Hockey Opposites by Per-Henrik Gürth

Gürth, Per-Henrik, Hockey Opposites. Kids Can Press, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.

In, out, defender, winger. All of these are words used in hockey that are opposites of each other. This book teaches its readers what opposites are and a little bit about hockey.

The text is simple, the illustrations are fun. This would make a good read aloud book for young children or children learning to read. Pre-K, EL(K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

The Shadow by Diana Diamond

Diamond, Diana, The Shadow. Candlewick Press, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.


When a young child comes home and goes up to her room to draw, she realizes she is not alone. A shadow has followed her. Will she show it who’s boss or have a scary night?

A beautifully illustrated wordless picture book. Readers and non-readers alike will enjoy looking at the illustrations in this book and telling their own story. Pre-K//EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

The Ring Went Zing: A Story That Ends With a Kiss by Sean Taylor

Taylor, Sean, The Ring Went Zing: A Story That Ends With a Kiss. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.


Once upon a time, a frog and a chicken fell in love. When he tried to give her a ring, the ring flew off with a zing. With the help of a dog, a rabbit, a swan, and a goat, they will try and get it back. Will they succeed?

A cute picture book that would work well with young children. The illustrations are well-done, the story is simple, but fun to read. This book would work well as a read aloud with Kindergarteners, preschoolers, or toddlers. PreK/EL(K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

Hill, Laban Carrick, Dave the Potter. Hachette Book Group, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.


A true story. Dave was a slave who was great at making pottery. He was also great at etching short poems on his pottery. This book, told in poetry form, tells his story.

A great introduction to slave poetry and a poet. The illustrations are beautifully done. The text is simple, but does a great job of telling the story of Dave. Readers who like non-fiction, historical fiction, and stories about artists and slaver will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Once Upon a Royal Superbaby by Kevin O'Malley

O’Malley, Kevin. Once Upon a Royal Superbaby. Walker and Company, 2010. PICTURE BOOK.


From the creators of Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude, comes a fun addition to O’malley’s collection of funny tales. The boy and the girl from the last book have the assignment to create another story together. The only requirement is that it has to be about a king and queen. The boy, however, has different ideas about what the story should be about than the girl does. The king and the queen go back and forth between being a strong, good-looking man who can bring down any evil and being a soft-hearted guy that can’t manage to hang a set of curtain in the castle. The queen is a kind-hearted woman who is graceful and smart and charming. Their baby goes between a bird talker and a major, kick-butt, baby superhero. In the end, however, the day is saved and they all live happily ever after or do they?

A funny, light-hearted, fractured fairy tale-style story. Readers who enjoyed the first book, enjoy fairy tales, or just need a good laugh will enjoy reading this book. EL (K-3)/EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Dragon Tooth Trouble by Sarah Wilson

Wilson, Sarah Dragon Tooth Trouble 56 pgs. Henry Holt and Company, 2006. EARLY READER. $15.95. Ginger the dragon is having troublesome tooth trouble so Zoey, her friend, and her two brothers haul her off the the singing dentist, Dr. Frumble. Dr. Frumble pulls the tooth but then Ginger's two cowboy-crazy brothers get roped into dental work as well...things turn out better but different than they all expected! This is a really random, weird book. There are way too many little side plots that are irrelevant (the nurse playing the tuba, the cowboy brothers, the singing dentist, Dr. Frumble's new toothpaste, swimming in the lake etc.) and take away from what little plot line that exists. The black and white illustrations are busy and amateurish. I think this book would be too confusing for emerging readers to enjoy. EL(K-3)-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher. 

Roadsigns: A Harey Race with a Tortoise by Margery Cuyler

Cuyler, Margery Roadsigns: A Harey Race with a Tortoise illustrated by Steve Haskamp 34 pgs. Winslow Press, 2000. PICTURE BOOK. $15.95. Adapted from an Aesop Fable, this story relates the famous tale of the tortoise and the hare only it is done purely through road signs. I think it is a cute idea, but I thought the book was a little hard to follow, even being familiar with the fable. Included at the back is an illustrated page of all of the signs used in the book so it would be a great tool to use to teach kids about road signs. EL(K-3)-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher. 

Servant of a Dark God by John Brown

Brown, John Servant of a Dark God, 442 p. TOR, 2009.  $25.99.  Violence: PG-13 (on par with most fantasy novels).  Talen – half Mokkadian (the rulers) and half Koramite (the ruled) - has always lived his life divided between his two worlds.  Since his Mokaddian mother died, however, things have become a little less ordered and alot more stressed.  When evidence of soul-eaters is discovered, Talen is very eager to prove his worth to the community and clear his family of blame by catching the dark servants.  Instead, however, he will find that life is many shades of grey and there are more enemies than anyone knew existed – and friends in unexpected places.  Brown is a welcome addition to the fantasy genre – his writing contains depths akin to Modesitt, Brooks and Michelle West.  This looks to be part of a series – I can only hope that Brown’s imagination is prolific – as I very much look forward to reading his work for years to come.  (Confession – I actually read this through twice in a row, because there were so many details to enjoy and absorb). HS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Careful What You Wish For by Shani Petroff

Petroff, Shani Bedeviled: Careful What You Wish For, 237 p. Grosset (Penguin), 2010. $6.99.  Content: G (though of course it contains lots of references to the devil and hell).  It’s bad enough that her father is the devil – add the pressures of popularity, friendship and boys to the mix and Angel’s life is a mess.  She tires to use her special powers to help some around her – but it seems like she is destined to have everything backfire – right into her face.  Angel is pretty adept at creating havoc – and its pretty funny stuff.  MS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Body in the Tower by Y.S. Lee

Lee, Y.S. The Body in the Tower, 337 p. Candlewick, 2010.  $16.99.  Language: PG (9 swears).  Mary Quinn is almost a full member of The Agency, an all female detective agency in Victorian England.  Now, however, the proprietoresses are asking Mary to return to her roots, disguise herself as a young boy and ferret out a murderer at the building site for the future Big Ben.  There are more threats that murder awaiting Mary, especially when a old flame and a nosy reporter endanger Mary’s cover.  Victorian detective novels for kids are not a huge draw, but Lee crafts a tension-filled novel with good plotting and character development.  MS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Zally’s Book by Jan Bozarth

Bozarth, Jan Zally’s Book, 177 p. Yearling (Random) 2010. $6.99.  Content: G (tension only).  Zally’s mother and grandmother have a tradition of helping those around them and they seem to have a special knack for it.  Now, however it is Zally’s turn to venture into Adventurine and discover her own talents, hopefully become a fairy godmother in her own right.  Zally’s desires evolve around maps and she is determined to map Adverturine – but the world has other plans for Zally – plans full of danger and unexpected friends.  The Fairy Godmother Academy books are pretty dang cute.  I would be happy to give these to a young niece for her birthday.  EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

How to Grow up and Rule the World by Vordak the Incomprehensible - ADVISABLE

Vordak the Incomprehensible, How to Grow up and Rule the World. Egmont Books, 2010. Pgs. 197.

Content: G

Have you ever felt superior to everyone around you. Do you wish to rule the world? Are you evil at heart. Then what are you waiting for? Read this book. You will learn to build evil devices, rule the world, and become more evil by the day. Just watch out for that Captain Virture, apparently honesty is not one of his virtues.

A funny, well-written book for readers who like villains and superheroes. The narrator is memorable and funny. The illustrations are amusing and well-done. Readers who like superheroes and adventure will enjoy reading this book.

EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

V is for . . .Vampire by Adele Griffin

Griffin, Adele, V is for . . .Vampire. Puffin Books, 2009. Pgs. 115. Violence: G, Sexual Content: G, Language: G.


When the most popular girl in school, Mina Pringle, asks Lexie to write her campaign speech, Lexie is flattered until she overhears the girls making fun of her. Determined to get even, Lexie decides to run against her. With the help of some mischievous pixie staying with her family, she digs up dirt on Mina and her opponents. In the process, however, she shed the bit of mortality that she has been striving so hard to obtain. When Lexie starts having trouble sleeping at night, loses her best friend, and is getting to be quite mean, a man from Vampire Relocation Services informs her that if she doesn’t ind a way to get back her mortality, she will turn into a full-fledged vampire. Can Lexie win the campaign, win her friends back, and still remain mortal?

A great story for those younger siblings who aren’t ready for Twilight. The characters are well-developed, the story keeps the readers interested, and the humor interspersed throughout the book is entertaining. Readers who like vampires, realistic fiction, and fantasy will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Where the Mild Things Are by Maurice Send-up

Send-Up, Maurice Where the Mild Things Are, illustrated by Bonnie Leick.  Simon, 2009.  $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  Young Mog can’t bring himself to do the monster-y things all good (bad) monsters are supposed to do, so he takes himself off on a journey to find the mildest place he can. For older students (high school) this could be a good illustration a the use of parody and it will definitely be enjoyed by every adult who picks it up.  MS, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

I’m Number One by Michael Rosen

Rosen, Michael I’m Number One, illustrated by Bob Graham.  Candlewick, 2009.  $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  The toy wind-up drummer is bossing everyone around and trying to make them feel bad about themselves.  The others, however, figure out what’s happening and give him a little taste of his own medicine.  Sometimes little kids don’t know when they are being mean to their friends – they just know they want their own way.  Reading about A-One is a good way to talk to them about the right way to treat their friends.  EL (PreK, K-3) – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Mary’s Penny by Tanya Landman

Landman, Tanya Mary’s Penny, illustrated by Richard Holland.  Candlewick, 2010.  $15.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  A farmer holds a challenge to decide which of his children will run the farm after he is gone.  His two sons seem up to the challenge, but it is his daughter who may have the best idea of all.  Ms. Landman has crafted a beautiful retelling of a classic feminist fable, which is perfectly complemented by Mr. Holland’s stylistic drawings.  Perfect for a lesson on fables or girl power.  EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Alphaoops! H is for Halloween by Alethea Kontis - ESSENTIAL

Kontis, Alethea AlphaOops! H is for Halloween, illustrated by Bob Kolar.  Candlewick, 2010.  $15.99.  PICTURE BOOK. 

The alphabet is almost ready to perform a holiday show, but A turns the spotlight over to H, who is the most important for this day, making for a spooking, silly, creepy and delightfully entertaining read. 

Little kids will be entertained not only by the fun and creepy illustrations, the antics of B, but also by keeping track of this out-of-order alphabet.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.

Cindy, Library Teacher

Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature by Sarah Campbell

Campbell, Sarah C. Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature.  Boyds Mill, 2010.  $17.95.  PICTURE BOOKS.  Sarah Campbell and her husband Richard Campbell use beautiful nature photographs to complement their easily understood look at the Fibonacci sequence.  Whether for a group of younger students learning an interesting mathematical concept, or for the older students who need a refresher course, pair with a document camera for maximum impact.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

A Pirate’s Guide to the First Grade by James Preller - ESSENTIAL

Preller, James A Pirate’s Guide to the First Grade, illustrated by Greg Ruth.  Feiwel and Friends, 2010.  $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  

EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.

A young boy is eager to start the first day of school – and with his vivid imagination and some phantom pirate buddies, it looks to be a rip-roaring time.  

If you want your students to spend the next few hours speaking and acting like pirates – this is exactly the right book for you.  What a fun way to start the school year – ending with a trip to the library to find the buried treasure!  

Cindy, Library Teacher

Market Day by Victoria Roberts

Roberts, Victoria and Tomislav Zlatic Market Day.  Kane Miller, 2010.  $19.99.  BOARD BOOKS.  Set up shop and learn about colors, shapes, opposites and numbers as you tend to your market stalls with these four board books that come in a pop-up market carrying case.  The cute little board books are not just basic and the bright colors and animal friends are sure to attract their attention.  This would make a great gift for a first birthday, too.  Be careful – your child might start asking for their food in certain shapes!  Pre-K – ADVISABLE.  GIFT. Cindy, Library Teacher