. Ages 8-15. Meadowbrook Press, www.meadowbrookpress.com. $6.99. Soccer Skills for Young Players Chock full of coaching tips, photos, and intricate color diagrams, this training manual is a must for the soccer coach or player committed to mastery of the game. In addition to important tips for stretching, cooling down, diet, etc., it includes 68 detailed individual and team drills that distinguish this book from other soccer texts. Great for youth soccer coaches and serious adolescent players. Firefly Books, $14.95. Machu Picchu Expose your child to the story of the amazing Inkas and the rise and fall of civilization in their great city in the clouds. The beautiful artwork, historical photos, flowing text, and Inka glossary make this book both interesting and educational. Ages 10-14. Mikaya Press. www.mikaya.com, $19.95. The Emperor’s New Groove This is a humorous children’s story that reinforces the meaning of the "Golden Rule." Kuzco, a self-centered emperor ultimately learns life’s most important lesson from a gentle peasant named Pacha. Kids will love this newest type of Disney Read-Along book. In addition to the book and cassette, a computer CD is included that lets you listen to the story and read along by watching the book on your computer screen. Great for building vocabulary and encouraging independent reading. Ages 4-10. Walt Disney Records. www.disney.com/DisneyRecords.
Wonder Tales: Launch into Space Your child is the star of this exciting, non-violent adventure! As America’s best shuttle pilot, your child will blast into space, averting dangerous fires and meteors on a daring rescue mission. Three levels of play can be mastered in this 23-minute cassette. Promotes creative thinking and individualized play without violence. Read-along printouts are available on the web for an extra charge. Ages 5-10. Wonder Tales. www.wondertales.com. $11.98.
Gifts Kids Can Make An ideal book for kids with a creative spirit! Lots of photographs, step-by-step instructions, required time, and wrapping suggestions will keep your children busy for hours creating valued gifts for family and friends. The author is careful to use easy-to-find materials that you probably have around the house. Most projects can be completed in a single afternoon. A great idea for the upcoming holidays! Ages 8 and up. Firefly Books. $10. Only $8.95 at Amazon The Anti-Boredom Book: 133 Completely
Unboring Things to Do! How many times have you heard your children say "I’m bored?" For most parents, probably more times than you can count! This easy-to-read book might just be the perfect solution. It is filled with magic tricks, crafts, puzzles, recipes, games, outdoor activities, etc. And what’s really nice is that it has things to do for everyone from the individual child to groups of kids with varying ages. So the next time your child feels like he has a "nothing-to-do" day, either assign him some chores or hand him this book! Ages 5 and up. Greey de Pencier Books. $13. Only $10.36 at Amazon Backyard Baseball 2001 Featuring pint-sized versions of professional Major League Baseball (MLB) players, this program allows children to interact and play with their heroes as kids. These kid major leaguers join the Backyard Bunch players. Kids can also create a player by choosing a name, face and skill level with the Create-A-Player function. As Coach, kids can guide their teams through multiple 14-game seasons, make the playoffs and even go all the way to The Backyard World Series. Practice mode allows perfecting hitting, pitching and fielding skills. The program is easy for kids well-versed in baseball. Multi-player capability. Ages 5 to 12, Humongous, $20. Catch the Spirit: Teen Volunteers
Tell How They Made a Difference This inspiring book is a collection of twenty real-life stories about teens who have made a difference. Perry, a social psychologist and an award-winning writer, captures the energy, excitement, and commitment of these twenty youth, all winners of the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Readers will learn how these teens got ideas for their projects, faced obstacles, and reaped the many rewards of their experiences. Valuable information on how to volunteer is also included. Perry hopes "when you discover what makes them tick, what drives them, what gives them joy, you may be motivated also." Our teens have the power to change lives—why don’t you "catch the spirit?" Yes I Can! Struggles from Childhood
to the NFL Neil Smith’s message to kids is one that can’t be repeated enough. Within the pages of this colorful picture and graphic packed book, Smith encourages children to "hang tough." Despite the obstacles every one of us faces, we should never let anything stop us from believing and confidently shouting, "Yes I can!" And Smith knows from experience. While he is now one of the most fearsome tacklers and sack artists in the history of the National Football League, Smith has faced a lifelong battle with the learning disability dyslexia. This "life lessons" book should certainly be motivating for young male readers, especially those struggling in the classroom.
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