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Hickory Dickory Dog
by Alison Murray
Continuing to rework nursery rhymes, Murray updates Hickory Dickory Dock with a boy, his dog, and a clock. Not content to stay home, Rufus the dog follows Zack, his boy, to school one day (calling to mind a little schoolgirl named Mary?). Rufus does manage to become one filthy dog by joining in at painting time, lunchtime, and garden time. Therefor,e we do have bath time that evening. With a multicultural cast of preschool children, Murray’s art will be familiar to readers of her previous titles One Two, That’s My Shoe and Apple Pie ABC, available now as a board book. Her pastel colored pages provide a lovely, almost textural backdrop to the events being shown. Recommended for ages 2-5.
—Tracy Gallagher, MLIS, Collection Development
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Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic
by Leslie Kimmelman
The tough times of the Great Depression had many Americans struggling to make a living. Franklin Roosevelt was the leader of the country at this time and the first lady, Eleanor, was a leader in her own right also. She traveled the country becoming Franklin’s eyes and ears as it was difficult for him to travel since he contracted polio in 1921. Eleanor was a strong and determined woman who knew her own mind in her decision to hold a picnic which included the all-American hot dog on the menu for King George IV and Queen Elizabeth of England. This was the very first visit since America had gained its independence 150 years ago. Needless to say, people were aghast at what Eleanor had planned and sent letter after letter to the White House complaining of how this picnic was not prestigious enough for royalty. Eleanor assured the people in her newspaper column that other foods would be served also, but that hot dogs would remain on the menu. The picnic was a hit and the King helped himself to two hot dogs while the Queen ate hers with a knife and fork! The humor captured in the colorful photorealistic illustrations will prompt a smile or two as this story unfolds. After reading this title, readers will be able to easily recognize Franklin and Eleanor in any photograph. This momentous visit helped deepen the relationship between the two couples strengthening the ties between their two countries as they became allies during WWII, which was on the horizon. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
—Jeanne Martin, M.Ed., Collection Development
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Girls Get Stitching!
by Shirley Mclauchlan
With a reassuring tone, McLauchlan certainly does get girls stitching, no sewing machine required! She uses 10 basic embroidery stitches to make the 20 charming projects in the book and that can then be used to branch out creatively to keep embellishing clothes and accessories. Introductory materials include a list of needed supplies, instructions for making the stitches and for the various techniques mentioned ( such as bonding fabrics and transferring templates), and an explanation that natural materials work best. One need not spend a lot of money to get natural materials: why not turn to the clothing department at thrift stores?! Each project has at least one color photo and step-by-step instructions. End materials are reproducible templates with a statement of the percentage of enlargement needed and a glossary. Two female models are used in the photos, one looks to be a teen and the other looks to be a preteen, so I can see this book being used by crafty girls of many ages. I’m enjoying the fun and creative youth titles coming from the FunStitch Studio of C&T Publishing and look forward to many more. Girls Get Stitching is recommended for ages 10 and up.
— Becky Walton, MLIS, Collection Development |
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A Breath of Frost
by Alyxandra Harvey
Harvey (Drake Chronicles) gives us a smashing, fantastical and engaging new Regency fantasy to sink our teeth into--cause for celebration, indeed. Cousins Emma, Gretchen and Penelope are debutants enjoying (or despising, as the case may be) their first London Season; what they weren't expecting is to discover that powerful witchcraft runs in their family, especially in the middle of a ball. This discovery, especially of Emma's powers, unfortunately precipitates the opening of gates to the Underworld, and now a sort of magical law enforcement wants to hunt Emma and her cousins down. Now the girls must untangle the story of how and why their families kept them ignorant of their legacy, and stay one step ahead of assassins from the Underworld, bent on usurping their powers. Sparkling dialogue, spunky and quirky characters, and a relentless narrative pace makes Harvey's newest offering a winner. Hand this to fans of Patricia Wrede's delightful Sorcery and Cecilia: or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot or Doyle's Bewitching Season; they'll rejoice in the knowledge A Breath of Frost is the first in a new series. Recommended for ages 12 to 17.
—Jill M. Barton, MLIS, Collection Development
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Zom-B Baby
by Darren Shan
The publication schedule for the titles in Shan’s Zom-B series is one every three months and even that seems too long for me! As he did in titles two through four, Shan gives readers a short recap of the zombie apocalypse to bring us up to speed, and then he dives straightaway back into the action. The fifth title in the series has B still with the “Angels” from the previous installment, but she’s having doubts about the intentions and sanity of their leader, a scientist who claims to be doing God’s work. Mr. Dowling, the evil clown villain that has appeared throughout the series, makes another brief appearance. (For some odd reason, when I read these scenes, the Ozzy Osbourne song “Mr. Crowley” runs through my head. Any connection, Mr. Shan?) The theme of good versus evil is addressed in more depth as B tries to figure out how she, as a revitalized zombie, fits into this bleak and savage new world. Shan finally reveals what was with the recurring “baby dream” that B had when she was alive, and of course, it’s macabre... and, really, did you expect anyhing less?! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
—Becky Walton, MLIS, Collection Development
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The Cute Girl Network
by Greg Means and MK Reed, illustrated by Joe Flood
Jack sells soup. Jane sells skateboards. In this modern-day romantic comedy the two meet, fall in love, and it’s all very sweet. However, the Network, “a loose alliance of smart, beautiful young women who’ve come together to share information about all the spazzes, dorks, tools, freaks, perverts, losers, and dumbass boys in the city and to prevent yet another awesome girl from falling for yet another lame guy,” finds out about Jane’s new love interest and tries to talk her out of dating Jack, who is admittedly kind of a bonehead. She meets with a few of his former girlfriends who intimate his screw-ups during their relationships. However, Jane, who is very independent, decides to choose for herself. The black and white panel close-ups are especially expressive. There are some language and mild sexual situations in this graphic novel, which is highly recommended for ages 14 and up.
—Jenny McCluskey, MSIS, Collection Development
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