Reading Fun with Curious George Early Reader Boxed Set - ADVISABLE

Reading Fun with Curious George Early Reader Boxed Set.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011. $9.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  As we know, Curious George was created by Margret and H.A. Rey.  But these books only give credit to the pair for having created the character in the books, not actually written them.  What is even more interesting is that the titles are adaptations from the Curious George show on PBS.  The titles included in this boxed set are all Early Reader Level 1, and they are entitled The Dog Show, The Kite, Roller Coaster, The Boat Show, Plays Mini Golf, and Pinata Party.  Also included in this boxed set are stickers, a poster, and a reading certificate.  The truth is that I am happy to have this boxed set.  Since my son is still an emergent reader, he needs all the books he can get his hands on.  Getting six books for $10 is a good price, even if they are not the highest quality books in the world.  The Poster and the certificate are junk in my opinion, but the stickers are fun (kids love stickers).  If you know someone who is a level 1 early reader, then this would be a good gift for him/her.  Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Building a Dream by Beth Dunlop - ADVISABLE

Dunlop, Beth Building a Dream: The Art of Disney Architecture, 206 p. Disney/Hyperion, 2011.  $60.  Disney never does anything without a purpose and a plan.  This eye candy delves into the processes and purposes behind pretty much every non-ride building on any Disney property – and a few of the in-park buildings too.  From the Team Disney building in Burbank to the post office of Celebration, Florida, you will read about things that you never would believe people thought out.  Architectures, designers, Disney-philes alike will be fascinated by the wealth of information that Dunlop imparts.  The price makes it a little out of reach for lots of schools, but if you can fit it in, I think you will find an audience.  Otherwise, I am definitely gifting a copy to someone I know.  Gift – ADVISABLE.  MS, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Layout & Background by Disney - ADVISABLE

Layout & Background (Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Archive Series), 279 p. Disney/Hyperion, 2011.  $50.  A book of few words – but LOTS of gorgeous full color photos – following the history of Disney animation from Winter Storage in 1949 and 2011’s Winnie the Pooh.  But this unique book looks specifically at the power of the backgrounds – the layout for the action. 

I started at the back – with the movies that were most familiar to me  - and moved my way to the front – to the movies that came out well before I was born.  What really amazed me was how much of the older pictures I recognized any way – just from the backdrop.  While this pricey book is probably not a good buy for a school – unless you have an animation class or a high level art class, a public library would be a great place for this and it would be good for any gifting opportunity for a Disney-fanatic. PUBLIC, GIFT – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Leonard Marcus - OPTIONAL

Juster, Norton The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth, 263 p. Knopf (Random), 2011. 

With notes by Leonard S. Marcus.  $30.  If anyone in your school teaches Phantom Tollbooth, then this is definitely a book that you need to get.  Marcus has added loads of interesting tidbits and facts and sidenotes to entertain and inform.  

Adults who grew up loving it will love this.  For the casual student reader, however, stick with the standard paperback edition.  GIFT – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long - ESSENTIAL

Long, Laurel. The Twelve Days of Christmas. Dial Books, 2011 $16.99. Content G-PICTURE BOOK. The popular Christmas story and song comes alive in this beautiful book. The illustrations are amazing and finely detailed and just like the song repeats, Long has repeated each gift over and over hidden within the artwork of the new gift. This book truly is a keepsake. It’s beautiful enough to display, but has the hidden element that any age will enjoy reading over and over. GIFT - ESSENTIAL.  Shauna, reading teacher.

Knick-Knack Paddy Whack! by Paul Zelinsky - ESSENTIAL

Zelinsky, Paul O. Knick-Knack Paddy Whack! (A moving Parts Book Adapted From the Counting Song). Dutton Children’s Books, 2002. $20.99. Content G. PICTURE BOOK. The childhood song has been adapted into a book.  The moving parts in this book are amazing. Zelinsky has carefully crafted this book to be entertaining and the publishers have spared no expense in the quality. I have read this book several times and played with the moving parts over and over and it shows no signs of wear or breaking.  This is sure to be a family favorite. EL (K-3), GIFT - ESSENTIAL.  Shauna, Reading Teacher.

Listen to the Silent Night by Dandi Mackall - ADVISABLE

Mackall, Dandi Daley Listen to the Silent Night, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.  Dutton (Penguin), 2011.  $17.  PICTURE BOOK.  Mackall brings to life the sounds that broke through on the not-so-silent night when Jesus was born in a barn – sounds which are given form by Johnson and Fancher’s illustrations.  If you know anyone who teaches religious classes for small children, this would be excellent, too.  GIFT, EL(K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Story of Christmas illustrated by Pamela Dalton - ADVISABLE

The Story of Christmas (from the King James Bible), illustrated by Pamela Dalton.  Handprint Books (Chronicle), 2011.  Dalton uses a Pennsylvania-German folkart cut-paper technique, scherenschnitte, to illustrate the Christmas Story from the King James Bible.  She is a master of the craft and for anyone looking a version of this hallowed story will be delighted to receive and read this book.  GIFT, EL – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz illustrated by Robert Ingpen - ADVISABLE

Baum, L. Frank The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, illustrated by Robert Ingpen.  192 p. Sterling, 2011.  $20.  Content: G.  Visit the Land of Oz and be transported through Ingpen’s gorgeous illustrations into a wonderful, but different world from the movie or any other illustrated version you’ve seen before.  At $20, you can’t beat this as a gift, or a purchase for your library if you need one.  EL, MS, GIFT – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Eric Puybaret - ESSENTIAL

Moore, Clement C. The Night Before Christmas, paintings by Eric Puybaret, performed by Peter, Paul and Mary.  Imagine Books (Charlesbride), 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1936140060.  $20.  PICTURE BOOK with CD.  Content: G.  Puybaret has illustrated another classic – Moore’s iconic Christmas poem – with gorgeous illustrations that are perfection.  Don’t worry about the CD going missing – the illustrations are the star.  GIFT, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

When You Wish Upon a Star illustrated by Eric Puybaret - ADVISABLE

Washington, Ned When You Wish Upon a Star, illustrated by Eric Puybaret; performed by Judy Collins.  Imagine Book (Charlesbridge).  ISBN: 978-1936140350 PICTURE BOOK with CD.  $18.  Content: G.  Puybaret’s illustrations are reason enough to buy this illustrated version of this classic Disney song.  Lush?  Yes and highly imaginative and satisfying.  I don’t know much about Judy Collins (besides Send in the Clowns), but her voice has not faded over the years – she renders a pretty version of the song, though I would have been just as happy with Jiminy Cricket’s version too.  She does change one word as she sings (“brings” becomes “gives”) which might irritate younger readers who are following along.  Gift, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders by Susan H. Magsamen - PARENTS

Magsamen, Susan H. The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders: Favorite Adventures, Stories, Poems, and Songs for Making Lasting Memories.  National Geographic 2010 $19.95. Content G-PICTURE BOOK. Just like the title indicates, this book is full of poems, activities and such. It’s split into three sections: outdoor exploring, dream it/make it, and magic and make-believe. Within each section are at least one story and a corresponding activity. This book truly is a family keepsake. It is great for family game night, story time, craft activities, rainy days, and on and on.  It caters to young, old, young at heart, boys and girls.  It’s probably not as valuable to a public or school library, but absolutely perfect for FAMILY/HOME. Shauna, reading teacher.

Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen - OPTIONAL

Rosen, Michael J.  Chanukah Lights, pop-ups by Robert Sabuda.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $34.99.  POP-UP PICTURE BOOK.  For each of the eight nights of Chanukah, this book depicts a time in Jewish history when Jews might have celebrated the miracle of the lamp burning for eight days in the Temple.  Unfortunately, I do not know how to begin reviewing this book.  As a non-Jew who grew up in the New York Metropolitan Area I always felt as if I am not Jewish illiterate, but I still did not know very much about each of the stories depicted on the pages.  I didn't have enough background knowledge to get much out of the book.  I do not know for sure, but it appears to be written specifically to a Jewish audience, who would know about the stories discussed.  And yet, it is an absolutely beautiful book.  The text is understated and great, and the pop-ups are absolutely spectacular.  I could look at each page forever, to see the intricacies and attention to detail.  However, perhaps I appear ignorant but I do not know for sure if it is a good choice for a gift, but I do know for sure it does not have a general audience that belongs on every library shelf in the world.  But it is something to consider as a gift for a very specific family or group of people.  Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL, MS - Optional.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

The Pixar Treasures by Tim Hauser - ADVISABLE

Hauser, Tim The Pixar Treasures, 63 p. Disney Editions, 2010.  NON-FICTION.  $60.  From their early desires for an education, meeting Disney’s “nine old men” and on to their films at Pixar, this really is a treasure trove of information, photos, reproductions – all about the world of work at Pixar.  It will definitely make you jealous!  This is a fantastic gift for any Disney-phile, but it has a multitude of small bits that can easily get lost, so I am not sure of its value in a collection. If your school has an art, film or animation program, however, this would be a valuable asset.  HS – OPTIONAL.  GIFT – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Treasures of Ancient Egypt by Jaromir Malek - ADVISABLE

Malek, Jaromir The Treasures of Ancient Egypt, 61 p. Carlton (Sterling), 2010.  $40.  NON-FICTION.  DO you know someone who is fascinated by Egypt?  200 years of uncovering Egypt are included within these few pages.  Much more than a book for children – the in-depth information, the colored photographs and full color document reproductions – I understand the price tag.  I am definitely adding this one to my collection – and I think I am going to keep it in the slipcase, too.  MS, HS – OPTIONAL.  GIFT – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Battlefields of the Civil War by Peter Cozzens - OPTIONAL

Cozzens, Peter Battlefields of the Civil War, 61 p.  Carlton (Sterling), 2011.  $35.00 NON-FICTION.  From the First Battle of Manassas to the treaty signing at William McLean’s house, 26 important events (usually battles) of The Civil War are explored through in-depth information, photographs, drawings and pull-out artifacts.  I showed this to my 8^th grade American History teacher and they are very excited to use it this year.  I am not going to put it into general circulation, however, because I want to make sure it is intact when they are ready for it.  This would be a great gift for a Civil War buff, also.  MS – OPTIONAL.  GIFT – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher