Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston - ESSENTIAL

Weston, Robert Paul Zorgamazoo, 288 pgs. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 2008. Language – G (0 swears); Mature Content – G; Violence – G;

If you’re searching to find a cleverly book,

then Zorgamzoo deserves a really good look.

It has ogres and pixies and fantastical creatures,

With horns on their heads and other such features.

Katrina Katrell, an imaginative girl,

has fled from Mrs. Krabone in a really big whirl.

She meets up with Mortimer, a zorgel for sure,

His last name is Yorgel out on an adventure quite pure.

He is hunting lost Zorgels who were gone in the night,

With Winnie the beast who is a terrible sight.

The Zorgels have been captured, yes stolen from home.

And Winnie was left by herself, all alone.

The heroes were taken to a place on the moon,

Their freedom, their escape can come none too soon.

The story is good with a moral not bad,

The ending is fun and not even sad.

There are pictures that help the story seem real,

And give an impression of truth with a zeal.

The book it is written in verses that rhyme,

And read it out loud for a very good time.

HS – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: W. Child - Cyprus High Library Media Specialist

Twelve Haunted Rooms of Halloween--ADVISABLE

Twelve Haunted Rooms of Halloween, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan.  Sterling Children’s Books, 2011.  $14.95. PICTURE BOOK.  A Halloween version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, a bear peaks into twelve haunted rooms and sees “a bat hanging from a bare tree,” monsters, zombies, goblins, etc.  The cartoon illustrations capture the Halloween spirit of spooky fun without being too creepy.  Illustrator Macky Pamintuan adds to the fun by adding 5 additional characters and items that are hidden throughout the book.  A great book for a storytime at home or at the library.  EL– ADVISABLE.  Samantha, Public Librarian.

Puff, the Magic Dragon: Pop-Up Book by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton--ESSENTIAL

Yarrow, Peter & Lenny Lipton.  Puff, the Magic Dragon: Pop-Up Book, illustrated by Eric Puybaret, paper engineering by Bruce Foster.  Sterling Children’s Books, 2011.  $26.95. PICTURE BOOK / POP-UP BOOK.  In the 1960’s the musical group Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded a popular song about Puff.  In 2007, a picture book entitled Puff, the Magic Dragon came with a CD including 4 songs.  This new edition is a pop-up version of that same title, including the CD.  The original paintings by Eric Puybaret continue to charm and enchant; however, as expected, the paper engineering by Bruce Foster steals the show. Each pop-up adds motion to the story and enhances the overall experience.  The pirate pop-up in particular with a moving hook and a sail with a rope is magical.  EL – ESSENTIAL.  Samantha, Public Librarian.